Generation Of Radical Species Research Articles

Light‐Driven Carbene Catalysis for the Synthesis of Aliphatic and α‐Amino Ketones

AbstractSingle‐electron N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalysis has gained attention recently for the synthesis of C−C bonds. Guided by density functional theory and mechanistic analyses, we report the light‐driven synthesis of aliphatic and α‐amino ketones using single‐electron NHC operators. Computational and experimental results reveal that the reactivity of the key radical intermediate is substrate‐dependent and can be modulated through steric and electronic parameters of the NHC. Catalyst potential is harnessed in the visible‐light driven generation of an acyl azolium radical species that undergoes selective coupling with various radical partners to afford diverse ketone products. This methodology is showcased in the direct late‐stage functionalization of amino acids and pharmaceutical compounds, highlighting the utility of single‐electron NHC operators.

Photoredox Dual Catalysis: A Fertile Playground for the Discovery of New Reactivities

AbstractThe last fifteen years have witnessed the advent of photoredox catalysis as a powerful tool for the generation of radical species under mild, controlled conditions. The exploitation of visible light as a sustainable and cheap source of energy has enabled the resurgence of classical radical chemistry as well as the discovery of several new transformations. At the same time, many research groups have demonstrated the easy implementation of dual catalytic protocols, further extending the range of accessible reactivities. In particular, the merging of photoredox and organocatalysis has allowed to involve radical species in asymmetric transformations, while metallaphotoredox has given access to odd‐electron reactivity in transition metal catalysis. In this minireview, after a quick look at the basic principles of photoredox catalysis, we will describe the seminal works of the field furnishing a focus on the proposed reaction mechanism.

Manganese impairs the QoxABCD terminal oxidase leading to respiration‐associated toxicity

Cell physiology relies on metalloenzymes and can be easily disrupted by imbalances in metal ion pools. Bacillus subtilis requires manganese for growth and has highly regulated mechanisms for import and efflux that help maintain homeostasis. Cells defective for manganese (Mn) efflux are highly sensitive to intoxication, but the processes impaired by Mn excess are often unknown. Here, we employed a forward genetics approach to identify pathways affected by manganese intoxication. Our results highlight a central role for the membrane-localized electron transport chain in metal intoxication during aerobic growth. In the presence of elevated manganese, there is an increased generation of reactive radical species associated with dysfunction of the major terminal oxidase, the cytochrome aa3 heme-copper menaquinol oxidase (QoxABCD). Intoxication is suppressed by diversion of menaquinol to alternative oxidases or by a mutation affecting heme A synthesis that is known to convert QoxABCD from an aa3 to a bo3 -type oxidase. Manganese sensitivity is also reduced by derepression of the MhqR regulon, which protects cells against reactive quinones. These results suggest that dysfunction of the cytochrome aa3 -type quinol oxidase contributes to metal-induced intoxication.

Photoinduced Electron-Transfer (PIET) Strategy for Selective Adsorption of CO2 over C2 H2 in a MOF.

Similarities in sizes, shapes, and physical properties between carbon dioxide (CO2 ) and acetylene (C2 H2 ) make it a great challenge to separate the major impurity CO2 from products in C2 H2 production. The use of porous materials is an appealing path to replace current very costly and energy-consuming technologies, such as solvent extraction and cryogenic distillation; however, high CO2 /C2 H2 uptake ratio with minor adsorption of C2 H2 at standard pressure was only unexpectedly observed in scarce examples in recent years although the related research started early at 1950s, and general design strategies to realize this aim are still absent. This work has successfully developed an efficient PIET strategy and obtained the second highest CO2 /C2 H2 adsorption ratio for porous materials in a proof-of-concept MOF with a photochromism-active bipyridinium zwitterion. An unprecedented photocontrollable gate effect, owing to change of interannular dihedral after photoinduced generation of radical species, was also observed for the first time. These findings will inspire design and synthesis of porous materials for high efficient gas adsorption and separation.

