Electron Transfer-proton Transfer Research Articles

Flavonoid Oxidation Potentials and Antioxidant Activities-Theoretical Models Based on Oxidation Mechanisms and Related Changes in Electronic Structure.

Herein, I will review our efforts to develop a comprehensive and robust model for the estimation of the first oxidation potential, Ep1, and antioxidant activity, AA, of flavonoids that would, besides enabling fast and cheap prediction of Ep1 and AA for a flavonoid of interest, help us explain the relationship between Ep1, AA and electronic structure. The model development went forward with enlarging the set of flavonoids and, that way, we had to learn how to deal with the structural peculiarities of some of the 35 flavonoids from the final calibration set, for which the Ep1 measurements were all made in our laboratory. The developed models were simple quadratic models based either on atomic spin densities or differences in the atomic charges of the species involved in any of the three main oxidation mechanisms. The best model takes into account all three mechanisms of oxidation, single electron transfer-proton transfer (SET-PT), sequential proton loss electron transfer (SPLET) and hydrogen atom transfer (HAT), yielding excellent statistics (R2 = 0.970, S.E. = 0.043).

Revealing the Mechanism of Alcohol Dehydroxylation and C-C Bond Formation through Concerted Catalysis by Ir/Cu Bimetallic Complexes.

The density functional theory (DFT) was employed to theoretically investigate the reaction mechanism of alcohol deoxygenation/trifluoromethylation. The substrate alcohol (R1) forms a complex (INT3) by binding with benzoxazole salts (NHCs). Under the influence of the photocatalyst ([IrIII]*) and quinuclidine, the C-H bond in INT3 is activated through either electron transfer-proton transfer (ETPT) or hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) mechanisms, resulting in the cleavage of C-O bonds and generation of deoxyalkyl radicals. The distribution of high-valent and low-valent states in the catalytic cycle of [Ir]-complexes is governed by the redox potential mechanism. Investigation was conducted on the source of hydrogen atom transfer reagents in the HAT reaction process under both optimal and nonoptimal conditions. The results demonstrate distinct reactivity among various radicals involved in the Cu-mediated radical capture process. Further investigations into INT3 activation modes, cycling facilitated by [Ir]-complexes, and understanding the role played by [Cu]-complexes in this reaction system provide a valuable theoretical foundation for comprehending and enhancing Ir/Cu bimetallic cooperative catalysis in alcohol deoxygenation/trifluoromethylation reactions. This provides anticipated theoretical support for future designs of more efficient and rational alcohol deoxygenation reactions.

Structure Activity Relationships for Second‐Coordination Sphere Functional Group Dependent CO2 Reduction by Manganese Bipyridyl Electrocatalysts

AbstractA series of twelve second coordination sphere (SCS) functionalized manganese tricarbonyl bipyridyl complexes are investigated for their electrocatalytic CO2 reduction properties in acetonitrile. A qualitative and quantitative assessment of the SCS functional groups is discussed with respect to the catalysts’ thermodynamic and kinetic efficiencies, and their product selectivities. In probing a broad scope of functional groups, it is clear that only the aprotic ortho‐arylester SCS is capable of promoting the highly desired low‐overpotential proton‐transfer electron‐transfer (PT‐ET) pathway for selective CO production. The ortho‐phenolic analogues cause an increase in overpotential with a product selectivity favoring H2 evolution, consistent with a high‐overpotential pathway via the anionic [Mn−H]− intermediate. Alternative aprotic Lewis base functional groups such as trifluoromethyl, morpholine and acetamide are shown to also be capable of intermediate manganese hydride generation. The tertiary amine substituent, 2‐morpholinophenyl, exhibits a desirable product distribution characteristic of syn‐gas (CO : H2=30 : 48) with an impressive turnover frequency, while the secondary amine group, 2‐acetamidophenyl, induces a notable shift in selectivity with a faradaic yield of 55 % for the formate (HCO2−) product. In addition to their catalytic properties, cyclic voltammetry and infrared spectroelectrochemistry (IR‐SEC) studies are presented to probe pre‐catalyst electronic properties and the two‐electron reduction activation pathway.

Radical-Smiles Rearrangement by a Vitamin B2-Derived Photocatalyst in Water.

Herein, we report a catalytic radical-Smiles rearrangement system of arene migration from ether to carboxylic acid with riboflavin tetraacetate (RFT), a readily available ester of natural vitamin B2, as the photocatalyst and water as a green solvent, being free of external oxidant, base, metal, inert gas protection, and lengthy reaction time. Not only the known substituted 2-phenyloxybenzoic acids substrates but also a group of naphthalene- and heterocycle-based analogues was converted to the corresponding aryl salicylates for the first time. Mechanistic studies, especially a couple of kinetic isotope effect (KIE) experiments, suggested a sequential electron transfer-proton transfer processes enabled by the bifunctional flavin photocatalyst.

