The synthesis of μ-(η5-η5-4,5-dihydro-as-indecenyl)bis(η5-cyclopentadienyliron)

μ-(η⁵,η⁵-4,5-Dihydro-as-indecenyl)bis(η⁵-cyclopentadienyliron) (I) was synthesized from 2-[(dimethylamino)methyl]biferrocene via 2-[(dimethylamino)methyl]biferrocene methiodide. The latter was converted to 2-(cyanomethyl)biferrocene, which was subjected to base hydrolysis to give (2-biferrocenyl)acetic acid. The acid was cyclized with trifluoroacetic anhydride to [4-μ-(η⁵,η⁵-as-indecenyl)bis(η⁵-cyclopentadienyliron)]trifluoroacetate ester. Hydrolysis of the latter followed by reduction gave compound I.     

Investigation of 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole azodye derivatives as reagents for determination of mercury(II)

The reaction of mercury(II) with 3-(2,4-dihydroxyphen-1-ylazo)-1,2,4-triazole (HL¹), 3-(2-hydroxy-5-methylphen-1-ylazo)-1,2,4-triazole (HL²), 3-(2-hydroxy-5-ethoxycarbonylphen-1-ylazo)-1,2,4-triazole (HL³), 3-(2-hydroxy-5-acetylphen-1-ylazo)-1,2,4-triazole (HL⁴), 3-(2-hydroxy-5-formylphen-1-ylazo)-1,2,4-triazole (HL⁵), and 3-(2-hydroxy-5-bromophen-1-ylazo)-1,2,4-triazole (HL⁶) was studied. A new, direct, and simple procedure was suggested for the spectrophotometric determination of mercury(II) based on its complexation reaction with HL¹-HL⁶. The best reagent was found to be HL³ due to its high sensitivity and selectivity. In aqueous media of pH 9.0 containing 40 vol. % of methanol, Hg(II) reacts with HL³ to form a 1:2 (Hg(II) · HL³) complex having a sensitive absorption peak at 490 nm with the molar extinction coefficient of 3.31 × 10⁴ L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹ using 4 × 10⁻⁴ M of the reagent. Beer’s law is obeyed over the range from 0.00 μg mL⁻¹ to 12.04 μg mL⁻¹ of mercury(II). The proposed method was applied in the determination of mercury(II) in tap water, seawater and synthetic seawater samples, without the need of prior treatment, with satisfactory results.     

Reaction of a diphenylacetylenecobalt complex with alkyl diazoacetates

The diphenylacetylene-cobalt complex, η⁵-C₅H₅Co(PPh₃)(PhCCph) (I) reacted with alkyl diazoacetates (II, alkyl = methyl, ethyl, and t-butyl) at room temperature to give two isomers of the mononuclear cobalt complex, η⁵-C₅H₅Co- (PhC₂Ph)(CHCO₂R)₂ (III and IV) and two isomers of the dinuclear cobalt complex [η⁵-C₅H₅Co(PhC₂Ph)(CHCO₂R)]₂ (V and VI).The complexes III and IV are diene complexes, syn,syn- and syn,anti- (dialkyl 2,3-diphenylmuconate)-η⁵-cyclopentadienylcobalt, respectively. The structure of Vb (R = C₂H₅) was determined by X-ray diffraction as η-[1–3-η³ : 1,4,5-μ³- 1,6-bis(ethoxycarbonyl)-2,3,4,5-tetraphenylhexa-2,4-diene-1,1-diyl]bis(η⁵-cyclopentadienylcobalt)(CoCo. The complex VI is the bis(η³-allyl)cobalt complex, μ-[1–3-η³ : 4–6η³-1,6-anti,anti-bis(alkoxycarbonyl)-2,3,4,5,-tetraphenylhexa- 1,3,5-triene]bis(η⁵-cyclopentadienylcobalt)(CoCo) according to its ¹H NMR spectrum.The formation of these products was rationalizes in terms of a cobaltacyclobutene intermediate.     

