Nitrogen-centered Radicals Research Articles

Effect of Substituents on the Preferred Modes of One-Electron Reductive Cleavage of N–Cl and N–Br Bonds

In this study, we investigate the effect of substituents in determining the modes of one-electron reductive cleavage of X-NRR' (X = Cl and Br) molecules. We achieve this through comparison of the calculated gas-phase electron affinities (EAs) and aqueous-phase one-electron reduction potentials (E°'s) for a range of nitrogen-centered radicals ((•)NRR') with the corresponding EA and E° values for (•)Cl and (•)Br. The gas-phase EAs have been obtained using the benchmark-quality W1w thermochemical protocol, whereas E° values have been obtained by additionally applying free energy of solvation corrections, obtained using the conductor-like polarizable continuum (CPCM) model. We find that the N-halogenated derivatives of amines and amides should generally cleave in such a way as to afford (•)NRR' and X(-). For the N-halogenated imides, on the other hand, the N-brominated derivatives are predicted to produce (•)Br in solution, whereas the N-chlorinated derivatives again would give Cl(-). Importantly, we predict that N-bromouracil is likely to afford (•)Br. This may have important implications in terms of inflammatory-related diseases, because (•)Br may damage biomolecules such as proteins and DNA. To assist in the determination of the gas-phase EAs of larger (•)NRR' radicals, not amenable to investigation using W1w, we have evaluated the performance of a wide range of lower-cost theoretical methods. Of the standard density functional theory (DFT) procedures, M06-2X, τ-HCTHh, and B3-LYP show good performance, with mean absolute deviations (MADs) from W1w of 4.8-6.8 kJ mol(-1), whereas ROB2-PLYP and B2-PLYP emerge as the best of the double-hybrid DFTs (DHDFTs), with MADs of 2.5 and 3.0 kJ mol(-1), respectively. Of the Gn-type procedures, G3X and G4 show very good performance (MADs = 2.4 and 2.6 kJ mol(-1), respectively). The G4(MP2)-6X+ procedure performs comparably, with an MAD of 2.7 kJ mol(-1), with the added advantage of significantly reduced computational expense.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of primaquine–chloroquine twin drug: a novel heme-interacting molecule prevents free heme and hydroxyl radical-mediated protein degradation

Accumulations of oxidized and degraded proteins are the markers for oxidative stress. Degradation of hemoprotein e.g. hemoglobin during different pathological conditions produces heme, which induces oxidative stress and inflammation through its pro-oxidant nature and leads to protein degradation. Moreover reduced transition-metal ions Fe2+ can generate toxic hydroxyl radicals (˙OH) and leads to protein degradation. Therefore, synthesis of a compound that will detoxify free heme, chelate Fe+2 and show antioxidant activity by scavenging ˙OH would be beneficial against protein degradation. Here, we report the synthesis of a novel heme-interacting primaquine–chloroquine twin drug (PQCL) that could chelate free iron and showed excellent antioxidant activity as evident from ferric reducing antioxidant power. PQCL prevented ˙OH and heme-mediated protein degradation. PQCL also could scavenge nitrogen-centered free radical (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl). Thus, we have synthesized PQCL, a heme-interacting molecule, which is capable to prevent free heme and ˙OH-mediated protein degradation.

5-nitrosalicylic Acid as a novel matrix for in-source decay in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry.

The matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization in-source decay (MALDI-ISD) of peptides and glycans was studied using an oxidizing chemical, 5-nitrosalicylic acid (5-NSA) as the matrix. The use of 5-NSA for the MALDI-ISD of peptides and glycans promoted fragmentation pathways involving "hydrogen-deficient" radical precursors. Hydrogen abstraction from peptides resulted in the production of a "hydrogen-deficient" peptide radical that contained a radical site on the amide nitrogen in the peptide backbone with subsequent radical-induced cleavage at the Cα-C bonds. Cleavage at the Cα-C bond leads to the production of an a (•)/x fragment pair and the radical a (•) ions then undergo further hydrogen abstraction to form a ions after Cα-C bond cleavage. Since the Pro residue does not contain a nitrogen-centered radical site, Cα-C bond cleavage does not occur at this site. Alternatively, the specific cleavage of CO-N bonds leads to a b (•)/y fragment pair at Xxx-Pro which occurs via hydrogen abstraction from the Cα-H in the Pro residue. In contrast, "hydrogen-deficient" glycan radicals were generated by hydrogen abstraction from hydroxyl groups in glycans. Both glycosidic and cross-ring cleavages occurred as the result of the degradation of "hydrogen-deficient" glycan radicals. Cross-ring cleavage ions are potentially useful in linkage analysis, one of the most critical steps in the characterization of glycans. Moreover, isobaric glycans could be distinguished by structure specific ISD ions, and the molar ratio of glycan isomers in a mixture can be estimated from their fragment ions abundance ratios. MALDI-ISD with 5-NSA could be a useful method for the sequencing of peptides including the location of post-translational modifications, identification and semi-quantitative analysis of mixtures of glycan isomers.

