4-nitrophenyl Methyl Research Articles

Coordination-cage binding and catalysed hydrolysis of organophosphorus chemical warfare agent simulants.

The use of organophosphorus chemical warfare agents still remains an ongoing global threat. Here we investigate the binding of small-molecule organic guests including phosphate esters, sulfonate esters, carbonate esters and a sulfite ester - some of which act as simulants for organophosphorus chemical warfare agents - in the cavity of a water-soluble coordination cage. For several of these guest species, binding constants in the range 102 to 103 M-1 were determined in water/DMSO (98 : 2 v/v) solution, through a combination of fluorescence and 1H NMR spectroscopy, and subsequent fitting of titration data to a 1 : 1 binding isotherm model. For three cage/guest complexes crystallographic structure determinations were possible: in two cases (with guests phenyl methanesulfonate and phenyl propyl carbonate) the guest lies inside the cavity, forming a range of CH⋯O hydrogen-bonding interactions with the cage interior surface involving CH groups on the cationic cage surface that act as H-bond donors and O atoms on the guests that act as H-bond acceptors. In a third case, with the guest 4-nitrophenyl-methanesulfonate, the guest lies in the spaces outside a cage cavity between cages and forms weak CH⋯O interactions with the cage exterior surface: the cavity is occupied by a network of H-bonded water molecules, though this guest does show cavity binding in solution. For the isomeric guests 4-nitrophenyl-methanesulfonate and 4-nitrophenyl methyl sulfite, hydrolysis in water/DMSO (98 : 2 v/v) could be monitored colorimetrically via appearance of the 4-nitrophenolate anion; both showed accelerated hydrolysis rates in the presence of the host cage with second-order rate constants for the catalysed reactions in the range 10-3 to 10-2 M-1 s-1 at pH 9. The typical rate dependence on external pH and the increased reaction rates when chloride ions are present (which can bind inside the cavity and displace other cavity-bound guests) imply that the catalysed reaction actually occurs at the external surface of the cage rather than inside the cavity.

Quantum Mechanical Study of Three Aromatic Bioactive Fatty Alcohol Compounds with Nonlinear Optical and Potential Light Harvesting Properties

In the present work, Quantum mechanical properties of three different organic compounds [(2S)-1-(4-nitrophenyl) pyrrolidin-2-yl] methanol (NPPM), 2-(Methyl(4-nitrophenyl) nitro) ethanol (MNAE), and N, N-Bis (2-hydroxyethyl)-4-nitroaniline (HENA) were investigated by computational approach. The geometries were optimized to ground state using the density functional theory (DFT) with level B3LYP/6311-G (++d, p) basis set. The Mulliken charge distribution and molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) map of the title molecules shows the existence of huge charge distribution and the charge transfer within the molecules due to the presence of nucleophilic and electrophilic moieties. The vibrational spectra of the title molecules seem to have high intensity Raman modes. The UV–Vis spectra for the three molecules were found to indicate the presence of π-π* and n-π* electronic transitions between wavelength 300–500 nm. The computed value of first-order hyperpolarizability for the molecules were found to be higher than the reference materials. This validates the nonlinear optical responses of the title molecules. The light harvesting efficiency of the molecules were also determined. For the NPPM molecule, light harvesting efficiency of 64% was obtained. This validates the potential applications of NPPM in designing new photosensitizer solar cells.

Internal dynamics of methyl p-tolyl sulfoxide in the gas phase: Rotational spectroscopy and theoretical studies.

