Factors Influencing the C−O−Bond Homolysis of Trialkylhydroxylamines

Peptide-Alkoxyamine Drugs: An Innovative Approach to Fight Schistosomiasis: "Digging Their Graves with Their Forks"

The expansion of drug resistant parasites sheds a serious concern on several neglected parasitic diseases. Our recent results on cancer led us to envision the use of peptide-alkoxyamines as a highly selective and efficient new drug against schistosome adult worms, the etiological agents of schistosomiasis. Indeed, the peptide tag of the hybrid compounds can be hydrolyzed by worm's digestive enzymes to afford a highly labile alkoxyamine which homolyzes spontaneously and instantaneously into radicals-which are then used as a drug against Schistosome adult parasites. This approach is nicely summarized as digging their graves with their forks. Several hybrid peptide-alkoxyamines were prepared and clearly showed an activity: two of the tested compounds kill 50% of the parasites in two hours at a concentration of 100 µg/mL. Importantly, the peptide and alkoxyamine fragments that are unable to generate alkyl radicals display no activity. This strong evidence validates the proposed mechanism: a specific activation of the prodrugs by the parasite proteases leading to parasite death through in situ alkyl radical generation.

Organic Synthesis Using Nitroxides

Nitroxides, also known as nitroxyl radicals, are long-lived or stable radicals with the general structure R1R2N-O•. The spin distribution over the nitroxide N and O atoms contributes to the thermodynamic stability of these radicals. The presence of bulky N-substituents R1 and R2 prevents nitroxide radical dimerization, ensuring their kinetic stability. Despite their reactivity toward various transient C radicals, some nitroxides can be easily stored under air at room temperature. Furthermore, nitroxides can be oxidized to oxoammonium salts (R1R2N═O+) or reduced to anions (R1R2N-O-), enabling them to act as valuable oxidants or reductants depending on their oxidation state. Therefore, they exhibit interesting reactivity across all three oxidation states. Due to these fascinating properties, nitroxides find extensive applications in diverse fields such as biochemistry, medicinal chemistry, materials science, and organic synthesis. This review focuses on the versatile applications of nitroxides in organic synthesis. For their use in other important fields, we will refer to several review articles. The introductory part provides a brief overview of the history of nitroxide chemistry. Subsequently, the key methods for preparing nitroxides are discussed, followed by an examination of their structural diversity and physical properties. The main portion of this review is dedicated to oxidation reactions, wherein parent nitroxides or their corresponding oxoammonium salts serve as active species. It will be demonstrated that various functional groups (such as alcohols, amines, enolates, and alkanes among others) can be efficiently oxidized. These oxidations can be carried out using nitroxides as catalysts in combination with various stoichiometric terminal oxidants. By reducing nitroxides to their corresponding anions, they become effective reducing reagents with intriguing applications in organic synthesis. Nitroxides possess the ability to selectively react with transient radicals, making them useful for terminating radical cascade reactions by forming alkoxyamines. Depending on their structure, alkoxyamines exhibit weak C-O bonds, allowing for the thermal generation of C radicals through reversible C-O bond cleavage. Such thermally generated C radicals can participate in various radical transformations, as discussed toward the end of this review. Furthermore, the application of this strategy in natural product synthesis will be presented.

Cascade strategy for triggered radical release by magnetic nanoparticles grafted with thermosensitive alkoxyamine

The design of smart nanoplatforms presenting well-definite structures able to achieve controlled cascade action remotely triggered by external stimuli presents a great challenge. We report here a new nanosystem consisting of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles covalently grafted with a thermosensitive radical initiator alkoxyamine, able to provide controlled and localized release of free radicals triggered by an alternating current (ac) magnetic field. These nanoparticles exhibit a high intrinsic loss power of 4.73 nHm² kg^-1 providing rapid heating of their surface under the action of an ac field, inducing the homolysis of alkoxyamine C-ON bond and then the oxygen-independent formation of radicals. This latter was demonstrated by electronic paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, and the kinetics of homolysis has been investigated allowing a comparison of the temperature of alkoxyamine's homolysis with the one measured during the magnetothermia process.

Nitroxide mediated radical polymerization for the preparation of poly(vinyl chloride) grafted poly(acrylate) copolymers

In view to control the thermal properties of PVC without the use of toxic phthalate derivatives, alkoxyamines were grafted onto an azide modified PVC, through copper catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC),...

