Jan Adamus

Dihalide and pseudohalide radical anions as oxidizing agents in nonaqueous solvents.

The dihalide and pseudohalide radical anions, strong one-electron oxidants, can be selectively generated in aqueous solutions by pulse radiolysis. Radiolysis of salts of the bulky 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium cation with Cl(-), Br(-), SCN(-), and N(3)(-) anions allows efficient generation of the same species (Cl(2)(*-), Br(2)(*-), (SCN)(2)(*-), and N(6)(*-) radical anions) also in neat ionic liquids and in nonaqueous solvents with the addition of small amounts of the salt. The oxidative power of dichloride radical anion, lowered in the dichloromethane as compared to the aqueous solution, remains sufficient for oxidation of N,N,N,N-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine (TMPD, (2)k = (2.0 +/- 0.1) x 10(9) M(-1) s(-1)), phenothiazine (PZ, (2)k = (2.1 +/- 0.1) x 10(9) M(-1) s(-1)), 10-methylphenothiazine (MPZ, (2)k = (9.3 +/- 0.1) x 10(7) M(-1) s(-1)), and 3-methylindole (scatole, SCT, (2)k = (6.8 +/- 0.1) x 10(7) M(-1) s(-1)). It diminishes on going to Br(2)(*-) (reacts only with TMPD, (2)k = (5.4 +/- 0.3) x 10(8) M(-1) s(-1), and PZ, (2)k = (4.8 +/- 0.3) x 10(8) M(-1) s(-1)) while (SCN)(2)(*-) and N(6)(*-) radical anions oxidize only TMPD, (2)k = (5.1 +/- 0.5) x 10(8) M(-1) s(-1) and (2)k approximately 10(8) M(-1) s(-1), respectively.

Mechanistic aspects of radiation-induced oligomerization of 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene in ionic liquids.

Thiophene and its disubstituted derivatives, such as 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT), 3,4-dimethoxythiophene (DMT), 3,4-propylenedioxythiophene (PDOT), and 3,4-butylenedioxythiophene (BuDOT) were oxidized in organic solvents and in ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BMIM(+)PF₆⁻) at RT and under cryogenic conditions. Their radical cations were spectrally characterized at 77 K. Annealing of the irradiated matrix, which triggers the diffusion processes, led to spontaneous oligomerization. The oxidative coupling between a radical cation and a neutral monomer was identified as the first step of the oligomerization process. The scale of oligomerization could be extended by the addition of chloroform, which acts as a dissociative electron scavenger, whereas the dichloromethylperoxyl radicals formed in the reaction with the dissolved oxygen act as secondary oxidizing agents.

Cardioprotective effect of N-methylnicotinamide salt of pyruvate in experimental model of cardiac hypoxia

BACKGROUNDnPyruvate improves contractility of normal, hypoxic, and post-ischemic myocardium. However, sodium overload is a major problem with its therapeutic application if sodium pyruvate is used. Development of alternative forms such as N-1-methylnicotinamide (MNA) pyruvate may help to overcome this problem. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of MNA pyruvate in a murine model of cardiac ischemia.nnnMETHODSnSeven month old male ApoE-/-LDLr-/- mice that develop myocardial infarction when exposed to hypoxic stress, were used in this study. Hypoxia (8% O2 in inspired air) was maintained for 8min and was followed by reoxygenation (21% O2 in inspired air). Four groups of mice were treated 10min before the hypoxic event by intravenous injection of MNA, MNA pyruvate, sodium pyruvate, and saline as control. The myocardial ischemia and damage was recorded by ECG. Four hours following the hypoxic episode serum troponin T and creatine kinase activity were measured.nnnRESULTSnSignificant hypernatremia was found in the sodium pyruvate group. During hypoxia, control and MNA group developed profound STU depressions on ECG while no changes were observed in MNA pyruvate and sodium pyruvate group. Creatine kinase activity and troponin T content in the mice plasma were significantly higher in the control and MNA group as compared to the MNA pyruvate and sodium pyruvate group.nnnCONCLUSIONSnThis study demonstrated that administration of MNA pyruvate prior to a hypoxia-induced cardiac event was cardioprotective. This intervention did not cause hypernatremia in contrast to sodium pyruvate.