Bimolecular Reaction Rate Constants Research Articles

Inhibition of recombinant human carboxylesterase 1 and 2 and monoacylglycerol lipase by chlorpyrifos oxon, paraoxon and methyl paraoxon

Oxons are the bioactivated metabolites of organophosphorus insecticides formed via cytochrome P450 monooxygenase-catalyzed desulfuration of the parent compound. Oxons react covalently with the active site serine residue of serine hydrolases, thereby inactivating the enzyme. A number of serine hydrolases other than acetylcholinesterase, the canonical target of oxons, have been reported to react with and be inhibited by oxons. These off-target serine hydrolases include carboxylesterase 1 (CES1), CES2, and monoacylglycerol lipase. Carboxylesterases (CES, EC 3.1.1.1) metabolize a number of xenobiotic and endobiotic compounds containing ester, amide, and thioester bonds and are important in the metabolism of many pharmaceuticals. Monoglyceride lipase (MGL, EC 3.1.1.23) hydrolyzes monoglycerides including the endocannabinoid, 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG). The physiological consequences and toxicity related to the inhibition of off-target serine hydrolases by oxons due to chronic, low level environmental exposures are poorly understood. Here, we determined the potency of inhibition (IC 50 values; 15 min preincubation, enzyme and inhibitor) of recombinant CES1, CES2, and MGL by chlorpyrifos oxon, paraoxon and methyl paraoxon. The order of potency for these three oxons with CES1, CES2, and MGL was chlorpyrifos oxon > paraoxon > methyl paraoxon, although the difference in potency for chlorpyrifos oxon with CES1 and CES2 did not reach statistical significance. We also determined the bimolecular rate constants ( k inact/ K I) for the covalent reaction of chlorpyrifos oxon, paraoxon and methyl paraoxon with CES1 and CES2. Consistent with the results for the IC 50 values, the order of reactivity for each of the three oxons with CES1 and CES2 was chlorpyrifos oxon > paraoxon > methyl paraoxon. The bimolecular rate constant for the reaction of chlorpyrifos oxon with MGL was also determined and was less than the values determined for chlorpyrifos oxon with CES1 and CES2 respectively. Together, the results define the kinetics of inhibition of three important hydrolytic enzymes by activated metabolites of widely used agrochemicals.

Mechanisms of Slower Nitric Oxide Uptake by Red Blood Cells and Other Hemoglobin-containing Vesicles

Nitric oxide (NO) acts as a smooth muscle relaxation factor and plays a crucial role in maintaining vascular homeostasis. NO is scavenged rapidly by hemoglobin (Hb). However, under normal physiological conditions, the encapsulation of Hb inside red blood cells (RBCs) significantly retards NO scavenging, permitting NO to reach the smooth muscle. The rate-limiting factors (diffusion of NO to the RBC surface, through the RBC membrane or inside of the RBC) responsible for this retardation have been the subject of much debate. Knowing the relative contribution of each of these factors is important for several reasons including optimization of the development of blood substitutes where Hb is contained within phospholipid vesicles. We have thus performed experiments of NO uptake by erythrocytes and microparticles derived from erythrocytes and conducted simulations of these data as well as that of others. We have included extracellular diffusion (that is, diffusion of the NO to the membrane) and membrane permeability, in addition to intracellular diffusion of NO, in our computational models. We find that all these mechanisms may modulate NO uptake by membrane-encapsulated Hb and that extracellular diffusion is the main rate-limiting factor for phospholipid vesicles and erythrocytes. In the case of red cell microparticles, we find a major role for membrane permeability. These results are consistent with prior studies indicating that extracellular diffusion of several gas ligands is also rate-limiting for erythrocytes, with some contribution of a low membrane permeability.

ChemInform Abstract: Kinetic Studies of Reactions of Organosilylenes: What Have They Taught Us?

AbstractReview: 109 refs.

