Phase Diagram of R(+)-S(-) Efaroxan Hydrochloride

The phase diagram of R(+)-S(-) efaroxan hydrochloride (T_fus.(R)=245.1±0.3°C. ΔH_fus.(R)=119.6±3.0 J g^-1) shows a racemic compound. The melting temperature and melting enthalpy of the compound are: T_fus.(RS)=247.8±0.2°C and ΔH_fus. (RS)=124.6±2.4 J g^-1. A solid ↔ solid transformation takes place at T_trs.=180±1°C, ΔH_trs.=15.0±0.4 J g^-1. This transition is observed between 3 and 97% R(+). The stability of the racemic compound already established in a previous study was confirmed by the value of Petterson's coefficient (i=1.19). The two eutectic positions at 20 and 80% R(+) that define the range over which the racemic compound is found, exclude the use of resolution methods by preferential crystallization. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

13C NMR of organosulphur compounds: I—the effects of sulphur substituents on the 13C chemical shifts of alkyl chains and of S-heterocycles

The ¹³C NMR spectra have been determined of: (i) aliphatic compounds having at one end a functionalized sulphur atom (? SH, ? S^?, ? SMe, ? S(O)Me, ? SO₂Me and ? S⁺Me₂) and (ii) saturated sulphur heterocycles variously substituted at the S-atom . The results are discussed in terms of the familiar deshielding effects for α- and β-carbons and shielding effects for γ-carbons, exerted by the sulphur atom itself and/or by the atoms or groups of which the sulphur function is made up. The γ-effect of the S-atom appears to be nearly independent of the nature of the S-function and of comparable magnitude to that of an aliphatic carbon (?2·5 + ?3·0 ppm). Surprisingly, however, a S? CH₃ group shields the carbon in γ position with respect to CH₃ by an amount (?5·4 ppm) which is more than twice that (?2·5 ppm) exerted by the aliphatic γ-carbon on the S-CH₃ carbon itself. As to the cyclic compounds, the shieldings of the α- and β-carbons can be rationalized in terms of the conformational orientation of the substituent at sulphur, and the equilibrium distribution of the conformers. The results confirm the great value of ¹³C NMR for configurational and conformational assignment of S-heterocycles.     

Generation and EPR Spectroscopy of the First Silenyl Radicals,R2C=Si.−R: Experiment and Theory

The first two persistent silenyl radicals (R₂C=Si^.?R), with a half‐life (t_1/2) of about 30 min, were generated and characterized by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. The large hyperfine coupling constants (hfccs) (a(²⁹Si_α)=137.5–148.0 G) indicate that the unpaired electron has substantial s character. DFT calculations, which are in good agreement with the experimentally observed hfccs, predict a strongly bent structure (?C=Si?R=134.7–140.7°). In contrast, the analogous vinyl radical, R₂C=C^.?R (t_1/2≈3 h), exhibits a small hfcc (a(¹³C_α)=26.6 G) and has a nearly linear geometry (?C=C?R=168.7°).     

Generation and EPR Spectroscopy of the First Silenyl Radicals,R2C=Si.−R: Experiment and Theory

The first two persistent silenyl radicals (R₂C=Si^.?R), with a half‐life (t_1/2) of about 30 min, were generated and characterized by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. The large hyperfine coupling constants (hfccs) (a(²⁹Si_α)=137.5–148.0 G) indicate that the unpaired electron has substantial s character. DFT calculations, which are in good agreement with the experimentally observed hfccs, predict a strongly bent structure (?C=Si?R=134.7–140.7°). In contrast, the analogous vinyl radical, R₂C=C^.?R (t_1/2≈3 h), exhibits a small hfcc (a(¹³C_α)=26.6 G) and has a nearly linear geometry (?C=C?R=168.7°).     

Tautomerism of monochalcogenosilanoic acids CH3Si(O)XH (X = S,Se, Te) in the gas phase and in the polar and aprotic solution: An ab initio computational investigation

