Synthesis and characterization of a perchlorotriphenylmethyl (trityl) triester radical: a potential sensor for superoxide and oxygen in biological systems

摘要

Synthesis and characterization of an inert perchlorotriphenylmethyl triester radical, PTM-TE, are reported. PTM-TE was prepared by a facile 3-step synthesis using Friedal-Crafts reaction of tetrachlorobenzene with chloroform followed by ethoxycarbonylation and subsequent oxidation. PTM-TE is paramagnetic, and detected as a single sharp peak by EPR spectroscopy. In solution, the EPR linewidth of PTM-TE is highly sensitive to the dissolved oxygen content, thus enabling accurate measurement of oxygen concentration (oximetry). In addition, the radical also shows high reactivity to superoxide. The ester radical has the potential for use as a high-sensitive probe for determination of oxygen concentration and superoxide in biological systems.