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One-electron reduction of aromatic nitrogen heterocycles in aqueous solution. 2,2'-bipyridine and 1,10-phenanthroline

Journal Article · · J. Phys. Chem.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/j100475a006· OSTI ID:6137015
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  1. Laboratorio di Fotochimica e Radiazioni d'Alta Energia del C.N.R., Bologna, Italy

The reaction of 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy), 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), and their monoprotonated cations (bpyH/sup +/ and phenH/sup +/) with radiation-generated one-electron reducing agents yields radicals, the spectra, kinetics, and acid-base properties of which have been established. BpyH/sub 2//sup +/. has a pK/sub a/ of 5.6 and exhibits an intense absorption maximum at 375 nm (epsilon 4.5 x 10/sup 4/M/sup -1/cm/sup -1/); bpyH. shows lambda/sub max/365 nm (epsilon 3.0 x 10/sup 4/M/sup -1/cm/sup -1/). BpyH. decays via second-order kinetics (2k = 4.0 x 10/sup 9/M/sup -1/s/sup -1/) representing primarily a disproportionation reaction. BpyH/sub 2//sup +/. appears to decay via concurrent first- and second-order reactions; the processes are complicated by unidentified dose-dependent sequences. Irrespective of pH, the final isolatable product is a pale yellow solid which can be identified by elemental analysis, molecular weight determination, and IR spectrum as a trimer of dihydrobipyridine isomers. PhenH/sub 2//sup +/. shows lambda/sub max/370 nm(epsilon 7.8 x 10/sup 3/M/sup -1/cm/sup -1/) and 510 nm (epsilon 3.8 x 10/sup 3/M/sup -1/cm/sup -1/)and pK/sub a/ = 6.3 while phenH. exhibits lambda/sub max/350 nm (epsilon 5.8 x 10/sup 3/M-/sup 1/cm/sup -1/) and 475 nm (epsilon 3.0 x 10/sup 3/M/sup -1/cm/sup -1/). PhenH. protonates to form phenH/sub 2//sup +/. with k = 8.3 x 10/sup 9/M/sup -1/s/sup -1/ and phen H/sub 2//sup +/. decays via second-order kinetics (2k = 1.6 x 10/sup 9/M/sup -1/s/sup -1/). In alkaline solution (pH 10-13) the decay of phenH. is first order (k = 2 x 10/sup 3/s/sup -1/). The bimolecular reaction appears to proceed predominantly via combination; a product has been isolated with the empirical formula C/sub 12/H/sub 11/N/sub 2/.ClO/sub 4/. The behavior of the one-electron reduction products is compared with that of species believed to be similar arising from the photoreduction of bpy and phen in aqueous solution. 10 figures, 1 table.

OSTI ID:
6137015
Journal Information:
J. Phys. Chem.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Phys. Chem.; (United States) Vol. 83:12; ISSN JPCHA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English