Computational investigations by an ab initio molecular orbital method (HF and MP2) with the 6‐311+G(d,p) and 6‐311++G(2df, 2pd) basis sets on the tautomerism of three monochalcogenosilanoic acids CH₃Si(?O)XH (X = S, Se, and Te) in the gas phase and a polar and aprotic solution tetrahydrofuran (THF) was undertaken. Calculated results show that the silanol forms CH₃Si(?X)OH are much more stable than the silanone forms CH₃Si(?O)XH in the gas‐phase, which is different from the monochalcogenocarboxylic acids, where the keto forms CH₃C(?O)XH are dominant. This situation may be attributed to the fact that the Si? O and O? H single bonds in the silanol forms are stronger than the Si? X and X? H single bonds in the silanone forms, respectively, even though the Si?X (X = S, Se, and Te) double bonds are much weaker than the Si?O double bond. These results indicate that the stability of the monochalcogenosilanoic acid tautomers is not determined by the double bond energies, contrary to the earlier explanation based on the incorrect assumption that the Si?S double bond is stronger than the S?O double bond for the tautomeric equilibrium of RSi(?O)SH (R?H, F, Cl, CH₃, OH, NH₂) to shift towards the thione forms [RSi(?S)OH]. The binding with CH₃OCH₃ enhances the preference of the silanol form in the tautomeric equilibrium, and meanwhile significantly lowers the tautomeric barriers by more than 34 kJ/mol in THF solution. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2008     

Beiträge zur Chemie der Silicium-Schwefelverbindungen. XXXVIII. Hexa-(tri-t-butoxy)disiloxan und Hexa-(tri-t-butoxy)disilthian

Contributions to the Chemistry of Silicon Sulfur Compounds. XXXVIII. Hexa(tri-t-butoxy)disiloxane and Hexa(tri-t-butoxy)disilthiane Hexa(tri-t-butoxy)disiloxane 1 and Hexa(tri-t-butoxy)disilthiane 2 were prepared by reaction of R₃SiONa with R₃SiCl and R₃SiSNa with R₃SiCl (R = tri-t-butoxy), respectively. The mass spectra show characteristic series of fragments. A large ²⁹Si n.m.r. chemical shift of about —103.55 ppm is observed with 1 , whereas the value of 2 is —75.99 ppm. The crystal structure analysis of 1 result first in a colinear molecule (Si? ;O? ;Si = 180°) with 1 symmetry and relative short mean bond lengths of about d(Si? ;O) = 155.6 pm, but with large and strong anisotropic ellipsoids. Their quantitative rigid body analyses yield decisive corrections, namely a bent molecule with an Si? ;O? ;Si angle of 144.0° and d?_corr = 163.5 pm. Molecule 2 is also bent as expected (Si? ;S? ;Si = 110.5°, d?(Si? ;S) = 211.9 pm and after rigid body correction 108.0° and d_corr = 215.2 pm, respectively). The results of our investigations will be discussed corresponding to the energy differences of the varying configurations at the bridging atoms.     

Metastable P-Tellurium-Substituted Phosphaalkenes: Formation, 125Te- and 31P-NMR Spectroscopic Characterization,and Decomposition

Abstract

The formation and decomposition of P-tellurium-substituted phosphaalkenes was followed by ³¹P- and ¹²⁵Te-NMR spectroscopy. Acyclic compounds with C?P-Te moieties are in general thermally labile, but bulky substituents enhance the lifetime of a number of species. The P-chlorophosphaalkene (Me₃Si)₂C?PCl (1a) reacts with the disilyltelluride (iPrMe₂Si)₂Te (2) leading to the mixed-substituted telluride (Me₃Si)₂C?PTeSiMe₂iPr 3a which reacts with another equivalent of 1a furnishing the tellurobis(phosphaalkene) [(Me₃Si)₂C?P]₂Te (4a). 4a is a shortlived compound decomposing thermally with precipitation of elemental tellurium, leading to a known diphosphabicyclobutane 5a. In a similar way, the bulkier P-chlorophosphaalkene (iPrMe₂Si)₂C?PCl (1b) reacts with (iPrMe₃Si)₂Te furnishing [(iPrMe₂Si)₂C?P]₂Te (4b), which loses tellurium much more slowly than 4a and can be kept in cold solutions for an extended time. Reactions of in situ-prepared lithium aryltellurolates LiTeAr 6 – 9 [Ar?Ph: 6, Ar?2,4,6-Me₃Ph (?Mes): 7, Ar?2,4,6-iPr₃Ph (?TIP): 8, Ar?2,4,6-tBu₃Ph (?Mes*): 9] with 1a provide P-aryltellurophosphaalkenes 10 – 13, which decompose with the loss of diarylditellurides leading to 5a. After a 2 + 4 cycloaddition trapping experiment of 12 with cyclopentadiene, a metastable P-aryltelluro phosphanorbornene 14 was detected by ³¹P-NMR. Reactions of elemental tellurium with P-phosphanylphosphaalkenes (Me₃Si)₂C?PPR′R′;′ 15 – 17 (R′, R′′?iPr: 15; R′?iPr, R′′?tBu: 16; R′, R′′?tBu: 17) lead to metastable insertion products (Me₃Si)₂C?PTePR′R′′ 18 – 20 that decompose with formation of the tellurobisphosphanes (R′R′′P)₂Te 21 – 23, and of the bicyclic diphosphane 5a, which isomerises thermally to the diphosphabicyclooctane 24. The P-di-i-propylphosphanyl-phosphanorbornene 25 dismutates under the action of tellurium into the symmetric diphosphanes iPr₄P₂ and bis-phosphanorbornene 26. The tellurium-free products 24 and 26 were characterized by X-ray crystallography.     