Comprehensive density functional theory studies on Kojic acid derivatives: NBO, basicity, aromaticity and antioxidant investigations

The 4-pyrone scaffold inherent in Kojic acid demonstrates substantive biological attributes. This present inquiry delves into the structural and electronic characteristics of twelve Kojic acid derivatives employing the DFT/B3LYP 6–311++G(d, p) methodology, scrutinizing their behavior in the gas phase and water. Aromaticity indices reveal the aromatic nature of the six-membered rings within the conjugated acids of these compounds. Notably, compound 10, housing an imine group, exhibits heightened basicity surpassing that of 1,8-bis(dimethylamino)naphthalene, potentially categorizing it as a superbase. The assessment of antioxidant activity encompasses both hydrogen atom transfer and single electron transfer-proton transfer mechanisms, revealing a discernible impact of X and Y heteroatoms on the antioxidant activity of structures 1–12.

Predicting the activity of methoxyphenol derivatives antioxidants: II-Importance of the nature of the solvent on the mechanism, a DFT study.

The various mechanisms of primary antioxidant action of a series of 2-Methoxyphenols are investigated in the present work. The electronic properties have just been studied in a joint article, so that we focus here on Hydrogen Atom Transfer (HAT), Single Electron Transfer-Proton Transfer (SET-PT) and Sequential Proton-Loss Electron-Transfer (SPLET) mechanisms. The two computational approaches used in the previous study of the structure and reactivity of these compounds [Computational and Theoretical Chemistry 1229 (2023) 114287] provide identical mechanisms trends in gas phase. In gas media, hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) is more favored. On the contrary, the solvent polarity has a significant effect on the mechanism of the antioxidant activity, since the polarity of the solvent increases the contribution of the SPLET mechanism.

Synthesis, Spectroscopic Characterization, DFT, and Molecular Docking Analysis of Some Salicylideneaniline Schiff Base Derivatives as Potential Antioxidant Compounds

This study explores the synthesis and characterization of three Schiff base compounds, namely N-(2-hydroxybenzylidene)-m-chloroaniline (1), N-(2-hydroxybenzylidene)-m-nitroaniline (2), and N-(2-hydroxybenzylidene)-m-methoxyaniline (3). Comprehensive spectroscopic analyses involving FT-IR, H1NMR, and UV-Vis were employed to elucidate their molecular structures. Theoretical calculations were conducted using the DFT/B3LYP method with the 6-311 + G (d, p) basis set, elucidating electronic transitions and providing comprehensive vibrational assignments. The study identifies key electronic features of these compounds by analyzing global chemical reactivity descriptors. Density functional theory (DFT) was employed to assess the ability of these compounds to scavenge free radicals, both in the gas phase and solvent environment, focusing on three primary mechanisms: hydrogen atom transfer (HAT), stepwise electron-transfer-proton transfer (ET-PT), and sequential proton-loss-electron transfer (SPLET). Additionally, the research explores drug-likeness properties and conducts molecular docking investigations against the ubiquinol cytochrome c reductase protein (UQCRB) to gain further insights into potential biological activities.

Visible Light‐Induced Benzylic C(sp3)−C(sp2) Defluorinative Coupling between Indole Derivatives and Polyfluoroarenes

AbstractA visible light‐induced transition metal‐free benzylic C(sp3)−C(sp2) defluorinative coupling between indole derivatives and polyfluoroarenes via the sequential electron transfer‐proton transfer (ET/PT) process has been developed, affording various polyfluorinated diarylmethanes. This protocol features mild conditions and good functional group tolerance.

Revisiting the scavenging activity of glutathione: Free radicals diversity and reaction mechanisms

Glutathione (GSH) is the most abundant low-molecular-mass thiolated compound in plants and animals, highly relevant in humans since it is one of the principal antioxidant agents capable of scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS). In addition, it has a function in the immune system and in cell proliferation, and most recently it was discovered that it works against COVID-19. Considering the high flexibility of glutathione, with an atomic configuration and charge state susceptible to minimal changes in its chemical environment, it is of relevance to ascertain what is the scavenging capacity of each of the most probable glutathione species under physiological conditions. In order to find the site and mechanism that contributes the most to the antioxidant activity of GSH, density functional theory (DFT) calculations on multiple species of this molecule were performed in this work. Reactivity indexes, related to hydrogen atom transfer (HAT), single electron transfer-proton transfer (SET-PT), and sequential proton loss electron transfer (SPLET) mechanism were calculated for glutathione. In addition, Gibbs free energies of reaction (ΔG) were obtained for the reactions of GSH with several free radicals to confirm the thermochemical viability of each antioxidant mechanism and to avoid misleading conclusions in terms of considering energetically unfavorable reactions. The results confirm that HAT is the chemical route contributing the most to the antioxidant activity of GSH. However, at least for one radical of interest, SPLET should also be considered.