Active monomeric nucleotide intermediate in the oligonucleotide synthesis

The interaction of 3′ - O - acetylthymidine - 5′ - phosphate (pT-Ac) and p - nitrophenylphosphate (pPhNO₂) with triisopropylbenzenesulphonyl chloride (TPS) in pyridine was studied by the pulsed NMR spectroscopy on ³¹P nuclei. The esters investigated were shown to convert to the corresponding disubstituted pyrophosphates, trisubstituted tripolyphosphates and compounds showing a singlet displaced 5–8 ppm from the original ester. The latter are the main final products of the interaction of nucleotide and pPhNO₂ with TPS. The investigation of the chemical conversion of a pT-Ac derivative with a 5·1 ppm shift showed that this product is a powerful phosphorylating reagent. It was shown that this active derivative contains one P atom in accordance with the structure of monomeric metaphosphoric acid ester proposed by Todd for these compounds. The reaction of monomeric metaphosphate with 5′-O-tritylthymidine results information of a compound, containing stoichiometric amounts of pT-Ac and 5′ - O - tritylthymidilyl - (3′ → 5′) - 3′ - O - acetylthymidine residues. This compound was identified as a trisubstituted P¹ - 5′ - O - trityl - P¹ - P² -bis -(3′ - O - acetylthymidine) - pyrophosph     

Some reactions of Ni-Mo and Ni-W propargylic cations with nucleophiles

Preliminary reactions of the metal stabilized carbocationic species [(η-C₅H₅)Ni(μ-η²(Ni),η³(Mo)-HC₂CMe₂)Mo(CO)₂(η-C₅H₄Me)]⁺ BF₄⁻ (Ni-Mo) with nucleophiles are reported. The Ni-Mo cationic propargylic complex undergoes nucleophilic attack by sodium methoxide to regenerate the neutral μ-alkyne complex [(η-C₅H₅)Ni{μ-η²,η²-HC₂CMe₂(OMe)}Mo(CO)₂(η-C₅H₄Me)] (Ni-Mo), from which the stabilized carbocation was originally derived by protonation. The new complexes [(η-C₅H₅)Ni{μ-η²,η²-HC₂CMe₂(C₅H₅)}Mo(CO)₂(η-C₅H₄Me)] (Ni-Mo), which exist as an inseparable mixture of 1(c)-1,3- and 2(c)-1,3-cyclopentadienyl isomers, were also obtained. When the Ni-Mo cations were treated with potassium t-butoxide, the alkyne isomers with pendant 1(c)-1,3- and 2(c)-1,3-cyclopentadienyl groups are also formed. The μ-hydroxyalkyne complex [(η-C₅H₅)Ni{μ-η²,η²-HC₂CMe₂(OH)}-Mo(CO)(η-C₅H₄Me)] (Ni-Mo) was also isolated concurrently, and presumably arises from nucleophilic attack of fortuitously present hydroxide ions in the BuO⁻ reagent on the Ni-Mo cation. When NaBH₄ was added to the Ni-Mo propargylic, nucleophilic attack by hydride resulted and the μ-ⁱPrC₂H heterobimetallic complex [(η-C₅H₅)Ni{μ-η²,η²-HC₂Prⁱ}Mo(CO)₂(η-C₅H₄Me)] (Ni-Mo) was recovered in good yield. Small quantities of other side-products were isolated and characterized spectroscopically. Some tantalizing differences in reactivity were observed when the corresponding Ni-W stabilized carbocation was reacted with methoxide ions. When the not fully characterized solid formed by protonating [(η-C₅H₅)Ni(μ-η²,η²-{HC₂CMe₂)(OMe)}W(CO)₂(η-C₅H₄Me)] (Ni-W) was treated with methoxide ions, regioisomers (1(c)-1,3- and 2(c)-1,3-cyclopentadienyl species) of composition [(η-C₅H₅)Ni{μ-η²,η²-HC₂CMe₂(C₅H₅)}W(CO)₂(η-C₅H₄Me)] (Ni-W) were formed. Direct reaction of the pure cation [(η-C₅H₅Niμ-η²,η³-HC₂CMe₂)W(CO)₂(η-C₅H₄Me)]⁺ (Ni-W) with methoxide also generated the same 1(c)-1,3- and 2(c)-1,3-cyclopentadiene-substituted alkyne complexes. Unlike the case with the Ni-Mo complexes, the initial μ-HC₂CMe₂(OMe) species was not regenerated.     