Enantioselective synthesis of near enantiopure compound by asymmetric autocatalysis triggered by asymmetric photolysis with circularly polarized light

Right- and left-handed circularly polarized light (CPL) has been proposed as one of the origins of homochirality of biomolecules. However, the enantiomeric excess induced by CPL has been only very low (<2% ee). We found the unprecedented example of asymmetric autocatalysis triggered directly by a chiral physical factor, that is, right- and left-handed CPL, leading to a near enantiopure compound. Asymmetric photolysis of racemic pyrimidyl alkanol by r-CPL irradiation followed by asymmetric autocatalysis affords (R)-pyrimidyl alkanol with >99.5% ee. On the other hand, irradiation with l-CPL affords (S)-pyrimidyl alkanol with >99.5% ee. Thus, chiral physical power, such as CPL, in conjunction with asymmetric autocatalysis, provides a highly enantioenriched compound.     

Chirality of products in acid-catalysed rearrangement of α-pinene

Protonation of (1R)-(+)-a-pinene using gaseous H₃ ⁺ ions led to a racemic mixture of camphene and limonene, to partial and no racemization, in acidic solutions and in solid acids, respectively. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Oxo(trisyl)boran (Me3Si)3C?BO als Zwischenstufe

Oxo(trisyl)borane (Me₃Si)₃C? B?O as an Intermediate The acyclic trisylboranes R? B(OSiMe₃)? Cl ( 4 a ) and R? B(OH)? H ( 5 a ) and the cyclic boranes (? RB? O? CO? CO? O? ) ( 1 a ) and (? RB? O? RB? O? SO₂? O? ) ( 6 a ) [R = (Me₃Si)₃C, “Trisyl”] are thermolyzed in the gasphase to give well-defined products. The tris(trisyl)boroxine (? RB? O? )₃ ( 2 a ) is formed from 4 a and 5 a at 140 and 160°C, respectively, besides Me₃SiCl and H₂, respectively, whereas the six-membered ring [? BMe? CH(SiMe₃)? SiMe₂? O? SiMe₂? CH₂? ] ( 8 ) is the product from 1 a and 6 a at 600 and 700°C, respectively, besides CO/CO₂ and SO₃, respectively. The oxoborane R? B?O is presumably a common intermediate. It is stabilized at the lower temperature by cyclotrimerization to give 2 and at the higher temperature by a sequence of several intramolecular steps: a 1,3-silyl shift along the chain C? B? O, an exchange of Me and Me₃SiO along the chain Si? C? B, and a C? H addition to the B?C double bond; the steps can be rationalized by analogous known reactions. The gas-phase thermolysis at 600°C of the dioxaboracyclohexenes (? BR? O? CR′ = CH? CRR′? O? ) ( 7 b? d ; R = Me, iPr, tBu; R′ = Me) yields the boroxines (RBO)₃ and the enones Me? CO? CH?CHR? Me; the cyclohexene 7 e (R = Me; R′ = CF₃) is not decomposed at 600°C.     

STUDIES ON REGULARITY OF POLY PHENYLSILSESQUIOXANE CHAINS

IR and ~(29)Si NMR were used to determine the structures of ladderlike polymer polyphenylsilsesquioxanes (PPS). It was found that PPS with lots of defects had a wide and strong absorption band in 1000—1400 cm~(-1) with only one sharp peak at 1137 cm~(-1) while two peaks (1130 and 1045 cm~(-1) were observed for PPS with perfect ladderlike structure. Branching and crosslinking of PPS lead to the reduction of 1045 cm~(-1) peak. ~(29)Si NMR spectra, however, showed two peaks (δ=-78 ppm and -87 ppm when δ_(HMDS)=0 ppm) for defective or branched PPS. The -87 ppm peak is related to the ladderlikely constructed Si atoms and -78 ppm corresponds to defective Si atoms. PPS with defects less than 0.1% chain units was obtained by azeotropic polycondensations.     

