Photochemical and thermal stability of some dihydroxyacetophenones used as UV-MALDI-MS matrices.

2,4-, 2,5-, 2,6- and 3,5-dihydroxyacetophenone (DHA) used as matrices in matrix-assisted ultraviolet laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (UV-MALDI-MS) were studied by steady-state and transient absorption spectroscopy, together with DFT calculations at the B3LYP level of theory. All compounds have low fluorescence quantum yields, possibly due to an efficient excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT). Laser flash photolysis (LFP) results showed that, only for 2,4-DHA, a phototautomer could be detected at λ = 400 nm. Their photochemical stability in solution at different wavelengths and conditions was analyzed by UV-Vis and (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H-NMR), together with thin layer chromatography and ultraviolet laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (UV-LDI-MS). Only 3,5-DHA showed decomposition when irradiated, probably because phototautomerization is not possible. Thermal stability studies of these compounds in solid state were also conducted.

High-performance photoinitiating systems for free radical photopolymerization. Application to holographic recording.

The photoinitiating systems (PIS) usable in free radical photopolymerization are briefly reviewed. Apart conventional Type I and Type II photoinitiators, three-component PIS exhibiting a photocyclic behavior are discussed. The mechanisms of photoreaction are presented, highlighting the role of a redox additive which reacts with the photoinitiator photoproduct. Recent applications in holography recording are described showing that the selection of a PIS plays a crucial role in this application.

The effect of temperature on the stability of compounds used as UV-MALDI-MS matrix: 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 2,4,6-trihydroxyacetophenone, alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid, 3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxycinnamic acid, nor-harmane and harmane.

The thermal stability of several commonly used crystalline matrix-assisted ultraviolet laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (UV-MALDI-MS) matrices, 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (gentisic acid; GA), 2,4,6-trihydroxyacetophenone (THA), alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (CHC), 3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (sinapinic acid; SA), 9H-pirido[3,4-b]indole (nor-harmane; nor-Ho), 1-methyl-9H-pirido[3,4-b]indole (harmane; Ho), perchlorate of nor-harmanonium ([nor-Ho+H]+) and perchlorate of harmanonium ([Ho+H]+) was studied by heating them at their melting point and characterizing the remaining material by using different MS techniques [electron ionization mass spectrometry (EI-MS), ultraviolet laserdesorption/ionization-time-of-flight-mass spectrometry (UV-LDI-TOF-MS) and electrospray ionization-time-of-flight-mass spectrometry (ESI-TOF-MS)] as well as by thin layer chromatography analysis (TLC), electronic spectroscopy (UV-absorption, fluorescence emission and excitation spectroscopy) and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-NMR). In general, all compounds, except for CHC and SA, remained unchanged after fusion. CHC showed loss of CO2, yielding the trans-/cis-4-hydroxyphenylacrilonitrile mixture. This mixture was unambiguously characterized by MS and 1H-NMR spectroscopy, and its sublimation capability was demonstrated. These results explain the well-known cluster formation, fading (vanishing) and further recovering of CHC when used as a matrix in UV-MALDI-MS. Commercial SA (SA 98%; trans-SA/cis-SA 5:1) showed mainly cis- to-trans thermal isomerization and, with very poor yield, loss of CO2, yielding (3',5'-dimethoxy-4'-hydroxyphenyl)-1-ethene as the decarboxilated product. These thermal conversions would not drastically affect its behavior as a UV-MALDI matrix as happens in the case of CHC. Complementary studies of the photochemical stability of these matrices in solid state were also conducted.

Effect of chlorine as substituent on the photochemistry and acid-base properties of beta-carboline alkaloids.

The UV-absorption, fluorescence excitation and emission spectra of the 6-chloro-, 8-chloro-, 6,8-dichloro-derivatives of nor-harmane, harmane and harmine and the 8-chloro-derivative of harmol were studied. These studies were performed in EtOH and in EtOH+1% perchloric acid solutions (pa). Furthermore, fluorescence quantum yields (phi(f)) in both media and in acetonitrile and acetonitrile + 1% perchloric acid solutions at 298 K were measured. The HOMO and LUMO energy, the positions (lambda(max)) and oscillator strength (f) of the 1S1 <-- 1S0 band for all the neutral and protonated beta-carbolines studied were calculated and compared with the experimental data. The pK(a) values in aqueous solution for for 6-chloro-, 8-chloro- and 6,8-dichloro-nor-harmane, harmane and harmine and 8-chloro-harmol were spectrophotometrically measured (pK(a(H2O)). The change of the acid-base character of these compounds on going from the ground state (pK(a)) to the first electronic excited singlet state (pKa*) as DeltapKa = pKa*-pKa, in ethanol solution at 298 K were calculated (DeltapK(a(EtOH))). Ground-state proton affinity (PA) for all the compounds studied defined as minus the enthalpy change of the reaction M + H(+) --> MH+ (gas state) were calculated. Basicity relative to pyridine (DeltaH(rPy)) defined as the enthalpy change of the isodesmic reaction MH(+) + Py --> M + PyH+ in gas state and in water solution, were also calculated (ab initio calculations). The effect of chlorine as substituent on the photochemistry and acid-base properties of the beta-carboline alkaloids is discussed.

Photochemistry of the alkaloids eudistomin N (6-bromo-nor-harmane) and eudistomin O (8-bromo-nor-harmane) and other bromo-beta-carbolines.

The UV-absorption, fluorescence excitation and emission spectra of the alkaloids eudistomin N (6-bromo-nor-harmane) and eudistomin O (8-bromo-nor-harmane) were described. In order to perform a comparative analysis, we also studied other bromo-beta-carbolines and the corresponding non-substituted-carboline. Thus, 6-bromo-, 8-bromo-, 6,8-dibromo-, 3,6-dibromo- and 3,6,8-tribromo-derivatives of nor-harmane, harmane and harmine were studied. These studies were performed in EtOH and in EtOH + 1% perchloric acid solutions (pa). Furthermore, fluorescence quantum yields (phi(f)) in acetonitrile and acetonitrile + 1% perchloric acid solutions at 298 K were measured. The HOMO and LUMO energy, the positions (lambda(max)) and oscillator strength (f) of the (1)S(1) <--(1)S(0) band for all the neutral and protonated beta-carbolines studied was calculated and compared with the experimental data. The pK(a) values in aqueous solution for eudistomin N and O (6-bromo- and 8-bromo-nor-harmane), for 6-bromo-, 8-bromo- and 6,8-dibromo-harmane, and for 6-bromo- and 8-bromo-harmine were spectrophotometrically measured (pK((a)(H(2)O))) . The change of the acid-base character of these compounds on going from the ground state (pK(a)) to the first electronic excited singlet state (pK(a)(*)) as DeltapK(a) = pK(a)(*)-pK(a) = 0.625 Deltanu /T, in ethanol solution at 298 K were calculated (DeltapK(a(EtOH))). Proton affinities (PA) for all the compounds studied defined as minus the enthalpy change of the reaction M+H(+)--> MH(+) (gas state) were calculated. Basicity relative to pyridine (DeltaH(rPy)) defined as the enthalpy change of the isodesmic reaction MH(+) + Py--> M + PyH(+) (gas state) was also calculated. The effect of bromine as substituent on the properties of the beta-carboline moiety in nor-harmane, harmane and harmine is discussed.