Quantum chemical and nuclear magnetic resonance spectral studies on molecular properties and electronic structure of berberine and berberrubine

The structural and electronic properties of berberine and berberrubine have been studied extensively using density functional theory (DFT) employing B3LYP exchange correlation. The geometries of these molecules have been fully optimized at the B3LYP/6-311G** level. The chemical shift of 1H and 13C resonances in NMR spectra of these molecules have been calculated using the gauge invariant atomic model (GIAO) method as implemented in Gaussian 98. One- and two-dimensional HSQC (1H-13C), HMBC (1H-13C) and ROESY (1H-1H) spectra were recorded at 500 MHz for the berberine molecule in D(2)O solution. All proton and carbon resonances were unambiguously assigned, and inter-proton distances obtained from ten observed NOE contacts. A restrained molecular dynamics (RMD) approach was used to get the optimized solution structure of berberine. The structure of berberine and berberrubine molecules was also obtained using the ROESY data available in literature. Comparison of the calculated NMR chemical shifts with the experimental values revealed that DFT methods produce very good results for both proton and carbon chemical shifts. The importance of the basis sets to the calculated NMR parameters is discussed. It has been found that calculated structure and chemical shifts in the gas phase predicted with B3LYP/6-311G** are in very good agreement with the present experimental data and the measured values reported earlier.     

Toward the complete prediction of the 1H and 13C NMR spectra of complex organic molecules by DFT methods: application to natural substances

The NMR parameters (1H and 13C chemical shifts and coupling constants) for a series of naturally occurring molecules have been calculated mostly with DFT methods, and their spectra compared with available experimental ones. The comparison includes strychnine as a test case, as well as some examples of recently isolated natural products (corianlactone, daphnipaxinin, boletunone B) featuring unusual and/or crowded structures and, in the case of boletunone B, being the subject of a recent revision. Whenever experimental spectra were obtained in polar solvents, the calculation of NMR parameters was also carried out with the Integral Equation-Formalism Polarizable Continuum Model (IEF-PCM) continuum method. The computed results generally show a good agreement with experiment, as judged not only by statistical parameters but also by visual comparison of line spectra. The origin of the remaining discrepancies is attributed to the incomplete modeling of conformational and specific solvent effects.     

Spectroscopic investigation (IR and NMR) and HOMO-LUMO analysis of aromatic imines using theoretical approach

In this work, the theoretical studies on the structure, FT-IR, NMR, and UV–Vis spectroscopy of (E)-N-benzylidenebenzenamine (A1) and (E)-N-(2, 4′-dichlorobenzylidene) propan-1-amine (A2) are presented. The optimized structure of the molecules, NMR and UV–Vis spectra analysis were determined by the Density Functional Theory (DFT) method using B3LYP/6-311G (d, p) basis set. For FT-IR analysis, both the HF and DFT methods were used in order to determine their accuracy and reliability in theoretical calculations. The computed result of DFT calculations in comparison with the experimental results showed that the DFT method gives a more accurate prediction. The infrared (IR) spectra for the imine molecules have been recorded in the region of 500–4000 cm^?1. The gauge-independent atomic orbital (GIAO) method has been used to evaluate the ¹³C and ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) chemical shifts of the molecules. The computed results of NMR spectra of the molecules was found to be in good agreement with the experimental data. The UV–Vis spectra of the molecules were computed to determine the HOMO-LUMO energies in order to gain insight into their electronic properties. Mulliken population analysis on atomic charges of the molecules was also calculated using the HF (Hartree-Fock) and B3LYP method. All the computed results indicated that the B3LYP method provides satisfactory results and, therefore, can be employed to support experimental data. It also demonstrated a reliable approach towards characterization of molecules in chemical science.     