Tailoring the Gibbs Free Energy of the Nitroxide Exchange Reaction: Substituent and Solvent Effects

A quantum chemical study of the nitroxide exchange reaction is presented. Inspired by the recent use of this reaction in the synthesis of dynamic covalent polymer networks, we studied the influence of substituents and solvents on the Gibbs free energy, which plays a crucial role for both the reversibility of the reaction and the extent of product formation. We provide accurate benchmark values based on CCSD(T) and COSMO-RS theory for a series of structural modifications and make suggestions for improving the molecular building blocks used so far.

Molecular Weight Distribution of Two Types of Living Chains Formed during Nitroxide-Mediated Polymerization of Styrene

Different types of polymer chains generated during the nitroxide-mediated polymerization of styrene are separated for the first time, and their molecular weight distribution (MWD) is investigated. Living and dead chains are monitored during the reaction; specifically, two types of living chains derived from the initiation of the alkoxyamine (RT) and the self-initiation of styrene and dead chains present in the as-prepared polystyrene (PS). To distinguish between each polymer species, different numbers of hydroxyl groups are introduced onto the T and R groups of the alkoxyamine (one and two groups, respectively). Each living and dead chains is resolved according to the distinct number of hydroxyl groups on its chain-end using high-performance liquid chromatography. Molecular structures of the fractionated PS are characterized using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and ¹ H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and the results of which show two distinct initiation paths: one originating from RT and the other from the self-initiation of styrene. Molecular weight and MWD are measured using size-exclusion chromatography and reveal a narrow MWD for the living chains derived from RT. Contrastingly, a broad and skewed MWD is observed for the other living chains derived from the self-initiation of styrene and the dead chains.

Fluorescence activation, patterning and enhancement with photogenerated radicals, a prefluorescent probe and silver nanostructures

We designed a switchable fluorophore activated by UVA light and a radical initiator, for optical lithography with concomitant metal-enhanced fluorescence by silver nanoparticles.

Homolysis/mesolysis of alkoxyamines activated by chemical oxidation and photochemical-triggered radical reactions at room temperature

Instantaneous and spontaneous room temperature C–ON bond mesolysis of alkoxyamines triggered by chemical oxidation.

NMR and EPR Study of Homolysis of Diastereomeric Alkoxyamines

Three alkoxyamines based on imidazoline radicals with a pyridine functional group-potential initiators of nitroxide-mediated, controlled radical polymerization-were synthesized. Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) measurements reveal biexponential kinetics for the thermolysis for diastereomeric alkoxyamines and monoexponential kinetics for an achiral alkoxyamine. For comparison, the thermolysis of all three alkoxyamines was studied by NMR in the presence of three different scavengers, namely tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxyl (TEMPO), thiophenol (PhSH), and β-mercaptoethanol (BME), and detailed analysis of products was performed. NMR differentiates between N-inversion, epimerization, and homolysis reactions. The choice of scavenger is crucial for making a reliable and accurate estimate of the true homolysis rate constant.

Selective Bond Cleavage in Informational Poly(Alkoxyamine Phosphodiester)s

The collision-induced dissociation (CID) of sequence-defined poly(alkoxyamine phosphodiester)s is studied by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. These informational polymers are synthesized using three different nitroxide building blocks, namely proxyl-, SG1-, and TEMPO-derivatives. For a polymer containing TEMPO- and SG1-based main chain alkoxyamines, it is found that both types of alkoxyamines break in CID tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). However, SG1-sites are preferentially cleaved and this predominance can be increased by reducing collision energy, even though selective bond fragmentation is not observed. On the other hand, for a polymer containing proxyl- and SG1-alkoxyamines, selective bond cleavage is observed at all studied collision energies. The SG1-alkoxyamines can be first cleaved in MS/MS conditions and secondly the proxyl-alkoxyamines in pseudo-MS³ conditions. These results open up interesting new avenues for the design of readable, erasable or programmable informational polymers.

A Methoxyamine-Protecting Group for Organic Radical Battery Materials-An Alternative Approach

An alternative synthetic route towards the widely employed electroactive poly(TEMPO methacrylate) (PTMA) via a thermally robust methoxyamine-protecting group is demonstrated herein. Protection of the radical moiety of hydroxy-TEMPO with a methyl functionality and subsequent esterification with methacrylic anhydride allows the high-yielding formation of the novel monomer methyl-TEMPO methacrylate (MTMA). The polymerization of MTMA to poly(MTMA) (PMTMA) is investigated via free radical polymerization and reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer polymerization (RAFT), a reversible-deactivation radical polymerization technique. Cleavage of the temperature-stable methoxyamine functionality by oxidative treatment of PMTMA with meta-chloroperbenzoic acid (mCPBA) releases the electroactive PTMA. The redox activity of PTMA was confirmed by cyclic voltammetry in lithium-ion coin cells.

