Assessing the Applicability of Singlet Oxygen Photosensitizers in Leaf Studies

Singlet oxygen (¹O₂) is of special interest in plant stress physiology. Studies focused on internal, chlorophyll‐mediated production are often complemented with the use of artificial ¹O₂ photosensitizers. Here, we report a comparative study on the effects of Rose Bengal (RB), Methylene Violet (MVI), Neutral Red (NR) and Indigo Carmine (IC). These were infiltrated into tobacco leaves at concentrations generating the same fluxes of ¹O₂ in solution. Following green light‐induced ¹O₂ production from these dyes, leaf photosynthesis was characterized by Photosystem (PS) II and PSI electron transport and oxidative damage was monitored as degradation of D1, a PSII core protein. Cellular localizations were identified on the basis of the dyes’ fluorescence using confocal laser scanning microscopy. We found that RB and NR were both localized in chloroplasts but the latter had very little effect, probably due to its pH‐dependent photosensitizing. Both RB and intracellular, nonplastid MVI decreased PSII electron transport, but the effect of RB was stronger than that of MVI and only RB was capable of damaging the D1 protein. Intercellularly localized IC had no significant effect. Our results also suggest caution when using RB as photosensitizer because it affects PSII electron transport.     

PHOTOLUMINESCENCE OF SINGLET OXYGEN IN PIGMENT SOLUTIONS

Luminescence of ¹O₂ (1270 nm) accompanying energy transfer to oxygen from photoexcited (triplet) molecules of sensitizers in air saturated solutions has been investigated. The luminescence was observed in CC1₄, CS₂ and freon with the use of porphyrins, chlorophylls, pheophytins and aromatic hydrocarbons as sensitizers. The lifetime and quantum yield of the luminescence depended on the nature of the solvents. pigments and their concentrations. The maximum values of these parameters were equal to 28 ± 5 ms and 5 ± 4 times 10^--⁵, respectively. The quantum yield of ¹O₂ generation by pigments has been measured and the results used for determining the quantum yields of intersystem crossing in the pigment molecules. The rate constants of ¹O₂ reaction with different substances have been determined with the aid of luminescence quenching. It has been shown that along with β-carotene. Chls, pheophytins, and some porphyrins are also very active quenchers of ¹O₂, The quenching effect depends on their molecular structure and on the presence and nature of the central metal atom. Quenching ¹O₂ by the pigments is due mainly to a “physical” mechanism (without destruction of the pigments). The destructive “chemical” quenching is by 1–4 orders of magnitude less effective and is accompanied with photochemiluminescence of the pigments. The experiments on ¹O₂ generation and quenching indicate that energy of triplet states of bacteriochlorophyll and bacteriopheophytin is somewhat higher than that of ¹Δ_g oxygen. The data demonstrate wide possibilities of the luminescence studied as a method for investigating ¹O₂ reactivity and photophysical properties of sensitizers.     

Electron Transfer Quenching of the Rose Bengal Triplet State

Abstract— The potential for electron transfer quenching of rose bengal triplet (³RB^2-) to compete with energy transfer quenching by oxygen was evaluated. Rate constants for oxidative and reductive quenching were measured in buffered aqueous solution, acetonitrile and in small unilamellar liposomes using laser flash photolysis. Biologically relevant quenchers were used that varied widely in structure, reduction potential and charge. Radical ion yields (Ø_i) were measured by monitoring the absorption of the rose bengal semireduced (RB*^3-) and semioxidized (RB*^-) radicals. The results in solution were analyzed as a function of the free energy for electron transfer (δG) calculated using the Weller equation including electrostatic terms. Exothermic oxidative quenching was about 10-fold faster than exothermic reductive quenching in aqueous solution. The quenching rate constants decreased as δG approached zero in both aqueous and acetonitrile solution. Exceptions to these generalizations were observed that could be rationalized by specific steric or electrostatic effects or by a change in mechanism. The results suggest that electron transfer reactions with some potential quenchers in cells could compete with formation of singlet oxygen [O₂(¹δ_g)]. Values of Ø_i were generally greater for reductive quenching and, for oxidative quenching, greater in acetonitrile than in buffer. Electron transfer quenching of ³RB^2- in liposomes, below the phase transition temperature was slower than in solution for both lipid-soluble and water-soluble quenchers indicating that these reactions may not compete with formation of O₂(¹δ_g) during cell photosensitization.     

