Phosphorus NMR Characterisation of P–N Bond Rotamers of a α‐P4S3 Amide with a Conformationally Constrained Chiral Substituent

Reactions of bicyclic α‐P₄S₃I₂ with Hpthiq gave solutions containing α‐P₄S₃(pthiq)I and α‐P₄S₃(pthiq)₂, where Hpthiq is the conformationally constrained chiral secondary amine 1‐phenyl‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroisoquinoline. The expected diastereomers have been characterised by complete analysis of their ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectra. Hindered P–N bond rotation in the amide iodide α‐P₄S₃(pthiq)I caused greater broadening of peaks in the room‐temperature spectrum of one diastereomer than in that of the other. At 183 K, spectra of two P–N bond rotamers for each diastereomer were observed and analysed. The minor rotamers showed strong evidence for steric crowding, having large diastereomeric differences in ¹J(P–P) and ²J(P–S–P) couplings (49 Hz, 16 % of value, and 4.4 Hz, 19 % of value, respectively).     

α‐Tetraphosphorus Trichalcogenide Diamides and Imides containing both Sulfur and Selenium

Reaction of a mixture of bicyclic phosphorus sulfide selenide iodides α‐P₄S_nSe_3−nI₂ (n = 0–3) with PrⁱNH₂ and Et₃N gave corresponding diamides α‐P₄S_nSe_3−n(NHPrⁱ)₂ (n = 0–3) and imides α‐P₄S_nSe_3−n(μ‐NPrⁱ) (n = 2–3), identified in solution by ³¹P NMR. In one isomer of α‐P₄S₂Se(μ‐NPrⁱ), the C₂ symmetry of imides such as α‐P₄S₃(μ‐NPrⁱ) was broken, allowing relative assignment of ²J NMR couplings to the PNP bridge and the PSP bridge opposite to it. The coupling through the sulfur bridge was found to be reduced to ca. zero, in contrast to previous assumptions for this class of compounds. Ab initio models were calculated at the MPW1PW91/svp level for the sulfide selenide imides and for a selection of bond rotamers of the diamides, and at the MPW1PW91/LanL2DZ(d) level for the sulfide selenide diiodides. Different skeletal isomers were prevalent for the mixed chalcogenide diamides than for the diiodides, showing that exchange of chalcogen between skeletal positions took place in the amination reaction even at room temperature. Similar differences to those observed were predicted by the models, suggesting that equilibrium was attained.     

Assignment of Phosphorus NMR Parameters to Absolute Configurations in Chiral Phosphorus Sulfide Cage Compounds,using Ab Initio Methods

The closo cage molecules α‐ and β‐P₄S₃(μ‐NCH(Me)Ph) were modelled at the RHF/3‐21G* and MPW1PW91/DZVP levels. For each, the conformational space corresponding to rotation about the C–N bond was explored, and relative average electronic energies were calculated. The β‐isomer was more stable than the α‐isomer by 10.7 kJ mol^?1, according to the DFT calculations, in contrast to the unsubstituted model compounds α‐ and β‐P₄S₃(μ‐NH), where the α‐isomer was more stable. GIAO calculations of phosphorus isotropic NMR shieldings, in the rotamers, led to relative average chemical shifts in the diastereomers. Comparison with experimental chemical shift differences gave an assignment to absolute configuration for α‐P₄S₃(μ‐NCH(Me)Ph), which agreed with the assignment obtained by comparing calculated relative diastereomer stability with observations. For β‐P₄S₃(μ‐NCH(Me)Ph), the GIAO calculations allowed relative assignment of observed chemical shifts to the nitrogen bridgehead phosphorus atoms.     

Aminoderivate von α‐P4S3, α‐P4Se3 und P3Se4 – Daten und Analyse der 31P‐NMR‐Spektren in Lösungen