Synthesis and structural characterisation of novel nickelaindenyl and nickelafluorenyl compounds: Differences in the bonding modes of nickelacyclic rings

New binuclear nickelacyclic compounds 1 (η⁵-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)(η³-(1-(η⁵-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl))-1-nickelafluorenyl)nickel and 2 (η⁵-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)(η³-(1-(η⁵-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl))-2-phenyl-3-ethyl-1-nickelaindenyl)nickel were synthesised in reactions of dilithioorganic compounds with Cp^∗Ni(acac) and characterised by high resolution mass spectrometry, magnetic moment determination and X-ray single crystal analysis. The bonding mode of the central nickel atom to the nickelaindenyl and nickelafluorenyl ligands was not η⁵ like in the previously described analogues of nickelocene but half way between η³ and η⁵.     

Parabens determination with a hybrid FIA/HPLC system with ultra-short monolithic column

The combination of an ultra-short C18 monolithic column (5 mm long) with a flow injection analysis (FIA) scheme results in a versatile and efficient system that has been used for the chromatographic determination of four preservatives — methylparaben (MP), ethylparaben (EP), propylparaben (PP) and butylparaben (BP). The separation is carried out by using two carriers, A and B, consisting of a mixture of ACN: water in different proportions. The described procedure is able to separate the analytes in only 150 s. The applicable concentration range, detection limit and the relative standard deviation were the following: for MP from 1.6 × 10^-5 to 1.1 × 10^-3 M; 4.8 × 10^-4 M; 0.65%; for EP between 3.7 × 10^-5 and 2.0 × 10^-3 M; 1.2 × 10^-5 M; 1.2%; for PP between 3.9 × 10^-5 and 2.0 × 10^-3 M; 1.2 × 10^-5 M; 1.2%; and for BT between 6.0 × 10^-5 and 2.0 × 10^-3 M; 1.8 × 10^-5 M; 1.8%. The method was applied and validated satisfactorily for the determination of these parabens in commercial cosmetics samples, comparing the results with those obtained by HPLC reference method.     

Potential cerebral perfusion agents. Synthesis and evaluation of new radioiodinated barbituric acid analogs

Two new ¹²⁵I-labeled barbituric acid analogs, 5-ethyl-5-(E-1-iodo-1-penten-5-yl)2-thiobarbituric acid ( 4 ) and 5-ethyl-5-( m -iodophenyl)barbituric acid ( 7 ), have been prepared and evaluated in rats as potential cerebral perfusion agents. Annulation of 2-ethyl-2-(E-1-iodo-1-penten-5-yl)malonate ( 3 ) with thiourea in the presence of sodium ethoxide gave the 5-ethyl-5-(E-1-iodo-1-penten-5-y1)-thiobarbituric acid ( 4 ). Diethyl 2-ethyl-2-phenyl-malonate was treated with thallium(III) trifluoroacetate followed by addition of aqueous potassium iodide to provide diethyl 2-ethyl-2-(m-iodophenyl)malonate ( 10 ). The malonic ester derivative 10 was condensed with urea in the presence of sodium hydride to give the desired 5-ethyl-5-(m-iodophenyl)barbituric acid ( 7 ), and a decarbethoxylation product, 2-(m-iodophenyl)butyric acid ( 11 ). Iodine-125-labeled 4 and 7 were synthesized in the same manner and the tissue distribution of these new agents evaluated in rats. Both [¹²⁵I] 4 and [¹²⁵I] 7 showed high brain uptake. Significant in vivo deiodination was detected with [¹²⁵I] 4 whereas [¹²⁵I] 7 was found to be stable to deiodination.     

