Dibenzothiophene Sulfoxide Research Articles

Determination of PASHs by various analytical techniques based on gas chromatography–mass spectrometry: Application to a biodesulfurization process

Polycyclic aromatic sulphur heterocyclic (PASH) compounds, such as dibenzothiophene (DBT) and alkylated derivatives are used as model compounds in biodesulfurization processes. The development of these processes is focused on the reduction of the concentration of sulphur in gasoline and gas–oil [D.J. Monticello, Curr. Opin. Biotechnol. 11 (2000) 540], in order to meet European Union and United States directives. The evaluation of biodesulfurization processes requires the development of adequate analytical techniques, allowing the identification of any transformation products generated. The identification of intermediates and final products permits the evaluation of the degradation process. In this work, seven sulfurated compounds and one non-sulfurated compound have been selected to develop an extraction method and to compare the sensitivity and identification capabilities of three different gas chromatography ionization modes. The selected compounds are: dibenzothiophene (DBT), 4-methyl-dibenzothiophene (4-m-DBT), 4,6-dimethyl-dibenzothiophene (4,6-dm-DBT) and 4,6 diethyl-dibenzothiophene (4,6 de-DBT), all of which can be used as model compounds in biodesulfurization processes; as well as dibenzothiophene sulfoxide (DBTO 2), dibenzothiophene sulfone (DBTO) and 2-(2-hydroxybiphenyl)-benzenesulfinate (HBPS), which are intermediate products in biodesulfurization processes of DBT [ A. Alcon, V.E. Santos, A.B. Martín, P. Yustos, F. García-Ochoa, Biochem. Eng. J. 26 (2005) 168]. Furthermore, a non-sulfurated compound, 2-hydroxybiphenyl (2-HBP), has also been selected as it is the final product in the biodesulfurization process of DBT [A. Alcon, V.E. Santos, A.B. Martín, P. Yustos, F. García-Ochoa. Biochem. Eng. J. 26 (2005) 168]. Since, typically, biodesulfurization reactions take place in a biphasic medium, two extraction methods have been developed: a liquid–liquid extraction method for the watery phase and a solid phase extraction method for the organic phase. Recoveries of the selected compound in both media were studied. They were in the range of 80–100% for the watery and in the range of 40–60% for the organic phase, respectively. Gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC–MS) has been employed for the identification of these selected compounds. Three different ionization modes were applied: conventional electron impact (EI); positive chemical ionization (PCI), using methane as the reagent gas; and a recently developed ionization mode known as hybrid chemical ionization (HCI), using perfluorotri- n-butylamine as the reagent gas. Limits of detection and identification capabilities have been compared between the three analytical techniques. The sensitivity of the three analytical techniques was studied and LOD between 0.05 and 1, between 0.09 and 2 and between 0.001 and 0.043 were achieved for PCI, EI and HCI, respectively. The developed method was applied in samples from a biodesulfurization process. The biodesulfurization reactions were conducted in resting cell operation mode, using Erlenmeyer flasks or an agitated tank bioreactor. The microorganism employed was Pseudomonas putida CECT 5279. The reaction was performed under controlled air flow, stirring and temperature conditions.

Dibenzothiophene oxidation by horseradish peroxidase in organic media: Effect of the DBT:H 2O 2 molar ratio and H 2O 2 addition mode

