Multiple wavelength (365-475 nm) complete actinometric characterization of Corning® Lab Photo Reactor using azobenzene as a highly soluble, cheap and robust chemical actinometer

The characterization of commercially available Corning^® Lab Photo Reactor by actinometry at different wavelengths (365, 385, 405 and 475 nm) using azobenzene E ↔ Z photoisomerization is reported. By comparison with photon fluxes determined externally using a radiometer, this method based on NMR spectroscopy is rapid, cheap, robust, reproducible and can applied to UVA-visible range, compared to previously described chemical actinometric protocols. Recalculation of isatin N²-phenylhydrazone isomerization quantum yield at 405 nm gave almost the same value as the literature data ([Formula: see text] = 0.0013) and confirmed the robustness and applicability of this methodology.

Implementation of a mathematical model for the photochemical kinetics of a solid form active pharmaceutical ingredient

We present here the development of a photochemical model used to quantify the risk to photodegradation of a solid drug substance. A key feature of the proposed model development is streamlined estimation of the dependence of the absorption spectra and the quantum yield to the wavelength. A mathematical description of the relationship between the quantum yield and the wavelength enables estimation of photodegradation kinetics under any light anticipated to be encountered in the manufacturing environment. The system studied here consisted of a first order irreversible transformation (A → B(1Φ)) and the formalism strongly suggested the quantum yield was constant over the relevant wavelength range. The predictive power of the model enabled the design of a control strategy to limit the formation of the photo-degradant to very low levels. Also presented are insights obtained from quantum mechanical modeling of the electronic transitions associated with the UV absorption spectra.

An accessible visible-light actinometer for the determination of photon flux and optical pathlength in flow photo microreactors

Coupling photochemistry with flow microreactors enables novel synthesis strategies with higher efficiencies compared to batch systems. Improving the reproducibility and understanding of the photochemical reaction mechanisms requires quantitative tools such as chemical actinometry. However, the choice of actinometric systems which can be applied in microreactors is limited, due to their short optical pathlength in combination with a large received photon flux. Furthermore, actinometers for the characterization of reactions driven by visible light between 500 and 600 nm (e.g. photosensitized oxidations) are largely missing. In this paper, we propose a new visible-light actinometer which can be applied in flow microreactors between 480 and 620 nm. This actinometric system is based on the photoisomerization reaction of a diarylethene derivative from its closed to the open form. The experimental protocol for actinometric measurements is facile and characterized by excellent reproducibility and we also present an analytical estimation to calculate the photon flux. Furthermore, we propose an experimental methodology to determine the average pathlength in microreactors using actinometric measurements. In the context of a growing research interest on using flow microreactors for photochemical reactions, the proposed visible-light actinometer facilitates the determination of the received photon flux and average pathlength in confined geometries.

Φ-order spectrophotokinetic characterisation and quantification of trans-cis oxyresveratrol reactivity, photodegradation and actinometry

A new Φ-order kinetic method was proposed in this study for the investigation of trans-cis photoisomerization reaction of Oxyresveratrol (ORVT) subjected to non-isosbestic irradiation. In ethanolic media, it has been proven that forward (Φ_A→B^λ_irr) and reverse (Φ_B→A^λ_irr) reaction quantum yields were dependent on the monochromatic irradiation wavelength according to sigmoid patterns over the spectral ranges of their electronic absorption (260-360nm). An 11.4- and 6.6-fold increases were recorded for Φ_B→A^λ_irr and Φ_A→B^λ_irr, respectively. The efficiencies of the former (Φ_B→A^λ_irr, ranging between 2.3×10^-2 and 26.3×10^-2) were 33 to 60% smaller than those of the respective Φ_A→B^λ_irr measured at the irradiation wavelengths selected. Overall, between 57 and 97% degradation of the initial trans-ORVT was observed under relatively weak light intensities, with the highest values recorded at the longest wavelengths. These findings strongly recommend protection from light in all situations of this biologically important phytomolecule that possesses therapeutic value of interest to pharmaceutical applications. The Φ-order kinetics also offered a simple way to develop a reliable actinometric method that proved ORVT to be an efficient actinometer for the dynamic range 295-360nm. The usefulness of Φ-order kinetics for the investigation and quantification of phytoproducts' photodegradation was discussed.