Reaction of trihalo(phenylenedioxy)phosphoranes with acetylenes: X. specific features of the reactions of substituted 2,2,2-trichloro-1,3,2λ5-benzodioxaphospholes with 3-chloro(bromo, iodo)propynes

It was shown for the first time that 3-chloro-, 3-bromo-, and 3-iodopropynes can react with 2,2,2-trichloro-, 2,2,2-trichloro-5-methyl-, and 5,6-dibromo-2,2,2-trichloro-1,3,2λ⁵-benzodioxaphospholes to give derivatives of 4-(halomethyl)-2-chloro-2H-1,2λ⁵-benzoxaphosphinin-2-ones. The reaction involves nonselective chlorination of the phenylene substituent in different positions, and the resulting isomer ratio is temperature-dependent. In the reactions of 3-bromo-and 3-iodopropynes with 2,2,2-trichloro-1,3,2λ⁵-benzo-dioxaphosphole, a side process takes place, viz. nucleophilic substitution of bromine and iodine with chlorine. The structure of some of the prepared 4-(chloromethyl)-1,2-benzoxaphosphinines was studied by means of X-ray diffraction.     

On triazoles. VII Synthesis of novel tri- and tetracyclic ring systems

The ring-closure of the 5-amino-1-(2-aminophenyl)-3-methylthio-1H-1,2,4-triazole derivatives 3 and 4 with different simple and cyclic C₁ components lead to the formation of 1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-α]-1,3,5-benzotriazepines 5–6 , their 4,5-dihydro- 7 , different 5-spiro-homocyclic- 8–13 , and 5-spiro-heterocyclic- 14-15 analogues. The structure of the compounds obtained was proved with the use of their ir, uv, ¹H-nmr and ¹³C-nmr spectra.     

The spatial structures of several bradykinin-potentiating peptides

Using a semi-empirical method the spatial structure of the bradykinin-potentiating peptides (Glu¹-Lys²-Phe³-Pro⁴-Pro⁵ (Pro⁴-BPP₅), (Glu¹-Lys²-Trp³-Ala⁴-Pro⁵ (BPP₅) and (Glu¹-Trp²-Pro³-Arg⁴-Pro⁵-Gln⁶-Ile⁷-Pro⁸-Pro⁹ (BPP₉) has been investigated. For each molecule, all possible conformations of its constituent fragments were considered, the role of interactions between near-neighbour residues in energy-differentiation of conformations was elucidated and the most probable structures identified. For BPP₉ a compact structure -where the side chain Arg⁴ was located inside the molecular nucleus was found to be the most likely; its hydrophobic part is involved in substantial stabilizing interactions with -Trp²-, -Il⁷-, and Pro⁸ residues, while the polar guanidine group forms an ionic pair with the carboxyl group of C-terminal -Pro⁹ -. For BPP₅ the two compact structures found were stabilized by strong dispersion interactions of the side chains of -Lys² - and -Trp³ - with the peptide backbone of the molecule. One of them contained the ionic pair formed by the ?-amino group of -Lys² - and the C-end carboxyl group of -Pro⁵- whereas the other did not contain the ionic pair N⁺ ζ H₃ · COO^? and could be realized in a medium, of different polarity or on interaction of BPP₅ with other molecules. For Pro⁴-BPP₅, an inactive synthetic analog of BPP₅, the only possible structure was one with a completely unfolded backbone, stabilized by interactions between the neighbouring residues and containing no ionic pair.     

Potential cerebral perfusion agents. Synthesis and evaluation of a 1,4-disubstituted dihydropyridine analogue

The synthesis of a 1,4-disubstituted dihydropyridine, 1-(E-1[¹²⁵I]iodo-1-penten-5-yl)-4-(β-N-acetylaminoethyl)-1,4-dihydropyridine ([¹²⁵I] 10 ), is described. Acetylation of 4-(β-aminoethylpyridine) with acetic anhydride followed by condensation with E-1-borono-5-iodo-1-pentene ( 7 ) gave 1-(E-1-borono-1-penten-5-yl)-4-(β-N-acetylaminoethyl)pyridinium iodide ( 8 ). Chloramine-T and sodium iodide iodination of 8 gave the corresponding E-1-iodo compound 9 which was reduced with sodium borohydride to furnish 1-(E-1-iodo-1-penten-5-yl)-4-(β-N-acetylaminoethyl)-1,4-dihydropyridine ( 10 ). The corresponding radioiodinated compound was prepared similarly using Na[¹²⁵I]. The tissue distribution studies in rats indicate that [¹²⁵I] 10 crosses the blood brain barrier (0.49% dose/g in the brain) but gradually washes out from the brain.     