Solution and solid-state effects on NMR chemical shifts in sesquiterpene lactones: NMR, X-ray, and theoretical methods

Selected guaianolide type sesquiterpene lactones were studied combining solution and solid-state NMR spectroscopy with theoretical calculations of the chemical shifts in both environments and with the X-ray data. The experimental (1)H and (13)C chemical shifts in solution were successfully reproduced by theoretical calculations (with the GIAO method and DFT B3LYP 6-31++G**) after geometry optimization (DFT B3LYP 6-31 G**) in vacuum. The GIPAW method was used for calculations of solid-state (13)C chemical shifts. The studied cases involved two polymorphs of helenalin, two pseudopolymorphs of 6α-hydroxydihydro-aromaticin and two cases of multiple asymmetric units in crystals: one in which the symmetry-independent molecules were connected by a series of hydrogen bonds (geigerinin) and the other in which the symmetry-independent molecules, deprived of any specific intermolecular interactions, differed in the conformation of the side chain (badkhysin). Geometrically different molecules present in the crystal lattices could be easily distinguished in the solid-state NMR spectra. Moreover, the experimental differences in the (13)C chemical shifts corresponding to nuclei in different polymorphs or in geometrically different molecules were nicely reproduced with the GIPAW calculations.     

Studies on the Electronic Structures and Spectra of C78（CH2）3

The structures and spectra of 20 possible isomers of C78(CH2)3 have been studied by using AM1,INDO/CIS and DFT methods. The results show that the most stable isomer is 1,2,3,4,5,6-C78(CH2)3 (A) with annulene structures,where three -CH2 groups are added to the 6/6 bonds located at the same hexagon passed by the shortest axis of C78 (C2v). Compared with that of C78 (C2v),the first absorption in the electronic spectrum of C78(CH2)3 (A) is blue-shifted because of its wider LUMO-HOMO energy gap. While the IR frequencies of the C–C bonds on the carbon cage are red-shifted owing to the formation of annulene structures and the extension of the conjugated system. The chemical shifts of the carbon atoms in 13C NMR spectra are moved upfield upon the addition.     

Predicting the NMR spectra of nucleotides by DFT calculations: cyclic uridine monophosphate

We present an experimental and quantum chemical NMR study of the mononucleotide cyclic uridine monophosphate in water. Spectral parameters ((1)H and (13)C chemical shifts and (1)H--(1)H, (13)C--(1)H, (31)P--(13)C and (31)P--(1)H spin-spin coupling constants) have been carefully obtained experimentally and calculated using DFT methods including the solvent effect and the conformational flexibility of the solute. This study confirms that the (1)H and (13)C spectra of polar, flexible molecules in aqueous solution can be predicted with a high level of accuracy, comparable to that obtained for less complex systems.     

A study on quantum chemical calculations of 3-, 4-nitrobenzaldehyde oximes

The molecular geometry, vibrational frequencies, 1H and 13C NMR chemical shifts, UV-vis spectra, HOMO-LUMO analyses, molecular electrostatic potentials (MEPs), , thermodynamic properties and atomic charges of 3- and 4-Nitrobenzaldehyde oxime (C7H6N2O3) molecules have been investigated by using Hartree-Fock (HF) and density functional theory (DFT/B3LYP) methods with the 6-311++G(d, p) basis set. The calculated optimized geometric parameters (bond lengths and bond angles), the vibrational frequencies calculated and 13C and 1H NMR chemical shifts values for the mentioned compounds are in a very good agreement with the experimental data. Furthermore, the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) have been simulated and the transition states, energy band gaps and molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) maps for each oxime compound have been determined. Additionally, we also report the infrared intensities and Raman activities for the compounds under study.     

A partial proton transfer in hydrogen bond O-H···O in crystals of anhydrous potassium and rubidium complex chloranilates

Hydrogen bonding and proton transfer in the solid state are studied on the crystals of isostructural anhydrous potassium and rubidium complex chloranilates by variable-temperature single crystal X-ray diffraction, solid state (1)H NMR and IR spectroscopies, and periodic DFT calculations of equilibrium geometries, proton potentials, and NMR chemical shifts. Their crystal structures reveal neutral molecules of chloranilic acid and its dianions connected into a chain by O-H···O hydrogen bond. A strong hydrogen bond with a large-amplitude movement of the proton with NMR shift of 13-17 ppm and a broad continuum in IR spectra between 1000 and 500 cm(-1) were observed. Periodic DFT calculations suggest that proton transfer is energetically more favorable if it occurs within a single pair of chloranilate dianion and chloranilic acid molecule but not continuously along the chains of long periodicity. The calculated chemical shifts confirm the assumption that the weak resonance signals observed at lower magnetic fields pertain to the case when the proton migrates to the acceptor side of the hydrogen bond. The detected situation can be described by a partial proton transfer.     