An enzymatic acetal/hemiacetal conversion for the physiological temperature activation of the alkoxyamine C–ON bond homolysis

Enzymatic trigger. Upon enzymatic hydrolysis by Subtilisin A, highly stable alkoxyamines are transformed into highly labile alkoxyamines able to homolyze spontaneously in less than 500 seconds, at 37 °C.

A theoretical, dynamical evaluation method of the steric hindrance in nitroxide radicals using transition states of model reactions

Steric hindrance is known to affect the stability, reactivity, and radical trapping ability of stable nitroxide radicals. Therefore, a quantitative evaluation and prediction model of steric hindrance is needed to select and design the optimum nitroxide radicals for specific applications. In this study, a dynamic parameter of steric hindrance (DPSH) is proposed and its characteristics are investigated. Unlike using only the equilibrium structure to evaluate the steric hindrance, DPSH is a dynamic value calculated from the theoretical activation enthalpies for two model reactions of radical addition to olefins. Using DPSH, the steric hindrance was evaluated for a total of 43 alkyl radicals, nitroxide radicals, and radicals derived from phenols, and the results were compared with those of other methods. The DPSH values for radicals can vary when the energy barrier for structural change varies, even if the equilibrium structures of the radicals have the same steric shielding. Finally, for radicals other than nitroxide radicals, the DPSH values were consistent with the predictions from their structures, which suggests that the DPSH has a wide range of applications. We expect DPSH to be used and developed in the analysis of steric factors in various reactions.

Ethylene Glycol Dicyclopentenyl (Meth)Acrylate Homo and Block Copolymers via Nitroxide Mediated Polymerization

Nitroxide-mediated polymerization (NMP), (homo and block copolymerization with styrene (S) and butyl methacrylate/S) of ethylene glycol dicyclopentenyl ether (meth)acrylates (EGDEA and EGDEMA) was studied using BlocBuilder alkoxyamines. EGDEA homopolymerization was not well-controlled, independent of temperature (90-120 °C), or additional free nitroxide (0-10 mol%) used. Number average molecular weights (Mn) achieved for poly(EGDEA) were 4.0-9.5 kg mol-1 and were accompanied by high dispersity (Ð = Mw/Mn = 1.62-2.09). Re-initiation and chain extension of the poly(EGDEA) chains with styrene (S) indicated some block copolymer formation, but a high fraction of chains were terminated irreversibly. EGDEA-stat-S statistical copolymerizations with a low mol fraction S in initial feed, fS,0 = 0.05, were slightly better controlled compared to poly(EGDEA) homopolymerizations (Ð was reduced to 1.44 compared to 1.62 at similar conditions). EGDEMA, in contrast, was successfully polymerized using a small fraction of S (fS,0 ~ 10 mol%) to high conversion (72%) to form well-defined EGDEMA-rich random copolymer (molar composition = FEGDEMA = 0.87) of Mn = 14.3 kg mol-1 and Ð = 1.38. EGDEMA-rich compositions were also polymerized with the unimolecular succinimidyl ester form of BlocBuilder initiator, NHS-BlocBuilder with similar results, although Ðs were higher ~1.6. Chain extensions resulted in monomodal shifts to higher molecular weights, indicating good chain end fidelity.

Nitroxide-Mediated Copolymerization of Itaconate Esters with Styrene

Replacing petro-based materials with renewably sourced ones has clearly been applied to polymers, such as those derived from itaconic acid (IA) and its derivatives. Di-n-butyl itaconate (DBI) was (co)polymerized via nitroxide mediated polymerization (NMP) to impart elastomeric (rubber) properties. Homopolymerization of DBI by NMP was not possible, due to a stable adduct being formed. However, DBI/styrene (S) copolymerization by NMP at various initial molar feed compositions fDBI,0 was polymerizable at different reaction temperatures (70–110 °C) in 1,4 dioxane solution. DBI/S copolymerizations largely obeyed first order kinetics for initial DBI compositions of 10% to 80%. Number-average molecular weight (Mn) versus conversion for various DBI/S copolymerizations however showed significant deviations from the theoretical Mn as a result of chain transfer reactions (that are more likely to occur at high temperatures) and/or the poor reactivity of DBI via an NMP mechanism. In order to suppress possible intramolecular chain transfer reactions, the copolymerization was performed at 70 °C and for a longer time (72 h) with fDBI,0 = 50%–80%, and some slight improvements regarding the dispersity (Ð = 1.3–1.5), chain activity and conversion (~50%) were observed for the less DBI-rich compositions. The statistical copolymers produced showed a depression in Tg relative to poly(styrene) homopolymer, indicating the effect of DBI incorporation.