硼、氮共掺杂多孔碳的制备及其超电容性能

分别以含氮菲咯啉、四硼酸钾和醋酸锌为碳源、活化剂和模板,制备了B、N共掺杂多孔碳(BN-PC),并探究模板质量对BN-PC结构和储电性能的影响。当醋酸锌质量为5 g时,所得BN-PC₅中B、N杂原子含量分别为20.21%、18.29%。电化学测试结果表明,以6 mol·L^-1KOH为电解液,BN-PC₅电极展现出高的比电容(在0.05 A·g^-1电流密度下为255 F·g^-1)、优异的倍率性能(在20 A·g^-1电流密度下为188 F·g^-1)和卓越的循环稳定性(在5 A·g^-1的电流密度下循环10 000次比电容保持率为97%)。以3mol·L^-1ZnSO₄为电解液,在平均功率密度为56 W·kg^-1时,BN-PC₅电容器的能量密度可达27 Wh·kg^-1。     

硼、氮共掺杂多孔碳的制备及其超电容性能

分别以含氮菲咯啉、四硼酸钾和醋酸锌为碳源、活化剂和模板,制备了B、N共掺杂多孔碳(BN-PC),并探究模板质量对BN-PC结构和储电性能的影响。当醋酸锌质量为5g时,所得BN-PC₅中B、N杂原子含量分别为 20.21%、18.29%。电化学测试结果表明,以6 mol·L^-1 KOH为电解液,BN-PC₅电极展现出高的比电容(在0.05 A·g^-1电流密度下为255 F·g^-1)、优异的倍率性能(在20A·g^-1电流密度下为188F·g^-1)和卓越的循环稳定性(在5 A·g^-1的电流密度下循环10 000次比电容保持率为97%)。以3 mol·L^-1 ZnSO₄为电解液,在平均功率密度为56W·kg^-1时,BN-PC₅电容器的能量密度可达27Wh·kg^-1。     

Contamination of water and organic solvents stored in plastic bottles with phthalate ester plasticizers

Migration of phthalic acid esters into water, n-hexane, and methanol kept in polyethy-lene bottles or PVC tubes was investigated by high-performance liquid chromatography with a variable wavelength u.v. detector. The content of esters in water kept in contact with PVC for one day was 0.44 ppm and the migration rate of dibutyl phthalate was 4.8 × 10^-5 mg h^-1 cm^-2 of PVC tube. n-Hexane stored in a polyethylene bottle for 7 days contained 6 ppm esters; the migration rate of dibutyl phthalate was 6.4 × 10^-5 mg h^-1 cm^-2 of polyethylene. PVC tubing connected to ion-exchange resin columns contaminates deionized water with the esters.     

Spectrophotometric determination of nickel(II) in different samples by complexation with some triazolylazo dyes

A new sensitive spectrophotometric method for the determination of nickel(II) with 3-(2-hydroxy-5-acetyl-(L¹),-5-ethoxycarbonyl-(L²),-5-methyl-(L³),-5-formyl-(L⁴),-5-bromophen-1-ylazo)-1,2,4-triazole (L⁵), and 3-(2,4-dihydroxyphen-1-ylazo)-1,2,4-triazole (L⁶) in aqueous media containing 40 vol. % methanol has been developed. The method is based on the formation of stable coloured Ni(II) complexes with stoichiometric ratios 1: 1 and 1: 2 (n(M): n(L)). Linear calibration graphs are obtained up to 7.04 μg cm⁻³ of nickel(II) under optimum conditions attained from investigation of complex formation. The absorption maxima varied from 485 nm to 545 nm and the molar absorptivities ranged from 0.84 × 10⁴ to 4.65 × 10⁴ dm³ mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹ for 1: 1 and 1: 2 (n(M): n(L)) complexes with varying the substituent on the phenolic ring. The optimum ranges for the direct determination of nickel(II) (Ringbom) and the stability constants of the formed complexes are determined. The developed method was applied to the spectrophotometric determination of nickel(II) in some samples with satisfactory results.     