Structure validation of natural products by quantum-mechanical GIAO calculations of 13C NMR chemical shifts

Geometry optimization and GIAO (gauge including atomic orbitals) (13)C NMR chemical shift calculations at Hartree-Fock level, using the 6-31G(d) basis set, are proposed as a tool to be applied in the structural characterization of new organic compounds, thus providing useful support in the interpretation of experimental NMR data. Parameters related to linear correlation plots of computed versus experimental (13)C NMR chemical shifts for fourteen low-polar natural products, containing 10-20 carbon atoms, were employed to assess the reliability of the proposed structures. A comparison with the hybrid B3LYP method was carried out to evaluate electron correlation contributions to the calculation of (13)C NMR chemical shifts and, eventually, to extend the applicability of such computational methods to the interpretation of NMR spectra in apolar solutions. The method was tested by studying three examples of revised structure assignments, analyzing how the theoretical (13)C chemical shifts of both correct and incorrect structures matched the experimental data.     

Electronic Structures and Spectroscopy of Luminescent para‐Phenylenevinylene Oligomers

The computational models for a series of PPV (para‐phenylenevinylene) oligomers were formed based on the biphenyl and stilbene structures. These oligomers were optimized using DFT at B3LYP/6‐31G (d) level. On the basis of the optimized geometries, the electronic spectra and ¹³C NMR spectra were calculated by the INDO/CIS and B3LYP/6‐31G(d) methods, respectively. It indicates that the main absorptions in the electronic spectra are red‐shifted when the oligomer length is increased. The main absorptions in the electronic spectra and the ¹³C chemical shifts are altered obviously when the substituents on the matrix are changed.     

Prediction of the 1H and 13C NMR spectra of alpha-D-glucose in water by DFT methods and MD simulations

We have applied computational protocols based on DFT and molecular dynamics simulations to the prediction of the alkyl 1H and 13C chemical shifts of alpha-d-glucose in water. Computed data have been compared with accurate experimental chemical shifts obtained in our laboratory. 13C chemical shifts do not show a marked solvent effect. In contrast, the results for 1H chemical shifts provided by structures optimized in the gas phase are only fair and point out that it is necessary to take into account both the flexibility of the glucose structure and the strong effect exerted by solvent water thereupon. Thus, molecular dynamics simulations were carried out to model both the internal geometry as well as the influence of solvent molecules on the conformational distribution of the solute. Snapshots from the simulation were used as input to DFT NMR calculations with varying degrees of sophistication. The most important factor that affects the accuracy of computed 1H chemical shifts is the solute geometry; the effect of the solvent on the shielding constants can be reasonably accounted for by self-consistent reaction field models without the need of explicitly including solvent molecules in the NMR property calculation.     

Vibrational, NMR spectral studies of 2-furoic hydrazide by DFT and ab initio HF methods

The Fourier transform infrared spectra, 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectra of 2-furoic hydrazide have been recorded. Optimized geometry, frequency and intensity of the vibrational bands of 2-furoic hydrazide were obtained by the density functional theory (DFT) and ab initio levels of theory and also 1H NMR, 13C NMR chemical shifts were calculated using 6-31G+(d,p) basis sets. The theoretical values were compared with experimental values.     

