- One-Pot Transformation of Lignin and Lignin Model Compounds into Benzimidazoles
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It is a challenging task to simultaneously achieve selective depolymerization and valorization of lignin due to their complex structure and relatively stable bonds. We herein report an efficient depolymerization strategy that employs 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ) as oxidant/catalyst to selectively convert different oxidized lignin models to a wide variety of 2-phenylbenzimidazole-based compounds in up to 94 % yields, by reacting with o-phenylenediamines with varied substituents. This method could take full advantage of both Cβ and/or Cγ atom in lignin structure to furnish the desirable products instead of forming byproducts, thus exhibiting high atom economy. Furthermore, this strategy can effectively transform both the oxidized hardwood (birch) and softwood (pine) lignin into the corresponding degradation products in up to 45 wt% and 30 wt%, respectively. Through a “one-pot” process, we have successfully realized the oxidation/depolymerization/valorization of natural birch lignin at the same time and produced the benzimidazole derivatives in up to 67 wt% total yields.
- Guo, Tao,He, Jianghua,Liu, Tianwei,Zhang, Yuetao
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- Alkylation of monomeric, dimeric, and polymeric lignin models through carbon-hydrogen activation using Ru-catalyzed Murai reaction
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In this study, we have assessed directed carbon-hydrogen activation (CHA) for alkylation of monomeric, dimeric, and polymeric lignin models using Murai's catalyst [RuH2(CO)(PPh3)3]. Based on related work from our laboratory showing that isolated organosolv lignin bears benzylic directing groups ideal for CHA reactions, this approach could offer new methodology for the valorization of biorefinery lignin. Monomeric and dimeric models bearing a keto group at the benzylic position undergo Ru-catalyzed alkylation in good to excellent yield. Similarly, models bearing a benzylic OH group also undergo alkylation via a tandem oxidation/alkylation process enabled by the Ru catalyst. Polymeric models show low levels of functionalization as a result of the poor solubility of the starting polymer. With unsymmetrical models, functionalization occurs first at the least sterically hindered ortho-site, but a subsequent alkylation, leading to disubstituted products can occur at the more sterically hindered site, leading to hexasubstituted arenes. The reaction shows sensitivity to free phenolic OH groups, which appears to reduce the yield in some reactions, and is also a contributing factor to the low yields observed with polymeric lignin models. Combining CHA methodology with lignin isolation technology able to introduce appropriate directing groups for catalytic functionalization will form the basis for improved conversion of lignin to high value chemical products.
- Zuleta, Ernesto C.,Bozell, Joseph J.
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- Cleavage∕cross-coupling strategy for converting β-O-4 linkage lignin model compounds into high valued benzyl amines via dual C–O bond cleavage
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Lignin is the most recalcitrant of the three components of lignocellulosic biomass. The strength and stability of the linkages have long been a great challenge for the degradation and valorization of lignin biomass to obtain bio-fuels and commercial chemicals. Up to now, the selective cleavage of C–O linkages of lignin to afford chemicals contains only C, H and O atoms. Our group has developed a cleavage/cross-coupling strategy for converting 4-O-5 linkage lignin model compounds into high value-added compounds. Herein, we present a palladium-catalyzed cleavage/cross-coupling of the β-O-4 lignin model compounds with amines via dual C–O bond cleavage for the preparation of benzyl amine compounds and phenols.
- Jia, Le,Li, Chao-Jun,Zeng, Huiying
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supporting information
(2021/10/29)
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- Mild selective oxidative cleavage of lignin C-C bonds over a copper catalyst in water
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The conversion of lignin into aromatics as commodity chemicals and high-quality fuels is a highly desirable goal for biorefineries. However, the presence of robust inter-unit carbon-carbon (C-C) bonds in natural lignin seriously impedes this process. Herein, for the first time, we report the selective cleavage of C-C bonds in β-O-4 and β-1 linkages catalyzed by cheap copper and a base to yield aromatic acids and phenols in excellent yields in water at 30 °C under air without the need for additional complex ligands. Isotope-labeling experiments show that a base-mediated Cβ-H bond cleavage is the rate-determining step for Cα-Cβ bond cleavage. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggest that the oxidation of β-O-4 ketone to a key intermediate, i.e., a peroxide, by copper and O2 lowers the Cα-Cβ bond dissociation energy and facilitates its subsequent cleavage. In addition, the catalytic system could be successfully applied to the depolymerization of various authentic lignin feedstocks, affording excellent yields of aromatic compounds and high selectivity of a single monomer. This study offers the potential to economically produce aromatic chemicals from biomass.
