How intramolecular hydrogen bonding (IHB) controls the C-ON bond homolysis in alkoxyamines

Recent amazing results (Nkolo et al., Org. Biomol. Chem., 2017, 6167) on the effect of solvents and polarity on the C-ON bond homolysis rate constants k_d of alkoxyamine R₁R₂NOR₃ led us to re-investigate the antagonistic effect of intramolecular hydrogen-bonding (IHB) on k_d. Here, IHB is investigated both in the nitroxyl fragment R₁R₂NO and in the alkyl fragment R₃, as well as between fragments, that is, the donating group on the alkyl fragment and the accepting group on the nitroxyl fragment, and conversely. It appears that IHB between fragments (inter IHB) strikingly decreases the homolysis rate constant k_d, whereas IHB within the fragment (intra IHB) moderately increases k_d. For one alkoxyamine, the simultaneous occurrence of IHB within the nitroxyl fragment and between fragments is reported. The protonation effect is weaker in the presence than in the absence of IHB. A moderate solvent effect is also observed.

C-ON bond homolysis of alkoxyamines: when too high polarity is detrimental

Throughout the last decade, the effect of electron withdrawing groups (EWGs) has been known to play a role - minor or moderate depending on the nitroxyl fragment R₁R₂NO - in the change in the homolysis rate constant (k_d) for C-ON bond homolysis in alkoxyamines (R₁R₂NOR). It has been shown that the effect of EWGs on k_d is described by a linear relationship with the electrical Hammett constant σ_I. Since then, linear multi-parameter relationships f(σ_RS,ν,σ_I) have been developed to account for the effects involved in the changes in k_d, which are the stabilization of the released radical (σ_RS) and the bulkiness (ν) and polarity (σ_I) of the alkyl fragment. Since a decade ago, new results have been published highlighting the limits of such correlations. In this article, previous multi-parameter linear relationships are amended using a parabolic model, i.e. (σ_I,nitroxide - σ_I,alkyl)², to describe the effect of EWGs in the alkyl fragment on k_d. In contrast to previous studies, these improved linear multi-parameter relationships f(σ_RS,ν,Δσ_I²) are able to account for the presence of several EWGs on the alkyl fragment, R. An unexpectedly strong solvent effect - a ca. 1500-fold increase in k_d - from tert-butylbenzene to the water/methanol mixture is also observed for 3-((2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-yl)oxyl)pentane-2,4-dione 1b in comparison to a ca. 5-fold increase in k_d that is generally observed.

Intramolecular hydrogen bond in alkoxyamines. Influence on the C-ON bond homolysis

The C-ON bond homolysis in alkoxyamines can be influenced by the presence of an intramolecular hydrogen bond (IHB) between the alkyl and the nitroxyl fragments, which leads to an 8-fold decrease in the homolysis rate constant k(d). When the IHB is disrupted by the solvent or by substitution of the hydrogen involved in the IHB by a protecting group (OMe, OAc, OBz, OBn, or OTBDMS), a higher homolysis rate constant k(d) is observed, as expected from the correlations developed by Marque (Bertin, D.; Gigmes, D.; Marque, S.; Tordo, P. Macromolecules 2005, 38, 2638-2650). Results were confirmed by DFT calculations at the B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level.

Chemically triggered C-ON bond homolysis in alkoxyamines. Part 2: DFT investigation and application of the pH effect on NMP

In recent work, a 15-fold increase in the C-ON bond homolysis rate constant kd of 4-pyridylethyl-SG1-based alkoxyamine was observed upon protonation of the pyridyl moiety in organic solvent. In this report, the pH dependence of kd (pKa = 4.7) is investigated in D2O/CD3OD (v/v 1:1). A 64-fold increase in kd is observed at acidic pH. Calculations show that the increase in kd upon protonation is due to both an increase in the stabilization of the protonated 4-pyridylethyl radical and an increase of the destabilization of the starting materials through an increase in the polarity of the alkyl fragment. This new alkoxyamine is applied to NMP of styrene and sodium styrene sulfonate.

