SYNTHESIS AND SPIN-TRAPPING CHEMISTRY OF 5,5-DIMETHYL-2-(TRIFLUOROMETHYL)-1-PYRROLINE N-OXIDE

A new five-membered ring nitrone, 5,5-dimethyl-2-(trifluoromethyl)-1-p yrroline N-oxide (2-TFDMPO), is synthesized for the purpose of spin tr apping in free radical biology. Most of the spin adducts of 2-TFDMPO a re persistent, and EPR, ENDOR, and MS spectra can be obtained. A varie ty of radicals give characteristic spectral signatures, among which is a rare type of line width alternation pattern due to hindered rotatio n of the trifluoromethyl group.