The substitution of germanium for silicon in AST-type zeolite

The substitution of silicon by germanium in the AST zeolite framework type, [Si_nGe_40−nO₈₀]*4(SDA⁺F⁻) expressed as unit cell content in its cubic F-centered symmetry, has been studied. Three different kinds of templates, dimethyldiethylammonium, dimethyldiisopropylammonium and isopropyltrimethylammonium cations, were used in the hydrothermal synthesis process in fluoride medium. The products were identified with XRD, MAS NMR, SEM and thermal analysis. The analysis of the X-ray powder diagrams shows that AST crystallizes in different space group symmetries depending on the nature of the SDA and the degree of Ge-substitution. The resonance signals of ¹⁹F in MAS NMR experiments for the pure Si- and Ge-end members are at −38.2 and −15 ppm, respectively, indicating that the F⁻-anion is located as co-template in the double-four-ring (D4R) of the tetrahedral framework. This is confirmed by Rietveld analysis of powder diffraction data of the pure Ge-end member. The peak splitting of the ¹⁹F NMR signal in pure GeO₂AST-type material is related to the displacement of F⁻ location inside the D4R. Two more distinct signals at −8 and −19 ppm, respectively, are observed for X-ray pure AST-samples of intermediate compositions and assigned to fluoride in D4R built of 4[GeO₄]- and 4[SiO₄]-tetrahedra (4Ge, 4Si) and to (2Ge, 6Si)-D4R, respectively. An ordered distribution of Ge in the AST-framework is proposed for cubic AST with compositions around Si/Ge=1.5–1 by correlating the intensities of ¹⁹F NMR signals and the results from chemical analysis. This model is further confirmed by the quantitative analyses of the corresponding ²⁹Si MAS NMR spectra.     

Das reduzierte Nitridosilicat BaSi6N8

The Reduced Nitridosilicate BaSi₆N₈ The reduced nitridosilicate BaSi₆N₈ has been synthesized starting from barium nitride and silicon diimide in a radio‐frequency furnace at temperatures of about 1650 °C. The structure has been determined from X‐ray powder diffraction data and was refined by the Rietveld method (Imm2 (no. 44), a = 793.16(1), b = 934.37(2), c = 483.57(1) pm, V = 358.38(1) ·10⁶ pm³, Z = 2, wR_p = 0.0353, R_p = 0.0238, R_F² = 0.0660, 452 observed reflections, 42 parameters). BaSi₆N₈ crystallizes isotypically with SrSi₆N₈. The three‐dimensional Si‐N‐network consists of corner‐sharing SiN₄ tetrahedra and single bonds Si‐Si forming N₃Si‐SiN₃ building units. ²⁹Si solid‐state NMR spectra of BaSi₆N₈ resemble those of SrSi₆N₈ exhibiting two resonances at δ = ?54.3 and ?28.0 ppm. Their observed intensity ratio of approximately 2 : 1 can be attributed to the S iN₄ tetrahedra and the S i₂N₆ units, respectively. This observation is in accordance with the results from the X‐ray structure determination (Si at Wyckoff positions 8e ( S iN₄) and 4d ( Si ₂N₆)).     

A cyanide-bridged 1-D helical chain involving both four- and six-coordinate nickel(II)

A cyanide-bridged coordination polymer, {[Ni(tren)][Ni(CN)₄]} _n (tren?=?tris(2-aminoethyl)amine), has been synthesized by self-assembly of cis-[Ni(tren)]²⁺ and [Ni(CN)₄]^2? building blocks. In the molecular structure, the paramagnetic cis-[Ni(tren)]²⁺ cations are bridged by diamagnetic [Ni(CN)₄]^2? anions through two cis-cyanides to form a 1-D helical chain of {[Ni(tren)][Ni(CN)₄]} _n . The compound crystallizes with a centrosymmetrical space group, P2₁ /n, in which the helical chains are packed in alternating right- and left-handed chiralities with a helical pitch of 10.2566(3)?Å (equal to the length of the b-axis), leading to the formation of a racemic compound. The crystal packing is stabilized by moderately strong hydrogen-bonding between primary amines of tren and nitrogens of terminal cyanide.     