Transformation of polyethylene into a vitrimer by nitroxide radical coupling of a bis-dioxaborolane

This work reports the synthesis and characterization of HDPE vitrimers obtained via reactive extrusion in the presence of bis-nitroxide dioxaborolanes.

Synthesis of peptide–vinyl polymer multiblock hybrids by nitroxide-mediated polymerization: breaking the limitations of monomer compatibility

Nitroxide-mediated polymerization of a wide variety of vinyl monomers using a novel TIPNO-based cyclic peptide successfully provided multiblock architectures composed of sequential peptides and vinyl polymers in one step.

Recycling and self-healing of dynamic covalent polymer networks with a precisely tuneable crosslinking degree

Dynamic covalent polymer networks combine intrinsic reversibility with the robustness of covalent bonds, creating chemically stable materials that are responsive to external stimuli.

Reactivity of Two-Electron-Reduced Boron Formazanate Compounds with Electrophiles: Facile N-H/N-C Bond Homolysis Due to the Formation of Stable Ligand Radicals

The reactivity of a boron complex with a redox-active formazanate ligand, LBPh₂ [L = PhNNC(p-tol)NNPh], was studied. Two-electron reduction of this main-group complex generates the stable, nucleophilic dianion [LBPh₂]^2–, which reacts with the electrophiles BnBr and H₂O to form products that derive from ligand benzylation and protonation, respectively. The resulting complexes are anionic boron analogues of leucoverdazyls. N–C and N–H bond homolysis of these compounds was studied by exchange NMR spectroscopy and kinetic experiments. The weak N–C and N–H bonds in these systems derive from the stability of the resulting borataverdazyl radical, in which the unpaired electron is delocalized over the four N atoms in the ligand backbone. We thus demonstrate the ability of this system to take up two electrons and an electrophile (E⁺ = Bn⁺, H⁺) in a process that takes place on the organic ligand. In addition, we show that the [2e^–/E⁺] stored on the ligand can be converted to E^• radicals, reactivity that has implications in energy storage applications such as hydrogen evolution.

A boron complex with a redox-active formazanate ligand in its two-electron-reduced state is shown to react with electrophiles (BnBr and H⁺). The resulting “borataleucoverdazyl” products have weak N−C and N−H bonds; homolytic cleavage reactions lead to stable ligand-based radicals. Thus, the accumulation of [2e⁻/E⁺] on the formazanate ligand and conversion to E^• radicals are demonstrated, and their potential relevance in energy-related electrocatalysis (e.g., proton reduction) is discussed.

C-ON bond homolysis of alkoxyamines: when too high polarity is detrimental

Throughout the last decade, the effect of electron withdrawing groups (EWGs) has been known to play a role - minor or moderate depending on the nitroxyl fragment R₁R₂NO - in the change in the homolysis rate constant (k_d) for C-ON bond homolysis in alkoxyamines (R₁R₂NOR). It has been shown that the effect of EWGs on k_d is described by a linear relationship with the electrical Hammett constant σ_I. Since then, linear multi-parameter relationships f(σ_RS,ν,σ_I) have been developed to account for the effects involved in the changes in k_d, which are the stabilization of the released radical (σ_RS) and the bulkiness (ν) and polarity (σ_I) of the alkyl fragment. Since a decade ago, new results have been published highlighting the limits of such correlations. In this article, previous multi-parameter linear relationships are amended using a parabolic model, i.e. (σ_I,nitroxide - σ_I,alkyl)², to describe the effect of EWGs in the alkyl fragment on k_d. In contrast to previous studies, these improved linear multi-parameter relationships f(σ_RS,ν,Δσ_I²) are able to account for the presence of several EWGs on the alkyl fragment, R. An unexpectedly strong solvent effect - a ca. 1500-fold increase in k_d - from tert-butylbenzene to the water/methanol mixture is also observed for 3-((2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-yl)oxyl)pentane-2,4-dione 1b in comparison to a ca. 5-fold increase in k_d that is generally observed.