Reaction of N-Acyloxy-N-alkoxyamides with Biological Thiol Groups

Mutagenic N-acyloxy-N-alkoxyamides 1 react with thiols by an SN2 process at nitrogen with displacement of carboxylate. They react with glutathione 4 in [D6]DMSO/D2O and methyl and ethyl esters of cysteine hydrochloride, 11 and 12, in [D4]methanol but the intermediate N-alkoxy-N-(alkylthio)amides undergo a rapid substitution reaction at sulfur by a second thiol molecule to give hydroxamic esters and disulfides. Arrhenius activation energies and entropies of activation obtained for a series of different N-benzyloxy-N-(4-substitutedbenzoyloxy)benzamides 13–17 were similar to those found for the SN2 reaction of the same series with N-methylaniline. Entropies of activation were strongly negative in keeping with polar separation and attendant solvation in the transition state, and in keeping with this, bimolecular reaction rate constants at 298 K correlated with Hammett σ constants with a positive ρ-value of 1.1. The structure of model N-methoxy-N-(methylthio)acetamide has been computed at the B3LYP/6–31G(d) level and exhibits properties atypical of other anomeric amides with more electronegative atoms at nitrogen. Relative to N,N-bisoxyl substitution, the combination of a sulfur and an oxygen atom at the amide nitrogen results in a relatively small reduction in amide resonance.

Cold chemistry with electronically excited Ca+ Coulomb crystals

Rate constants for chemical reactions of laser-cooled Ca(+) ions and neutral polar molecules (CH(3)F, CH(2)F(2), or CH(3)Cl) have been measured at low collision energies (<E(coll)>/k(B)=5-243 K). Low kinetic energy ensembles of (40)Ca(+) ions are prepared through Doppler laser cooling to form "Coulomb crystals" in which the ions form a latticelike arrangement in the trapping potential. The trapped ions react with translationally cold beams of polar molecules produced by a quadrupole guide velocity selector or with room-temperature gas admitted into the vacuum chamber. Imaging of the Ca(+) ion fluorescence allows the progress of the reaction to be monitored. Product ions are sympathetically cooled into the crystal structure and are unambiguously identified through resonance-excitation mass spectrometry using just two trapped ions. Variations of the laser-cooling parameters are shown to result in different steady-state populations of the electronic states of (40)Ca(+) involved in the laser-cooling cycle, and these are modeled by solving the optical Bloch equations for the eight-level system. Systematic variation of the steady-state populations over a series of reaction experiments allows the extraction of bimolecular rate constants for reactions of the ground state ((2)S(1/2)) and the combined excited states ((2)D(3/2) and (2)P(1/2)) of (40)Ca(+). These results are analyzed in the context of capture theories and ab initio electronic structure calculations of the reaction profiles. In each case, suppression of the ground state rate constant is explained by the presence of a submerged or real barrier on the ground state potential surface. Rate constants for the excited states are generally found to be in line with capture theories.

Treatment of statin compounds by advanced oxidation processes: Kinetic considerations and destruction mechanisms

This study examined the use of advanced oxidation/reduction processes (AO/RPs) for the destruction of cholesterol lowering statin pharmaceuticals. AO/RPs which utilize the oxidizing hydroxyl radical ( OH) and reducing aqueous electron (e − aq), to degrade chemical contaminants are alternatives to traditional water treatment methods, and are alternatives as water reuse becomes more generally implemented. Four major statin pharmaceuticals, fluvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin and simvastatin, were studied, and the absolute bimolecular reaction rate constants with OH determined, (6.96±0.16)×10 9, (2.92±0.06)×10 9, (4.16±0.13)×10 9, and (3.13±0.15)×10 9 M −1 s −1, and for e − aq (2.31±0.06)×10 9, (0.45±0.01)×10 9, (1.26±0.01)×10 9, and (0.69±0.02)×10 9 M −1 s −1, respectively. To provide additional information on the radicals formed upon oxidation, transient spectra were measured and the overall reaction efficiency determined. Radical-based destruction mechanisms for destruction of the statins are proposed based on the LC-MS determination of the stable reaction by-products formed using 137Cs γ-irradiation of statin solutions. Knowing the reaction rates, reaction efficiencies and destruction mechanisms of these compounds is essential for the consideration of the use of advanced oxidation/reduction processes for the destruction of statins in aqueous systems.