Characterization of covalent linkages in organically functionalized MCM-41 mesoporous materials by solid-state NMR and theoretical calculations

The covalent linkages formed during functionalization of MCM-41 mesoporous molecular sieves with five chloroalkylsilanes ((EtO)3Si(CH2Cl), (MeO)3Si(CH2CH2CH2Cl), Cl3Si(CH2CH2CH3), Cl2Si(CH3)(CH2Cl) and Cl2Si(CH3)2) have been investigated using high-resolution solid-state NMR spectroscopy and DFT calculations. Structural information was obtained from 1H-13C and 1H-29Si heteronuclear (HETCOR) NMR spectra, in which high resolution in the 1H dimension was obtained by using fast MAS. The 1H-13C HETCOR results provided the assignments of 1H and 13C resonances associated with the surface functional groups. Sensitivity-enhanced 1H-29Si HETCOR spectra, acquired using Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill refocusing during data acquisition, revealed the identity of 29Si sites (Qn, Tn, and Dn) and the location of functional groups relative to these sites. Optimal geometries of local environments representing the Qn, Tn and Dn resonances were calculated using molecular mechanics and ab initio methods. Subsequently, DFT calculations of 29Si, 13C, and 1H chemical shifts were performed using Gaussian 03 at the B3LYP/6-311++G(2d,2p) level. The theoretical calculations are in excellent accord with the experimental chemical shifts. This work illustrates that state-of-the-art spectroscopic and theoretical tools can be used jointly to refine the complex structures of inorganic-organic hybrid materials.     

Studies on the Structures and Spectra of Benzothiophene Oligomers

Theoretical studies on a series of oligobenzothiophenes were carded out with the AM 1 and DFT methods. Based on B3LYP/6-31G（D） optimized geometries, the electronic spectra, IR spectra and NMR spectra of the oligomers were calculated by INDO/CIS, AM1 and B3LYP/6-31G（D） methods, respectively. The energy gaps decrease, and the absorption in elec- tronic spectra exhibits a red-shift as polymerization increases. The IR frequencies are little affected by the polymerization and substituents. The ^13C chemical shifts are changed to be upfield since the electron-donating groups increase the electron density of carbon atoms but remain unchanged with the increase of polymerization.     

1H and 13C NMR spectra, structure and physicochemical features of phenyl acridine-9-carboxylates and 10-methyl-9-(phenoxycarbonyl)acridinium trifluoromethanesulphonates--alkyl substituted in the phenyl fragment

The 1H and 13C NMR spectra of twelve phenyl acridine-9-carboxylates--alkyl-substituted in the phenyl fragment--and their 10-methyl-9-(phenoxycarbonyl)acridinium salts dissolved in CD3CN, CD3OD, CDCl3 and DMSO-d6 were recorded in order to examine the influence of the structure of these compounds and the properties of the solvents on chemical shifts and 1H-(1)H coupling constants. Experimental data were compared with 1H and 13C chemical shifts predicted at the GIAO/DFT level of theory for DFT(B3LYP)/6-31G** optimised geometries of molecules, as well as with values of 1H chemical shifts and 1H-(1)H coupling constants, estimated using ACD/HNMR database software to ensure that the assignment was correct. To investigate the relations between chemical shifts and selected structural or physicochemical characteristics of the target compounds, the values of several of these parameters were determined at the DFT or HF levels of theory. The HOMO and LUMO energies obtained at the HF level yielded the ionisation potentials and electron affinities of molecules. The DFT method provided atomic partial charges, dipole moments, LCAO coefficients of pz LUMO of selected C atoms, and angles reflecting characteristic structural features of the compounds. It was found that the experimentally determined 1H and 13C chemical shifts of certain atoms relate to the predicted dipole moments, the angles between the acridine and phenyl moieties, and the LCAO coefficients of the pz LUMO of the C atoms believed to participate in the initial step of the oxidation of the target compounds. The spectral and physicochemical characteristics of the target compounds were investigated in the context of their chemiluminogenic ability.     