Metal Free Reversible-Deactivation Radical Polymerizations: Advances, Challenges, and Opportunities

A considerable amount of the worldwide industrial production of synthetic polymers is currently based on radical polymerization methods. The steadily increasing demand on high performance plastics and tailored polymers which serve specialized applications is driven by the development of new techniques to enable control of polymerization reactions on a molecular level. Contrary to conventional radical polymerization, reversible-deactivation radical polymerization (RDRP) techniques provide the possibility to prepare polymers with well-defined structures and functionalities. The review provides a comprehensive summary over the development of the three most important RDRP methods, which are nitroxide mediated radical polymerization, atom transfer radical polymerization and reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer polymerization. The focus thereby is set on the newest developments in transition metal free systems, which allow using these techniques for biological or biomedical applications. After each section selected examples from materials synthesis and application to biomedical materials are summarized.

Normal, Leveled, and Enhanced Steric Effects in Alkoxyamines Carrying a β-Phosphorylated Nitroxyl Fragment

The design of new R₁R₂NOR₃ alkoxyamines for various applications relies on the accurate prediction of two kinetic parameters, the C-ON bond homolysis rate constant (k_d) and its re-formation rate constant (k_c). Relationships to describe the steric and polar effects of the R₁R₂NO fragment ruling k_d have been developed. For all cyclic nitroxyl fragments, the steric effect is described as the sum of the bulkiness of the R₁ and R₂ groups (i.e., normal steric effect), while for the noncyclic nitroxyl fragment (except for one case), a leveled steric effect is assumed. In this work, we show that the normal steric effect also applies to noncyclic nitroxyl fragments and that for one case an enhanced steric effect is also observed, i.e., experimental k_d >5-fold larger than the predicted value.

Nitroxide-Mediated Alternating Copolymerization of Vinyl Acetate with tert-Butyl-2-trifluoromethacrylate Using a SG1-Based Alkoxyamine

Unique alternating copolymers based on vinyl acetate (VAc) and tert-butyl-2-trifluoromethacrylate (MAF-TBE, a nonhomopolymerizable monomer under radical conditions) have been synthesized by nitroxide-mediated polymerization (NMP) using a SG1-based BlocBuilder alkoxyamine (MAMA-SG1) at moderate temperature (at 40 °C) in dimethyl sulfoxide. First-order kinetics and linear evolutions of the molecular weight (up to 17100 g mol^-1), maintaining low dispersity values (Đ ≤ 1.33), confirmed the controlled nature of the copolymerization. Interestingly, none of the starting monomers could undergo homopolymerization under the NMP condition initiated by MAMA-SG1. The resulting alternating copolymers were characterized by ¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁹F, and ³¹P NMR spectroscopies and size exclusion chromatography (SEC). The poly(VAc-alt-MAF-TBE) copolymer is amorphous and exhibited a single glass transition temperature of 59 °C. This is the first report of nitroxide-mediated (co)polymerization of VAc leading to well-defined copolymers with satisfactory yields. The results presented in this study established a new route via NMP toward the synthesis of strictly 1:1 alternating fluorocopolymers that can display diverse functionalities.

Trityl-based alkoxyamines as NMP controllers and spin-labels

Recently, new applications of trityl-nitroxide biradicals were proposed. In the present study, attachment of a trityl radical to alkoxyamines was performed for the first time. The rate constants kd of C-ON bond homolysis in these alkoxyamines were measured and found to be equal to those for alkoxyamines without trityl. The electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of the products of alkoxyamine homolysis (trityl-TEMPO and trityl-SG1 biradicals) were recorded, and the corresponding exchange interactions were estimated. The decomposition of trityl-alkoxyamine showed more than an 80% yield of biradicals, meaning that the C-ON bond homolysis is the main reaction. The suitability of these labelled initiators/controllers for polymerisation was exemplified by means of successful nitroxide-mediated polymerisation (NMP) of styrene. Thus, this is the first report of a spin-labelled alkoxyamine suitable for NMP.

New Class of Alkoxyamines for Efficient Controlled Homopolymerization of Methacrylates

Despite significant efforts, the design of alkoxyamines for polymerization of methacrylic monomers in a well-controlled fashion with good retention of the active chain ends remains a challenge. Herein, the facile synthesis of several alkoxyamines, which are capable of achieving this long sought-after goal, is reported. Controlled homopolymerization of methyl methacrylate is achieved as determined by a linear increase in molecular weight with conversion and first-order rate plots for various alkoxyamine concentrations. The versatility of the alkoxyamines is further exemplified by the ability to control the homopolymerization of styrene and by synthesis of a block copolymer of a second methacrylate in an efficient chain extension process.