A pure rotational spectrum of methyl p-tolyl sulfoxide (MTSO) was studied using chirped-pulse Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy in the frequency range of 18-26GHz. A single conformer was unambiguously observed in the supersonic jet expansion, which is consistent with the conformational analysis performed using quantum-chemical calculations. Rotational transitions were split into two components of A and E symmetries due to the low-barrier internal rotation of the ring methyl group [V3 = 11.0178(23) cm-1]. The low energy barrier for the methyl top internal rotation implies an electron-withdrawing effect of the group at the opposite side of the phenyl ring, in comparison with other para-substituted toluenes. The effective ground state (r0) geometry was derived using the rotational constants from the parent species and the 34S and eight 13C singly substituted isotopologues. Compared to two other sulfoxides, methyl phenyl sulfoxide and methyl 4-nitrophenyl sulfoxide, the sulfoxide group in MTSO is slightly more twisted with respect to the plane of the phenyl ring, which could be attributed to the moderate electron-donating effect of the p-methyl group. Furthermore, the pyramidal inversion that interconverts the handedness at the sulfur stereogenic center was explored in the electronic ground (S0) and excited (S1) states with nudged elastic band and time-dependent density functional theory methods. It was found that the pyramidal inversion in S1 is easier than in S0, showing that optical excitation to S1 will facilitate an effectively barrier-free inversion.

Development and validation of a new RP-HPLC method for organic explosive compounds.

A new RP-HPLC method was developed and validated to achieve the separation and quantification of the organic explosive compounds such as pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN), 1-methyl-2,4,6-trinitro toluen (TNT), picric acid, 1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX), cyclorimethylenetrinitramine (RDX), 2,4,6 Tri nitro phenyl methyl nitramine (Tetryl), 1-methyl-2,4-dinitro toluen (DNT), ethylene glycol dinitrate (EGDN), and trinitroglycerine (TNG) in this study. The mobile phase composition (IPA percentage in water) and the flow rate was optimized for the separation of the organic explosive compounds. Theoretical plate number (N), capacity factor (k'), resolution (Rs) were used to determine the optimum chromatographic conditions. The most favorable conditions were detected as 22% IPA in water, a flow rate of 1.7 mL/min. Under optimum chromatographic conditions, separation was completed within 18 min. The linear ranges were 6.5-100 and 10-0.625 mg/L (R2 = 0.998-0.999) for investigated explosives. Mean recoveries were found to be in the range of 95.3%-103.3%. LOD and LOQ were ranged between 0.09-1.32 mg/L and 0.31-4.42 mg/L, respectively, for investigated explosives. The obtained results showed that the new method was very suitable for the separation of the resolution of organic explosive compounds with C18 columns. TNT and RDX seized from terrorists were found to be in 372.99 mg/L and 79.55 mg/L, respectively.

Heptalene Synthesis by Addition of Aryl Acetylenes to Azulenes

Aryl acetylenes bearing electron-withdrawing groups have been found that can add to azulenes and yield 1,2-substituted heptalenes. Theoretical studies of the reaction mechanism helped to design the candidate molecules that have then been tested in the synthetic work. New heptalenes are obtained by reacting methyl (4-nitrophenyl)propiolate with either 4,6,8-trimethylazulene or guaiazulene, as well as 3-(4-nitrophenyl)-2-propyn-1-ol with guaiazulene. This opens a new synthetic route to 1-aryl-substituted heptalenes.

An improved synthesis of a cyclopropene-based molecule for the fabrication of bioengineered tissues via copper-free click chemistry.

Since its introduction in the field of biological imaging, the use of copper-free click chemistry has been extended to produce improved materials for vascular surgery, ophthalmology, environmental, and automotive applications. This wide applicability suggests that larger quantities of the chemical reagents for copper-free click chemistry will be required in the future. However, the large-scale synthesis of such chemicals has been barely investigated. A possible reason is the shortage of reliable synthetic protocols to obtain large quantities of these building blocks. We therefore present in this paper an improved synthetic protocol to obtain a cyclopropene-based carbonate, a key building block for the well-known copper-free click chemistry. Our protocol builds upon an already available method to obtain a cyclopropene-based carbonate. When scaled up, several parameters of this method were changed in order to obtain an improved yield. First, the use of lower temperatures and slower addition rates of the chemicals avoided the formation of detrimental hotspots in the reaction system. Second, the use of less hygroscopic solvents minimized the decomposition of the cyclopropene carbonate. Finally, chromatographic purifications were minimized and improved by using deactivated silica. We obtained the compound (2-methylcycloprop-2-en-1-yl)methyl (4-nitrophenyl) carbonate, a key building block for copper-free click chemistry, in an unprecedented 60% overall yield on a six-gram scale. Our improved synthetic protocol demonstrates the potential of large-scale production of improved materials using click chemistry, with potential future applications in the fields of molecular imaging, vascular surgery, ophthalmology, and theranostics.