Photochromic Mechanism of a Bridged Diarylethene: Combined Electronic Structure Calculations and Nonadiabatic Dynamics Simulations

Intramolecularly bridged diarylethenes exhibit improved photocyclization quantum yields because the anti-syn isomerization that originally suppresses photocyclization in classical diarylethenes is blocked. Experimentally, three possible channels have been proposed to interpret experimental observation, but many details of photochromic mechanism remain ambiguous. In this work we have employed a series of electronic structure methods (OM2/MRCI, DFT, TDDFT, RI-CC2, DFT/MRCI, and CASPT2) to comprehensively study excited state properties, photocyclization, and photoreversion dynamics of 1,2-dicyano[2,2]metacyclophan-1-ene. On the basis of optimized stationary points and minimum-energy conical intersections, we have refined experimentally proposed photochromic mechanism. Only an S₁/S₀ minimum-energy conical intersection is located; thus, we can exclude the third channel experimentally proposed. In addition, we find that both photocyclization and photoreversion processes use the same S₁/S₀ conical intersection to decay the S₁ system to the S₀ state, so we can unify the remaining two channels into one. These new insights are verified by our OM2/MRCI nonadiabatic dynamics simulations. The S₁ excited-state lifetimes of photocyclization and photoreversion are estimated to be 349 and 453 fs, respectively, which are close to experimentally measured values: 240 ± 60 and 250 fs in acetonitrile solution. The present study not only interprets experimental observations and refines previously proposed mechanism but also provides new physical insights that are valuable for future experiments.

Quantitative assessment of photostability and photostabilisation of Fluvoxamine and its design for actinometry

Wavelength-dependent forwardand reverseFluvo quantum yields have been reported.

Optical gating with organic building blocks. A quantitative model for the fluorescence modulation of photochromic perylene bisimide dithienylcyclopentene triads

We investigated the capability of molecular triads, consisting of two strong fluorophores that were covalently linked to a photochromic molecule, for optical gating. Therefore we monitored the fluorescence intensity of the fluorophores as a function of the isomeric state of the photoswitch. From the analysis of our data we develop a kinetic model that allows us to predict quantitatively the degree of the fluorescence modulation as a function of the mutual intensities of the lasers that are used to induce the fluorescence and the switching of the photochromic unit. We find that the achievable contrast for the modulation of the fluorescence depends mainly on the intensity ratio of the two light beams and appears to be very robust against absolute changes of these intensities. The latter result provides valuable information for the development of all-optical circuits which would require to handle different signal strengths for the input and output levels.

Photoirradiation wavelength dependence of cycloreversion quantum yields of diarylethenes

The cycloreversion quantum yields of compounds 1b and 2b increased upon irradiation with light at shorter wavelengths. The irradiation wavelength dependence is ascribed to the energy barrier on the 2A potential energy surface in the excited electronic state.

Modelling nifedipine photodegradation, photostability and actinometric properties

BACKGROUND

The photodegradation of drugs obeying unimolecular mechanisms such as that of nifedipine (NIF) were usually characterised in the literature by zero-, first- and second-order kinetics. This approach has been met with varying success. This paper addresses this issue and proposes a novel approach for unimolecular photodegradation kinetics. The photodegradation of the cardiovascular drug nifedipine is investigated within this framework.

METHODS

Experimental kinetic data of nifedipine photodegradation were obtained by continuous monochromatic irradiation and DAD analysis. Fourth-order Runge-Kutta calculated kinetic data served for the validation of the new semi-empirical integrated rate-law model proposed in this study.

RESULTS

A new model equation has been developed and proposed which faithfully describes the kinetic behaviour of NIF in solution for non-isosbestic irradiations at wavelengths where both NIF and its photoproduct absorb. NIF absolute quantum yield values were determined and found to increase with irradiation wavelength according to a defined sigmoid relationship. The effects of increasing NIF or excipients' concentrations on NIF kinetics were successfully modelled and found to improve NIF photostability. The potential of NIF for actinometry has been explored and evaluated. A new reaction order (the so-called Φ-order) has been identified and specifically proposed for unimolecular photodegradation reactions.

CONCLUSION

The semi-empirical and integrated rate-law models facilitated reliable kinetic studies of NIF photodegradation as an example of AB(1Φ) unimolecular reactions. It allowed filling a gap in kinetic studies of drugs since, thus far, thermal first-order or a combination of first- and zero- order kinetic equations were generally applied for drug photoreactions in the literature. Also, a new reaction order, the "Φ-order", has been evidenced and proposed as a specific alternative for photodegradation kinetics.

Potential energy surfaces and quantum yields for photochromic diarylethene reactions

Photochromic diarylethenes (DAEs) are among the most promising molecular switching systems for future molecular electronics. Numerous derivatives have been synthesized recently, and experimental quantum yields (QYs) have been reported for two categories of them. Although the QY is one of the most important properties in various applications, it is also the most difficult property to predict before a molecule is actually synthesized. We have previously reported preliminary theoretical studies on what determines the QYs in both categories of DAE derivatives. Here, reflecting theoretical analyses of potential energy surfaces and recent experimental results, a rational explanation of the general guiding principle for QY design is presented for future molecular design.