Its is well known that in the biodesulfurization (BDS) process the low water solubility of sulfur compounds hinders its transference from the oil phase to the cells being the rate-limiting step in the metabolism of dibenzothiophenes (DBT). Thus sulfur compounds derivatives with high water solubility could be more easily transported increasing the BDS efficiency. The present work performed a stepwise evaluation of the enzymatic oxidation of DBT by horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Reactions were carried out in monophasic organic media containing 25% (v/v) acetonitrile. The following parameters were evaluated: DBT:H 2O 2 molar ratio (1:1–1:20); H 2O 2 addition mode (single or stepwise); pH (6.0–8.0) and temperature (37–50 °C). Best results were observed in a reaction medium at pH 8.0 presenting HRP 0.06 IU ml −1, DBT 0.267 mM, DBT:H 2O 2 molar ratio of 1:20 (stepwise hydrogen peroxide addition) and incubated at 45 °C for 60 min. Under these conditions 60% of DBT was converted into dibenzothiophene sulfoxide (12%) and dibenzothiophene sulfone (46%). The DBT oxidation rate observed in this work, of 5 mmol min −1 g −1 of HRP, was 250-fold higher than the BDS rate, 20 μmol min −1 g −1 of catalyst. As such a combined enzyme–microbial desulfurization process could be envisaged. Products were determined by HPLC RP C-18.

A laser flash photolysis study of dibenzothiophene sulfoxide and benzo[ b]naphtho[2,1-d]thiophene-11-oxide

The photodeoxygenation reaction of dibenzothiophene sulfoxide ( 1) and of benzo[ b]naphtho[2,1-d]thiophene-11-oxide ( 3) have been studied by nanosecond laser flash photolysis. Laser irradiation of 1 using sensitization with benzophenone leads to formation of a transient with absorption at 380 nm and a lifetime of around 140 ns. Triplet sensitized steady state irradiation of 1 indicates that the triplet state is not responsible for the direct photodeoxygenation. Laser flash photolysis of 3 leads to the formation of a transient with a maximum absorption at 445 nm and a lifetime of around 3 μs. This transient was characterized as the triplet 3 by quenching with β-carotene. Quenching experiments indicate that the triplet energy is less than 56 kcal/mol.

Visible Photooxidation of Dibenzothiophenes Sensitized by 2-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-4, 6-diphenylpyrylium: An Electron Transfer Mechanism without Involvement of Superoxide

We report here on a new electron-transfer mechanism for visible-light photooxidation of sulfides in which no superoxide ion is involved. Visible-light irradiation of 2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4, 6-diphenylpyrylium tetrafluoroborate (MOPDPP(+)BF(4)(-)) in an O(2)-saturated acetonitrile solution containing dibenzothiophene (DBT) results in nearly 100% conversion to oxygenated products, DBT sulfoxide and sulfone. The photooxidation of DBT is initiated by a photoinduced electron-transfer process, where the excited MOPDPP(+) traps an electron from the ground-state DBT to form MOPDPP(*) and DBT radical cation. Such a mechanism is consistent with the studies of laser flash photolysis, electron spin resonance, and fluorescence quenching of the irradiated system. The photogenerated DBT radical cation undergoes a coupling reaction with O(2) to produce the intermediate responsible for the formation of the oxygenated products. The presence of O(2) has no effect on the decay kinetics of the transient absorption of MOPDPP(*), indicating that no redox reaction occurs between MOPDPP(*) and O(2), and thus no superoxide ion (O(2)(*-)) is formed. Moreover, the ESR signal of MOPDPP(*) was significantly enhanced in the presence of O(2), consistent with the assumption that the photogenerated DBT radical cation couples with O(2) to form the oxygen-adduct, which is subject to further reactions (Scheme 3) leading to the final oxygenated products. Similar results have been obtained when using 10-methylacridine hexafluorophosphate (AcrH(+)PF(6)(-), which has similar reduction potential in the ground state as MOPDPP(+)) as the sensitizer. This finding provides a possibility for the photooxidation of sulfides with dioxygen utilizing visible light (solar energy) and is also of significance in clarification of the reaction mechanism.

Gauging the significance of atomic oxygen [O(3P)] in sulfoxide photochemistry. A method for hydrocarbon oxidation.