Safety and efficacy of Monimax® (monensin sodium and nicarbazin) for chickens for fattening and chickens reared for laying.

The coccidiostat Monimax® (monensin sodium and nicarbazin) is considered safe for chickens for fattening and chickens reared for laying at the highest use level of 50 mg monensin and 50 mg nicarbazin/kg complete feed. This conclusion is extended to chickens reared for laying. For both active substances, the metabolic pathways in the chicken are similar to those in the turkey and rat. Nicarbazin, when ingested, is rapidly split in its two components dinitrocarbanilide (DNC) and 2‐hydroxy‐4,6‐dimethylpyrimidine (HDP) which behave independently. Monimax® does not represent a genotoxic risk. No safety concerns would arise from the nicarbazin impurities p‐nitroaniline and methyl(4‐nitrophenyl) carbamate. The lowest no observed effect level (NOEL) identified for monensin sodium in a developmental study in rabbits is 0.3 mg monensin sodium/kg body weight (bw) per day for maternal toxicity in rabbits. The lowest no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) identified in a 52‐week study in rat using DNC + HDP was 20 mg DNC + 8 mg HDP/kg bw per day based on the absence of microcrystals in urine and related microscopic renal observations. No significant interaction between monensin sodium and nicarbazin is expected from toxicological studies. The use of Monimax® at the highest proposed dose will not pose a risk to persons consuming animal products from treated chickens for fattening. This conclusion is extended to chickens reared for laying. No withdrawal time is required for Monimax® in chickens for fattening. Residue data comply with the established maximum residue limits (MRLs) for monensin and DNC. Based on the available data, the FEEDAP Panel cannot conclude on the safety of Monimax® for the environment. Monimax® has the potential to control coccidiosis in chickens for fattening at a minimum concentration of 40 mg monensin and 40 mg nicarbazin/kg complete feed.

Specificity and mechanism of mandelamide hydrolase catalysis

The best-studied amidase signature (AS) enzyme is probably fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH). Closely related to FAAH is mandelamide hydrolase (MAH), whose substrate specificity and mechanism of catalysis are described in this paper. First, we developed a convenient chromogenic substrate, 4-nitrophenylacetamide, for MAH. The lack of reactivity of MAH with the corresponding ethyl ester confirmed the very limited size of the MAH leaving group site. The reactivity of MAH with 4-nitrophenyl acetate and methyl 4-nitrophenyl carbonate, therefore, suggested formation of an “inverse” acyl-enzyme where the small acyl-group occupies the normal leaving group site. We have interpreted the specificity of MAH for phenylacetamide substrates and small leaving groups in terms of its active site structure, using a homology model based on a FAAH crystal structure. The relevant structural elements were compared with those of FAAH. Phenylmethylboronic acid is a potent inhibitor of MAH (Ki = 27 nM), presumably because it forms a transition state analogue structure with the enzyme. O-Acyl hydroxamates were not irreversible inactivators of MAH but some were found to be transient inhibitors.

Detection of Significant Aprotic Solvent Effects on the Conformational Distribution of Methyl 4-Nitrophenyl Sulfoxide: From Gas-Phase Rotational to Liquid-Crystal NMR Spectroscopy.