Total synthesis and structure confirmation of elatenyne: success of computational methods for NMR prediction with highly flexible diastereomers

Elatenyne is a small dibrominated natural product first isolated from Laurencia elata. The structure of elatenyne was originally assigned as a pyrano[3,2-b]pyran on the basis of NMR methods. Total synthesis of the originally proposed pyrano[3,2-b]pyran structure of elatenyne led to the gross structure of the natural product being reassigned as a 2,2'-bifuranyl. The full stereostructure of this highly flexible small molecule was subsequently predicted by Boltzmann-weighted DFT calculations of (13)C NMR chemical shifts for all 32 potential diastereomers, with the predicted structure being in accord with the proposed biogenesis outlined below. Herein we report two complementary total syntheses of elatenyne, which confirm the computer-predicted stereostructure. Additionally, the total syntheses of (E)-elatenyne and a related 2,2'-bifuranyl, laurendecumenyne B, are reported. This work has not only allowed the full structure determination of all of these natural products but also provides excellent supporting evidence for their proposed biogenesis. The total synthesis of elatenyne demonstrates that DFT calculations of (13)C NMR chemical shifts coupled with biosynthetic postulates, comprise a very useful method for distinguishing among large numbers of highly flexible, closely related molecules.     

Schiff bases of gossypol: an NMR and DFT study

Schiff bases of gossypol with benzylamine, methylamine, 4-aminoacetophenone and 4-fluoroaniline have been synthesized and characterized by NMR spectroscopy. All the Schiff bases of gossypol are in the enamine form according to (3)J(HC,NH) and (1)J(N,H) coupling constants. The spectra are basically unchanged by change of solvent (CD(2)Cl(2), THF-d(8) and CD(3)OD) and by variation of temperature. For the derivative of benzylamine, deuterium isotope effects on (13)C chemical shifts are determined. They support strongly the enamine form and serve as a reference for other tautomeric Schiff bases. Structures and NMR nuclear shieldings of model compounds (the second monomer is replaced by a 2-hydroxybenzene ring) have been calculated by density functional theory (DFT) methods. A good correlation is observed between calculated (13)C nuclear shieldings of the enamine form and observed (13)C chemical shifts.     

Chemical shifts in nucleic acids studied by density functional theory calculations and comparison with experiment

NMR chemical shifts are highly sensitive probes of local molecular conformation and environment and form an important source of structural information. In this study, the relationship between the NMR chemical shifts of nucleic acids and the glycosidic torsion angle, χ, has been investigated for the two commonly occurring sugar conformations. We have calculated by means of DFT the chemical shifts of all atoms in the eight DNA and RNA mono-nucleosides as a function of these two variables. From the DFT calculations, structures and potential energy surfaces were determined by using constrained geometry optimizations at the BP86/TZ2P level of theory. The NMR parameters were subsequently calculated by single-point calculations at the SAOP/TZ2P level of theory. Comparison of the (1) H and (13) C?NMR shifts calculated for the mono-nucleosides with the shifts determined by NMR spectroscopy for nucleic acids demonstrates that the theoretical shifts are valuable for the characterization of nucleic acid conformation. For example, a clear distinction can be made between χ angles in the anti and syn domains. Furthermore, a quantitative determination of the χ angle in the syn domain is possible, in particular when (13) C and (1) H chemical shift data are combined. The approximate linear dependence of the C1' shift on the χ angle in the anti domain provides a good estimate of the angle in this region. It is also possible to derive the sugar conformation from the chemical shift information. The DFT calculations reported herein were performed on mono-nucleosides, but examples are also provided to estimate intramolecularly induced shifts as a result of hydrogen bonding, polarization effects, or ring-current effects.     

NMR,MP2, and DFT study of thiophenoxyketenimines (o‐thio‐Schiff bases): Determination of the preferred form

Five new thiophenoxyketinimines have been synthesized. ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra as well as deuterium isotope effects on ¹³C chemical shifts are determined, and spectra are assigned. DFT and MP2 calculations of both structures, chemical shifts, and isotope effects on chemical shifts are done. The combined analysis reveals that the compounds are primarily on a zwitterionic form with an NH⁺ and a S⁻ group and with a little of the neutral form mixed in. Very strong intramolecular hydrogen bonding is found and very high NH chemical shifts are observed. The theoretical calculations show that calculations at the MP2 level are best to obtain correct “C═S” chemical shifts.