Study on structural detailing of gossypetin and its medicinal application in UV filtering, radical scavenging, and metal chelation open up through NCI, TD-DFT, QTAIM, ELF, and LOL analysis

Density functional theory (DFT) computations were used to investigate gossypetin’s antioxidant effects via •OH, •OOH, and •NO2 scavenging and Zn2+ chelation mechanisms in solvent phases. Intramolecular hydrogen bonding, which accounts for the stability of generated radicals, was explained using non-covalent interaction (NCI) analysis. Investigations have been done on three primary operating mechanisms, sequential proton loss electron transfer (SPLET), single electron transfer-proton transfer (SET-PT), and H-atom transfer (HAT). SPLET was found to be the most advantageous for •OOH, HAT for •NO2, and HAT in polar whereas SPLET in non-polar media for •OH. UV absorption in the region 200–400 nm suggests, gossypetin can act as a UV filter and the nature of excitation was described by hole-electron analysis. The interaction energy analysis predicted the best chelation site in gossypetin. The bond critical point (BCP) analysis explained the electrostatic nature of donor–acceptor interaction. The influence of explicit solvent effects is also taken into account.

Testing the Limits of Imbalanced CPET Reactivity: Mechanistic Crossover in H-Atom Abstraction by Co(III)-Oxo Complexes.

Transition metal-oxo complexes are key intermediates in a variety of oxidative transformations, notably C-H bond activation. The relative rate of C-H bond activation mediated by transition metal-oxo complexes is typically predicated on substrate bond dissociation free energy in cases with a concerted proton-electron transfer (CPET). However, recent work has demonstrated that alternative stepwise thermodynamic contributions such as acidity/basicity or redox potentials of the substrate/metal-oxo may dominate in some cases. In this context, we have found basicity-governed concerted activation of C-H bonds with the terminal CoIII-oxo complex PhB(tBuIm)3CoIIIO. We have been interested in testing the limits of such basicity-dependent reactivity and have synthesized an analogous, more basic complex, PhB(AdIm)3CoIIIO, and studied its reactivity with H-atom donors. This complex displays a higher degree of imbalanced CPET reactivity than PhB(tBuIm)3CoIIIO with C-H substrates, and O-H activation of phenol substrates displays mechanistic crossover to stepwise proton transfer-electron transfer (PTET) reactivity. Analysis of the thermodynamics of proton transfer (PT) and electron transfer (ET) reveals a distinct thermodynamic crossing point between concerted and stepwise reactivity. Furthermore, the relative rates of stepwise and concerted reactivity suggest that maximally imbalanced systems provide the fastest CPET rates up to the point of mechanistic crossover, which results in slower product formation.

Mechanistic Elucidations of Highly Dispersed Metalloporphyrin Metal-Organic Framework Catalysts for CO2 Electroreduction.

Immobilization of porphyrin complexes into crystalline metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) enables high exposure of porphyrin active sites for CO2 electroreduction. Herein, well-dispersed iron-porphyrin-based MOF (PCN-222(Fe)) on carbon-based electrodes revealed optimal turnover frequencies for CO2 electroreduction to CO at 1 wt.% catalyst loading, beyond which the intrinsic catalyst activity declined due to CO2 mass transport limitations. In situ Raman suggested that PCN-222(Fe) maintained its structure under electrochemical bias, permitting mechanistic investigations. These revealed a stepwise electron transfer-proton transfer mechanism for CO2 electroreduction on PCN-222(Fe) electrodes, which followed a shift from a rate-limiting electron transfer to CO2 mass transfer as the potential increased from -0.6 V to -1.0 V vs. RHE. Our results demonstrate how intrinsic catalytic investigations and in situ spectroscopy are needed to elucidate CO2 electroreduction mechanisms on PCN-222(Fe) MOFs.

Antioxidant Potential of Santowhite as Synthetic and Ascorbic Acid as Natural Polymer Additives.