Amino Derivatives of α‐P₄S₃, α‐P₄Se₃, and P₃Se₄; Data and Analyses of their ³¹P NMR Spectra in Solution α‐P₄S₃I₂, α‐P₄Se₃I₂, and P₃Se₄I were reacted with primary and secondary amines in CS₂. The reaction yields exo‐exo isomeres of α‐P₄S₃L₂ and α‐P₄Se₃L₂, the N‐bridged compounds α‐P₄S₃L′ and P₃Se₄L, with L = NHR¹, NPhR², THC (R¹ = ^tBu, Ad, Ph, Flu, TPMP; R² = Me, Et, ⁱPr), and L′ = NR¹. The ³¹P NMR data of the compounds in CS₂ solution were measured. By the reaction of α‐P₄Se₃I₂ with primary amines NH₂^tBu and NH₂Ad in CS₂ an asymmetric isomer α‐P₄Se₃I_endo(NHR¹)_exo was observed for the first time in the ³¹P NMR spectra. The influence of the ligands L on the ³¹P NMR parameter of α‐P₄S₃L₂, α‐P₄Se₃L₂, and P₃Se₄L is discussed.     

A Chiral Amide Derivative with the β‐P4S3 Cage Skeleton

The diamide exo, exo‐β‐P₄S₃(NHCH(Me)Ph)₂ has been made in solution using enantiomerically pure or racemic PhCH(Me)NH₂, and its three diastereomers characterised by complete analysis of their ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectra.The unsymmetric diastereomer contains phosphorus atoms, made chemically non‐equivalent by the chirality of the substituents, which show a large ²J(P—P—P) coupling to each other (225.2 Hz).     

Polycyclic Phosphorus Sulfide Compounds containing Chiral Amido or Imido Substituents

Reactions of α‐P₄S₃I₂ with (S)‐ or racemic‐RNH₂ (R = CH(Me)Ph) have given solutions containing exo, exo‐ or endo, exo‐α‐P₄S₃(NHR)₂, α‐ or β‐P₄S₃(μ‐NR), or P₄S₂(μ‐NR), as the first compounds with polycyclic phosphorus sulfide skeletons to contain chiral substituents. The expected diastereomers have been characterised by complete analysis of their ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectra, and relative configuration has been assigned in most cases. Considerable diastereomeric differences in coupling constants and chemical shifts were found.     

Ambident PCN Heterocycles: N‐ and P‐Phosphanylation of Lithium 1,3‐Benzazaphospholides

Synthetic and structural aspects of the phosphanylation of 1,3‐benzazaphospholides 1_Li , ambident benzofused azaphosphacyclopentadienides, are presented. The unusual properties of phospholyl‐1,3,2‐diazaphospholes inspired us to study the coupling of 1_Li with chlorodiazaphospholene 2 , which led to the N‐substituted product 3 . Reaction of 1_Li with chlorodiphenyl‐ and chlorodicyclohexylphosphane likewise gave N‐phosphanylbenzazaphospholes 4 and 5 , whereas with the more bulky di‐tert‐butyl‐ and di‐1‐adamantylchlorophosphanes, the diphosphanes 6 and 7 are obtained; in the case of 7 they are isolated as a dimeric LiCl(THF) adduct. Structural information was provided by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and solution NMR spectroscopy experiments. 2D exchange spectroscopy confirmed the existence of two rotamers of the aminophosphane 5 at room temperature; variable‐temperature NMR spectroscopy studies of 6 revealed two dynamic processes, low‐temperature inversion at ring phosphorus (ΔH^≠=22 kJ mol^?1, ΔS^≠=2 J K^?1 mol^?1) and very low‐temperature rotation of the tBu₂P group. Quantum chemical studies give evidence that 2‐unsubstituted benzazaphospholides prefer N‐phosphanylation, even with bulky chlorophosphanes, and that substituents at the 2‐position of the heterocycle are crucial for the occurrence of P–N rotamers and for switching to alternative P‐substitution, beyond a threshold steric bulk, by both P‐ and 2‐position substituents.     

Ein neues Phosphorsulfid mit Adamantangerüst: δ‐P4S7

A New Phosphorus Sulfide with Adamantane Structure: δ‐P₄S₇ By sulfur abstraction from α‐P₄S₉/P₄S₁₀ with triphenylphosphine a new phosphorus sulfide δ‐P₄S₇ with adamantane skeleton and an additional sulfur in exo‐position was identified in CS₂‐solution by ³¹P‐NMR spectroscopy. Product distribution and ³¹P‐NMR parameter are given.     