Quenching of singlet oxygen by alkenes with a hindered double bond

Both the chemical reaction of oxidation and the physical deactivation of¹O₂ caused by the dimension of the exciting energy in vibrations of the C-H bonds of the molecule of the quenching agent play an important role in quenching of singlet oxygen by substituted adamantylidenenorbornanes with a hindered double bond. The substituents which shield the double bond have a stereoelectronic effect on the reaction of 1,2-cycloaddition of singlet oxygen. The almost total inhibition of the oxidation reaction is possible as a function of their position.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 2, pp. 286–289, February, 1990.We would like to thank B. M. Lerman and T. A. Belogaeva for synthesis of samples (II)-(IV).     

Mechanism of the quenching of O2(1Δ g ) by erbium tetra(4-tert-butyl)phthalocyanine

The quenching of singlet molecular oxygen (¹O₂, ¹Δ _g ) by Er³⁺ tetra(4-tert-butyl)phthalocyanine in benzene was studied by the luminescence method. The quenching was demonstrated to be controlled by a physical-chemical mixed mechanism, with donor-acceptor interactions being the main contributor to the physical quenching of ¹O₂.     

Oxidation of diazo compounds by triphenyl phosphite ozonide. Quenching of singlet oxygen by diazo compounds

The reaction of triphenyl phosphite ozonide with various types of diazo compounds results in their oxidation, which is accomplished by singlet oxygen (¹O₂) evolved during thermal decomposition of the ozonide. A decrease in the ionization potential of the substrate results in an increase in the overall rate constant of quenching of¹O₂. In the case of 9-diazofluorene, the main channel of¹O₂ quenching is physical quenching.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 9, pp. 1567–1571, September, 1994.The work was carried out with the financial support of the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (Project No. 93-03-5231).     

Solute re-encounter probabilities from dissociative oxciplex relaxation

Measurements of the quantum yield of self-sensitized 1,3-diphenylisobenzofuran peroxidation as a function of dissolved oxygen of added azulene concentrations indicate that oxygen quenching of the sensitizer singlet state produces both triplet and ground states of the sensitizer in addition to O₂(¹Δ_g) and O₂(³Σ^?_g). This partitioning of quenching products may be due to the competitive relaxation of the initially formed complex (oxciplex), or to sequential relaxation of different oxciplex states in which symmetry and spin barriers are negotiated by complex dissociation and re-encounter of the solute pair in the required configuration. The latter interpretation provides re-encounter probabilities for the processes M(T₁) + O₂(¹Δ_g) → M(T₁) + O₂(³Σ^?_g) and M(T₁) + O₂(³Σ^?_g) → M(S_o) + O₂(¹Δ_g) from which estimated rate constants are compatible with theoretical expectation.     

The temperature dependence and the mechanism of the SO2 (3B1) quenching reactions

The Arrhenius parameters have been determined for the SO₂(³B₁) quenching reaction (9), SO₂(³B₁) + M → (SO₂ ? M), for 21 different molecules as quenching partner M. The rate constants were calculated from phosphorescence lifetime measurements made over a range of reactant pressures and temperatures. Excitation of the SO₂ (³B₁) molecules was accomplished by two very different methods: (1) a 3829 Å laser pulse generated the triplet directly through absorption within the “forbidden” SO₂ (³B₁) → SO₂ (¹A₁) band; (2) a broadband Xe-flash system generated SO₂(³B₁) molecules and triplets were formed subsequently by intersystem crossing, SO₂(¹B₁) + M → SO₂(³B₁) + M. The measured rate constants were independent of the method of triplet formation employed. For the atmospheric gases, the activation energies (kcal/mole) were identical within the experimental error: N₂, 2.9 ± 0.4; 0₂, 3.2 ± 0.5; Ar, 2.8 ± 0.6; CO₂, 2.8 ± 0.4; CO, 2.7 ± 0.4; CH₄, 2.5 ± 0.6. This energy corresponds to the first region of the SO₂(³B₁) → SO₂(¹A₁) absorption spectra in which Brand and coworkers observe strong perturbations. It is suggested that the quenching in these cases results largely from the physical process involving potential energy surface crossing to another electronic state. Activation energies for SO₂(³B₁) quenching by the paraffinic hydrocarbons show a regular decrease in the series ethane, neopentane, propane, n-butane, cyclohexane, and isobutane, which parallels closely the decrease in C? H bond energies in these compounds. These and other data are most consistent with the dominance of chemical quenching in these cases. The rate constants for the olefinic and aromatic hydrocarbons and nitric oxide show only very small variations with temperature change, and they are near the kinetic collision number. These data support the hypothesis that quenching in these cases is associated with the formation of a charge-transfer complex and subsequent chemical interactions between the SO₂(³B₁) molecule and the π-system of these compounds.     