Photoinduced Electron‐Transfer (PIET) Strategy for Selective Adsorption of CO2 over C2H2 in a MOF

AbstractSimilarities in sizes, shapes, and physical properties between carbon dioxide (CO2) and acetylene (C2H2) make it a great challenge to separate the major impurity CO2 from products in C2H2 production. The use of porous materials is an appealing path to replace current very costly and energy‐consuming technologies, such as solvent extraction and cryogenic distillation; however, high CO2/C2H2 uptake ratio with minor adsorption of C2H2 at standard pressure was only unexpectedly observed in scarce examples in recent years although the related research started early at 1950s, and general design strategies to realize this aim are still absent. This work has successfully developed an efficient PIET strategy and obtained the second highest CO2/C2H2 adsorption ratio for porous materials in a proof‐of‐concept MOF with a photochromism‐active bipyridinium zwitterion. An unprecedented photocontrollable gate effect, owing to change of interannular dihedral after photoinduced generation of radical species, was also observed for the first time. These findings will inspire design and synthesis of porous materials for high efficient gas adsorption and separation.

Enhancement in reactivity via sulfidation of FeNi@BC for efficient removal of trichloroethylene: Insight mechanism and the role of reactive oxygen species

A novel catalyst of sulfidated iron-nickel supported on biochar (S-FeNi@BC) was synthesized to activate persulfate (PS) for the removal of trichloroethylene (TCE). A number of techniques including XRD, SEM, TEM, FTIR, BET and EDS were employed to characterize S-FeNi@BC. The influence of sulfur to iron ratio (S/F) on TCE removal was investigated by batch experiments and a higher TCE removal (98.4%) was achieved at 0.22/1 ratio of S/F in the PS/S-FeNi@BC oxidation system. A dominant role in iron species conversion was noticed by the addition of sulfur in FeNi@BC system. Significant enhancement in recycling of the dissolved and surface Fe(II) was confirmed which contributed to the generation of free and surface-bound active radical species (OH, O2−, 1O2, SO4−). Further, the presence and contribution of these radicals were validated by the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and quenching study. In addition, XPS results demonstrated the dominant role of S(-II) with the increase of Fe(II) from 36.3% to 58.6% and decrease of Fe(III) from 52.1% to 39.8% in the PS/S-FeNi@BC system. In crux, the influence of initial pH, catalyst dosage, oxidant dosage, and inorganic ions (HCO3−, Cl−, NO3− and SO42−) on TCE removal was also investigated. The findings obtained from this study suggest that S-FeNi@BC is an appropriate catalyst to activate PS for TCE contaminated groundwater remediation.

Photocatalytic acyl azolium-promoted alkoxycarbonylation of trifluoroborates

Despite recent advancements in the selective generation and coupling of organic radical species, the alkoxycarbonyl radical remains underexplored relative to other carbon-containing radical species. Drawing inspiration from new strategies for generating acyl radical equivalents utilizing dual N-heterocyclic carbene catalysis and photocatalysis, we have prepared dimethylimidazolium esters that can function as an alkoxycarbonyl radical surrogate under photocatalytic conditions. We demonstrate the synthetic utility of these azolium-based partners through the preparation of esters arising from the coupling of this radical surrogate with an oxidatively generated alkyl radical.

Nonradical activation of peroxymonosulfate by hematite for oxidation of organic compounds: A novel mechanism involving high-valent iron species

Peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activated by Hematite (α-Fe2O3) was capable of degrading different organic compounds. Several lines of experimental evidence are presented which argue against the generation of radical species as well as singlet oxygen (1O2). Tests using radical scavengers and probes, and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy suggested that the PMS-activation by α-Fe2O3 does not involve the generation of SO4•−, •OH, and O2•−. The possibility of 1O2 generation was also excluded by EPR spectroscopy and kinetic experiments performed in deuterium oxide. The ternary reactive complex that mediates the electron-transfer between target organic compounds and PMS (frequently proposed as a nonradical mechanism in previous studies) was not likely formed in this system. Based on the electrochemical analyses as well as other experiments, a high-valent iron species (most likely ferryl species, Fe(IV)) is believed to be responsible for the oxidation of organic compounds by the α-Fe2O3/PMS system.

