Catalytic Generation of Radicals in Supramolecular Systems with Acetylcholine

Abstract

The catalytic effect of the most important neurotransmitter, acetylcholine (ACh), which, like cationic surfactants (S+), is able to form mixed microaggregates with hydroperoxides (ROOH) in organic media and accelerate ROOH decomposition into free radicals, has been considered. Chemisorbed on solid supports (cellulose, sodium montmorillonite) ACh as well as S+ catalytically decomposes ROOH and initiates radical chain oxidation and polymerization from the surface. A comparison of radical generation rates (Wi) by mixtures of ACh with cumyl and tert-butyl hydroperoxides in n-decane and chlorobenzene showed that Wi is relatively lowered in the presence of an aromatic fragment in a solvent or hydroperoxide. Phosphatidylcholine (РС) is a zwitterionic surfactant in which a choline cation is bound to a phosphate group. Non-transition metal ions Ca(II) and Mg(II) break the zwitterionic bond and convert РС into a cationic surfactant able to catalyze the radical decomposition of ROOH. The slowing effect of a moderate magnetic field of 0.157 T on the radical’s generation rate in mixtures of ROOH with S+, ACh, and PC treated with Ca(II) and Mg(II) salts was established.