The conformational equilibrium of methyl 4-nitrophenyl sulfoxide (MNPSO) was experimentally investigated in the gas phase by using microwave spectroscopy and in isotropic and nematic liquid-crystal solutions, in which the solvents are nonaqueous and aprotic, by using NMR spectroscopy; moreover, it was theoretically studied in vacuo and in solution at different levels of theory. The overall set of results indicates a significant dependence of the solute conformational distribution on the solvent dielectric permittivity constant: when dissolved in low-polarity media, the most stable conformation of MNPSO proved to be strongly twisted with respect to that in more polar solvents, in which the conformational distribution maximum essentially coincides with that obtained in the gas phase. We discuss a possible explanation of this behavior, which rests on electrostatic solute-solvent interactions and is supported by calculations of the solute electric dipole moment as a function of the torsional angle. This function shows that the least polar conformation of MNPSO is located at a twist angle close to that of the conformational distribution maximum found in less-polar solvents. This fact, associated with a relatively flat torsional potential, can justify the stabilization of the twisted conformation by the less-polar solvents.

A mechanistic study of the [La2(OCH3)2]4+- and [(1,5,9-triazacyclodo-decane):Zn:(OCH3)]+-catalyzed methanolysis of carbonates: possible application for the recycling of bisphenol A polycarbonates

The kinetics of the methanolysis of seven methyl aryl carbonates (3) and two methyl alkyl carbonates (4) promoted by [12[ane]N3:Zn:(OCH3)]+ and [La2(OCH3)2]4+ catalysts (1 and 2, respectively) have been studied at 25.0 °C. Brønsted plots of the [Formula: see text] values for methanolysis versus aryloxy and alkoxy leaving group (LG) [Formula: see text] or [Formula: see text] values (the pKa values of the parent ArOH or ROH in methanol) for substrates 3 and 4 show an apparent downward break at [Formula: see text] ∼16.6 and 15.2 with [12[ane]N3:Zn:(OCH3)]+ and [La2(OCH3)2]4+, respectively. The breakpoint is not due to a change in rate-limiting step in a two-step process involving metal ion delivery of a coordinated methoxide to a transiently associated substrate and the subsequent breakdown of a tetrahedral intermediate to form product. The more satisfactory explanation is that the break arises when one correlates the rate constants for two dissimilar sets of substrates, namely aryloxy- and alkoxy-substituted 3 and 4. DFT calculations for the 1-promoted reactions of methyl 4-nitrophenyl carbonate (3b), which has a good aryloxy leaving group, and methyl isopropyl carbonate (4b), which has a relatively poor alkyl one, indicate that the catalyzed processes involve two steps. Accordingly, the methanolysis of all 3 having [Formula: see text] values for the parent phenols ≤15.3 involves rate-limiting nucleophilic attack and fast breakdown. For the isopropyl alkyl derivative (4b) having a [Formula: see text] > 18.13, the rate-liming step is the metal ion promoted breakdown of a tetrahedral intermediate. The catalytic system employing 2 has utility for the catalytic decomposition of poly(bisphenol A carbonate). In a semi-optimized system where 1000 mg of poly(bisphenol A carbonate), treated at 100 °C for 30 min in 2 mL of 60:40 chloroform−methanol containing La(OTf)3:NaOMe (5:7.5 mmol L−1), the reaction gave an 84% yield of bisphenol A, corresponding to >300 turnovers per catalyst.

Steric effects on the catalytic activities of zinc(ii) complexes containing [12]aneN3 ligating units in the cleavage of the RNA and DNA model phosphates