Reaction of C2(a Π3u) with methanol: Temperature dependence and deuterium isotope effect

Bimolecular rate constants for the gas-phase reactions of C2(a Π3u) with a variety of methanol isotopomers including CH3OH (k1), CH3OD (k2), CD3OH (k3), and CD3OD (k4) have been measured over the temperature range of 293–673 K by means of pulsed laser photolysis/laser-induced fluorescence technique. The rate constants, in units of cm3 molecule−1 s−1, can be fitted by the normal Arrhenius expressions: k1(T)=(1.32±0.02)×10−11 exp[−(366.80±4.44)/T], k2(T)=(1.34±0.02)×10−11 exp[−(376.86±5.09)/T], k3(T)=(1.09±0.02)×10−11 exp[−(640.00±7.23)/T], and k4(T)=(1.12±0.01)×10−11 exp[−(666.37±4.63)/T], where all error estimates are ±2σ and represent the precision of the fit. The observed deuterium kinetic isotope effects, k1/k2 and k1/k3, along with the positive temperature dependences of k(T), allow us to reach a conclusion that the reaction of C2(a Π3u) with methanol in 293–673 K proceeds via a site-specific hydrogen abstraction mechanism, that is, H-atom abstraction from the methyl site rather than from the hydroxyl site dominating reactivity.

Photosensitized degradation of amoxicillin in natural organic matter isolate solutions

Amoxicillin is a widely used antibiotic and has been detected in natural waters. Its environmental fate is in part determined by hydrolysis, and, direct and indirect photolysis. The hydrolysis rate in distilled water and water to which five different isolated of dissolved organic matter (DOM) was added, were evaluated. In the five different DOM solutions hydrolysis accounted for 5–18% loss of amoxicillin. Direct and indirect photolysis rates were determined using a solar simulator and it appeared that indirect photolysis was the dominant loss mechanism. Direct photolysis, in a solar simulator, accounted for 6–21% loss of amoxicillin in the simulated natural waters. The steady-state concentrations of singlet oxygen, 1ΔO2 (∼10−13 M) and hydroxyl radical, •OH (∼10−17 M) were obtained in aqueous solutions of five different dissolved organic matter samples using a solar simulator. The bimolecular reaction rate constant of 1ΔO2 with amoxicillin was measured in the different solutions, kΔO2 = 1.44 × 104 M−1 s−1. The sunlight mediated amoxicillin loss rate with 1ΔO2 (∼10−9 s−1), and with •OH (∼10−7 s−1), were also determined for the different samples of DOM. While 1ΔO2 only accounted for 0.03–0.08% of the total loss rate, the hydroxyl radical contributed 10–22%. It appears that the direct reaction of singlet and triplet excited state DOM (3DOM∗) with amoxicillin accounts for 48–74% of the loss of amoxicillin. Furthermore, the pseudo first-order photodegradation rate showed a positive correlation with the sorption of amoxicillin to DOM, which further supported the assumption that excited state DOM∗ plays a key role in the photochemical transformation of amoxicillin in natural waters. This is the first study to report the relative contribution of all five processes to the fate of amoxicillin in aqueous solution.

Kinetic Modeling and Toxicity Assessment of Diethyl Phthalate Treated by H2O2/UV-C Process

In the present study, the treatability of aqueous DEP solution employing H2O2/UV-C oxidation and the changes in acute and/or chronic toxicity of untreated and H2O2/UV-C treated DEP solutions was investigated. For DEP removal and its ultimate oxidation (mineralization), an optimum initial H2O2 concentration of 40 mM was required. The HO• bimolecular reaction rate constant of DEP was found as 2.33 ± 0.27×108 M−1 s−1. Activated sludge inhibition experiments inferred that H2O2/UV-C treated DEP solutions were composed of a mixture of oxidation intermediates which exhibited higher degree of inhibition to heterotrophic biomass with respect to DEP. According to the results obtained in this work, the complete mineralization of DEP by H2O2/UV-C process would be a better option.

