Amidinoquinoxaline N-oxides as novel spin traps

Abstract

A novel type of spin traps 1 derived from the pyrimidoquinoxaline N-oxide heterocyclic core is reported. EPR technique was used to evaluate their ability to trap methyl radicals generated in a Fenton reaction in the presence of DMSO. All the synthesized nitrones showed spin trapping properties and the corresponding nitroxides 2 were characterized by EPR. The novel spin traps showed remarkably persistent signals, as confirmed in a competition experiment with DMPO. The addition rate constants leading to the spin adducts (k_add) were determined, and very good correlations were found with steric and electronic parameters of the parent nitrones. The spin adducts decomposition rate constants (k_dec) and the corresponding half-life times (t_1/2) were also determined. DFT and MP2 calculations were used in order to rationalize the adducts hfcc and the structural factors influencing their addition and decomposition rates.