A series of N-methylated mono- and di-[12]aneN(3) ligands () have been synthesized and characterized. The steric effects on the catalytic activities of their mononuclear and dinuclear zinc(ii) complexes in the cleavage of a RNA model 2-hydroxypropyl 4-nitrophenyl phosphate (HPNPP, ) and a DNA model methyl 4-nitrophenyl phosphates (MPNPP, 4) in methanol have been investigated at 25 °C. In the cleavage of phosphate catalyzed by the mononuclear complexes, derived from the N-methylation in the [12]aneN(3) backbone, the plots of k(obs)versus [Zn(II)] changed from an upward curvature to linearity with increasing level of methylation, indicating that N-methylations led to a reduction of dinuclear association that was responsible for the synergetic effect. Compared to the activities of the complex with non-methylated di-[12]aneN(3) ligand, those of the dinuclear zinc(ii) complex (Zn(2)-8), which has the two N-methyl groups, were reduced by two orders of magnitude as measured by the second-order rate constants and synergetic effect in the cleavage of both model compounds. For reactions catalyzed by the fully N-methylated dinuclear complex (Zn(2)-9), no synergetic effect was observed. Nevertheless, complex Zn(2)-8 still showed the remarkable catalytic efficiency, with rate accelerations of 10(9-10)-fold in the cleavage of each of the two phosphates relative to the background reactions, and the synergetic effects of up to 561 folds. pH jump experiments confirmed that the rate-limiting step in the cleavage of by Zn(2)-8 involved the binding process, while that in the reaction with 4 was the chemical cleavage of the P-O bond. Steric effects in the cleavage reactions were analyzed in detail and were compared with the electronic effect caused by oxy anion bridging group in the di-[12]aneN(3) ligand and also with the hydrophobic effect observed in other systems. The work has further confirmed that the combination of the cooperativity between two metal ions and a medium effect could result in excellent catalytic activities for the cleavage of phosphate diesters.

Mechanistic and Kinetic Investigation on the Formation of Palladacyclopentadiene Complexes. A Novel Interpretation Involving a Bimolecular Self-Reaction of a Monoalkyne Intermediate

The stoichiometric reaction between the complex [Pd(η2-dmfu)(BiPy)] (dmfu = dimethylfumarate; BiPy = 2,2′-bipyridine) and the deactivated alkynes dmbd (dimethyl-2-butynedioate) and pna (methyl (4-nitrophenyl)propynoate), providing the respective palladacyclopentadienes, was investigated. The mechanism leading to the palladacyclopentadiene derivative involves a bimolecular self-rearrangement of the monoalkyne intermediate [Pd(η2-alk)(BiPy)] (alk = dmbd, pna), followed by the customary attack of the free alkyne on the intermediate [Pd(η2-alk)(BiPy)] itself and on the elusive and highly reactive “naked palladium” [Pd(BiPy)(0)] formed. The alkyne pna proved to be less effective in the displacement of dmfu than dmbd. The reaction under stoichiometric equimolar conditions of the latter with [Pd(η2-dmfu)(BiPy)] allows the direct determination of the bimolecular self-reaction rate constant kc and consequently the assessment of all the rate constants involved in the overall mechanistic network.

Kinetic studies on the oxidation of aryl methyl sulfides and sulfoxides by dimethyldioxirane; absolute rate constants and activation parameters for 4-nitrophenyl methyl sulfide and sulfoxide

The oxidations of methyl 4-nitrophenyl sulfide and sulfoxide by dimethyldioxirane, in acetone and mixtures of acetone with water, methanol, acetonitrile and hexane, have been followed by UV-Vis spectroscopy to monitor the decay of the substrates. The data show that, under all the conditions studied, both oxidations obey second-order kinetics. Grunwald-Winstein and Kamlet-Taft analyses of the influence of solvents on the second-order rate constants have been used to obtain mechanistic information on the two reactions. Activation parameters for the two oxidations in acetone and aqueous acetone have been calculated from rate constants for reactions in the temperature range 283-313 K and compared with those from sulfide and sulfoxide oxidations with other oxidants. For sulfoxide oxidations in acetone and 1-20% v/v water in acetone, the results support a concerted nucleophilic displacement by sulfur of oxygen from dimethyldioxirane with the rate being dependent on the solvent's polarity. Sulfide oxidations in acetone and 1-5% v/v water in acetone also proceed by a concerted mechanism. However, in the most polar solvent system studied, 20% v/v water in acetone, the mechanism changes in favour of a two-step reaction involving a betaine intermediate. Importantly, the sulfide oxidation shows a different solvent dependence to that of the sulfoxide, with the rate of oxidation being determined by the hydrogen bond donor capacity and electron-pair donicity of the solvent.