Theoretical Study of the Reaction Formalhydrazone with Singlet Oxygen. Fragmentation of the C=N Bond,Ene Reaction and Other Processes

Photobiologic and synthetic versatility of hydrazones has not yet been established with ¹O₂ as a route to commonly encountered nitrosamines. Thus, to determine whether the “parent” reaction of formalhydrazone and ¹O₂ leads to facile C=N bond cleavage and resulting nitrosamine formation, we have carried out CCSD(T)//DFT calculations and analyzed the energetics of the oxidation pathways. A [2 + 2] pathway occurs via diradicals and formation of 3‐amino‐1,2,3‐dioxazetidine in a 16 kcal/mol^?1 process. Reversible addition or physical quenching of ¹O₂ occurs either on the formalhydrazone carbon for triplet diradicals at 2–3 kcal mol^?1, or on the nitrogen (N(3)) atom forming zwitterions at ~15 kcal/mol^?1, although the quenching channel by charge‐transfer interaction was not computed. The computations also predict a facile conversion of formalhydrazone and ¹O₂ to hydroperoxymethyl diazene in a low‐barrier ‘ene’ process, but no 2‐amino‐oxaziridine‐O‐oxide (perepoxide‐like) intermediate was found. A Benson‐like analysis (group increment calculations) on the closed‐shell species are in accord with the quantum chemical results.     

The Employment of a Removable Chitosan‐Derivatized Polymeric Sensitizer in the Photooxidation of Polyhydroxylated Water‐Pollutants

The known O₂(¹?_g)‐sensitizer system Chitosan bounded Rose Bengal (CH‐RB), with Rose Bengal (RB) immobilized by irreversible covalent bonding to the polymer Chitosan (CH), soluble in aquous acidic medium, was employed in the photodegradation of three tri‐hydroxy benzene water‐contaminants (THBs). The system sensitizes the O₂(¹?_g)‐mediated photodegradation of THBs by a process kinetically favored, as compared to that employing free RB dissolved in the same solvent. Additionally the free xanthene dye, degradable by O₂(¹?_g) through self‐sensitization upon prolonged light‐exposure, is considerably protected when bonded to CH‐polymer. The polymeric sensitizer, totally insoluble in neutral medium, can be removed from the solution after the photodegradative cycle by precipitation through a simple pH change. This fact constitutes an interesting aspect in the context of photoremediation of confined polluted waters. In other words, the sensitizing system could be useful for avoiding to dissolve dyestuffs in the polluted waters, in order to act as conventional sunlight‐absorbing dye‐sensitizers. In parallel the interaction CH ‐ O₂(¹?_g) in acidic solution was evaluated. The polymer quenches the oxidative species with a rate constant 2.4 × 10⁸ M^?1 s^?1 being the process mostly attributable to a physical interaction. This fact promotes the photoprotection of the bonded dye in the CH‐RB polymer.     

Singlet-Oxygen Quenching by Carotenoids: Steady-state luminescence experiments

The near-infrared luminescence of singlet oxygen (¹O₂) has been measured in order to determine the efficiency of ¹O₂ quenching by two carotenoid compounds, β-carotene and canthaxanthin. 1H-Phenalen-1-one and rose bengal have been used as photosensitizers in those steady-state luminescence experiments. Stern-Volmer analysis of the ¹O₂ luminescence in solutions of CCl₄ and CD₃OD, containing different concentrations of the carotenoids, has shown a very efficient quenching by canthaxanthin. The rate constants are about a factor of 2 below the diffusion limited values for the given solvents, confirming earlier results in benzene. In comparison, the efficiency of ¹O₂ quenching by β-carotene is slightly lower than that by canthaxanthin in non-polar solvents and is reduced by an order of magnitude in CD₃OD, due to the aggregation of this quencher.     