Spin trapping of superoxide by diester-nitrones

The nitrone N-[(1-oxidopyridin-1-ium-4-yl)-methylidene]-1,1-bis(ethoxycarbonyl)ethylamine N-oxide (DEEPyON) was synthesized and used as a spin trapping agent. The kinetic aspects of the superoxide detection by this new spin trap and by two other diester-nitrones, i.e. 2,2-diethoxycarbonyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyrrole-1-oxide (DEPO) and N-benzylidene-1,1-bis(ethoxycarbonyl)ethylamine N-oxide (DEEPN), were examined by determining the rate constants for the trapping reaction and for the spin adduct decay at pH 7.2. Comparing the results obtained to those given by analogous monoester-nitrones showed that both the spin trapping and the adduct decay reactions were faster in the presence of a second ester group in the cyclic nitrone series, while the superoxide trapping capacities of linear diester-nitrones were found to be dramatically weak. It follows from this study that DEPO and 2-ethoxycarbonyl-2-methyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyrrole-1-oxide (EMPO) are superior when it comes to superoxide detection. Below 0.005 mol dm(-3), DEPO is to date the only nitrone capable of clearly detecting superoxide, while EMPO should be preferred at higher spin trap concentration.

A new kinetic approach to the evaluation of rate constants for the spin trapping of superoxide/hydroperoxyl radical by nitrones in aqueous media

A new kinetic approach to the evaluation of rate constants for the spin trapping of superoxide/hydroperoxyl radical by nitrones in buffered media is described. This method is based on a competition between the superoxide trapping by the nitrone and the spontaneous dismutation of this radical in aqueous media. EPR spectra are recorded as a function of time at various nitrone concentrations, and kinetic curves are obtained after treatment of these spectra using both singular value decomposition and pseudo-inverse deconvolution methods. Modelling these curves permits the determination of the rate constants k(T) and k(D) for the superoxide trapping and the adduct decay reactions, respectively. Kinetics parameters thus obtained with six nitrones, namely the 2-ethoxycarbonyl-2-methyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyrrole N-oxide (EMPO), the 5-diethoxyphosphoryl-5-methyl-3,4-dihydro-5H-pyrrole N-oxide (DEPMPO), the 5,5-dimethyl-3,4-dihydro-5H-pyrrole N-oxide (DMPO), the 1,3,5-tri[(N-(1-diethylphosphono)-1-methylethyl)-N-oxy-aldimine]benzene (TN), the N-benzylidene-1-ethoxycarbonyl-1-methylethylamine N-oxide (EPPN), and the N-[(1-oxidopyridin-1-ium-4-yl)methylidene]-1-ethoxycarbonyl-1-methylethylamine N-oxide (EPPyON), indicate that cyclic nitrones trapped superoxide faster than the linear ones. However, the low k(T) values obtained for compounds show that there is still a need for new molecules with better spin trapping capacities.

Effect of two new PBN-derived phosphorylated nitrones against postischaemic ventricular dysrhythmias

Spin traps might exert antioxidant cardioprotective effects during myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion where free radicals are thought to be responsible for the occurrence of reperfusion injury. The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of two new alpha-phenyl N-tert-butylnitrone (PBN)-derived beta-phosphorylated nitrones: 2-N-oxy-N-[benzylidène amino] diéthyl propyl-2-phosphate (PPN) and 1-diethoxyphosphoryl-1-methyl-N-[(1-oxido-pyridin-1-ium-4-yl) methylidene] ethylamine N-oxide (4-PyOPN) compared with PBN on (1) the evolution of cardiovascular parameters and (2) the postischaemic recovery. Anaesthetized rats were injected with 120 micro mol/kg of the nitrones or 14 micro mol/kg of amiodarone, used as a reference antidysrhythmic drug. Ischaemia was induced in vivo through ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery for 5 min followed by 15 min of reperfusion after release. Cardiovascular parameters and occurrence of ventricular premature beats (VPB), ventricular tachycardia (VT) and fibrillation (VF) were recorded throughout the experiment. Under nonischaemic conditions, none of the three spin traps was shown to modify cardiovascular parameters during the 25-min measurement period. Solvent-treated (NaCl 0.9%) animals challenged with ischaemia-reperfusion exhibited 39 +/- 10 VPB, 156 +/- 39 s of VT and 60% mortality caused by sustained VF. Nitrones improved slightly postischaemic recovery, reducing the occurrence of VF and mortality to 33% whereas amiodarone injection totally suppressed rhythm disturbances and mortality. Our study has shown only limited antidysrhythmic cardioprotective effects of PBN-derived beta-phosphorylated nitrones during reperfusion after a regional myocardial ischaemia but also minor antioxidant properties of these spin trapping agents.