Borate‐Catalyzed Reactions of Hydrogen Peroxide: Kinetics and Mechanism of the Oxidation of Organic Sulfides by Peroxoborates

The kinetics of the oxidation of substituted phenyl methyl sulfides by hydrogen peroxide in borate/boric acid buffers were investigated as a function of pH, total peroxide concentration, and total boron concentration. Second-order rate constants at 25 degrees C for the reaction of methyl 4-nitrophenyl sulfide and H(2)O(2), monoperoxoborate, HOOB(OH)(3) (-), or diperoxoborate, (HOO)(2)B(OH)(2) (-), are 8.29 x 10(-5), 1.51 x 10(-2) and 1.06 x 10(-2) M(-1) s(-1), respectively. Peroxoboric acid, HOOB(OH)(2), is unreactive. The Hammett rho values for the reactions of a range of substituted phenyl methyl sulfides and hydrogen peroxide, monoperoxoborate or diperoxoborate are -1.50 +/- 0.1, -0.65 +/- 0.07 and -0.48 (two points only), respectively. The rho values for the peroxoborates are of significantly lower magnitude than expected from their reactivity compared to other peroxides. Nevertheless the negative rho values indicate positive charge development on the sulfur atom in the transition state consistent with nucleophilic attack by the organic sulfides on the peroxoborates as with the other peroxides. The kinetic parameters, including the lack of reactivity of peroxoboric acid, are discussed in terms of the differences in the transition state of reactions involving peroxoboron species with respect to those of other peroxides.

Kinetics and Mechanism of the Aminolysis of O-Aryl S-Methyl Thiocarbonates

[reaction: see text] The reactions of secondary alicyclic (SA) amines and quinuclidines (QUI) with 4-nitrophenyl and 2,4-dinitrophenyl S-methyl thiocarbonates (1 and 2, respectively) and those of SA amines with 2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorophenyl S-methyl thiocarbonate (3) are subjected to a kinetic study in aqueous solution, at 25.0 degrees C, and an ionic strength of 0.2 M (KCl). The reactions of thiocarbonates 1, 2, and 3 were followed spectrophotometrically at 400, 360, and 220 nm, respectively. Under amine excess, pseudo-first-order rate coefficients (k(obsd)) are found. Plots of k(obsd) vs amine concentration at constant pH are linear, with the slope (kN) independent of pH. The Brønsted-type plots (log kN vs pKa of aminium ions) are linear for all the reactions, with slopes beta = 0.9 for those of 1 with SA amines and QUI, beta = 0.36 and 0.57 for the reactions of 2 with SA amines and QUI, respectively, and beta = 0.39 for the reactions of SA amines with 3. The magnitude of the slopes indicates that both aminolyses of 1 are governed by stepwise mechanisms, through a zwitterionic tetrahedral intermediate (T+/-), where expulsion of the nucleofuge from T+/- is the rate-determining step. The values of the Brønsted slopes found for the aminolyses of thiocarbonates 2 and 3 suggest that these reactions are concerted. By comparison of the reactions under investigation between them and with similar aminolyses, the following conclusions arise: (i) Thiocarbonate 2 is more reactive than 1 toward the two amine series. (ii) The change of the nonleaving group from MeO in 4-nitrophenyl methyl carbonate to MeS in thiocarbonate 1 results in lower kN values. (iii) The greater reactivity of this carbonate than thiocarbonate 1 is attributed to steric hindrance of the MeS group, compared to MeO toward amine attack. (iv) The change of a pyridine to an isobasic SA amine or QUI destabilizes the T+/- intermediate formed in the aminolyses of 2. (v) The change of 4-nitrophenoxy to 2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorphenoxy or 2,4-dinitrophenoxy as the leaving group destabilizes the tetrahedral intermediate formed in the reactions with SA amines, changing the mechanism from a stepwise process to a concerted reaction.

Kinetics and mechanism of the aminolysis of methyl 4-nitrophenyl, methyl 2,4-dinitrophenyl, and phenyl 2,4-dinitrophenyl carbonates.