A liquid-phase photolysis of 1,2-benzodiphenylene sulfoxide, 1, and dibenzothiophene sulfoxide, 2, was used to generate atomic oxygen [O(3P)] or an equivalent active oxygen species. The reaction for sulfoxide photodeoxygenation was similar to a microwave discharge method for generating O(3P) atoms in the condensed phase (Zadok, E.; Rubinraut, S.; Mazur, Y. J. Org. Chem. 1987, 52, 385-90). Sulfoxide photodeoxygenation is a potentially clean method for O(3P) production compared to the microwave discharge method. With Argon purging of the sulfoxide sample before photolysis, the method can preclude a secondary oxidation process involving molecular oxygen. Our study focused on the results of oxidation products in the reaction of styrene, 3, and on the dependence of substrates that provided an opportunity to vary the electronic and steric effects. The sulfoxide photochemistry is rationalized with the primary formation of O(3P) in which a charge-transfer interaction between O(3P) and substrate precedes oxidation. Functionalization of hydrocarbons takes place under mild photolysis conditions of 1 and 2, which leads to an interesting possibility for the synthetic use of atomic oxygen, O(3P). Alkanes give principally alcohols. Alkenes give principally epoxides and ketones. For comparison, hydroxyl radicals are more reactive and less selective toward hydrocarbons compared to O(3P) atoms. On the other hand, O(3P) atoms balance reactivity and selectivity and involve the oxidation of inert alkanes typically inaccessible to peracid, dioxirane, ozone, and singlet molecular oxygen chemistry. The findings from this study may be useful to those interested in generating high-value oxygenated compounds from readily available petroleum components.

Electrophilic oxidant produced in the photodeoxygenation of 1,2-benzodiphenylene sulfoxide.

We report that the photodeoxygenation of 1,2-benzodiphenylene sulfoxide, 1, generates an intermediate capable of oxidizing the solvent benzene to phenol. The reactivity of the intermediate was probed with various substrates (2-methylbutane, chloride ion, and para-substituted aryl sulfides). The intermediate produced in the sulfoxide photodeoxygenation displays an electrophilic oxidation chemistry. Our data on 1 contrast with the behavior of hydroxyl radical but resemble the chemistry observed for gas-phase atomic oxygen [O((3)P)] and for solution-phase photodeoxygenations of dibenzothiophene sulfoxide, 3, and pyridine N-oxide, 5. Correlations are made between the ionization potential of the acceptor molecules and the logarithm of the relative rate constants in order to advance the idea that the oxidizing agent of the title reaction may be solution-phase O((3)P).

Developments in destructive and non-destructive pathways for selective desulfurizations in oil-biorefining processes

Biocatalytic desulfurization is still not a commercial technology, but conceptual engineering and sensitivity analyses have shown that the approach is very promising. The purpose of this paper is to investigate further some aspects of the biodesulphurization pathways, discussing the non-destructive pathway with the well-known Rhodococcus rhodochrous IGTS8. Findings revealed byproducts, such as 2'-hydroxybiphenyl (HBP), sulfite and sulfate, obtained by the desulfurization of dibenzothiophene (DBT), to exert an inhibiting effect. The results suggest that IGTS8 may follow two different metabolic pathways in stationary-growth-phase cells or under growing conditions. The first pathway is characterized by oxidative steps, which convert DBT to DBT sulfoxide and to DBT sulfone. The sulfone is transformed to 2-(2'-hydroxyphenyl)benzene sulfinate and then to HBP and sulfite by a sulfinic acid hydrolase. In the second pathway the sulfone is further oxidized to 2-(2'-hydroxyphenyl)benzene sulfonate and then to HBP and sulfate by a sulfonic acid hydrolase. Experiments using benzene sulfonic acid suggest that the sulfonic acid hydrolase is an induced enzyme.