A wide variety of additives are used to improve specific characteristics of the final polymeric product. Antioxidant additives (AAs) can prevent oxidative stress and thus the damage of polymeric materials. In this work, the antioxidant potential and thus the applicability of Santowhite (SW) as synthetic and ascorbic acid (Asc) as natural AAs were explored by using computational tools. Two density functional theory (DFT) methods, M05-2X and M06-2X, have been applied in combination with the 6-311++G(2d,2p) basis set in gas phase. Three antioxidant mechanisms have been considered: hydrogen atom transfer (HAT), single electron transfer-proton transfer (SET-PT), and sequential proton loss electron transfer (SPLET). Bond dissociation enthalpy (BDE), ionization potential (IP), proton dissociation enthalpy (PDE), proton affinity (PA), and electron transfer enthalpy (ETE) have been computed for each potential hydrogen donor site. The results indicate that the antioxidant potential of Asc is higher than SW. Furthermore, some of the C-H bonds, depending on their position in the structures, are potent radical scavengers, but O-H groups are more prone to donate H-atoms to free radicals. Nonetheless, both additives can be potentially applied to safeguard common polymers and prohibit oxidative stress-induced material deterioration.

Structure-antioxidant activity relationships of dendrocandin analogues determined using density functional theory.

Quantum-chemical calculations based on the density functional theory (DFT) at the B3LYP/6–311 + + G(2d,2p)//B3LYP/6–31G(d,p) level were employed to study the relationship between the antioxidant properties and chemical structures of six dendrocandin (DDCD) analogues in the gas phase and two solvents (methanol and water). The hydrogen atom transfer (HAT), electron-transfer-proton-transfer (ET-PT), and sequential proton-loss-electron-transfer (SPLET) mechanisms are explored. The highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO), lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO), reactivity indices (η, μ, ω, ω+, and ω–), and molecular electrostatic potentials (MEPs) were also evaluated. The results suggest that the D ring plays an important role in mediating the antioxidant activity of DDCDs. For all the studied compounds, indicating that HAT was identified as the most favorable mechanism, whereas the SPLET mechanism was the most thermodynamically favorable pathway in polar solvents. The results of our study should aid in the development of new or modified antioxidant compounds.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11224-022-01895-2.

Multiple Proton-Coupled Electron Transfers at a Tricopper Cluster: Modeling the Reductive Regeneration Process in Multicopper Oxidases.

Metal clusters in enzymes carry out the life-sustaining reactions by accumulating multiple redox equivalents in a narrow potential range. This redox potential leveling effect commonly observed in Nature has yet to be reproduced with synthetic metal clusters. Herein, we employ a fully encapsulated synthetic tricopper complex to model the three-electron two-proton reductive regeneration of fully reduced trinuclear copper cluster CuICuICuI(μ2-OH2) (FR) from native intermediate CuIICuIICuII(μ3-O) (NI) in multicopper oxidases (MCOs). The tricopper cluster can access four oxidation states (I,I,I to II,II,II) and four protonation states ([Cu3(μ3-O)]LH, [Cu3(μ3-OH)]L, [Cu3(μ3-OH)]LH, and [Cu3(μ3-OH2)]L, where LH denotes the protonated ligand), allowing mechanistic investigation of proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) relevant to MCOs. Seven tricopper complexes with discrete oxidation and protonation states were characterized with spectroscopy or X-ray single-crystal diffraction. A stepwise electron transfer-proton transfer (ET-PT) mechanism is established for the reduction of CuIICuIICuII(μ3-O)LH to CuIICuIICuI(μ3-OH)L, while a stepwise PT-ET mechanism is determined for the reduction of CuIICuICuI(μ3-OH)LH to CuICuICuI(μ2-OH2)L. The switch-over from ET-PT to PT-ET mechanism showcases that the tricopper complex can adopt different PCET mechanisms to circumvent high-barrier proton transfer steps. Overall, three-electron two-proton reduction occurs within a narrow potential range of 170 mV, exemplifying the redox potential leveling effect of secondary proton relays in delivering multiple redox equivalents at metal clusters.

Theoretical investigations on the antioxidant potential of 2,4,5-trihydroxybutyrophenone in different solvents: A DFT approach