The reactions of methyl 4-nitrophenyl carbonate (MNPC) with a series of secondary alicyclic amines (SAA) and quinuclidines (QUIN), methyl 2,4-dinitrophenyl carbonate (MDNPC) with QUIN and 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazinium ion (HPA), and phenyl 2,4-dinitrophenyl carbonate (PDNPC) with SAA are subjected to a kinetic investigation in aqueous solution, at 25.0 degrees C and an ionic strength of 0.2 M. By following spectrophotometrically the nucleofuge release (330-400 nm) under amine excess, pseudo-first-order rate coefficients (k(obsd)) are obtained. Plots of k(obsd) vs [amine] at constant pH are linear, with the slope (k(N)) being pH independent. The Brönsted-type plot (log k(N) vs amine pK(a)) for the reactions of SAA with MNPC is biphasic with slopes beta(1) = 0.3 (high pK(a) region) and beta(2) = 1.0 (low pK(a) region) and a curvature center at pK(a)(0) = 9.3. This plot is consistent with a stepwise mechanism through a zwitterionic tetrahedral intermediate (T(+/-)) and a change in the rate-determining step with SAA basicity. The Brönsted plot for the quinuclidinolysis of MNPC is linear with slope beta(N) = 0.86, in line with a stepwise process where breakdown of T(+/-) to products is rate limiting. A previous work on the reactions of SAA with MDNPC was revised by including the reaction of HPA. The Brönsted plots for the reactions of QUIN and SAA with MDNPC and SAA with PDNPC are linear with slopes beta = 0.51, 0.48, and 0.39, respectively, consistent with concerted mechanisms. Since quinuclidines are better leaving groups from T(+/-) than isobasic SAA, yielding a less stable T(+/-), it seems doubtful that the quinuclidinolysis of PDNPC is stepwise, as reported.

Synthesis of Phenyl or 4-Nitrophenyl Methyl β-Ketophosphonate Esters

Seven new aryl methyl g -ketophosphonate esters were synthesized. The hydrolytic rates of the compounds under physiological conditions were studied. Most of the compounds are effective inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase. The enzyme recovers on the 10-50 h time scale from its adducts with two of the inhibitors.

Mechanistic studies of direct and sensitized photolysis of methyl (4-nitrophenyl)diazoacetate in the presence of an electron-donating amine: photochemical generation of the diazoalkane radical anion

The direct and perylene-sensitized photolysis of methyl (4-nitrophenyl)diazoacetate (1) in the presence of an electron-donating amine was investigated by the characterization of reaction products and by the direct observation of reactive species using a laser flash photolysis technique. In the direct photolysis of 1 in the presence of N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine (TMPD), electron transfer from TMPD occurs and the photoproducts are obtained through an intermediate other than the carbene 3, which we suppose to be the carbene radical anion 3−˙. In the perylene-sensitized photolysis of 1 in the presence of an amine having a large electron-donating ability such as N,N-dimethylaniline and TMPD, the radical anion of 1 can be generated by perylene-mediated electron transfer from the amine to 1. The resulting 1−˙ appears to undergo extrusion of dinitrogen to give 3−˙ smoothly, the behavior of which is dependent on the amine employed as an additive. The product studies revealed that 3−˙ reacts readily with O2 to give the ketoester 5 or abstracts hydrogen atoms to give the ester 7, which is not inconsistent with the theoretical prediction that 3−˙ has a σ radical character in its electronic structure.

Kinetic study of the phenolysis of bis(4-nitrophenyl) carbonate, bis(4-nitrophenyl) thionocarbonate, and methyl 4-nitrophenyl thionocarbonate.