Imino‐Bridged Bisphosphaalkenes (2,4‐Diphospha‐3‐azapentadienes)

Deprotonation of aminophosphaalkenes (RMe₂Si)₂C?PN(H)(R′) (R=Me, iPr; R′=tBu, 1‐adamantyl (1‐Ada), 2,4,6‐tBu₃C₆H₂ (Mes*)) followed by reactions of the corresponding Li salts Li[(RMe₂Si)₂C?P(M)(R′)] with one equivalent of the corresponding P‐chlorophosphaalkenes (RMe₂Si)₂C?PCl provides bisphosphaalkenes (2,4‐diphospha‐3‐azapentadienes) [(RMe₂Si)₂C?P]₂NR′. The thermally unstable tert‐butyliminobisphosphaalkene [(Me₃Si)₂C?P]₂NtBu ( 4 a ) undergoes isomerisation reactions by Me₃Si‐group migration that lead to mixtures of four‐membered heterocyles, but in the presence of an excess amount of (Me₃Si)₂C?PCl, 4 a furnishes an azatriphosphabicyclohexene C₃(SiMe₃)₅P₃NtBu ( 5 ) that gave red single crystals. Compound 5 contains a diphosphirane ring condensed with an azatriphospholene system that exhibits an endocylic P?C double bond and an exocyclic ylidic P⁽⁺⁾? C^(?)(SiMe₃)₂ unit. Using the bulkier iPrMe₂Si substituents at three‐coordinated carbon leads to slightly enhanced thermal stability of 2,4‐diphospha‐3‐azapentadienes [(iPrMe₂Si)₂C?P]₂NR′ (R′=tBu: 4 b ; R′=1‐Ada: 8 ). According to a low‐temperature crystal‐structure determination, 8 adopts a non‐planar structure with two distinctly differently oriented P?C sites, but ³¹P NMR spectra in solution exhibit singlet signals. ³¹P NMR spectra also reveal that bulky Mes* groups (Mes*=2,4,6‐tBu₃C₆H₂) at the central imino function lead to mixtures of symmetric and unsymmetric rotamers, thus implying hindered rotation around the P? N bonds in persistent compounds [(RMe₂Si)₂C?P]₂NMes* ( 11 a , 11 b ). DFT calculations for the parent molecule [(H₃Si)₂C?P]₂NCH₃ suggest that the non‐planar distortion of compound 8 will have steric grounds.     

Aggregation of amyloid Aβ(1–40) peptide in perdeuterated 2,2,2‐trifluoroethanol caused by ultrasound sonication

Ultrasound sonication of protein and peptide solutions is routinely used in biochemical, biophysical, pharmaceutical and medical sciences to facilitate and accelerate dissolution of macromolecules in both aqueous and organic solvents. However, the impact of ultrasound waves on folding/unfolding of treated proteins, in particular, on aggregation kinetics of amyloidogenic peptides and proteins is not understood. In this work, effects of ultrasound sonication on the misfolding and aggregation behavior of the Alzheimer's Aβ_(1–40)‐peptide is studied by pulsed‐field gradient (PFG) spin–echo diffusion NMR and UV circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Upon simple dissolution of Aβ_(1–40) in perdeuterated trifluoroethanol, CF₃‐CD₂‐OD (TFE‐d₃), the peptide is present in the solution as a stable monomer adopting α‐helical secondary structural motifs. The self‐diffusion coefficient of Aβ_(1–40) monomers in TFE‐d₃ was measured as 1.35 × 10^?10 m² s^?1, reflecting its monomeric character. However, upon ultrasonic sonication for less than 5 min, considerable populations of Aβ molecules (ca 40%) form large aggregates as reflected in diffusion coefficients smaller than 4.0 × 10^?13 m² s^?1. Sonication for longer times (up to 40 min in total) effectively reduces the fraction of these aggregates in ¹H PFG NMR spectra to ca 25%. Additionally, absorption below 230 nm increased significantly upon sonication treatment, an observation, which also clearly confirms the ongoing aggregation process of Aβ_(1–40) in TFE‐d₃. Surprisingly, upon ultrasound sonication only small changes in the peptide secondary structure were detected by CD: the peptide molecules mainly adopt α‐helical motifs in both monomers and aggregates formed upon sonication. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthese und Kristallstrukturen von α‐ und β‐Ba3(PS4)2 sowie von Ba3(PSe4)2