A kinetic approach to assess oxidative metabolism related features in the bivalve Mya arenaria

Electron paramagnetic resonance uses the resonant microwave radiation absorption of paramagnetic substances to detect highly reactive and, therefore, short-lived oxygen and nitrogen centered radicals. Previously, steady state concentrations of nitric oxide, ascorbyl radical (A·) and the labile iron pool (LIP) were determined in digestive gland of freshly collected animals from the North Sea bivalve Mya arenaria. The application of a simple kinetic analysis of these data based on elemental reactions allowed us to estimate the steady state concentrations of superoxide anion, the rate of A· disappearance and the content of unsaturated lipids. This analysis applied to a marine invertebrate opens the possibility of a mechanistic understanding of the complexity of free radical and LIP interactions in a metabolically slow, cold water organism under unstressed conditions. This data can be further used as a basis to assess the cellular response to stress in a simple system as the bivalve M. arenaria that can then be compared to cells of higher organisms.

Exploring the Ring-Opening Pathways in the Reaction of Morpholinyl Radicals with Oxygen Molecule

Quantum chemistry calculations using hybrid density functional theory and the coupled-cluster method have been performed to investigate the ring-opening pathways in the oxidation of morpholine (1-oxa-4-aza-cyclohexane). Hydrogen abstraction can form two different carbon-centered radicals, morpholin-2-yl or morpholin-3-yl, or the nitrogen-centered radical, morpholin-4-yl, none of which are found to have low-energy pathways to ring-opening. Extensive exploration of multiple reaction pathways following molecular oxygen addition to these three radicals revealed two competitive low energy pathways to ring-opening. Addition of O(2) to either carbon-centered radical, followed by a 1,4-H shifting mechanism can yield a long-lived cyclic epoxy intermediate, susceptible to ring-opening, following further radical attack. In particular, the second pathway begins with O(2) attack on morpholin-2-yl, followed by a 1,5-H shift and a unimolecular ring-opening without having to overcome a high barrier, releasing a significant amount of heat in the overall ring-opening reaction. The calculations provide valuable context for the development of mechanisms for the low temperature combustion chemistry of nitrogen and oxygen-containing fuels.

A Novel Pathway of Photoinduced Decomposition of Sphingolipids

A possibility of a novel photodestruction process has been shown for sphingolipids and their low-molecular analogues, including the stage of Norrish Type-I decomposition of excited molecules of the starting compounds followed by fragmentation of nitrogen-centered radicals via rupture of the C-C and O-H bonds. Realization of such transformation during photolysis of ceramide, sphingomyelin and galactocerebroside results in formation of 2-hexadecenal, which possess a wide spectrum of biological activity.

Reactivity toward oxygen radicals and antioxidant action of thiol compounds

Thiol compounds exert diverse functions in the defense network against oxidative stress in vivo. Above all, the role of glutathione in the enzymatic removal of hydrogen peroxide and lipid hydroperoxides has been well established. The scavenging of reactive free radicals is one of the many functions. In this study, the reactivities of several thiol compounds toward oxygen- and nitrogen-centered radicals were measured from their reaction with galvinoxyl and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals and also from their sparing effects on the decay of fluorescein, pyrogallol red, and BODIPY induced by peroxyl radicals. Furthermore, the antioxidant capacity against lipid peroxidation was assessed in the oxidation of methyl linoleate induced by free radicals in micelle systems. Cysteine, homocysteine, and glutathione exhibited considerable reactivity toward galvinoxyl, DPPH, and peroxyl radicals in this order but methionine did not. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) was less reactive toward these radicals than cysteine on molar base. Cysteine, homocysteine, and glutathione suppressed the oxidation of methyl linoleate in micelle systems, but methionine did not. The reactivity toward free radicals and antioxidant capacity of these thiol compounds were less than that of ascorbic acid, but higher than that of uric acid.