Biodegradation of benzothiophene sulfones by a filamentous bacterium

Previous studies showed that benzothiophene and 3- and 5-methylbenzothiophenes are oxidized by some bacteria to yield their corresponding sulfones, which were not subsequently degraded. In this study, a filamentous bacterium was isolated, which grew on each of these three sulfones as its sole carbon, sulfur, and energy source. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing and scanning electron microscopy, the isolate was found to belong to the genus Pseudonocardia and assigned the strain designation DB1. Benzothiophene sulfone and 3-methylbenzothiophene sulfone were more readily biodegraded than 5-methylbenzothiophene sulfone, and growth on these three compounds resulted in the release of 57, 62, and 28% of the substrate carbon as CO2, respectively. The thiophene ring was also cleaved, and between 44 and 88% of the sulfur from the consumed substrate was found as sulfate and (or) sulfite. Strain DB1 grew on benzoate, dibenzothiophene sulfone, and hexadecanoic acid, but it could not grow on benzofuran, dibenzothiophene, dibenzothiophene sulfoxide, hexadecane, indole, naphthalene, phenol, 2-sulfobenzoic acid, sulfolane, benzothiophene, or 3- or 5-methylbenzothiophenes. In addition, it did not oxidize the latter three compounds to their sulfones.

Acute toxicity and aqueous solubility of some condensed thiophenes and their microbial metabolites

AbstractPetroleum or creosote contamination of surface waters, soils, or groundwaters introduces countless aromatic compounds to these environments. Among these are condensed thiophenes that were shown to be oxidized to sulfoxides, sulfones, and 2,3‐diones by microbial cultures. In this study, the acute toxicities of 12 compounds (benzothiophene, benzothiophene sulfone, ben‐zothiophene‐2,3‐dione, 3‐, and 5‐methylbenzothiophenes, 3‐, and 5‐methylbenzothiophene sulfones, 5‐, and 7‐methylbenzothio‐phene‐2,3‐diones, dibenzothiophene, dibenzothiophene sulfoxide, and dibenzothiophene sulfone) were determined by the Microtox® and Daphnia magna bioassays. To aid in determining the toxicities, the solubilities of many of these compounds were determined, which showed that the oxidized compounds were much more water soluble than the parent thiophenes. In nearly every case, the oxidized compounds were less toxic than their parent thiophenes. The Microtox method was more sensitive than the D. magna bioassay, but in general, there was a good correlation between toxicities measured by the two tests. Samples were removed from batch cultures of a Pseudomonas strain capable of oxidizing the thiophenes, and these samples were subjected to Microtox bioassays. These experiments showed that the toxicities of the culture supernatants decreased with incubation time.

ACUTE TOXICITY AND AQUEOUS SOLUBILITY OF SOME CONDENSED THIOPHENES AND THEIR MICROBIAL METABOLITES

Petroleum or creosote contamination of surface waters, soils, or groundwaters introduces countless aromatic compounds to these environments. Among these are condensed thiophenes that were shown to be oxidized to sulfoxides, sulfones, and 2,3-diones by microbial cultures. In this study, the acute toxicities of 12 compounds (benzothiophene, benzothiophene sulfone, ben-zothiophene-2,3-dione, 3-, and 5-methylbenzothiophenes, 3-, and 5-methylbenzothiophene sulfones, 5-, and 7-methylbenzothio-phene-2,3-diones, dibenzothiophene, dibenzothiophene sulfoxide, and dibenzothiophene sulfone) were determined by the Microtox® and Daphnia magna bioassays. To aid in determining the toxicities, the solubilities of many of these compounds were determined, which showed that the oxidized compounds were much more water soluble than the parent thiophenes. In nearly every case, the oxidized compounds were less toxic than their parent thiophenes. The Microtox method was more sensitive than the D. magna bioassay, but in general, there was a good correlation between toxicities measured by the two tests. Samples were removed from batch cultures of a Pseudomonas strain capable of oxidizing the thiophenes, and these samples were subjected to Microtox bioassays. These experiments showed that the toxicities of the culture supernatants decreased with incubation time.

