Inner reorganization during the radical-biradical transition in a nor-beta-lapachone derivative possessing two redox centers

Org Biomol Chem. 2008 Sep 21;6(18):3414-20. doi: 10.1039/b806271d. Epub 2008 Jul 16.

Abstract

In this work, the electrochemical behaviour of an antitumoral nitro o-quinone derivative obtained from 3-bromo-nor-beta-lapachone was studied. Cyclic voltammetric experiments, in acetonitrile solution, revealed that both quinone and nitro functions are reduced independently as quasi-reversible one-electron transfer processes in this order. Depending on the reduction potential, a radical anion or a biradical dianion is obtained. The formation of these paramagnetic species was confirmed by performing in situ Electrochemical-Electron Spin Resonance (E-ESR) experiments. Analysis of the kinetics of electron transfer associated to those electron uptake processes, in terms of the Marcus-Hush-Levich model, revealed differences in the reorganization energy (lambda((k))) for both steps (lambda((I)): 1.07-1.11 eV; lambda((II)): 1.21-1.30 eV). By evaluating the conformations of the radical and biradical systems by calculations at the BLYP//TZVP level of theory, it was found that the inner component, for the second reduction process (lambda((II))) was approximately 72% of lambda((II)), reflecting modifications in the molecular structure during the radical anion-biradical dianion transition. This change is also reflected in the differences presented by line widths of the ESR signals of both electrogenerated radical and diradical species.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Electrochemistry
  • Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Free Radicals / chemistry
  • Molecular Structure
  • Naphthoquinones / chemistry*
  • Oxidation-Reduction

Substances

  • Free Radicals
  • Naphthoquinones
  • beta-lapachone