Bestimmung der Struktur von Phenyläthinyllithium in Lösung mittels Tieftemperatur-NMR-Spektroskopie

The dimeric and tetrametic structures of complexes of phenylethinyllithium, as recently discovered by X-ray analysis in the solid state, were also found to be present in solution. Tetrahydrofuran solutions of 1-(⁶Li)-[1-¹³C]-2-phenylethyne in the presence or absence of N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylpolymethylenediamines show a pentuplett ¹³C-NMR signal [δ=140 ppm, J(C,Li)=8.2 Hz] from the labelled C-atom at low temperatures (?95 to ?110°). This proves the dimeric structure. When (⁶Li)BuLi is added, a mixed dimer [(C₆H₅C?CLi)(C₄H₉Li)] is formed [δ=142 ppm, J(C,Li) = 7.8 Hz]. This is converted to a mixed tetramer [(C₆H₅C?CLi)(C₄H₉Li)₃] upon addition of larger amounts of (⁶Li)BuLi, as concluded from a signal at δ = 133.5 ppm, J(C,Li) = 5.6 Hz. The multiplicity of this signal suggests that a static tetramer is present, in which the C-atoms couple only with three next Li-neighbors.     

Synthèses photochimiques diastéréosélectives de complexes à liaison fer-métal du groupe 14

The diastereomeric Fe^*(MR₃(CO)(P^*R¹R²R³)Cp complexes (M  Si, Ge and Sn, R  aryl or methyl) are synthesized by photolysis of the prochiral Fe(MR₃(CO)₂Cp, precursors in the presence of the corresponding racemic phosphorus III ligands. Asymmetric induction at iron is observed if the phosphorus atom is bound to a group containing a specific heteroatom (nitrogen or oxygen).     

Spirocyclische Titanamide mit der Diphenylsila-titanadiazacyclobutan- Baueinheit. Kristall- und Molekülstruktur von Ti[(NSiMe3)2SiPh2]2 [1]

Durch Umsetzung der N-lithiierten Silylamine Ph₂Si(NHR)₂ mit SiCl₄ bzw. TiBr₄ wurden die spirocyclischen Amide B (R = Me, Et, i-Pr) und C (R = i-Pr, Me₃Si) dargestellt und ihre Konstitution durch Analysen, ¹H- und ²⁹Si-NMR-Spektren gesichert. Von C, R = Me₃Si, wurde an einem Einkristall eine Röntgenstrukturanalyse durchgeführt. Wichtige Strukturdaten sind: TiN 1,918(2) Å, SiN endocycl. 1,750(2) Å, exocycl. 1,738(2) Å, ? SiNTi 90,3(1)°. Spirocyclic Titanium Amides Containing the Diphenylsila-titana-diazacyclobutane Fragment. Crystal and Molecular Structure of Ti[(NSiMe₃)₂SiPh₂]₂ By reaction of the N-lithiated silylamines Ph₂Si(NHR)₂ with SiCl₄ and TiBr₄, the spirocyclic amides B (R = Me, Et, i-Pr) and C (R = i-Pr, Me₃Si) respectively have been prepared. Their constitutions have been confirmed by elemental analyses and by ¹H and ²⁹Si nmr spectroscopy. C, R = Me₃Si, has been investigated by a single crystal x-ray structure analysis. Important structural parameters are: TiN 1.918(2) Å, SiN endocycl. 1.750(2) Å, exocycl. 1.738(2) Å, ? SiNTi 90.3(1)°.     

Deprotonierte Dithiocarbaminsäureester als Thiolat-S-Donor-Liganden. Strukturen von Ph(H)NC(S)SMe,Co(PhNC(S)SMe)3 und Cu6(PhNC(S)SMe)6