One-Electron Redox Processes in a Cyclic Selenide and a Selenoxide: A Pulse Radiolysis Study

One-electron redox reactions of cyclic selenium compounds, DL-trans-3,4-dihydroxy-1-selenolane (DHS(red)), and DL-trans-3,4-dihydroxy-1-selenolane oxide (DHS(ox)) were carried out in aqueous solutions using nanosecond pulse radiolysis, and the resultant transients were detected by absorption spectroscopy. Both *OH radical and specific one-electron oxidant, Br(2)(*-) radical reacted with DHS(red) to form similar transients absorbing at 480 nm, which has been identified as a dimer radical cation (DHS(red))(2)(*+). Secondary electron transfer reactions of the (DHS(red))(2)(*+) were studied with 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS(2-)) and superoxide (O(2)(*-)) radicals. The bimolecular rate constants for the electron transfer reaction between (DHS(red))(2)(*+) with ABTS(2-) was determined as 2.4 +/- 0.4 x 10(9) M(-1) s(-1). From this reaction, the yield of (DHS(red))(2)(*+) formed on reaction with *OH radical was estimated in the presence of varying phosphate concentrations. (DHS(red))(2)(*+) reacted with O(2)(*-) radical with a bimolecular rate constant of 2.7 +/- 0.1 x 10(9) M(-1) s(-1) at pH 7. From the same reaction, the positive charge on (DHS(red))(2)(*+) was confirmed by the kinetic salt effect. HPLC analysis of the products formed in the reaction of (DHS(red))(2)(*+) with O(2)(*-) radicals showed formation of the selenoxide, DHS(ox). In order to know if a similar mechanism operated during the reduction of DHS(ox), its reactions with e(aq)(-) were studied at pH 7. The rate constant for this reaction was determined as 5.6 +/- 0.9 x 10(9) M(-1) s(-1), and no transient absorption could be observed in the wavelength region from 280 to 700 nm. It is proposed that the radical anion (DHS(ox))(*-) formed by a one-electron reduction would get protonated to form a hydroxyl radical adduct, which in presence of proton donors, would undergo dehydration to form DHS(*+). Evidence for this mechanism was obtained by converting DHS(*+) to (DHS(red))(2)(*+) with the addition of DHS(red) to the same system. Quantum chemical calculations provided supporting evidence for some of the redox reactions.

Modulation of Homocysteine Toxicity by S-Nitrosothiol Formation: A Mechanistic Approach

The metabolic conversion of homocysteine (HCYSH) to homocysteine thiolactone (HTL) has been reported as the major cause of HCYSH pathogenesis. It was hypothesized that inhibition of the thiol group of HCYSH by S-nitrosation will prevent its metabolic conversion to HTL. The kinetics, reaction dynamics, and mechanism of reaction of HCYSH and nitrous acid to produce S-nitrosohomocysteine (HCYSNO) was studied in mildly to highly acidic pHs. Transnitrosation of this non-protein-forming amino acid by S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) was also studied at physiological pH 7.4 in phosphate buffer. In both cases, HCYSNO formed quantitatively. Copper ions were found to play dual roles, catalyzing the rate of formation of HCYSNO as well as its rate of decomposition. In the presence of a transition-metal ions chelator, HCYSNO was very stable with a half-life of 198 h at pH 7.4. Nitrosation by nitrous acid occurred via the formation of more powerful nitrosating agents, nitrosonium cation (NO(+)) and dinitrogen trioxide (N(2)O(3)). In highly acidic environments, NO(+) was found to be the most effective nitrosating agent with a first-order dependence on nitrous acid. N(2)O(3) was the most relevant nitrosating agent in a mildly acidic environment with a second-order dependence on nitrous acid. The bimolecular rate constants for the direct reactions of HCYSH and nitrous acid, N(2)O(3), and NO(+) were 9.0 x 10(-2), 9.50 x 10(3), and 6.57 x 10(10) M(-1) s(-1), respectively. These rate constant values agreed with the electrophilic order of these nitrosating agents: HNO(2) < N(2)O(3) < NO(+). Transnitrosation of HCYSH by GSNO produced HCYSNO and other products including glutathione (reduced and oxidized) and homocysteine-glutathione mixed disulfide. A computer modeling involving eight reactions gave a good fit to the observed formation kinetics of HCYSNO. This study has shown that it is possible to modulate homocysteine toxicity by preventing its conversion to a more toxic HTL by S-nitrosation.