- Hu, Yuzhen,Li, Song,Ma, Longlong,Wang, Chenguang,Yan, Long,Zhang, Qi,Zhang, Xinghua,Zhao, Xuelai
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supporting information
p. 7030 - 7040
(2021/09/28)
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- Cobalt-Catalyzed Reductive C-O Bond Cleavage of Lignin β-O-4 Ketone Models via in Situ Generation of the Cobalt-Boryl Species
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An efficient and mild method for reductive C-O bond cleavage of lignin β-O-4 ketone models was developed to afford the corresponding ketones and phenols with PDI-CoCl2 as the precatalyst and diboron reagent as the reductant. The synthetic utility of the methodology was demonstrated by depolymerization of a polymeric model and gram-scale transformation. Mechanistic studies suggested that this transformation involves steps of carbonyl insertion, 1,2-Brook type rearrangement, β-oxygen elimination, and rate-limiting regeneration of the catalytic active Co-B species.
- Gao, Kecheng,Xu, Man,Cai, Cheng,Ding, Yanghao,Chen, Jianhui,Liu, Bosheng,Xia, Yuanzhi
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supporting information
p. 6055 - 6060
(2020/08/12)
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- Visible-light-induced C-C bond cleavage of lignin model compounds with cyanobenziodoxolone
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The catalytic degradation of lignin to value-added chemicals has received considerable attention over the past decade. Photocatalysis provides promising approaches to enable previously inaccessible transformations. However, examples of the visible-light promoted degradation of lignin are still limited. In this work, the visible-light-induced selective C-C bond cleavage of β-O-4 lignin model compounds has been disclosed via β-scission of in situ generated alkoxy radical intermediates. With cyanobenziodoxolone as the oxidant, a variety of substrates could be transformed into aldehydes in moderate to good yields. In addition, unexpected acetal esters which could conveniently furnish formaldehyde and phenols by alcoholysis were observed.
- Zheng, Ming,Huang, Yan,Zhan, Le-Wu,Hou, Jing,Li, Bin-Dong
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supporting information
(2020/10/02)
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- Cobalt Nanoparticles-Catalyzed Widely Applicable Successive C?C Bond Cleavage in Alcohols to Access Esters
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Selective cleavage and functionalization of C?C bonds have important applications in organic synthesis and biomass utilization. However, functionalization of C?C bonds by controlled cleavage remains difficult and challenging because they are inert. Herein, we describe an unprecedented efficient protocol for the breaking of successive C?C bonds in alcohols to form esters with one or multiple carbon atoms less using heterogeneous cobalt nanoparticles as catalyst with dioxygen as the oxidant. A wide range of alcohols including inactive long-chain alkyl aryl alcohols undergo smoothly successive cleavage of adjacent ?(C?C)n? bonds to afford the corresponding esters. The catalyst was used for seven times without any decrease in activity. Characterization and control experiments disclose that cobalt nanoparticles are responsible for the successive cleavage of C?C bonds to achieve excellent catalytic activity, while the presence of Co-Nx has just the opposite effect. Preliminary mechanistic studies reveal that a tandem sequence reaction is involved in this process.
- Dai, Wen,Gao, Shuang,Li, Guosong,Luo, Huihui,Lv, Ying,Shang, Sensen,Wang, Lianyue
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supporting information
p. 19268 - 19274
(2020/08/26)
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- Mechanochemical cleavage of lignin models and ligninviaoxidation and a subsequent base-catalyzed strategy
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Mechanochemical cleavage of lignin dimer model compounds to phenolic monomers has been developedviaa two-step strategy under milling conditions. In the first step of this process, the secondary benzylic alcohol of lignin β-O-4 linkages was selectively oxidized to the corresponding ketones over a 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ)/NaNO2catalytic system under milling conditions. In the subsequent step, mechanochemical selective cleavage of the Cβ-O bonds and Cα-Cβbonds of lignin β-O-4 ketones to acids and phenols was promoted by NaOH-catalyzed depolymerization. In addition, this two-step strategy was performed to depolymerize organosolv birch lignin, giving aromatic monomers with good selectivity for syringate. This approach provides an efficient method to convert the β-O-4 linkages of lignin to valuable aromatic monomers under mild reaction conditions.