Photodeoxygenation of Dibenzothiophene Sulfoxide: Evidence for a Unimolecular S−O Cleavage Mechanism1

Photolysis of dibenzothiophene sulfoxide results in the formation of dibenzothiophene and oxidized solvent. Though quantum yields are low, chemical yields of the sulfide are quite high. Yields of the oxidized solvents can also be high. Typical products are phenol from benzene, cyclohexanol, and cyclohexene from cyclohexane and 2-cyclohexenol and epoxycyclohexane from cyclohexene. A number of experiments designed to elucidate the mechanism of the hydroxylation were carried out, including measurements of quantum yields as a function of concentration, solvent, quenchers, and excitation wavelength. These data are inconsistent with a mechanism involving a sulfoxide dimer, which also does not properly account for the solvent oxidations. It is suggested that the active oxidizing agent may be atomic oxygen O(3P) or a closely related noncovalent complex, based on the nature of the oxidation chemistry, comparison to known rate constants for O(3P) reactivity, and the quantum yield data.

Regio- and stereospecific oxidation of fluorene, dibenzofuran, and dibenzothiophene by naphthalene dioxygenase from Pseudomonas sp. strain NCIB 9816-4.

The regio- and stereospecific oxidation of fluorene, dibenzofuran, and dibenzothiophene was examined with mutant and recombinant strains expressing naphthalene dioxygenase from Pseudomonas sp. strain NCIB 9816-4. The initial oxidation products were isolated and identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry. Salicylate-induced cells of Pseudomonas sp. strain 9816/11 and isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside-induced cells of Escherichia coli JM109(DE3)(pDTG141) oxidized fluorene to (+)-(3S,4R)-cis-3,4-dihydroxy-3,4-dihydrofluorene (80 to 90% relative yield; > 95% enantiomeric excess [ee]) and 9-fluorenol (< 10% yield). The same cells oxidized dibenzofuran to (1R,2S)-cis-1,2-dihydroxy-1, 2-dihydrodibenzofuran (60 to 70% yield; > 95% ee) and (3S,4R)-cis-3, 4-dihydroxy-3,4-dihydrodibenzofuran (30 to 40% yield; > 95% ee). Induced cells of both strains, as well as the purified dioxygenase, also oxidized dibenzothiophene to (+)-(1R,2S)-cis-1,2-dihydroxy-1, 2-dihydrodibenzothiophene (84 to 87% yield; > 95% ee) and dibenzothiophene sulfoxide (< 15% yield). The major reaction catalyzed by naphthalene dioxygenase with each substrate was stereospecific dihydroxylation in which the cis-dihydrodiols were of identical regiochemistry and of R configuration at the benzylic center adjacent to the bridgehead carbon atom. The regiospecific oxidation of dibenzofuran differed from that of the other substrates in that a significant amount of the minor cis-3,4-dihydrodiol regioisomer was formed. The results indicate that although the absolute stereochemistry of the cis-diene diols was the same, the nature of the bridging atom or heteroatom influenced the regiospecificity of the reactions catalyzed by naphthalene dioxygenase.

Gene overexpression, purification, and identification of a desulfurization enzyme from Rhodococcus sp. strain IGTS8 as a sulfide/sulfoxide monooxygenase.

The oxidation of dibenzothiophene to dibenzothiophene sulfone has been linked to the enzyme encoded by the sox/dszC gene from Rhodococcus sp. strain IGTS8 (S. A. Denome, C. Oldfield, L. J. Nash, and K. D. Young, J. Bacteriol. 176:6707-6717, 1994; C. S. Piddington, B. R. Kovacevich, and J. Rambosek, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 61:468-475, 1995). However, this enzyme has not been characterized, and the type of its catalytic activity remains unclassified. In this work, the sox/dszC gene was overexpressed in Escherichia coli, a procedure for the purification of the expressed enzyme was developed, and the properties of and the reactions catalyzed by the purified enzyme were characterized. This enzyme binds one flavin mononucleotide (Kd, 7 micrometers) or reduced flavin mononucleotide (FMNH2) (Kd < 10(-8) M) per 90,200-Da homodimer, and FMNH2 is an essential cosubstrate for its activity. Patterns of product formation were examined under different FMNH2 availabilities, and results indicate that this enzyme catalyzes a stepwise conversion of dibenzothiophene to the corresponding sulfoxide and subsequently to the sulfone. On the basis of isotope labeling patterns with H2(18)O and 18O2, dibenzothiophene sulfoxide and sulfone obtained their oxygen atom(s) from molecular oxygen rather than water in their formation from dibenzothiophene. The enzyme also utilizes benzyl sulfide and benzyl sulfoxide as substrates. Hence, it is identified as a sulfide/sulfoxide monooxygenase. This monooxygenase is similar to the microsomal flavin-containing monooxygenase but is unique among microbial flavomonooxygenases in its ability to catalyze two consecutive monooxygenation reactions.