Degradation mechanisms and kinetic studies for the treatment of X-ray contrast media compounds by advanced oxidation/reduction processes

The presence of iodinated X-ray contrast media compounds (ICM) in surface and ground waters has been reported. This is likely due to their biological inertness and incomplete removal in wastewater treatment processes. The present study reports partial degradation mechanisms based on elucidating the structures of major reaction by-products using γ-irradiation and LC-MS. Studies conducted at concentrations higher than observed in natural waters is necessary to elucidate the reaction by-product structures and to develop destruction mechanisms. To support these mechanistic studies, the bimolecular rate constants for the reaction of OH and e − aq with one ionic ICM (diatrizoate), four non-ionic ICM (iohexol, iopromide, iopamidol, and iomeprol), and the several analogues of diatrizoate were determined. The absolute bimolecular reaction rate constants for diatrizoate, iohexol, iopromide, iopamidol, and iomeprol with OH were (9.58 ± 0.23)×10 8, (3.20 ± 0.13)×10 9, (3.34 ± 0.14)×10 9, (3.42 ± 0.28)×10 9, and (2.03 ± 0.13) × 10 9 M −1 s −1, and with e − aq were (2.13 ± 0.03)×10 10, (3.35 ± 0.03)×10 10, (3.25 ± 0.05)×10 10, (3.37 ± 0.05)×10 10, and (3.47 ± 0.02) × 10 10 M −1 s −1, respectively. Transient spectra for the intermediates formed by the reaction of OH were also measured over the time period of 1–100 μs to better understand the stability of the radicals and for evaluation of reaction rate constants. Degradation efficiencies for the OH and e − aq reactions with the five ICM were determined using steady-state γ-radiolysis. Collectively, these data will form the basis of kinetic models for application of advanced oxidation/reduction processes for treating water containing these compounds.

How Solvent Modulates Hydroxyl Radical Reactivity in Hydrogen Atom Abstractions

The hydroxyl radical (HO*) is a highly reactive oxygen-centered radical whose bimolecular rate constants for reaction with organic compounds (hydrogen atom abstraction) approach the diffusion-controlled limit in aqueous solution. The results reported herein show that hydroxyl radical is considerably less reactive in dipolar, aprotic solvents such as acetonitrile. This diminished reactivity is explained on the basis of a polarized transition state for hydrogen abstraction, in which the oxygen of the hydroxyl radical becomes highly negative and can serve as a hydrogen bond acceptor. Because acetonitrile cannot participate as a hydrogen bond donor, the transition state cannot be stabilized by hydrogen bonding, and the reaction rate is lower; the opposite is true when water is the solvent. This hypothesis explains hydroxyl radical reactivity both in solution and in the gas phase and may be the basis for a "containment strategy" used by Nature when hydroxyl radical is produced endogenously.