- Dushkin, Alexandr V.,Su, Weike,Sun, Chen,Xu, Wenhao,Zheng, Lei
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supporting information
p. 3489 - 3494
(2020/07/30)
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- Acid promoted C-C bond oxidative cleavage of β-O-4 and β-1 lignin models to esters over a copper catalyst
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Depolymerisation of lignin to aromatics is a challenging task. We herein report that a Cu(OAc)2/BF3·OEt2 catalyst is effective in simultaneously cleaving C-C bonds in β-1 and β-O-4 ketones, yielding esters and phenols. In-depth studies show that C-H bond activation is the rate determining step for C-C bond cleavage. BF3·OEt2 promotes the reaction via activating the β-C-H bond. This study offers the potential to obtain aromatic esters from lignin.
- Wang,Li,Lu,Li,Zhang,Liu,Luo,Wang
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supporting information
p. 702 - 706
(2017/08/15)
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- Selective aerobic benzylic alcohol oxidation of lignin model compounds: Route to aryl ketones
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A mild and chemoselective oxidation of the α-alcohol in β-O-4'-ethanoaryl and β-O-4'-glycerolaryl ethers has been developed. The benzylic alcohols were selectively dehydrogenated to the corresponding ketones in 60-93-% yield. A one-pot selective route to aryl ethyl ketones was performed. The catalytic system comprises recyclable heterogeneous palladium, mild reaction conditions, green solvents, and oxygen in air as oxidant. Catalytic amounts of a coordinating polyol were found pivotal for an efficient aerobic oxidation. The ligninator: A mild and chemoselective oxidation of the α-alcohol in β-O-4' lignin model compounds is developed. The benzylic alcohols are selectively dehydrogenated to the corresponding ketones in 60-93-% yield. A one-pot selective route to aryl ethyl ketones is performed. The catalytic system comprises recyclable heterogeneous palladium, mild reaction conditions, green solvents, and oxygen in air as oxidant.
- Dawange, Monali,Galkin, Maxim V.,Samec, Joseph S. M.
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p. 401 - 404
(2015/03/04)
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- Comparing the catalytic efficiency of ring substituted 1- hydroxybenzotriazoles as laccase mediators
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A series of ring substituted 1-hydroxybenzotriazoles (6-X-HBTs) have been tested as mediators in the laccase-promoted oxidation of 4-methoxybenzyl alcohol, 3,4-dimethoxybenzyl alcohol, and the dimeric lignin model 1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-phenoxyethanol.
- D'Alfonso, Claudio,Lanzalunga, Osvaldo,Lapi, Andrea,Vadalà, Raffaella
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p. 3049 - 3055
(2014/04/17)
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- Generation and reactivity of ketyl radicals with lignin related structures. On the importance of the ketyl pathway in the photoyellowing of lignin containing pulps and papers
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(Chemical Equation Presented) Ketyl radicals with lignin related structures have been generated by means of radiation chemical and photochemical techniques. In the former studies ketyl radicals are produced by reaction of α-carbonyl-β-aryl ether lignin models with the solvated electron produced by pulse radiolysis of an aqueous solution at pH 6.0. The UV-vis spectra of ketyl radicals are characterized by three main absorption bands. The shape and position of these bands slightly change when the spectra are recorded in alkaline solution (pH 11.0) being now assigned to the ketyl radical anions and a pKa = 9.5 is determined for the 1-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-2- phenoxyethanol-1-yl radical. Decay rates of ketyl radicals are found to be dose dependent and, at low doses, lie in the range (1.7-2.7) × 103 s-1. In the presence of oxygen a fast decay of the ketyl radicals is observed (k2 = 1.8-2.7 × 109 M-1 s -1) that is accompanied by the formation of stable products, i.e., the starting ketones. In the photochemical studies ketyl radicals have been produced by charge-transfer (CT) photoactivation of the electron donor-acceptor salts of methyl viologen (MV2+) with α-hydroxy-α- phenoxymethylaryl acetates. This process leads to the instantaneous formation of the reduced acceptor (methyl viologen radical cation, MV+?), as is clearly shown in a laser flash photolysis experiment by the two absorption bands centered at 390 and 605 nm, and an acyloxyl radical [ArC(CO 2?)(OH)CH2(OC6H5)], which undergoes a very fast decarboxylation with formation of the ketyl radicals. Steady-state photoirradiation of the CT ion pairs indicates that 1-aryl-2-phenoxyethanones are formed as primary photoproducts by oxidation of ketyl radicals by MV2+ (under argon) or by molecular oxygen. Small amounts of acetophenones are formed by further photolysis of 1-aryl-2-phenoxyethanones and not by β-fragmentation of the ketyl radicals. The high reactivity of ketyl radicals with oxygen coupled with the low rates of β-fragmentation of the same species have an important bearing in the context of the photoyellowing of lignin containing pulps and papers.