The β-phosphorus hyperfine coupling constant in nitroxides: 6. Solvent effects in non-cyclic nitroxides

In two recent articles (Org. Biomol. Chem., 2015 and 2016), we showed that changes in the phosphorus hyperfine coupling constant aP at position β in β-phosphorylated nitroxides can be dramatic. Such changes were applied to the titration of water in organic solvents and conversely of organic solvents in water. One of the molecules tested was a non-cyclic nitroxide meaning that a thorough investigation of the solvent effect on the EPR hyperfine coupling constant is timely due. In this article, we show that the aP of persistent non-cyclic β-phosphorylated nitroxides decrease with the normalized polarity Reichardt's constant E(N)T. The Koppel-Palm and Kalmet-Abboud-Taft relationships were applied to gain deeper insight into the effects influencing aN and aP: polarity/polarizability, hydrogen bond donor properties, and the structuredness of the cybotactic region.

Development of a Functional Contrast Agent for Targeting Lipid-derived Radicals

Lipid derived radicals and their metabolic products are closely involved in the pathogenesis of oxidative stress diseases, such as inflammation and angiogenesis, through the formation of a protein or DNA complex. The starting point of lipid peroxide generation is lipid-derived radicals, which increase explosively via radical chain reaction. Therefore, the trapping of lipid-derived radicals is useful in understanding the mechanism of the formation of oxidative stress diseases, and in suppressing the following chain reaction. On the other hand, nitroxides with a stable unpaired electron allow for spin trapping with carbon-centered radicals. Hence, we focused on the following points to develop lipid radical detection methods. 1) Fluorescence will be quenched through interaction with nitroxide's unpaired electron. 2) Nitroxide can react with lipid-derived radicals via radical-radical reaction. 3) Fluorescence will recover from the loss of an unpaired electron in nitroxide, after reaction with the lipid-derived radicals, by using a profluorescent nitroxide. In this paper, I will discuss the development of a lipid-derived detection method using profluorescent nitroxide switching methods, and discuss its application to cell imaging.

C-ON bond homolysis in alkoxyamines. Part 12: the effect of the para-substituent in the 1-phenylethyl fragment

The application of alkoxyamines as initiators/controllers in nitroxide mediated polymerization and as agents for theranostics requires the development of switchable (from stable one to labile one) alkoxyamines. One way to achieve this is to tune the polarity of various groups carried by either the alkyl fragment or the nitroxyl fragment. Thus, the effect of protonation/deprotonation of the para-functionalized aryl moiety carried by the alkyl fragment in diethyl(2,2-dimethyl-1-((1,1-dimethylethyl)(1-para-subsitutedphenylethoxy)amino)propyl)phosphonate is investigated. An increase in kd is observed with increasing localized electrical effect, i.e., in the presence of electron withdrawing groups at the para position of the phenyl ring. A striking effect of the intimate ion pair on kd is also observed.

C-ON Bond Homolysis of Alkoxyamines, Part 11: Activation of the Nitroxyl Fragment

A few years ago, Bagryanskaya and colleagues (J. Org. Chem. 2011) showed that protonation of the nitroxyl fragment deactivated the alkoxyamine C-ON bond. Conversely, our group showed that protonation (Chem. Commun. 2011), as well as other chemical reactions such as oxidation or amine quaternization (Org. Lett. 2012), of the pyridyl moiety carried by the alkyl fragment was suitable to activate the homolysis of the C-ON bond. To pursue our goal of applying alkoxyamines as theranostic agents (Org. Biomol. Chem. 2014 and Mol. Pharmaceutics 2014) by activation of the C-ON bond homolysis, we turned our interest to the chemical activation of the nitroxyl fragment by oxidation/reduction of selected functions. Conversion of a hydroxyl group located close to the nitroxyl moiety successively into aldehyde, then acid, and eventually into ester, led to a successive decrease in kd.

β-Phosphorus hyperfine coupling constant in nitroxides: 5. Solvent effect

a _N and a_P of β-phosphorylated 5-membered ring nitroxides are sensitive to the polarity/polarisability π*, the structuredness of the solvent c, and to the hydrogen bond donating α properties of the solvent.

C–ON bond homolysis of alkoxyamines triggered by paramagnetic copper(ii) salts

Pyridine-based alkoxyamines were used as ligands for Cu(hfac)₂ to prepare the first metallic complexes of alkoxyamines. Structures of complexes were determined by X-ray analysis and a 21-fold increase in the C–ON bond homolysis was observed.