Mechanistic Considerations for the Advanced Oxidation Treatment of Fluoroquinolone Pharmaceutical Compounds using TiO2 Heterogeneous Catalysis

Pharmaceutical compounds and metabolites are being found in surface and ground waters which is indicative of inefficient removal by conventional wastewater treatment technologies. Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), which utilize free-radical reactions to degrade chemical contaminates, are an alternative to traditional water treatment. Three fluoroquinolone pharmaceutical compounds were studied and the absolute rate constants for hydroxyl radical (*OH) and hydrated electron (e(-)(aq)) are reported. For norfloxacin, levofloxacin, and lomefloxacin, the bimolecular reaction rate constants with *OH were determined as (6.18 +/- 0.18) x 10(9), (7.59 +/- 0.16) x 10(9) and (8.04 +/- 0.62) x 10(9) M(-1) s(-1), and with e(-)(aq) were (1.18 +/- 0.10) x 10(10), (2.46 +/- 0.05) x 10(10) and (2.79 +/- 0.05) x 10(10) M(-1) s(-1), respectively. To provide insights into the chemistry of destruction of these three target pharmaceuticals, transient spectra were obtained for the reaction of hydroxyl radicals with the three compounds. Photocatalysis was chosen as a representative advanced oxidation technology to degrade these three fluoroquinolones and their degradation pathways were proposed. Elimination of piperazynilic ring in fluoroquinolone molecules, addition of hydroxyl radical to quinolone ring, and ipso attack at the F atoms on the aromatic ring by hydroxyl radicals occurred. These results indicate that AOPs involving production of *OH radicals are efficiently alternative treatment technologies for degradation of fluoroquinolones in aqueous solution.

Kinetic studies of reactions of organosilylenes: what have they taught us?

Rate constants for bimolecular reactions, obtained through time-resolved kinetic studies both in the gas and liquid phases are reviewed. Data for reactions of MeSiH, PhSiH, ClSiH, SiCl(2), SiMe(2), MeSiPh, SiPh(2) and SiMes(2) are covered. Where possible, substituent effects relative to SiH(2) have been obtained. These demonstrate widely varying effects between different types of reaction, which aids mechanistic understanding. Reactivities are high for all silylenes, but substituents can reduce them by both electronic and steric effects. The gas and liquid phase data (mainly for SiMe(2)) are compared and appear to be reasonably consistent. This review, although detailed, is not comprehensive.

Degradation of tetracycline antibiotics: Mechanisms and kinetic studies for advanced oxidation/reduction processes

This study involves elucidating the destruction mechanisms of four tetracyclines via reactions with OH and solvated electrons ( e aq - ). The first step is to evaluate the bimolecular rate constants for the reaction of OH and e aq - . Transient absorption spectra for the intermediates formed by the reaction of OH were also measured over the time period of 1–250 μs to assist in selecting the appropriate wavelength for the absolute bimolecular reaction rate constants. For these four compounds, tetracycline, chlortetracycline, oxytetracycline, and doxycycline, the absolute rate constants with OH were (6.3 ± 0.1) × 10 9, (5.2 ± 0.2) × 10 9, (5.6 ± 0.1) × 10 9, and (7.6 ± 0.1) × 10 9 M −1 s −1, and for e aq - were (2.2 ± 0.1) × 10 10, (1.3 ± 0.2) × 10 10, (2.3 ± 0.1) × 10 10, and (2.5 ± 0.1) × 10 10 M −1 s −1, respectively. The efficiencies for OH reaction with the four tetracyclines ranged from 32% to 60%. The efficiencies for e aq - reaction were 15–29% except for chlortetracycline which was significantly higher (97%) than the other tetracyclines in spite of the similar reaction rate constants for e aq - in all cases. To evaluate the use of advanced oxidation/reduction processes for the destruction of tetracyclines it is necessary to have reaction rates, reaction efficiencies and destruction mechanisms. This paper is the first step in eventually realizing the formulation of a detailed kinetic destruction model for these four tetracycline antibiotics.