Light absorption and photocatalytic activity enhanced by in situ formation of uniform TiO2 nanoparticles on two-dimensional Ti3C2Tx surface

Ti3C2Tx surface was functionalized with uniform TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) to form layered TiO2/Ti3C2Tx heterojunctions by an in situ solvothermal oxidation method. The resulting TiO2 NPs were connected to Ti3C2Tx species via O–Ti–O bonds. The TiO2/Ti3C2Tx (TT-190) heterojunctions exhibited the optimal bandgap of 2.11 eV at a reaction temperature of 190 °C, which was favorable for the absorption of visible light. The photocatalytic activity of TT-190 was examined by studying the photodegradation of mono-azo dye methylene red (MR) and di-azo dye congo red (CR). The MR degradation rate over TT-190 exceeded 96.1% after 120 min of irradiation with a 300 W xenon lamp, while the CR degradation rate over TT-190 under the same conditions was only 87.5%. The enhanced photocatalytic performance for azo dye degradation with TT-190 derive from the charge transfer and the generation of active radical species ·O2–. This work provides an alternative method for the fabrication of controllable uniform TiO2 NPs on the two-dimensional Ti3C2Tx surface, thus improving its photocatalytic activity.

Terbium-Based AGuIX-Design Nanoparticle to Mediate X-ray-Induced Photodynamic Therapy.

X-ray-induced photodynamic therapy is based on the energy transfer from a nanoscintillator to a photosensitizer molecule, whose activation leads to singlet oxygen and radical species generation, triggering cancer cells to cell death. Herein, we synthesized ultra-small nanoparticle chelated with Terbium (Tb) as a nanoscintillator and 5-(4-carboxyphenyl succinimide ester)-10,15,20-triphenyl porphyrin (P1) as a photosensitizer (AGuIX@Tb-P1). The synthesis was based on the AGuIX@ platform design. AGuIX@Tb-P1 was characterised for its photo-physical and physico-chemical properties. The effect of the nanoparticles was studied using human glioblastoma U-251 MG cells and was compared to treatment with AGuIX@ nanoparticles doped with Gadolinium (Gd) and P1 (AGuIX@Gd-P1). We demonstrated that the AGuIX@Tb-P1 design was consistent with X-ray photon energy transfer from Terbium to P1. Both nanoparticles had similar dark cytotoxicity and they were absorbed in a similar rate within the cells. Pre-treated cells exposure to X-rays was related to reactive species production. Using clonogenic assays, establishment of survival curves allowed discrimination of the impact of radiation treatment from X-ray-induced photodynamic effect. We showed that cell growth arrest was increased (35%-increase) when cells were treated with AGuIX@Tb-P1 compared to the nanoparticle doped with Gd.

Evaluation of hydroxyl radical and reactive chlorine species generation from the superoxide/hypochlorous acid reaction as the basis for a novel advanced oxidation process