The reactions of a homogeneous series of phenols with bis(4-nitrophenyl) carbonate (BNPC), bis(4-nitrophenyl) thionocarbonate (BNPTOC), and methyl 4-nitrophenyl thionocarbonate (MNPTOC) are subjected to a kinetic investigation in water, at 25.0 degrees C and ionic strength of 0.2 M (KCl). Under excess of phenol over the substrate, all the reactions obey pseudo-first-order kinetics and are first order in phenoxide anion. The reactions of BNPC show a linear Brönsted-type plot with slope beta = 0.66, consistent with a concerted mechanism (one step). In contrast, those of BNPTOC and MNPTOC show biphasic Brönsted-type plots with slopes beta = 0.30 and 0.44, respectively, at high pK(a), and beta = 1.25 and 1.60, respectively, at low pK(a), consistent with stepwise mechanisms. For the reactions of both thionocarbonates, the pK(a) value at the center of the Brönsted plot (pK(a)(0)) is 7.1, which corresponds to the pK(a) of 4-nitrophenol. This confirms that the phenolyses of the thionocarbonates are stepwise processes, with the formation of an anionic tetrahedral intermediate. By the comparison of the kinetics and mechanisms of the title reactions with similar reactions, the following conclusions can be drawn: (i) Substitution of S(-) by O(-) in an anionic tetrahedral intermediate (T(-)) destabilizes it. (ii) The change of MeO by 4-nitrophenoxy in T(-) results in an increase of both the rate constant and equilibrium constant, for the formation of T(-), and also in an enlargement of the rate coefficient for the expulsion of 4-nitrophenoxide from T(-). (iii) Substitution of an amino group in a tetrahedral intermediate by ArO destabilizes it. (iv) Secondary alicyclic amines and other amines show greater reactivity toward MNPTOC than isobasic phenoxide anions.

Kinetics and Mechanism of the Aminolysis of Phenyl and Methyl 4-Nitrophenyl Thionocarbonates.

The reactions of secondary alicyclic amines with the title substrates are subjected to a kinetic study in aqueous solution, 25.0 degrees C, ionic strength 0.2 (KCl), by following spectrophotometrically the release of 4-nitrophenoxide ion. Under amine excess, pseudo-first-order rate coefficients (k(obsd)) are found. For the reactions of phenyl 4-nitrophenyl thionocarbonate (1), linear plots of k(obsd) vs [NH] (NH is the free amine) are obtained, except for the reaction with piperazinium ion, which shows nonlinear upward plots. The aminolysis of methyl 4-nitrophenyl thionocarbonate (2) exhibits nonlinear plots of k(obsd) vs [NH], except that with piperidine, which is linear. The Brönsted-type plot for 1 is linear with slope beta = 0.25, indicating that the formation (k(1) step) of a tetrahedral addition intermediate (T(+/-)) is rate determining. For the aminolysis of 2 (except piperidine), k(-)(1) approximately k(3)[NH] > k(2), where k(-)(1), k(3), and k(2) are the rate coefficients for amine expulsion, amine deprotonation, and leaving group expulsion from T(+/-), respectively. For the reaction of 2 with piperidine, k(-)(1) < k(3)[NH]; therefore, the k(1) step is rate limiting. By comparison of the reactions under investigation among them and with similar aminolyses, the following conclusions can be drawn: (i) The change of MeO by EtO in 2 does not affect the k(1), k(-)(1), or k(2) values. (ii) Substitution of MeO by PhO in 2 results in lower k(1) values due to steric hindrance. (iii) The change of 4-nitrophenoxy (NPO) by PhO in 2 lowers the k(1) values and enlarges those of k(-)(1). (iv) Secondary alicyclic amines are less reactive toward 2 than isobasic pyridines when the breakdown of T(+/-) is rate determining; this is mainly due to larger k(-)(1) values for the former amines. (v) The change of PhO by NPO in 1 changes the mechanism from stepwise to concerted. (vi) Substitution of NPO by PhO in 1 does not alter the k(1) values significantly. (vii) The change of NPO by Cl in 1 increases the k(1) values. (viii) Substitution of C=S by C=O in 1 shifts the rate-limiting step from k(1) to k(2) due to a larger k(-)(1)/k(2) ratio by this change.