Kinetics and mechanism of advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) in degradation of ciprofloxacin in water

Fluoroquinolones and their metabolites are found in surface and ground waters, indicating their ineffective removal by conventional water treatment technologies. Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are alternatives to traditional water treatments. They utilize free radical reactions to directly degrade fluoroquinolones. This work reports absolute rate constants for the reaction of ciprofloxacin with several free radicals, OH, N3 and SO4− as well as hydrated electrons. Pulsed radiolysis experiments showed that OH, N3 and eaq− reacted quickly with ciprofloxacin, with bimolecular reaction rate constants of (2.15±0.10)×1010, (2.90±0.12)×1010 and (2.65±0.15)×1010M−1s−1, respectively, while the SO4− radical appeared not to react with ciprofloxacin. Transient spectra were observed for the intermediate radicals produced by hydroxyl and azide radical reactions. Moreover, ciprofloxacin can be degraded rapidly using a typical advanced oxidation process, TiO2 photocatalysis, with half-lives of 1.9–10.9min depending upon pH values. Seven degradation products were elucidated by LC/MS/MS analysis, and the degradation mechanism of ciprofloxacin was also tentatively proposed by combining the experimental evidence with theoretical calculations of frontier electron densities. The calculations suggest that the addition of a hydroxyl radical to ciprofloxacin and photo-hole direct attack is two predominant reaction pathways.

Ester decomposition as a two-center synchronous reaction

Experimental data on the molecular decomposition of esters with various structures into an olefin and the corresponding acid in the gas phase are analyzed in terms of the intersecting parabolas method. Enthalpies and kinetic parameters characterizing this decomposition have been calculated for 33 reactions. Ester decomposition is a concerted two-center reaction characterized by a very high classical potential barrier of thermoneutral reaction (148–206 kJ/mol). The totality of reactions examined is divided into eight classes. Activation energies and rate constants have been calculated for 38 reactions using the kinetic parameters obtained. The activation energies and rate constants of the reverse bimolecular reaction of acid addition to olefins have been calculated by the intersecting parabolas method. Factors in the activation energy of ester decomposition and formation reactions are discussed.

Free-Radical-Induced Oxidative and Reductive Degradation of Fibrate Pharmaceuticals: Kinetic Studies and Degradation Mechanisms

The presence of pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) in aquatic systems is an emerging environmental issue and poses a potential threat to ecosystems and human health. Unfortunately, current water treatment techniques do not efficiently remove all of the PhACs, which results in the occurrence of such compounds in surface and ground waters. Advanced oxidation/reduction processes (AO/RPs) which utilize free radical reactions to directly degrade chemical contaminants are alternatives to traditional water treatment methods. This study reports the absolute bimolecular reaction rate constants for three pharmaceutical compounds (fibrates), clofibric acid, bezafibrate, and gemfibrozil, with the hydroxyl radical (*OH) and hydrated electron (e(-)(aq)). The bimolecular reaction rate constants for *OH were (6.98 +/- 0.12) x 10(9), (8.00 +/- 0.22) x 10(9), and (10.0 +/- 0.6) x 10(9), and for e(-)(aq) were (6.59 +/- 0.43) x 10(8), (112 +/- 3) x 10(8), and (6.26 +/- 0.58) x 10(8), for clofibric acid, bezafibrate, and gemfibrozil, respectively. Transient spectra were obtained for the intermediate radicals produced by the hydroxyl radical reactions. In addition, preliminary degradation mechanisms and major products were elucidated using (137)Cs gamma-irradiation and LC-MS. These data are required for evaluating the potential use of AO/RPs for the destruction of these compounds in treating water for various purposes.

Kinetic study of nitrosation of methylformamide

AbstractNitrosation of methylformamide (MFA) has been studied kinetically. The results obtained show that the reaction rate is first order with respect to both the MFA and proton concentration. The absence of catalysis by nucleophilic anions and the observed general base catalysis is interpreted in terms of formation of a protonated nitrosamide intermediate, being the proton transfer the slow step of the process. The primary solvent isotope effect observed corroborates this mechanism. From this study, we were able to obtain the values of the rate constants for the nitrosation process. The catalytic constants in the presence of buffers were also obtained and the analysis of the Brönsted slopes suggests a process with a transition state more similar to the reactants than the products. The absence of electron donating groups in MFA leads to a very low value of the bimolecular rate constant of the nitrosation reaction. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.