화학공학소재연구정보센터
Journal of Physical Chemistry A, Vol.108, No.6, 929-935, 2004
Time resolved FT EPR identification of (E) and (Z) conformational isomers of glycyl radicals formed upon photoinduced oxidation of glycine esters in aqueous solutions
Using time-resolved Fourier transform electron paramagnetic resonance (FT EPR) spectroscopy, the photooxidation of glycine methyl and ethyl esters by spin-polarized triplets of anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate was studied in aqueous solution in the pH range 9-10. Quinone radical anions showing strong emissive spin-polarization (CIDEP) were formed, indicating fast electron transfer from the glycine esters to the spin-polarized quinone triplet as the primary reaction. The lifetime of the simultaneously formed glycine ester aminium radical cations was too short for detection by FT EPR in the nanosecond time-scale. Fast deprotonation of aminium radicals from nitrogen and alpha-carbon sites led to the generation of two successor radicals, the aminyl radical (NH)-N-.-CH2-CO2R and the glycyl radical NH2-(CH)-C-.-CO2R (R = Me or Et) in the ratio of 1:9, respectively. Glycyl radicals were found to be present in two isomeric forms (Z and E), as unambiguously identified from their FT EPR spectra. The assignment to the two isomers was supported by quantum chemical DFT calculations. The calculated hfc constants for aminyl radicals and for (E)/(Z) glycyl radicals are in accordance with experimental values. The concentration ratio of (Z) and (E) isomers was determined to be 7:3. No interconversion was observed within 1 mus at room temperature. Results are discussed in the light of their relevance to the oxidation mechanism and, in particular, to the enantioselective synthesis of aliphatic amino acids and their derivatives.