Photoproduction and Direct Spectral Detection of Singlet Molecular Oxygen (102) in Keratinocytes Stained with Rose Bengal

In vivo, keratinocyte skin cells are exposed to photoox-idative processes, some of which can be mediated by singlet molecular oxygen (¹O₂), a species that is very difficult to detect spectrally in cells. We photosensitized ¹O₂ in cultured HaCaT keratinocytes stained with rose bengal (RB) that localizes exclusively inside the keratinocyte hydrophobic regions, as evidenced by strongly red-shifted absorbance and intense fluorescence. We used keratinocytes grown in a monolayer on a plastic coverslip and in suspension. The phosphorescence spectrum (1200–1350nm) from ¹O₂ was strongest when the coverslip containing RB-stained keratinocytes was irradiated in air. The spectral intensity decreased when the coverslip was immersed in D₂O during irradiation and was almost completely quenched when it was irradiated while immersed in water. Water not only shortens the ¹O₂ lifetime but also reabsorbs part of the ¹O₂ phosphorescence, processes that do not occur when ¹O₂ is produced in a keratinocyte layer exposed to air. Because the RB was inside keratinocytes, singlet oxygen must also be produced inside the keratinocytes. However, the sensitivity to the extracellular environment suggests that most of the detectable ¹O₂ phosphorescence originates from those ¹O₂molecules that escaped from the cell through its membrane into D₂O or into the air, where ¹O₂ has longer lifetimes. Our results confirm directly that ¹O₂ is indeed photosensitized in living cells by RB. They also suggest that keratinocyte monolayers may be a good cell model to examine in vitro the production of ¹O₂ by other photo-sensitizers of environmental and photomedical interest.     

Exploring the interactions between gold nanoparticles and analytes through surface‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry

Surface‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (SALDI‐MS) is applied to provide strong evidence for the chemical reactions of functionalized gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) with analytes – Hg²⁺ ions induced MPA?Au NPs aggregation in the presence of 2,6‐pyridinedicarboxylic acid (PDCA) and H₂O₂ induced fluorescence quenching of 11‐MUA?Au NDs. PDCA‐Hg²⁺‐MPA coordination is responsible for Au NPs aggregation, while the formation of 11‐MUA disulfide compounds that release into the bulk solution is responsible for H₂O₂‐induced fluorescence quenching. In addition to providing information about the chemical structures, SALDI‐MS is also selective and sensitive for the detection of Hg²⁺ ions and H₂O₂. The limits of detection (LODs) for Hg²⁺ ions and H₂O₂ by SALDI‐MS were 300 nM and 250 µM, respectively. The spot‐to‐spot variations in the two studies were both less than 18% (50 sample spots). Our results reveal that SALDI‐MS can be used to study analyte‐induced changes in the surface properties of nanoparticles. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Generation of Reactive Oxygen Species during the Photolysis of 6‐(Hydroxymethyl)pterin in Alkaline Aqueous Solutions

Photochemical studies of the reactivity of 6‐(hydroxymethyl)pterin (=2‐amino‐6‐(hydroxymethyl)pteridin‐4(1H)‐one; HPT) in alkaline aqueous solutions (pH 10.2–10.8) at 350 nm and room temperature were performed. The photochemical reactions were followed by UV/VIS spectrophotometry, thin‐layer chromatography (TLC), high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and an enzymatic method for H₂O₂ determination. In the presence of O₂, 6‐formylpterin (=2‐amino‐3,4‐dihydro‐4‐oxopteridine‐6‐carboxaldehyde; FPT) was the only photoproduct detected. In the absence of O₂, we observed a compound with an absorbance maximum at 480 nm, which was oxidized very rapidly by O₂ in a dark reaction to yield FPT. The quantum yields of substrates disappearance and of photoproducts formation were determined. The formation of H₂O₂ during photooxidation was monitored, and the number of mol of H₂O₂ released per mol of HPT consumed corresponded to a 1 : 1 stoichiometry. HPT was also investigated for efficiency of singlet‐oxygen (¹O₂) production and quenching in aqueous solution. The quantum yield of ¹O₂ production (Φ_Δ=0.21±0.01) was determined by measurements of the ¹O₂ luminescence in the near‐IR (1270 nm) upon continuous excitation of the sensitizer. The rate constant of ¹O₂ total quenching by HPT was determined (k_t=3.1?10⁶ M ^?1 s^?1), indicating that this compound was able to quench ¹O₂. However, ¹O₂ did not participate in the photooxidation of HPT to FPT.     

Synthesis of Fe3O4\SiO2\Ag nanoparticles and its application in surface-enhanced Raman scattering

To obtain a recyclable surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) material, we developed a composite of Fe₃O₄\SiO₂\Ag with core\shell\particles structure. The designed particles were synthesized via an ultrasonic route. The Raman scattering signal of Fe₃O₄ could be shielded by increasing the thickness of the SiO₂ layer to 60 nm. Dye rhodamine B (RB) was chosen as probe molecule to test the SERS effect of the synthesized Fe₃O₄\SiO₂\Ag particles. On the synthesized Fe₃O₄\SiO₂\Ag particles, the characteristic Raman bands of RB could be observed when the RB solution was diluted to 5 ppm (1×10⁻⁵ M). Furthermore, the synthesized particles could keep their efficiency till four cycles.     