Synthesis and Crystal Structures of α‐, β‐Ba₃(PS₄)₂ and Ba₃(PSe₄)₂ Ba₃(PS₄)₂ and Ba₃(PSe₄)₂ were prepared by heating mixtures of the elements at 800 °C for 25 h. Both compounds were investigated by single crystal X‐ray methods. The thiophosphate is dimorphic and undergoes a displacive phase transition at about 75 °C. Both modifications crystallize in new structure types. In the room temperature phase (α‐Ba₃(PS₄)₂: P2₁/a; a = 11.649(3), b = 6.610(1), c = 17.299(2) Å, β = 90.26(3)°; Z = 4) three crystallographically independent Ba atoms are surrounded by ten sulfur atoms forming distorted polyhedra. The arrangement of the PS₄ tetrahedra, isolated from each other, is comparable with the formation of the SO₄^2? ions of β‐K₂SO₄. In β‐Ba₃(PS₄)₂ (C2/m; a = 11.597(2), b = 6.727(1), c = 8.704(2) Å; β = 90.00(3)°; Z = 2) the PS₄ tetrahedra are no more tilted along [001], but oriented parallel to each other inducing less distorted tetrahedra and polyhedra around the Ba atoms, respectively. Ba₃(PSe₄)₂ (P2₁/a; a = 12.282(2), b = 6.906(1), c = 18.061(4) Å; β = 90.23(3)°; Z = 4) is isotypic to α‐Ba₃(PS₄)₂ and no phase transition could be detected up to about 550 °C.     

Aktivierung von Schwefelkohlenstoff an Trirutheniumclustern: Synthese und Kristallstruktur von [Ru3(CO)5(μ‐H)2(μ‐PCy2)(μ‐Ph2PCH2PPh2){μ‐η2‐PCy2C(S)}(μ3‐S)] und [Ru3(CO)5(CS)(μ‐H)(μ‐PtBu2)(μ‐PCy2)2(μ3‐S)]

Activation of Carbon Disulfide on Triruthenium Clusters: Synthesis and X‐Ray Crystal Structure Analysis of [Ru₃(CO)₅(μ‐H)₂(μ‐PCy₂)(μ‐Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂){μ‐η²‐PCy₂C(S)}(μ₃‐S)] and [Ru₃(CO)₅(CS)(μ‐H)(μ‐P^tBu₂)(μ‐PCy₂)₂(μ₃‐S)] [Ru₃(CO)₆(μ‐H)₂(μ‐PCy₂)₂(μ‐dppm)] ( 1 ) (dppm = Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂) reacts under mild conditions with CS₂ and yields by oxidative decarbonylation and insertion of CS into one phosphido bridge the opened 50 VE‐cluster [Ru₃(CO)₅(μ‐H)₂(μ‐PCy₂)(μ‐dppm){μ‐η²‐PCy₂C(S)}(μ₃‐S)] ( 2 ) with only two M–M bonds. The compound 2 crystallizes in the triclinic space group P 1 with a = 19.093(3), b = 12.2883(12), c = 20.098(3) Å; α = 84.65(3), β = 77.21(3), γ = 81.87(3)° and V = 2790.7(11) ų. The reaction of [Ru₃(CO)₇(μ‐H)(μ‐P^tBu₂)(μ‐PCy₂)₂] ( 3 ) with CS₂ in refluxing toluene affords the 50 VE‐cluster [Ru₃(CO)₅(CS)(μ‐H)(μ‐P^tBu₂)(μ‐PCy₂)₂(μ₃‐S)] ( 4 ). The compound cristallizes in the monoclinic space group P 2₁/a with a = 19.093(3), b = 12.2883(12), c = 20.098(3) Å; β = 104.223(16)° and V = 4570.9(10) ų. Although in the solid state structure one elongated Ru–Ru bond has been found the complex 4 can be considered by means of the ³¹P‐NMR data as an electron‐rich metal cluster.     