Matrix Effect on In-Source Decay Products of Peptides in Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization

MALDI-ISD of peptides were studied using several salicylic acid derivatives, 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (2,5-DHB), 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA), 5-formylsalicylic acid (5-FSA), and 5-nitrosalicylic acid (5-NSA) as matrices. The difference in the nature of the functional group at the 5-position in the salicylic acid derivatives can dramatically affect the ISD products. The use of 2,5-DHB and 5-ASA leads to "hydrogen-abundant" peptide radicals and subsequent radical-induced N-Cα bonds cleavage. N-Cα bond cleavage gave a c'/z (·) fragment pair and radical z (·)-series fragments gain a hydrogen radical or react with a matrix radical. In contrast, the use of 5-NSA resulted in the production of a "hydrogen-deficient" peptide radical that contained a radical site on the amide nitrogen in the peptide backbone. Subsequently, the radical site on the amide nitrogen induces Cα-C bond dissociation, leading to a (·)/x fragment pair. The a (·)-series ions undergo further hydrogen abstraction to form a-series ions after Cα-C bond cleavage. Since the Pro residue does not contain a nitrogen-centered radical site, Cα-C bond cleavage does not occur. Alternatively, the specific cleavage of CO-N bonds leads to a b (·)/y fragment pair at Xxx-Pro which occurs via hydrogen abstraction from the Cα-H in the Pro residue. The use of 5-FSA generated both a (·)/x- and c'/z (·)-series fragment pairs. An oxidizing matrix provides useful complementary information in MALDI-ISD compared to a reducing matrix for the analysis of amino acid sequencing and site localization in cases of phosphopeptides. MALDI-ISD, when used in conjunction with both reducing and oxidizing matrices is a potentially useful method for de novo peptide sequencing.

Synthesis and antifungal and antioxidant properties of some new 5-substituted-4-amino(or aryl)-3-mercapto-4(H)-1,2,4-triazoles.

The synthesis and antifungal and antimicrobial evaluation of some new 5-substituted-4-amino(or aryl)-3-mercapto-4(H)-1,2,4-triazoles is reported. The involvement of the new compounds in free radical processes is also investigated and their lipophilicity is calculated and related to the determined antioxidant activity. Compounds 7a, 7b and 7c exhibited interesting antioxidant properties at concentration 0.01 mmol/l, expressed by their capacity to inhibit Fe2+/ascorbate induced hepatic microsomal lipid peroxidation, to scavenge OH.and to interact with nitrogen centered radicals such as 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl stable free radical (DPPH). Moreover, compound 6a showed activity against Aspergillus versicolor, possessing a MIC of 82 micrograms/ml.

A Chemoenzymatic Total Synthesis of (+)-Clividine

The title compound, ent-1, the non-natural enantiomeric form of the lycorenine-type alkaloid (-)-clividine (1), has been prepared using the enantiomerically pure (ee >99.8%) cis-1,2-dihydrocatechol 3 as starting material. A key feature associated with the closing stages of the synthesis involved the diastereoselective addition of a nitrogen-centered radical onto a pendant cyclohexene to establish the cis-fused D-ring and the required stereochemistry at C11b in the final product ent-1.

Photochemically Driven Addition of Iminyl Radicals to Alkynyl Fischer Carbene Complexes

Nitrogen-centered radicals, generated by the action of UV light, are capable of reacting with alkynyl Fischer carbene complexes in two ways, 1,2- and 1,4-addition. Our results constitute the first reported example of a photochemically driven reaction of this kind.

Cyclizations of Aminyl Radicals Generated from Substoichiometric Stannane

Substoichiometric amounts of tributyltin hydride were utilized in nitrogen-centered radical cyclizations onto silyl enol ethers for the formation of substituted cyclic imines.

ChemInform Abstract: Regio- and Diastereoselective Synthesis of α-Cyanoamines by Anodic Oxidation of 6-Membered α-Silylamines.

The electrochemical cyanation of N-benzyl-substituted cyclic six-membered α-silylamines including tetrahydroquinoline and piperidine derivatives was studied. The results of these investigations demonstrate that α-silylamines are valuable precursors for the preparation of the corresponding α-cyanoamines. The TMS group α to the N atom not only governs the chemoselectivity of the iminium formation through a preferential desilylation reaction under the experimental conditions (i.e., amine cation radical desilylation versus deprotonation), it also lowers the oxidation potential of tertiary amines compared to their non-TMS counterparts. Both the stereoselectivity and regioselectivity of the cyanide addition were investigated with 3-methylpiperidine as the model compound. The formation of a single cisdiastereoisomer in which the 2-cyano group is axial and the 5-methyl group is equatorial, indicates that the addition of the cyanide anion onto the iminium species is under stereoelectronic control. In addition, the redox reaction involving the intermediate nitrogen-centered cation radical and the cyanide anions played no role, because the α-silyl radical has such a short lifetime.