Hemoglobin, horseradish peroxidase, and heme-bovine serum albumin as biocatalyst for the oxidation of dibenzothiophene

Hemoglobin, horseradish peroxidase, and bovine serum albumin incubated heme-catalyzed the oxidation of dibenzothiophene into sulfoxide in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. This reaction was carried out in an aqueous buffer containing 25% of water-miscible organic solvents. The observation of this transient state of hemoproteins during sulfoxidation showed heme degradation. None of the compounds usually involved in a classical peroxidative activity mechanism were detected. Furthermore, this activity did not appear to be based on a Fenton-type reaction. The highest degrees of sulfoxidation were obtained with hemoglobin. Under the best conditions of reaction, 100% of dibenzothiophene were converted into dibenzothiophene sulfoxide by hemoglobin. Heat-denatured hemoproteins did keep their sulfoxidation activity. With hemoglobin, a kcat of 0.22 min-1 was determined. Nearly the same values were obtained with heat-denatured hemoglobin and bovine serum albumin-adsorbed heme. With horseradish peroxidase, only 4% of conversion was attained. This percentage could be slightly increased by using a less pure peroxidase or heat-denatured peroxidase.

Photochemistry of dibenzothiophene-S,S-dioxide: Reactions of a highly constrained biradical

Photolysis of dibenzothiophene sulfoxide in isopropanol provides biphenyl in quantitative yield via two sequential photochemical reactions. Mechanistic aspects of the reaction are discussed, including the unusual observation that isoprene increases the quantum yield of loss of starting material.

Biodesulfurization of dibenzothiophene sulfone by Arthrobacter sp. and studies with oxidized Illinois No. 6 coal

A bacterium identified as Arthrobacter sp. was grown on dibenzothiophene (DBT) sulfone as a sole source of sulfur, producing sulfite and sulfate. Sulfur in DBT sulfone (1.0 mM) was nearly quantitatively converted to sulfate by the organism. The organism could also use DBT sulfone as a sole source of carbon and energy. There was evidence for transient accumulation of benzoic acid in the culture medium after growth of the cells slowed. The DBT sulfoxide analogue 9-fluorenone was converted by resting cells to a product identified as 1,10-dihydroxy-1,10-dihydrofluoren-9-one, suggesting that DBT sulfone may be metabolized via an angular hydroxylation resulting in carbon- sulfur bond cleavage. This strain of Arthrobacter showed no ability to desulfurize oxidized Illinois No. 6 coal.

Microbial desulfurization of dibenzothiophene: a sulfur-specific pathway.

Rhodococcus rhodochrous strain IGTS8 metabolizes dibenzothiophene, a model compound for organic sulfur in fossil fuels, in a sulfur-specific manner. Two routes of desulfurization have been identified. Under growth conditions, the intermediates are dibenzothiophene sulfoxide, dibenzothiophene sulfone, 2'-hydroxybiphenyl-2-sulfonate, and 2,2'-dihydroxybiphenyl. Stationary phase cells produce 2-hydroxybiphenyl as the desulfurized product and use the 2'-hydroxybiphenyl-2-sulfinate, rather than the sulfonate, as the key intermediate.