Dynamics and counterion-dependence of the structures of weakly bound Ag+-P4S3 complexes

In an earlier publication (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2002 , 124, 7111) we showed that polymeric cationic [Ag(P₄S₃)_n]⁺ complexes (n=1, 2) are accessible if partnered with a suitable weakly coordinating counterion of the type [Al(OR^F)₄]^? (OR^F: poly‐ or perfluorinated alkoxide). The present work addresses the following questions that could not be answered in the initial report: How many P₄S₃ cages can be bound to a Ag⁺ ion? Why are these complexes completely dynamic in solution in the ³¹P NMR experiments? Can these dynamics be frozen out in a low‐temperature ³¹P MAS NMR experiment? What are the principal binding sites of the P₄S₃ cage towards the Ag⁺ ion? What are likely other isomers on the [Ag(P₄S₃)_n]⁺ potential energy surface? Counterion influence: Reactions of P₄S₃ with Ag[Al{OC(CH₃)(CF₃)₂}₄] (Ag[hftb]) and Ag[{(CF₃)₃CO}₃Al‐F‐Al{OC(CF₃)₃)}₃] (Ag[al‐f‐al]) gave [(P₄S₃)Ag[hftb]]_∞ ( 7 ) as a molecular species, whereas [Ag₂(P₄S₃)₆]²⁺[al‐f‐al]^?₂ ( 8 ) is an isolated 2:1 salt. We suggest that a maximum of three P₄S₃ cages may be bound on average to an Ag⁺ ion. Only isolated dimeric dications are formed with the largest cation, but polymeric species are obtained with all other smaller aluminates. Thermodynamic Born–Haber cycles, DFT calculations, as well as solution NMR and ESI mass spectrometry indicate that 8 exhibits an equilibrium between the dication [Ag₂(P₄S₃)₆]²⁺ (in the solid state) and two [Ag(P₄S₃)₃]⁺ monocations (in the gas phase and in solution). Dynamics: ³¹P MAS NMR spectroscopy showed these solid adducts to be highly dynamic, to an extent that the ²J_P,P coupling within the cages could be resolved (J‐res experiment). This is supported by DFT calculations, which show that the extended PES of [Ag(P₄S₃)_n]⁺ (n=1–3) and [Ag₂(P₄S₃)₂]⁺ is very flat. The structures of α‐ and γ‐P₄S₃ were redetermined. Their variable‐temperature ³¹P MAS NMR spectra are discussed jointly with those of all four currently known [Ag(P₄S₃)_n]⁺ adducts with n=1, 2, and 3.     

A triclinic polymorph of cyclo‐tetra‐μ‐thiosaccharinato‐κ8S:S‐tetrakis[(triphenylphosphane‐κP)silver(I)]

The triclinic structure of the title compound, cyclo‐tetrakis(μ‐1,1‐dioxo‐1λ⁶,2‐benzothiazole‐3‐thiolato‐κ²S:S)tetrakis[(triphenylphosphane‐κP)silver(I)], [Ag₄(C₇H₄NO₂S₂)₄(C₁₈H₁₅P)₄], is a polymorph of the previously reported monoclinic structure [Dennehy, Mandolesi, Quinzani & Jennings (2007). Z. Anorg. Allg. Chem. 633 , 2746–2752]. In both polymorphs, the complex lies on a crystallographic inversion centre and the bond distances are closely comparable. Some differences can be found in the interatomic angles and torsion angles involving the inner Ag₄S₄ skeleton. The polymorphs contain essentially identical two‐dimensional layers, but with different layer stacking arrangements. In the triclinic form, all layers are related by lattice translation, while in the monoclinic form they are arranged around glide planes so that adjacent layers are mirrored with respect to each other.     

Hydrogels Composed of Organic Amphiphiles and α‐Cyclodextrin: Supramolecular Networks of Their Pseudorotaxanes in Aqueous Media

Mixtures of N‐alkyl pyridinium compounds [py‐N‐(CH₂)_nOC₆H₃‐3,5‐(OMe)₂]⁺(X^?) ( 1b Cl: n=10, X=Cl; 1c Br: n=12, X=Br) and α‐cyclodextrin (α‐CD) form supramolecular hydrogels in aqueous media. The concentrations of the two components influences the sol–gel transition temperature, which ranges from 7 to 67 °C. Washing the hydrogel with acetone or evaporation of water left the xerogel, and ¹³C CP/MAS NMR measurements, powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that the xerogel of 1b Cl (or 1c Br) and α‐CD was composed of pseudorotaxanes with high crystallinity. ¹³C{¹H} and ¹H NMR spectra of the gel revealed the detailed composition of the components. The gel from 1b Cl and α‐CD contains the corresponding [2]‐ and [3]pseudorotaxanes, [ 1b? (α‐CD)]Br and [ 1b? (α‐CD)₂]Br, while that from 1c Br and α‐CD consists mainly of [3]pseudorotaxane [ 1c? (α‐CD)₂]Br. 2D ROESY ¹H NMR measurements suggested intermolecular contact of 3,5‐dimethoxyphenyl and pyridyl end groups of the axle component. The presence of the [3]pseudorotaxane is indispensable for gel formation. Thus, intermolecular interaction between the end groups of the axle component and that between α‐CDs of the [3]pseudorotaxane contribute to formation of the network. The supramolecular gels were transformed into sols by adding denaturing agents such as urea, C₆H₃‐1,3,5‐(OH)₃, and [py‐N‐nBu]⁺(Cl^?).     