The reaction of hypochlorous acid (HOCl) with superoxide radical (O2•–) – a source of hydroxyl radical (HO•) and various reactive chlorine species (RCS) – was investigated as the basis for a novel non-photochemical advanced oxidation process (AOP). Moderately stable (t1/2 ~ minutes) aqueous O2•– stocks were prepared by several approaches at pH>12 and either (a) added directly to aqueous free available chlorine (FAC; i.e., HOCl/OCl–) at circumneutral pH, or (b) premixed with alkaline FAC and then acidified to pH 7, to degrade various organic probe compounds via in situ generated HO• and RCS. Radical production was optimal at [HO2•/O2•–]0/[FAC]0 ~ 2, with ~0.8 mol HO• formed/mol FAC consumed, and HO• and RCS exposures reaching ~5×10−10 and ~10−9 M×s, respectively. Similar trends were observed in natural waters and organic matter-amended phosphate buffer containing up to 5 mgC/L of dissolved organic carbon. Direct formation of oxyhalides, trihalomethanes (THMs), and haloacetic acids (HAAs), was minimal, though THM and HAA formation was moderately enhanced during post-chlorination of O2•–/FAC-treated solutions. This process could provide a beneficial addition to the range of available AOPs due to its high radical exposures, simplicity, rapid time-scales, potential for on-site O2•– generation, and widespread accessibility of FAC and other reagents.

Nanostructured TiO2 cavitation agents for dual-modal sonophotocatalysis with pulsed ultrasound

Current sonochemical methods rely on spatially uncontrolled cavitation for radical species generation to promote chemical reactions. To improve radical generation, sonosensitizers have been demonstrated to be activated by cavitation-based light emission (sonoluminescence). Unfortunately, this process remains relatively inefficient compared to direct photocatalysis, due to the physical separation between cavitation event and sonosensitizing agent. In this study, we have synthesized nanostructured titanium dioxide particles to couple the source for cavitation within a photocatalytic site to create a sonophotocatalyst. In doing so, we demonstrate that site-controlled cavitation from the nanoparticles using pulsed ultrasound at reduced acoustic powers resulted in the sonochemical degradation methylene blue at rates nearly three orders of magnitude faster than other titanium dioxide-based nanoparticles by conventional methods. Sonochemical degradation was directly proportional to the measured cavitation produced by these sonophotocatalysts. Our work suggests that simple nanostructuring of current sonosensitizers to enable on-site cavitation greatly enhances sonochemical reaction rates.

The Effect of Viscosity on the Coupling and Hydrogen-Abstraction Reaction between Transient and Persistent Radicals?

Abstract The effect of viscosity on the radical termination reaction between a transient radical and a persistent radical undergoing a coupling reaction (Coup) or hydrogen abstraction (Abst) was examined. In a non-viscous solvent, such as benzene (bulk viscosity ηbulk < 1 mPa s), all the transient radicals studied exclusively coupled with 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO) with >99% Coup/Abst selectivity, but Coup/Abst decreased as the viscosity increased (89/11 in PEG400 at 25 °C [ηbulk = 84 mPa s]). While bulk viscosity is a good parameter to predict the Coup/Abst selectivity in each solvent, microviscosity is the more general parameter. Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)-end radicals had a more significant viscosity effect than polystyrene (PSt)-end radicals, and the Coup/Abst ratio of the former dropped to 50/50 in highly viscous media (ηbulk = 3980 mPa s), while the latter maintained high Coup/Abst selectivity (84/16). These results, together with the low thermal stability of dormant PMMA-TEMPO species compared with that of PSt-TEMPO species, are attributed to the limitation of the nitroxide-mediated radical polymerization of MMA. While both organotellurium and bromine compounds were used as precursors of radicals, the former was superior to the latter for the clean generation of radical species.

Visible light organic photoredox catalytic cascade reactions.

Over the past years, impressive progress has been made in the development of organic photoredox catalytic cascade reactions without the participation of expensive and toxic transition metals under visible light irradiation. These transformations highly depend on the in situ generation of various radical species in the photoredox catalytic cycles. Numerous chemically and biomedically valuable building blocks have been synthesized through this efficient and sustainable protocol. In this review, we highlight the recent progress in this blooming area by presenting a series of new catalytic cascade reactions mediated by organic photoredox catalysts and describe their mechanisms and applications which have appeared in the recent literature.

Nanocatalytic Medicine of Iron-Based Nanocatalysts

Iron can be found in all mammalian cells and is of critical significance to diverse cellular activities within human bodies. Widespread applications and the underlying chemical and biological funda...

