Electrochemical and EPR characterization of 1,4-dihydropyridines. Reactivity towards alkyl radicals.

This work reports the electrochemical oxidation of a series of three synthesized 4-substituted-1,4-dihydropyridine derivatives in different electrolytic media. Also, an EPR characterization of intermediates and the reactivity of derivatives towards ABAP-derived alkyl radicals are reported. Dynamic, differential pulse and cyclic voltammetry studies on a glassy carbon electrode showed an irreversible single-peak due to the oxidation of the 1,4-dihydropyridine (1,4-DHP) ring via 2-electrons to the corresponding pyridine derivative. Levich plots were linear in different media, indicating that the oxidation process is diffusion-controlled. Calculated diffusion coefficients did not exhibit significant differences between the derivatives in the same medium. The oxidation mechanism follows the general pathway (electron, H+, electron, H+) with formation of an unstable pyridinium radical. One-electron oxidation intermediate was confirmed with controlled potential electrolysis (CPE) and EPR experiments. On applying N-tert-butyl-alpha-phenylnitrone (PBN) and 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO) as the spin trap, these unstable radical intermediates from the oxidation of 1,4-DHP derivatives were intercepted. The final product of the CPE, i.e. pyridine derivative, was identified by GC-MS technique. Direct reactivity of the synthesized compounds towards alkyl radicals was demonstrated by UV-Vis. spectroscopy and GC-MS technique. Results indicate that these derivatives significantly react with the radicals, even compared with a well-known antioxidant drug such as nisoldipine.

Scavenging of the one-electron reduction product from nisoldipine with relevant thiols: electrochemical and EPR spectroscopic evidences.

PURPOSE: To determine the formation of the one-electron reduction product from nisoldipine and its reactivity with relevant thiols in mixed medium. METHODS: Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) techniques were used to determine the one-electron reduction product corresponding to the nitro radical anion. CV was employed to assess both the rate constants corresponding to the decay of the radicals and its interaction with relevant thiols. RESULTS: The nisoldipine radical anion follows second order kinetics, with an association rate constant of 283+/-16 l mol(-1) sec(-1). Nitro radical anion from nisoldipine significantly reacted with thiol compounds. This reactivity was significantly higher than the natural decay of the radical in mixed medium. EPR spectra recorded in situ using DMF/ 0.1 N NaOH (pH 13) confirmed the formation of the nitro radical anion, giving a well-resolved spectra in 35 lines using 0.1 G modulation. CONCLUSIONS: Electrochemical and EPR data indicated that all the tested thiols scavenged the nitro radical anion from nisoldipine. The following tentative order of reactivity towards the thiols can be proposed: cysteamine approximately glutathione > N-acetylcysteine > captopril > penicillamine.