2,4,5-trihydroxybutyrophenone (THBP) is a synthetic molecule possessing phenolic OH groups as well as non-phenolic CHx (x = 2 and 3) groups which are believed to be responsible for its antioxidant behavior. The antioxidant nature of THBP has been systematically investigated through quantum chemical calculation by density functional theory (DFT) method with B3LYP hybrid functional and 6-311G++(d,p) basis set in gas, water and methanol media. The principal pathways such as hydrogen atom transfer (HAT), sequential proton loss electron transfer (SPLET) and single electron transfer-proton transfer (SETPT) were considered for antioxidant reactions. Changes of enthalpy (ΔH) and free energy (ΔG) were computed for OH radical scavenging by THBP. In addition, geometry, highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO), energy gap (Eg), the other descriptors (electron affinity (EA), ionization potential (IP), global hardness (η), softness (σ), electrophilicity (ω), chemical potential (μ), electronegativity (χ) etc.), Fukui function, molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) surface and spin density were also taken into account. The calculated data values were compared with those of gallic acid (GA), a well-recognized antioxidant, calculated at the same level and also with literature of those compounds claiming efficient antioxidant. The values of the calculated thermochemical parameters convey evidence in favor of THBP as an antiradical molecule which is strongly supported by the descriptor values. The free radical scavenging reaction may occur preferentially at 5-OH > 4-OH > α-CH2 positions of the molecule.

A DFT study on OH radical scavenging activities of eriodictyol, Isosakuranetin and pinocembrin

Flavonoids are natural compounds with antioxidant properties that have positive effects on human health, which reduce toxic effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and partially oxidative damage. In the work, the density functional theory (DFT/BMK) calculations were performed for antioxidant activity evaluation of pinocembrin (P), isosakuranetin (I) and eriodictyol (E). Four main mechanisms were examined: hydrogen atom transfer (HAT), radical adduct formation (RAF), single electron transfer-proton transfer (SET-PT) and Sequential proton loss electron transfer (SPLET). HAT and SPLET are thermodynamically the most probable process in gas phase and water. The three flavonoids examined + •OH HAT and RAF mechanisms for each possible location were investigated theoretically for the first time. The results were discussed by considering thermodynamic, kinetic and structural data of various reaction paths using IRC approach. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma

Electrocatalytic Reduction of C-C π-Bonds via a Cobaltocene-Derived Concerted Proton-Electron Transfer Mediator: Fumarate Hydrogenation as a Model Study.

Reductive concerted proton-electron transfer (CPET) is poorly developed for the reduction of C-C π-bonds, including for activated alkenes that can succumb to deleterious pathways (e.g., a competing hydrogen evolution reaction or oligomerization) in a standard electrochemical reduction. We demonstrate herein that selective hydrogenation of the C-C π-bond of fumarate esters can be achieved via electrocatalytic CPET (eCPET) using a CPET mediator comprising cobaltocene with a tethered Brønsted base. High selectivity for electrocatalytic hydrogenation is observed only when the mediator is present. Mechanistic analysis sheds light on two distinct kinetic regimes based on the substrate concentration: low fumarate concentrations operate via rate-limiting CPET followed by an electron-transfer/proton-transfer (ET/PT) step, whereas high concentrations operate via CPET followed by a rate-limiting ET/PT step.

Influence of the proton relay spacer on hydrogen electrocatalysis by cobalt hangman porphyrins

A cobalt hangman porphyrin system with a phenyl spacer between the porphyrin ring and an internal carboxylic acid group as well as its non-hangman analogue were synthesized and utilized for the study of the proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) kinetics attendant to electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) together with simulations show that a short distance between the proton relay and the redox active cobalt center as well as the increased proton donating strength results in superior catalytic activity. The mechanism of hydrogen generation is at the nexus of proton transfer–electron transfer (PTET) and concerted proton–electron transfer (CPET), as opposed to an ETPT mechanism that is characteristic of hangman systems with longer proton relay networks.

Theoretical investigations on the antioxidant potential of a non-phenolic compound thymoquinone: a DFT approach.

Thymoquinone (TQ) is a natural compound present in black cumin which possesses potent antioxidant activity without having any phenolic hydroxyl group which is responsible for antioxidant activity. In the present study, computational calculation based on density functional theory (DFT) was executed to assess systematically the antioxidant behavior of this compound by considering geometrical characteristics, highest occupied molecular orbital - lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (HOMO-LUMO), and molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) surface. Thermochemical parameters correlated to the leading antioxidant mechanisms such as hydrogen atom transfer (HAT), single electron transfer-proton transfer (SETPT), and sequential proton loss electron transfer (SPLET) were studied in gas and water media. In addition, the changes of thermochemical parameters such as free energy change (∆G) and enthalpy change (∆H) were computed for hydrogen abstraction (HA) from TQ to hydroxyl radical in gas and water phases to investigate its free radical scavenging potency. The low and comparable values of bond dissociation enthalpy (BDE), proton dissociation enthalpy (PDE), ionization potential (IP), proton affinity (PA), and electron transfer enthalpy (ETE) revealed the antioxidant activity. The ∆G and ∆H also indicated apposite thermodynamic evidence in favor of antiradical capability of TQ. The attack of the free radical occurred preferentially at 3CH position of the molecule.