A toxicological comparison between two uranium compounds in Artemia salina: Artificial seawater containing CaCO3

Uranium (U) mining is an aquatic environmental concern because most of these harmful compounds are discharged into freshwater, reaching the saline environment as the final destination of this contaminated water. Carbonates are present in ocean waters and are essential for benthic organisms, however they may influence the U-induced toxicity. Thus, the aim of this study was to compare the toxicity of uranium nitrate (UN) and uranium acetate (UA) in Artemia salina (AS), which is one of the leading representatives of the marine biota. The cultures of AS (instar II) maintained in artificial seawater containing CaCO3 were exposed for 24 h to different concentrations of U compounds. The results showed that AS were more sensitive to UN (LC50 ≈ 15 μM) when compared with UA (LC50 ≈ 245 μM) indicating higher toxicity of this U compound. Calculated U speciation indicated that Ca2UO2(CO3)3 and (UO2)2CO3(OH)3- complexes predominated under our experimental conditions. The immobilization/lethality was observed after 9 h of exposure for both U compounds. However, only UN caused a significant decrease (≈40%) in the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity when compared with control. In order to observe preliminary toxicity effects, we evaluated oxidative stress parameters, such as catalase (CAT) activity, TBARS formation, radical species (RS) generation and cell membrane injury and/or apoptosis (CMI). In this study, we demonstrate that U compounds caused a significant decrease in CAT activity. Similarly, we also observed that UN increased TBARS levels in AS at concentrations 5 times lower than AU (10 μM and 50 μM, respectively). Furthermore, RS generation and CMI were enhanced only on AS treated with UN. Overall, the effects observed here were remarkably significant in AS exposed to UN when compared with AU. In this study, we showed different profiles of toxicity for both U compounds, contributing significantly to the current and scarce understanding of the aquatic ecotoxicity of this heavy metal.

Harnessing Radical Chemistry via Electrochemical Transition Metal Catalysis.

SummaryThe merger of transition metal catalysis and electroorganic synthesis has recently emerged as a versatile platform for the development of highly enabling radical reactions in a sustainable fashion. Electrochemistry provides access to highly reactive radical species under extremely mild reaction conditions from abundant native functionalities. Transition metal catalysts can be used as redox-active electrocatalysts to shuttle electrons, chiral information to organic substrates, and the reactive intermediates in the electrolytic systems. The combination of these strategies in this mechanistic paradigm thus makes the generation and utilization of radical species in a chemoselective manner and allows further application to more synthetically attractive enantioselective radical transformations. This perspective discusses key advances over the past few years in the field of electrochemical transition metal catalysis and demonstrates how the unique features of this strategy permit challenging or previously elusive transformations via radical pathways to be successfully achieved.

Shining Light on C-S Bonds: Recent Advances in C-C Bond Formation Reactions via C-S Bond Cleavage under Photoredox Catalysis.

In recent years, photoredox catalysis has been proved to be a significant and powerful strategy for the activation and the formation of different chemical bonds. In a general sense, these approaches rely on the generation of different active radical species enabled by light from various radical precursors via the cleavage of the corresponding chemical bonds, like C-H bond, C-N bond, C-O bond, C-C bond, C-halo bond, C-S bond and other C-heteroatom bonds. At the same time, these generated active radical intermediates can be used for the construction of various new chemical bonds. In this review, we highlight the generation of various C-centered radicals through the cleavage of C-S bonds enabled by light and their application in the construction of C-C bonds via generally radical pathways. A range of different substrates containing C-S bonds are discussed in this overview to expedite the progress of C-S bond activation and its subsequent functionalization under photoredox catalysis.

Selenium prevents interferon-gamma induced activation of TRPM2 channel and inhibits inflammation, mitochondrial oxidative stress, and apoptosis in microglia.