Stereoselective Preparation of 3‐Amino‐2‐fluoro Carboxylic Acid Derivatives,and Their Incorporation in Tetrahydropyrimidin‐4(1H)‐ones,and in Open‐Chain and Cyclic β‐Peptides

The preparation of (2S,3S)‐ and (2R,3S)‐2‐fluoro and of (3S)‐2,2‐difluoro‐3‐amino carboxylic acid derivatives, 1 – 3 , from alanine, valine, leucine, threonine, and β³h‐alanine (Schemes 1 and 2, Table) is described. The stereochemical course of (diethylamino)sulfur trifluoride (DAST) reactions with N,N‐dibenzyl‐2‐amino‐3‐hydroxy and 3‐amino‐2‐hydroxy carboxylic acid esters is discussed (Fig. 1). The fluoro‐β‐amino acid residues have been incorporated into pyrimidinones ( 11 – 13 ; Fig. 2) and into cyclic β‐tri‐ and β‐tetrapeptides 17 – 19 and 21 – 23 (Scheme 3) with rigid skeletons, so that reliable structural data (bond lengths, bond angles, and Karplus parameters) can be obtained. β‐Hexapeptides Boc[(2S)‐β³hXaa(αF)]₆OBn and Boc[β³hXaa(α,αF₂)]₆‐OBn, 24 – 26 , with the side chains of Ala, Val, and Leu, have been synthesized (Scheme 4), and their CD spectra (Fig. 3) are discussed. Most compounds and many intermediates are fully characterized by IR‐ and ¹H‐, ¹³C‐ and ¹⁹F‐NMR spectroscopy, by MS spectrometry, and by elemental analyses, [α]_D and melting‐point values.     

Synthesis and High‐Resolution NMR Structure of a β3‐Octapeptide with and without a Tether Introduced by Olefin Metathesis

Bridging between (i)‐ and (i+3)‐positions in a β³‐peptide with a tether of appropriate length is expected to prevent the corresponding 3₁₄‐helix from unfolding (Fig. 1). The β³‐peptide H‐β³hVal‐β³hLys‐β³hSer(All)‐β³hPhe‐β³hGlu‐β³hSer(All)‐β³hTyr‐β³hIle‐OH ( 1 ; with allylated βhSer residues in 3‐ and 6‐position), and three tethered β‐peptides 2 – 4 (related to 1 through ring‐closing metathesis) have been synthesized (solid‐phase coupling, Fmoc strategy, on chlorotrityl resin; Scheme). A comparative CD analysis of the tethered β‐peptide 4 and its non‐tethered analogue 1 suggests that helical propensity is significantly enhanced (threefold CD intensity) by a (CH₂)₄ linker between the β³hSer side chains (Fig. 2). This conclusion is based on the premise that the intensity of the negative Cotton effect near 215 nm in the CD spectra of β³‐peptides represents a measure of ‘helical content’. An NMR analysis in CD₃OH of the two β³‐octapeptide derivatives without (i.e., 1 ) and with tether (i.e., 4 ; Tables 1–6, and Figs. 4 and 5) provided structures of a degree of precision (by including the complete set of side chain–side chain and side chain–backbone NOEs) which is unrivaled in β‐peptide NMR‐solution‐structure determination. Comparison of the two structures (Fig. 5) reveals small differences in side‐chain arrangements (separate bundles of the ten lowest‐energy structures of 1 and 4 , Fig. 5, A and B ) with little deviation between the two backbones (superposition of all structures of 1 and 4 , Fig. 5, C ). Thus, the incorporation of a CH₂? O? (CH₂)₄? O? CH₂ linker between the backbone of the β³‐amino acids in 3‐ and 6‐position (as in 4 ) does accurately constrain the peptide into a 3₁₄‐helix. The NMR analysis, however, does not suggest an increase in the population of a 3₁₄‐helical backbone conformation by this linkage. Possible reasons for the discrepancy between the conclusion from the CD spectra and from the NMR analysis are discussed.     