Preparation and use as spin trapping agents of new ester-nitrones

The synthesis of two new nitrones, N-benzylidene-1,1-bis(ethoxycarbonyl)ethylamine N-oxide (DEEPN) and N-[(1-oxidopyridin-1-ium-4-yl)methylidene]-1-ethoxycarbonyl-1- methylethylamine N-oxide (EPPyON), is described. Measurement of their n-octanol-phosphate buffer partition coefficient permitted evaluation of their lipophilicity. Their capacity to act as spin trapping agents was investigated in aqueous media. Although these nitrones were unsuitable for detecting hydroxyl radical, they efficiently trapped various carbon- and oxygen-centred radicals, including superoxide, in aqueous media. The half-lives of their superoxide adducts were determined at pH 5.8 and 7.2. At neutral pH, the superoxide spin adduct of DEEPN was found to be as persistent as that of 5-diethoxyphosphoryl-5-methyl-3,4-dihydropyrrole N-oxide (DEPMPO). Consequently, DEEPN was believed to be an efficient trap for superoxide detection in aqueous media.

N-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-propyl) alpha-phenylnitrone: an efficacious lipophilic spin trap for superoxide detection

The spin trap N-2-(2-ethoxycarbonyl-propyl) alpha-phenylnitrone, EPPN 1, synthesized by methods previously described, has been purified by recrystallization. A measure of its octanol-phosphate buffer partition coefficient (P(oct) = 29.8) indicated that EPPN was quite lipophilic, yet it could be easily solubilized in water up to 60 mmol L(-1). Although this nitrone was unsuitable for detecting hydroxyl radical, it efficiently trapped several carbon-centered radicals as well as superoxide in aqueous media, without yielding any artifactual signals. Kinetic studies of the superoxide adduct decay gave rate constants k(D) of 2 x 10(-3) and 2.1 x 10(-3) s(-1) at pH 5.6 and pH 7, respectively. EPPN can be considered as an easily prepared and highly pure spin trap, allowing efficient detection of superoxide in aqueous environments.

Characteristics and use as spin trapping agent of a beta-phosphorylated nitroso compound, DEPNP

2-(Diethylphosphonate)-nitrosopropane (DEPNP), prepared by oxidation of the corresponding aminophosphonate, was found to essentially exist as monomer in both water and organic solvents. The mechanisms of its degradation under 80 degrees C heating or visible light exposure were studied by EPR spectroscopy: its decomposition gave rise to paramagnetic by-products, which have been identified as DEPNP/.C(CH(3) )(2) [P(O)(OC(2) H(5) )(2) ] and DEPNP/.P(O)(OC(2) H(5) )(2) spin adducts. Despite this drawback, DEPNP was successfully used as spin trapping agents to scavenge various carbon - and phosphorus-centred free radicals both in aqueous and organic media, giving rise to intense EPR spectra characteristic of the species trapped.

Quantitative measurement of superoxide generation and oxygen consumption from leukocytes using electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy

In view of the important role of superoxide in cellular injury, there has been a great need for methods suitable for quantitation of superoxide production from cells. Previous methods have had limited sensitivity or specificity as well as problems with side reactions in cellular systems. Recently, we have shown that the new spin trap 5-(diethoxyphosphoryl)-5-methyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide has ideal properties for quantitative superoxide measurement in chemical/biochemical systems; however, its suitability and potential for measurements in cellular systems has not been determined. Therefore, we evaluated the use of DEPMPO for quantitative measurement of superoxide formed by polymorphonuclear leukocytes. After activation of these cells with the phorbol ester (PMA, 200 ng/ml) or opsonized zymosan (1 mg/ml) at 24 degrees C a strong signal of the superoxide adduct, DEPMPO-OOH, was observed. This technique was highly sensitive and enabled measurement of superoxide generation from as few as 2 x 10(3) cells. The kinetics of adduct formation and decay were measured which enabled quantitation of superoxide formation. Spin label electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) oximetry was used to measure the oxygen consumption from these cells. With PMA activation rapid onset of superoxide generation occurred with a rate of 0.78 nmol/min/10(6) cells while with zymosan a slower gradual onset of activation was seen to a peak rate of 0.061 nmol/min/10(6) cells. With both stimulators the ratios of superoxide production to oxygen consumption were similar with values of approximately 50% obtained. Thus, EPR spin trapping with DEPMPO together with EPR oximetry methods can be used to provide sensitive and specific quantitation of cellular superoxide generation and oxygen consumption. These methods provide a promising new approach for the measurement of oxygen reduction and superoxide generation in cellular systems.

Validation of lucigenin (bis-N-methylacridinium) as a chemilumigenic probe for detecting superoxide anion radical production by enzymatic and cellular systems

Lucigenin is most noted for its wide use as a chemiluminescent detector of superoxide anion radical (O2-.) production by biological systems. However, its validity as a O2-.-detecting probe has recently been questioned in view of its ability to undergo redox cycling in several in vitro enzymatic systems, which produce little or no O2-.. Whether and to what extent lucigenin redox cycling occurs in systems that produce significant amounts of O2-. has not been carefully investigated. We examined and correlated three end points, including sensitive measurement of lucigenin-derived chemiluminescence (LDCL), O2 consumption by oxygen polarography, and O2-. production by 5-(diethoxyphosphoryl)-5-methyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide spin trapping to characterize the potential of lucigenin to undergo redox cycling and as such to act as an additional source of O2-. in various enzymatic and cellular systems. Marked LDCL was elicited at lucigenin concentrations ranging from 1 to 5 microM in all of the O2-.-generating systems examined, including xanthine oxidase (XO)/xanthine, lipoamide dehydrogenase/ NADH, isolated mitochondria, mitochondria in intact cells, and phagocytic NADPH oxidase. These concentrations of lucigenin were far below those that stimulated additional O2 consumption or O2-. production in the above systems. Moreover, a significant linear correlation between LDCL and superoxide dismutase-inhibitable cytochrome c reduction was observed in the XO/ xanthine and phagocytic NADPH oxidase systems. In contrast to the above O2-.-generating systems, no LDCL was observed at non-redox cycling concentrations of lucigenin in the glucose oxidase/glucose and XO/NADH systems, which do not produce a significant amount of O2-.. Thus, LDCL still appears to be a valid probe for detecting O2-. production by enzymatic and cellular sources.

Quantitative measurement of superoxide generation using the spin trap 5-(diethoxyphosphoryl)-5-methyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide

Measurement and quantitation of superoxide by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) using the spin trap 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO) have been limited by the short half-life of the superoxide adduct DMPO-OOH (approximately 50 s at pH 7). Recently a beta-phosphorylated nitrone, 5-(diethoxyphosphoryl)-5-methyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DEPMPO), was developed and reported to form a more stable superoxide adduct with a half-life of approximately 15 min. We evaluated the use of DEPMPO for quantitative measurement of superoxide in chemical and biochemical systems. To estimate the efficiency of trapping, EPR oximetry was used to measure oxygen consumption and the intensity of the DEPMPO-OOH signal to measure superoxide generation and adduct decay. With the superoxide-generating systems, riboflavin/light and xanthine/xanthine oxidase, DEPMPO trapped approximately 65% of the superoxide produced. The efficiency of superoxide trapping by DEPMPO was compared to the commonly used cytochrome c reduction method. When superoxide production was > 20 microM, cytochrome c detected approximately 100% of the superoxide produced, while DEPMPO trapped 60 to 70%. However, EPR detection with DEPMPO was 40-fold more sensitive than cytochrome c. Thus, DEPMPO is an efficient spin trap which enables specific and sensitive detection and quantitation of superoxide generation.