- Fabbri, Claudia,Bietti, Massimo,Lanzalunga, Osvaldo
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p. 2720 - 2728
(2007/10/03)
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- New mediators for the enzyme laccase: Mechanistic features and selectivity in the oxidation of non-phenolic substrates
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New mediators of laccase have been comparatively evaluated and ranked towards the benchmark aerobic oxidation p-MeO-benzyl alcohol. The mechanism of oxidation of this non-phenolic substrate by each mediator, which is initially oxidised by laccase to the Medoxform, has been assessed among three alternatives. The latter make the phenoloxidise laccase competent for the indirect oxidation of non-phenolic (and thus 'unnatural') substrates. Experimental characterisation of the mediators, by means of spectrophotometric, electrochemical and thermochemical survey, is reported. Clear-cut evidence for the formation of a benzyl radical intermediate in the oxidation of a particular benzyl alcohol with laccase and a 2 bonds on the lefthand side signN-OH mediator is attained by means of a trapping experiment. The selectivity of the laccase-catalysed oxidation of two competing lignin and polysaccharide model compounds has been assessed by using the highly proficient 4-MeO-HPI mediator, and found very high in favour of the former model. This evidence is in keeping with the operation of a radical hydrogen-abstraction process that efficiently cleaves the benzylic rather than the aliphatic C-H bond of the two models. Significant is the finding that catechol, i.e., a model of recurring phenolic structures in lignin, once oxidised to aryloxyl radical by laccase is capable to mediate a radical oxidation of non-phenolic compounds. This supports a fully-fledged role of laccase as a delignifying enzyme in nature by way of no other mediators than the very phenolic groups of lignin. Finally, an evaluation of the dissociation energy of the NO H bond of HBT, which is not accessible experimentally, is provided by the use of a thermochemical cycle and theoretical calculations. The Royal Society of Chemistry and the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique 2005.
- Astolti, Paola,Brandi, Paolo,Galli, Carlo,Gentili, Patrizia,Gerini, Maria Francesca,Greci, Lucedio,Lanzalunga, Osvaldo
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p. 1308 - 1317
(2007/10/03)
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- Lignin Peroxidase-Catalyzed Oxidation of Nonphenolic Trimeric Lignin Model Compounds: Fragmentation Reactions in the Intermediate Radical Cations
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The H2O2-promoted oxidations of the two nonphenolic β-O-aryl lignin model trimers 1 and 2, catalyzed by lignin peroxidase (LiP) at pH = 3.5, have been studied. The results have been compared with those obtained in the oxidation of 1 and 2 with the genuine one-electron oxidant potassium 12-tungstocobalt(III)ate. These models present a different substitution pattern of the three aromatic rings, and by one-electron oxidation, they form radical cations with the positive charge, which is localized in the dialkoxylated ring as also evidenced by a pulse radiolysis study. Both the oxidations with the enzymatic and with the chemical systems lead to the formation of products deriving from the cleavage of C-C and C-H bonds in a β position with respect to the radical cation with the charge residing in the dialkoxylated ring (3,4-dimethoxybenzaldehyde (5) and a trimeric ketone 6 in the oxidation of 1 and a dimeric aldehyde 8 and a trimeric ketone 9 in the oxidation of 2). These products are accompanied by a dimeric aldehyde 7 in the oxidation of 1 and 4-methoxybenzaldehyde (10) in the oxidation of 2. The unexpected formation of these two products has been explained by suggesting that 1.+ and 2.+ can also undergo an intramolecular electron transfer leading to the radical cations 1a.- and 2a .+ with the charge residing in a monoalkoxylated ring. The fast cleavage of a C-C bond β to this ring, leading to 7 from 1.+ and to 10 from 2.+, is the driving force of the endoergonic electron transfer. A kinetic steady-state investigation of the LiP-catalyzed oxidation of the trimer 2, the dimeric model 1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-phenoxy-1-ethanol (4), and 3,4-dimethoxybenzyl alcohol (3) has indicated that the turnover number (kcat) and the affinity for the enzyme decrease significantly by increasing the size of the model compound. In contrast, the three substrates exhibited a very similar reactivity toward a chemical oxidant [Co IIIW]. This suggests a size-dependent interaction of the enzyme with the substrate which may influence the efficiency of the electron transfer.