Understanding and controlling the efficiency of Au24M(SR)18 nanoclusters as singlet-oxygen photosensitizers

Singlet oxygen, ¹O₂, can be generated by molecules that upon photoexcitation enable the ³O₂ → ¹O₂ transition. We used a series of atomically precise Au₂₄M(SR)₁₈ clusters, with different R groups and doping metal atoms M. Upon nanosecond photoexcitation of the cluster, ¹O₂ was efficiently generated. Detection was carried out by time-resolved electron paramagnetic resonance (TREPR) spectroscopy. The resulting TREPR transient yielded the ¹O₂ lifetime as a function of the nature of the cluster. We found that: these clusters indeed generate ¹O₂ by forming a triplet state; a more positive oxidation potential of the molecular cluster corresponds to a longer ¹O₂ lifetime; proper design of the cluster yields results analogous to those of a well-known reference photosensitizer, although more effectively. Comprehensive kinetic analysis provided important insights into the mechanism and driving-force dependence of the quenching of ¹O₂ by gold nanoclusters. Understanding on a molecular basis why these molecules may perform so well in ¹O₂ photosensitization is instrumental to controlling their performance.

Atomically precise Au₂₄M(SR)₁₈ clusters were used as singlet-oxygen photosensitizers. Comprehensive kinetic analysis provided insights into the mechanism and driving-force dependence of the quenching of ¹O₂ by gold nanoclusters.     

Efficient Oxidation and Destabilization of Zn(Cys)4 Zinc Fingers by Singlet Oxygen

Singlet oxygen (¹O₂) plays an important role in oxidative stress in all types of organisms, most of them being able to mount a defense against this oxidant. Recently, zinc finger proteins have been proposed to be involved in its cellular detection but the molecular basis of this process still remains unknown. We have studied the reactivity of a Zn(Cys)₄ zinc finger with ¹O₂ by combinations of spectroscopic and analytical techniques, focusing on the products formed and the kinetics of the reaction. We report that the cysteines of this zinc finger are oxidized to sulfinates by ¹O₂. The reaction of the ZnS₄ core with ¹O₂ is very fast and efficient with almost no physical quenching of ¹O₂. A drastic (ca. five orders of magnitude) decrease of the Zn²⁺ binding constant was observed upon oxidation. This suggests that the Zn(Cys)₄ zinc finger proteins would release their Zn²⁺ ion and unfold upon reaction with ¹O₂ under cellular conditions and that zinc finger sites are likely targets for ¹O₂.     

Oxidation of Chiral 1,4-Cyclohexadienes: A Comparison of Chemically and Photochemically Generated Singlet Oxygen1O2(1Δg)

Chiral alkyl-substituted 2,5-cyclohexadiene-l-carboxyIic acids la-c have been oxidized in water and in methanol with singlet oxygen, ¹O₂ (¹Δ_g), generated either photochemically or chemically from the catalytic system hydrogen peroxide/sodium molybdate. These methods were compared in terms of chemo-, regio- and diastereoselec-tivities and the chemical (k_T) and physical (k_q) quenching rate constants of ¹O₂ were determined. The ratio of the cis and trans isomers of the hydroperoxides 2a-c is not influenced by the source of ¹O₂ but, on the other hand, it depends slightly on the solvent and greatly on the steric hindrance of the substituents linked to the chiral carbon. The results may be interpreted on the basis of the successive formation of an exciplex and a perepoxide that evolves either by giving the final allylic hydroperoxide or by dissociating into the starting substrate and singlet or triplet oxygen.     

Strychnine : A fast physical quencher of singlet oxygen (1Δg)

Pulsed laser excitation of 2-acetonaphthone in aerated benzene, toluene, acetone, acetonitrile or ethanol results in formation of O₂(¹Δ_g), the infrared luminescence of which has been monitored by time-resolved emission spectroscopy. The rate constants for the quenching of this emission by the indole alkaloid strychnine in all five solvents have been determined and compared with the corresponding values for the well-known O₂ (¹Δ_g) quencher DABCO. Strychnine (1) is the fastest known tertiary amine quencher of this species via a process which is at least 99% physical in character.