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Electron spin resonance investigator of the 5-halouracil and 5-halocytosine. pi. -cations produced by attack of the Cl/sub 2//sup -/ radical

Journal Article · · J. Phys. Chem.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6563091

The ..pi..-cation radicals of a number of 5-halopyrimidines have been produced by attack of the one-electron oxidizing agent, Cl/sub 2//sup -/, n ..gamma..-irradiated basic 12 M LiCl glasses at low temperatures. Analysis of the ESR spectra for the ..pi..-cations was completed with the inclusion of nuclear quadrupole terms for Cl, Br, and I, in addition to the hyperfine and g tensors. The halopyrimidines investigated were 5-fluorouracil, 5-chlorouracil, 5-bromouracil, 5-iodouracil, 5-fluorocytosine, and 5-bromocytosine. The results for the halouracil ..pi..-cations are found to be in agreement with previous results found for the N-1 deprotonated cations identified in single crystals and acid glasses. The halocytosine ..pi..-cations gave evidence for a further reaction after production by Cl/sub 2//sup -/ attack. Both the 5-fluorocytosine and 5-fluorouracil ..pi..-cation radicals show large fluorine couplings (A/sub zz/ = 150 G) and a single nitrogen coupling (A/sub zz/ = 13 G) at low temperatures. However, in the case of 5-fluorocytosine warming results in the conversion of the original ..pi..-cation to a new species whose fluorine splitting decreases dramatically to 115 G while two nitrogen splittings are found of nearly equal magnitude (A/sub zz/ = 16 G). These results are shown to be excellent evidence that deprotonation of the exocyclic nitrogen has taken place. Similar results are found with 5-bromocytosine. The reduction of the halogen splitting after deprotonation of the exocyclic nitrogen in 5-fluorocytosine and 5-bromocytosine is suggested to be a result of increased delocalization of the unpaired spin onto the exocyclic nitrogen. This is supported by INDO-MO calculations for the protonated and unprotonated structures.

Research Organization:
Oakland Univ., Rochester, MI
OSTI ID:
6563091
Journal Information:
J. Phys. Chem.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Phys. Chem.; (United States) Vol. 88:8; ISSN JPCHA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English