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of α‐ThTe3

The binary thorium tritelluride, α‐ThTe₃, was synthesized by solid‐state methods at 1223 K. From a single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction study the material crystallizes in the TiS₃ structure type with two formula units in space group C²_2h–P2₁/m of the monoclinic system in a cell with lattice constants a = 6.1730 (4) Å, b = 4.3625(3) Å, c = 10.4161(6) Å, and β = 97.756(3)° (at 100 K). The asymmetric unit of this compound comprises one Th atom and three Te atoms each with site symmetry m. Each Th atom is coordinated to eight Te atoms in a bicapped trigonal‐pyramidal arrangement. Th–Te distances range from 3.1708(4) Å to 3.2496(6) Å. The structure features a Te–Te interaction 2.7631(8) Å in length, which is typical for a Te–Te single bond. Thus α‐ThTe₃ may be charge balanced and formulated as Th⁴⁺Te^2–Te₂^2–.     

Conformational Study of Heteropentapeptides Containing an α‐Ethylated α,α‐Disubstituted Amino Acid: (S)‐Butylethylglycine (=2‐Amino‐2‐ethylhexanoic Acid) within a Sequence of Dimethylglycine (=2‐Aminoisobutyric Acid) Residues

Heteropentapeptides containing the α‐ethylated α,α‐disubstituted amino acid (S)‐butylethylglycine and four dimethylglycine residues, i.e., CF₃CO‐[(S)‐Beg]‐(Aib)₄‐OEt ( 4 ) and CF₃CO‐(Aib)₂‐[(S)‐Beg]‐(Aib)₂‐OEt ( 7 ), were synthesized by conventional solution methods. In the solid state, the preferred conformation of 4 was shown to be both a right‐handed (P) and a left‐handed (M) 3₁₀‐helical structure, and that of 7 was a right‐handed (P) 3₁₀‐helical structure. IR, CD, and ¹H‐NMR spectra revealed that the dominant conformation of both 4 and 7 in solution was the 3₁₀‐helical structure. These conformations were also supported by molecular‐mechanics calculations.     

Synthesis of β‐Peptides with β‐Helices from New C‐Linked Carbo‐β‐Amino Acids: Study on the Impact of Carbohydrate Side Chains

The design and synthesis of β‐peptides from new C‐linked carbo‐β‐amino acids (β‐Caa) presented here, provides an opportunity to understand the impact of carbohydrate side chains on the formation and stability of helical structures. The β‐amino acids, Boc‐(S)‐β‐Caa_(g)‐OMe 1 and Boc‐(R)‐β‐Caa_(g)‐OMe 2 , having a D ‐galactopyranoside side chain were prepared from D ‐galactose. Similarly, the homo C‐linked carbo‐β‐amino acids (β‐hCaa); Boc‐(S)‐β‐hCaa_(x)‐OMe 3 and Boc‐(R)‐β‐hCaa_(x)‐OMe 4 , were prepared from D ‐glucose. The peptides derived from the above monomers were investigated by NMR, CD, and MD studies. The β‐peptides, especially the shorter ones obtained from the epimeric (at the amine stereocenter C_β) 1 and 2 by the concept of alternating chirality, showed a much smaller propensity to form 10/12‐helices. This substantial destabilization of the helix could be attributed to the bulkier D ‐galactopyranoside side chain. Our efforts to prepare peptides with alternating 3 and 4 were unsuccessful. However, the β‐peptides derived from alternating geometrically heterochiral (at C_β) 4 and Boc‐(R)‐β‐Caa_(x)‐OMe 5 (D ‐xylose side chain) display robust right‐handed 10/12‐helices, while the mixed peptides with alternating 4 and Boc‐β‐hGly‐OMe 6 (β‐homoglycine), resulted in left‐handed β‐helices. These observations show a distinct influence of the side chains on helix formation as well as their stability.