- Baciocchi, Enrico,Fabbri, Claudia,Lanzalunga, Osvaldo
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p. 9061 - 9069
(2007/10/03)
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- Oxidation of non-phenolic β-O-aryl-lignin model dimers catalysed by lignin peroxidase. Comparison with the oxidation induced by potassium 12-tungstocobalt(III)ate
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The H2O2-promoted oxidations of the non-phenolic β-O-aryl-lignin model dimers 1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-phenoxyethanol (1) and 2-(4-methoxyphenoxy)-1-phenylethanol (2) catalysed by LiP at pH = 4.0 have been studied. The oxidation of 1 mainly leads to the corresponding ketone, indicating that the prevailing reaction of the intermediate radical cation 1 +. is Cα-H deprotonation. The oxidation of 2 forms 2-(4-methoxyphenoxy)2-phenylethanol (7, an isomer of 2), 2-phenyl-1,4-dioxaspiro[4.5]deca-6,9-dien-8-one (8) and products coming from the cleavage of the C-C bond γ to the more electron rich ring. The formation of all these products can be rationalised by assuming that the main reaction of the intermediate 2+. is a nucleophilic attack of the alcoholic OH group on the ring bearing the positive charge. This leads to a spirocyclohexadienyl radical, which either is then oxidised to the dioxaspirodecadienone 8 or undergoes ring opening to give an alkoxyl radical from which the isomer of 2 and the C-C bond cleavage products may form. Support for this mechanism has been provided by a study of the oxidation of 4-MeOC6H4OCH2CD2OH and by comparing the results with those obtained when the alkoxyl radical 4-MeOC6H4OCH2CD2O. was generated from 4-MeOC6H4OCH2CD2OOtBu. The oxidation of 1 induced by the genuine one-electron oxidant potassium 12-tungstocobalt(III)ate at pH = 4.0 confirms the results obtained with LiP. However, under the same conditions, no fragmentation products were observed in the oxidation of 2, probably due to a fast oxidation, by potassium 12-tungstocobalt(III)ate, of the spirocyclohexadienyl radical.
- Baciocchi, Enrico,Bietti, Massimo,Gerini, Maria Francesca,Lanzalunga, Osvaldo,Mancinelli, Simona
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p. 1506 - 1511
(2007/10/03)
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- Photochemistry of lignin model compounds on solid supports
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The photochemistry of several substituted α-(aryloxy)acetoveratrones that are models for chromophores in lignin has been studied using a combination of laser flash photolysis and product studies in solution and on silica, Na-X zeolite, and cellulose.The lifetimes of the triplet ketones vary substantially with the electron-donating ability of the substituents in the α-aryloxy ring, with values ranging from 30 ns for the 4-methoxy derivative to 5.5 μs for the 4-cyano ketone in acetonitrile.The triplet ketones are considerably longer lived on a silica surface than in solution and do not decay with first-order kinetics; however, they are all shorter lived than triplet acetoveratrone under the same conditions, indicating that β-phenyl quenching and (or) β-cleavage dominate their decay.The same triplets show quite different kinetic behavior in Na-X or cellulose and there is no indication in these systems for the importance of either β-phenyl quenching or β-cleavage in determining the rates of triplet decay.Product studies for α-guaiacoxyacetoveratrone indicate that β-cleavage from the singlet excited state is responsible for product formation; in contrast to solution results, the phenacyl-phenoxyl radical pairs react exclusively by geminate recombination to give rearranged ketones resulting from ortho and para ring coupling of the two radicals.Product formation is very inefficient for this ketone in cellulose, indicating either a low singlet reactivity or efficient geminate recombination of the initial radical pair to regenerate starting material.
- Hurrell, L.,Johnston, L. J.,Mathivanan, N.,Vong, D.
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p. 1340 - 1348
(2007/10/02)
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- The Photochemistry of α-Phenoxyacetophenones Investigated by Flash-CIDNP-spectroscopy
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The photochemistry of 14 different substituted α-phenoxyacetophenones (1) was studied by CIDNP-spectroscopy using XeCl excimer laser (308 nm) and a 250 MHz 1H-NMR spectrometer.To characterize the excited states the electronic absorption and emission spectra as well disappearance quantum yields were investigated also. - Two reaction channels were established: 1) β-cleavage from the singlet state; and 2) the formation of acetophenones via the respective enol forms where the origin of the polarization remains unclear.It is concluded that these are the main reaction channels, since all products formed show polarizations in the CIDNP-spectr a. - In contrast to the current assumptions for the typical acetophenone reaction of (1) leading to the β-cleavage, we are led to interprete the CIDNP-spectra of (1) as a result of a reaction due to the phenoxy part with all characteristics of a photo-Claisen reaction. Keywords: Luminescence / Photochemistry / Radicals / Spectroscopy, CIDNP / Spectroscopy, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance / Spectroscopy, Ultraviolet
- Palm, W.-U.,Dreeskamp, H.,Bouas-Laurent, H.,Castellan, A.
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