Sulfur-centered and nitrogen-centered radical substitution reactions of aromatic CpCo(dithiolene) complex with 2,2′-Dibenzothiazolyl disulfide

Aromatic [CpCo(S 2C 2(R)(H))] complexes (R = Me ( 1) and Ph ( 5)) reacted with 2,2′-dibenzothiazolyl disulfide ( 2, R’SSR’ (R′ = 2-benzothiazolyl)) as a sulfur-centered radical source to form some radical substitution products. 2-Benzothiazolylthiyl radical (R’S •) was substituted on the dithiolene ring or on the Me group of 1 to give [CpCo(S 2C 2(Me)(SR’))] ( 3) or [CpCo(S 2C 2(CH 2SR’)(H))] ( 4), respectively. The reaction of 5 with 2 gave two different substitution products on the dithiolene ring but they were structural isomers. One was the substitution product [CpCo(S 2C 2(Ph)(SR’))] ( 6) by the R’S • radical substitution ( S-substituted product), and the other was N-substituted product ( 7). 7 was formed by a nitrogen-centered radical that is a resonant species of the 2-benzothiazolylthiyl radical. Conventional heating, photochemical and microwave-enhanced reactions were performed. The molecular structures of 3, 4 and 7 were determined by X-ray diffraction studies.

Radical Mechanisms in Nitrosamine- and Nitrosamide-Induced Whole-Genome Gene Expression Modulations in Caco-2 Cells

N-nitroso compounds (NOCs) may be implicated in human colon carcinogenesis, but the toxicological mechanisms involved have not been elucidated. Because it was previously demonstrated that nitrosamines and nitrosamides, representing two classes of NOC, induce distinct gene expression effects in colon cells that are particularly related to oxidative stress, we hypothesized that different radical mechanisms are involved. Using electron spin resonance spectroscopy, we investigated the radical-generating properties of genotoxic NOC concentrations in human colon adenocarcinoma cells (Caco-2). Cells were exposed to nitrosamides (N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine and N-methyl-N-nitrosourea) or nitrosamines (N-nitrosodiethylamine, N-nitrosodimethylamine, N-nitrosopiperidine, and N-nitrosopyrrolidine). Nitrosamines caused formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and carbon-centered radicals, which was further stimulated in the presence of Caco-2 cells. N-methyl-N-nitrosourea exposure resulted in a small ROS signal, and formation of nitrogen-centered radicals (NCRs), also stimulated by Caco-2 cells. N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine did not cause radical formation at genotoxic concentrations, but at increased exposure levels, both ROS and NCR formation was observed. By associating gene expression patterns with ROS formation, several cellular processes responding to nitrosamine exposure were identified, including apoptosis, cell cycle blockage, DNA repair, and oxidative stress. These findings suggest that following NOC exposure in Caco-2 cells, ROS formation plays an important role in deregulation of gene expression patterns that may be relevant for the process of chemical carcinogenesis in the human colon, in addition to the role of DNA alkylation.

Hydroperoxides and aryl diazonium salts as reagents for the functionalization of non-activated olefins

Hydroperoxides, olefins, and arenediazonium salts selectively combine to give azo compounds via an iron(II)-mediated three-component reaction. Starting with a fragmentation liberating acetic acid, the hydroperoxides act as radical source and the diazonium ions as nitrogen-centered radical scavengers.

Non-phenolic radical-trapping antioxidants

Abstract Objectives The aim of this review article is to introduce the reader to the mechanisms, rates and thermodynamic aspects of the processes involving the most biologically relevant non-phenolic radical-trapping antioxidants. Key findings Antioxidant defences in living organisms rely on a complex interplay between small molecules and enzymes, which cooperate in regulating the concentrations of potentially harmful oxidizing species within physiological limits. The noxious effects of an uncontrolled production of oxygen- and nitrogen-centered radicals are amplified by chain reactions (autoxidations), sustained mainly by peroxyl radicals (ROO•), that oxidize and alter essential biomolecules such as lipids, lipoproteins, proteins and nucleic acids. Summary Non-phenolic antioxidants represent an important and abundant class of radical scavengers in living organisms. These compounds react with peroxyl radicals through various mechanisms: (i) formal H-atom donation from weak X-H bonds (X = O, N, S), as in the case of ascorbic acid (vitamin C), uric acid, bilirubin and thiols; (ii) addition reactions to polyunsaturated systems with formation of C-radicals poorly reactive towards O2, for example β-carotene and all carotenoids in general; (iii) co-oxidation processes characterized by fast cross-termination reactions, for example γ-terpinene; and (iv) catalytic quenching of superoxide (O2•−) with a superoxide dismutase-like mechanism, for example di-alkyl nitroxides and FeCl3. Kinetic data necessary to evaluate and rationalize the effects of these processes are reported. The mechanisms underlying the pro-oxidant effects of ascorbate and other reducing agents are also discussed.