Microglia as the primary immune cells of brain actprotective effects against injuries and infections in the central nervous system. Inflammation via excessive Ca2+ influx and oxygen radical species (ROS) generation is a known factor in many neurodegenerative disorders. Importantly, the Ca2+ permeable TRPM2 channel is activated by oxidative stress. Thus, TRPM2 could provide the excessive Ca2+ influx in the microglia. Although TRPM2 expressionlevel is high in inflammatory cells, the interplay between mouse microglia and TRPM2 channel during inflammation is not fully identified. Thus, it is important to understand the mechanisms and factors involved in order to enhance neuronal regeneration and repair. The data presented here indicate that TRPM2 channels were activated in microglia cells by interferon-gamma (IFNγ). The IFNγ treatment further increased apoptosis (early and late) and cytokine productions (TNF-α, IL-1β, andIL-6) which were due to increased lipid peroxidation and ROS generations as well as increased activations of caspase -3 (Casp-3) and - 9 (Casp-9). However, selenium treatment diminished activations of TRPM2, cytokine, Casp-3, andCasp-9, and levels of lipid peroxidation andmitochondrial ROS production in the microglia that were treated with IFNγ. Moreover, addition of either PARP1 inhibitors (PJ34 or DPQ) or TRPM2 blockers (2-APB or ACA) potentiated the modulator effects of selenium. These results clearlysuggest that IFNγ leads to TRPM2 activation in microglia cells; whereas, selenium prevents IFNγ-mediated TRPM2 activation and cytokine generation. Together the interplay between IFNγ released from microglia cells is importance in brain inflammation and may affect oxidative cytotoxicity in the microglia. Graphical abstract Summary of pathways involved in IFNγ-induced TRPM2 activation and microglia death through excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS): Modulator role of selenium (Se). The IFNγ causes the microglia activation. Nudix box domain of TRPM2 is sensitive to ROS. The ROS induces DNA damage and ADPR-ribose (ADPR) production in the nucleus via PARP1 enzyme activation. ADPR and ROS-induced TRPM2 activation stimulates excessive Ca2+ influx. ROS are produced in the mitochondria through the increase of free cytosolic Ca2+ (via TRPM2 activation) by the IFNγ treatment, although they are diminished by the TRPM2 channel blocker (ACA and 2-APB) and PARP1 inhibitor treatments. The main mechanism in the cell death and inflammatory effects of IFNγ is mediated by stimulation of ROS-mediated caspase (caspase -3 and - 9) activations and cytokine production (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) via TRPM2 activation, respectively. The apoptotic, inflammatory, and oxidant actions of IFNγ are modulated through TRPM2 inhibition by the Se treatment.

Triggering the Antitumor Activity of Acyclic Enediyne through Maleimide-Assisted Rearrangement and Cycloaromatization.

Acyclic enediynes are generally inactive under physiological conditions to be used as antitumor agents like their natural enediyne counterparts. A new mechanism named as maleimide-assisted rearrangement and cycloaromatization (MARACA) is uncovered to trigger the reactivity of acyclic enediynes. Through this mechanism, cascade 1,3-proton transfer processes are accelerated with the maleimide moiety at the ene position to enable the acyclic enediynes to undergo cycloaromatization and generate reactive radicals under physiological conditions. Computational studies suggest that the highest energy barrier for MARACA is 26.0 kcal/mol, much lower than that of Bergman cyclization pathway (39.6 kcal/mol). Experimental results show that maleimide-based enediynes exhibit low onset temperature, fast generation of radical species at 37 °C, and much faster reaction in aqueous solution than in nonpolar solvent, which is beneficial to achieve both high reactivity in physiological environment and high stability for storage and delivery in nonpolar media. The generated radical species are capable of causing high percentage of double-strand (ds) DNA cleavage, leading to significant cytotoxicity toward a panel of cancer cell lines with half inhibition concentration down to submicromolar level. Overall, the discovery of the MARACA mechanism provides a platform for designing novel acyclic enediynes with high potency for antitumor applications.