Deprotonated Dithiocarbamic Acid Esters as Thiolate S-Donor Ligands. Structures of Ph(H)NC(S)SMe, Co(PhNC(S)SMe)₃, and Cu₆(PhNC(S)SMe)₆ The reaction of N-phenyl-S-methyldithiocarbamate, PhN(H)C(?S)SMe, ( 1 ) with cobalt(II) and copper(II) salts yields the monomeric compound Co^III(PhNC(S)SMe)₃ ( 2 ) and the hexameric compound Cu₆^I(PhNC(S)SMe)₆ ( 3 ). These complexes contain the negatively charged imino-thiolate ligand PhN?C(? S)SMe, which has been formed by deprotonation of 1 . The crystal structures of 1 – 3 have been determined. 1 forms centrosymmetrical dimers through N? H …? S bridge bonds, the conformation in the solid state and in solution is Z,E′. Co^III shows in 2 a trigonal-antiprismatic coordination, with the ligands acting as N,S-chelates. 3 contains an octahedral Cu₆-core with Cu …? Cu-distances ranging from 276.3(5) to 305.7(4) pm. Each copper center is trigonally coordinated to one nitrogen and two sulfur atoms of three different ligands. Crystal data: 1 , triclinic, space group P1 , a = 590.5(6), b = 869.0(1), c = 968.5(9) pm, α = 67.29(8), β = 78.44(8), γ = 81.64(9)°, Z = 2, 1 775 reflections, R(R_w) = 0.0317(0.032). 2 , orthorhombic, space group Pbca, a = 978.0(2), b = 1 842.9(4), c = 3 059.7(6) pm, Z = 8, 1 129 reflections, R(R_w) = 0.0997(0.0886). 3 , monoclinic, space group P2₁/c, a = 1 363.1(3), b = 1 342.8(3), c = 1 671.9(3) pm, β = 103.48°, Z = 2, 1 374 reflections, R(R_w) = 0.0708(0.0617).     

Beiträge zur Chemie der Silicium-Schwefel-Verbindungen. 46 [1]. 29Si-NMR-chemische Verschiebungen von Trialkoxysilylthioderivaten der Permethylpolysilane

Contributions to the Chemistry of Silicon-Sulphur Compounds. 46. ²⁹Si-N.M.R. Chemical Shifts of Trialkoxysilylthio Derivatives of Permethylpolysilanes ²⁹Si-N.M.R. chemical shifts of trialkoxysilythio derivatives of permethylpolysilanes of the two series: α, ω-(RO)₃SiS(SiMe₂)_nSSi(OR)₃, n = 2, 3, 4, 6 and 1-(RO)₃SiS(SiMe₂)_nMe, n = 2, 4; R = i-Pr, t-Bu and also ³¹C-NMR shifts are given. The relationship of ²⁹Si-NMR chemical shift from the netto charge at the silicon atom q(Si) which value has been corrected according to the Sandorfy C quantum-chemical model is discussed. The greater reduction of the electron density at silicon in compounds with Si? X bond (X = S, P, Cl) has been explained by a conjugation of the lone of sulphur with the Si? X bonding pair.     

Stereochemistry of the Inhibition of δ-Chymotrypsin with Optically Active Bicyclic Organophosphates: 31P-NMR studies

The inhibition of δ-chymotrypsin with optically active, axially and equatorially substituted trans-3-(2,4-dini-trophenoxy)-2,4-dioxa-3λ⁵-phospbubicyclo[4.4.0]decan-3-ones ( = hexahydro-4H-1,3,2-benzodioxaphosphorin 3-oxides) was investigated. Their inhibitory power was determined by kinetic measurements, and the stereochemical course of the reaction of stoichiometric amounts of the enzyme and inhibitor was monitored with ³¹P-NMR spectroscopy at pH 7.8. The irreversible inhibitors show significant enantioselectivity (the (S_p)-enantiomer reacting faster) and yield diastereoisomeric, covalently phosphorylated derivatives of δ-chymotrypsin. ³¹P-NMR Spectroscopic studies of the inhibition by the axially substituted inhibitor revealed for the racemic (±) -2a first a resonance at –4.4 ppm and later, while inhibition proceeded, a second one at –4.5 ppm. The reaction with optically active (+) -2a showed only one signal at –4.4 ppm and its enantiomer (–) -2a only one signal at –4.5 ppm. Using the equatorially substituted racemic epimer (±) -2b , we observed the main resonance at –5.3 ppm and two minor ones at –4.4 and –4.5 ppm. The optically active compound (+) -2b showed two peaks at –4.5 and –5.3 ppm, whereas its antipode (–) -2b revealed two signals at –4.4 and –5.3 ppm. Comparing the ³¹P chemical shifts of the corresponding covalent phosphoserine derivatives 4a (-5.7 ppm, axial) and 4b (-4.5 ppm, equatorial) shows the inhibition with the axial compounds 2a to proceed via neat inversion of the configuration at the P-atom, whereas the equatorial epimers 2b with a higher conformational flexibility seem to follow a different stereochemical pathway which results in both inversion and retention.