Charge transfer reactions of some naturally occurring quinones across a novel biomimetic lipid model membrane

Higson, Séamus (1991) Charge transfer reactions of some naturally occurring quinones across a novel biomimetic lipid model membrane. University of Southampton, Doctoral Thesis.

Abstract

A biomimetic membrane system consisting of an adsorbed phospholipid monolayer on a hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE), equivalent to half a lipid bilayer has been developed. Charge transfer processes of naturally occurring quinone charge transfer mediators such as various ubiquinones, members of the K series of vitamin compounds and members of the E series of vitamin compounds have been studied using a variety of electrochemical techniques. Models have been presented to explain the electrochemical behaviour of the charge transfer mediators within different lipid environments. Evidence has been presented suggesting the existence and disproportionation of a semiquinone species that may be mobile within the lipid monolayers. Direct changes of redox mechanisms involving the quinone mediators have been shown suggesting the formation of two dimensional reverse micelles above a critical concentration equivalent to a critical micelle concentration. UV visible spectroscopy and electro-reflectance techniques have been used to study quinone containing lipid monolayers adsorbed on a gold/mercury amalgam electrode. Further evidence is presented confirming the existence of a semiquinone radical as an intermediate in redox processes.

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