Singlet-oxygen reactions sensitized on solid surfaces of lignin or titanium dioxide: Product studies from hindered secondary amines and from lipid peroxidation

Product analyses and kinetic methods were used to determine the role of singlet oxygen in lignin-catalyzed oxidations of organic substrates. Method A used the ESR analysis of nitroxide radicals formed by singlet oxygen (Type II) on 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine, 1 , or tetramethylpiperidone, 2 . Method B used HPLC analysis of the 9- and 13-linoleate chain hydroperoxides formed on oxidation of methyl linoleate to distinguish free-radical peroxidation (Type I) from singlet-oxygen oxidation (Type II) on the basis of different cis,trans (kinetic) to trans,trans (thermodynamic) product ratios. Applications of method A to solid dispersions of lignin or titanium dioxide (TiO 2 , a known singlet-oxygen sensitizer) indicated singlet-oxygen reactions. In addition to the nitroxide triplet, irradiation of lignin produces a persistent broad signal in the solid attributed to phenoxyl radicals. Benzophenone and 3,5-di-tert-butyl-ortho-benzoquinone, 5 , coated on silica gel were used as models to compare the effects of irradiating such compounds on the products and kinetics of methyl linoleate oxidation. Benzophenone acted as an initiator, giving free-radical peroxidation, whereas 5 or lignin coated with methyl linoleate acted as singlet-oxygen sensitizers, according to both product studies (method B ) and the kinetic order in oxygen consumption during UV photolysis. Photolysis of phase-separated sensitizer (TiO 2 or lignin) and substrate (methyl linoleate) resulted in typical singlet-oxygen products. These results indicate that singlet oxygen plays a significant role in the photo-yellowing of high-lignin-content wood pulps. Key words: lignin, singlet oxygen, mechanism, peroxidation, products.