Unique Diastereoselectivity Trends in Aminyl Radical Cyclizations onto Silyl Enol Ethers

The cyclization of nitrogen-centered radicals onto silyl enol ethers is an efficient method for the synthesis of polyhydroxylated alkaloids as the 2-hydroxymethylpyrrolidine core can be readily accessed from a linear precursor. During our studies on the synthesis of polyhydroxylated alkaloid CYB-3, we found that the diastereoselectivity of the cyclization was dependent on a complex combination of sterics and olefin geometry. A more thorough understanding of the factors that lead to high diastereoselectivites would greatly expand the utility of this methodology in complex natural product synthesis. We have found that cyclization diastereoselectivities of substrates with alkyl or aryl substitution were excellent regardless of olefin geometry or substitution pattern. When electronegative substituents were introduced adjacent to the silyl enol ether, only Z-silyl enol ethers provide high diastereoselectivites. Temperature, steric size of the silyl group, and sterics and electronics of the metal hydride affected the selectivity to a lesser extent.

Generation of 2′-Deoxyadenosine N6-Aminyl Radicals from the Photolysis of Phenylhydrazone Derivatives

Nitrogen-centered radicals are major species generated by the addition of hydroxyl radicals and the one-electron oxidation of adenine derivatives. Aminyl radicals are also generated in the decomposition of adenine chloramines upon reaction of hypochlorite. Here, we report the photochemistry of modified 2'-deoxyadenosine (dAdo) containing photoactive hydrazone substituents as a model to investigate the chemistry of dAdo N(6)-aminyl radicals. Derivatives of dAdo containing a phenylhydrazone moiety at N6 displayed UV absorption between 300 and 400 nm. Upon UV photolysis in the presence of a H-donor, that is, glutathione, two major products were formed, dAdo and benzaldehyde, indicating efficient homolytic cleavage to dAdo N(6)-aminyl radicals and benzylidene iminyl radicals. dAdo N(6)-phenylhydrazone was photolyzed in the presence of a molar excess of nonmodified dAdo to mimic the reactions taking place in DNA, and the major photoproducts were identified by high-performance liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance. The formation of 2-(benzylideneamino)-2'-deoxyadenosine as well as a more extensive oxidation product may be explained by the recombination of initial dAdo N(6)-aminyl and benzylidene iminyl radicals. The formation of 2'-deoxyinosine may be explained by hydrolytic deamination of dAdo N(6)-aminyl radicals. Interestingly, a dimeric product containing two dAdo moieties was identified in the photolysis mixture. The present studies demonstrate the ability of dAdo N(6)-aminyl radicals to undergo H-abstraction to give dAdo, deamination to give 2'-deoxyinosine, and addition to the adenine moiety to give dimers.

Characterization of Peroxides Formed by Riboflavin and Light Exposure of Milk. Detection of Urate Hydroperoxide as a Novel Oxidation Product

Characterization of peroxides by size exclusion chromatography (SEC) of milk following exposure to riboflavin and light showed that hydrogen peroxide was the most abundant peroxide formed since it could be removed by catalase. Formation of peroxides after separation by SEC showed that hydrogen peroxide formation was primarily increased in the presence of caseins and ascorbate, although whey proteins also were found to contribute. Caseins and beta-lactoglobulin also formed catalase-resistant peroxides, presumably protein hydroperoxides. A catalase-resistant and unstable peroxide was observed in fractions containing urate. Experiments performed with pure urate suggested that urate radicals reacted further with superoxide leading to a urate hydroperoxide. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy using spin-traps showed that the presence of oxygen was required for urate radical formation, which could be assigned as nitrogen-centered radicals. These results suggest a new route during light-induced oxidation sensitized by flavins, in effect making urate pro-oxidative.