Determination of Psoralen and Isopsoralen in Traditional Chinese Medicines by Capillary Zone Electrophoresis with Amperometric Detection

A simple, reliable and reproducible method was developed for determination of psoralen and isopsoralen in several traditional Chinese medicines, such as Shouwu Pian, Gubenkechuan Pian, was described in this paper. It was based on capillary zone electrophoresis with amperometric detection (CZE-AD). A carbon-disc electrode was used as working electrode. The optimal conditions of separation and detection were pH7.6 phosphate buffer (20 mM), 20 kV for the separation voltage and 1.00V (vs. Ag/AgCl) for the detection potential. The linear ranges were 6.90 × 10^-5~1.30 × 10^-7 mol L^-1for psoralen and 5.0 × 10^-5~1.80 × 10^-7 mol·L^-1 for isopsoralen with the correlation coefficient of 0.9984 and 0.9994, respectively. The detection limits for psoralen and isopsoralen were 4.2 × 10^-8 mol·L^-1 and 6.0 × 10^-8 mol·L^-1 based on the signal to noise ratio of 3. The method built in this paper was directly applied to the determination of several traditional Chinese medicines with some simple pretreatment. The assay result was satisfactory.     

Reactions of p-Nitrophenyloxirane with Amines Containing Fragments with Bicyclic Skeleton

Reactions of p-nitrophenyloxirane with amines containing fragments with bicyclic skeleton of norbornene, norbornane, epoxynorbornane (stereoisomeric exo- and endo-5-aminomethylbicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-enes, N-benzyl-endo-5-aminomethylbicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene, endo-5-(2-aminoethyl)bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene, stereoisomeric exo- and endo-2-aminomethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptanes, 2-(1-aminoethyl)bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane, exo-5-aminomethyl-exo-2,3-epoxybicyclo[2.2.1]heptane) were investigated. The aminolysis of p-nitrophenyloxirane occurred regioselectively according to Krasusky rule as was proved by ¹H and ¹³C NMR data. As shown by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy the oxyalkylation product obtained from N-benzyl-endo-5-aminomethylbicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene was composed of two diastereomers originating from the presence of a chiral nitrogen atom in the rear part of the rigid bicyclic skeleton. New products of amino groups transformation in the molecules of hydroxyamines were obtained by reaction with p-methylbenzoyl chloride and p-nitrophenylsulfonyl chloride. Regioselectivity of the attack of electrophilic reagents on the nitrogen in the hydroxyamines was confirmed by IR and ¹H NMR spectra of the products. The data on pharmacological activity tests of N-2-hydroxyethyl(p-nitrophenyl)-5-aminomethylbicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene are reported.     

Rapid determination of phenylalanine with immobilized leuconostoc mesenteroides and a lactate electrode

A linear relationship is obtained between current decrease and log (phenylalanine concentration) from 5 × 10^-5 to 10^-7 g ml^-1. The assay was complete in 90 min with a standard deviation of ca. 6%. Phenylalanine was determined accurately in human blood serum.     

Analogs of Cinchona Alkaloids Incorporating a 9,9′-Spirobifluorene Moiety

The Cinchona alkaloid analogs (+)- and (?)- 5 with a quinuclidine-2-methanol residue attached to C(2) of a 9,9′-spirobifluorene moiety were prepared as a racemic mixture by reacting lithiated 2-bromo-9,9′-spirobifluorene 7 with (2-ethoxycarbonyl)quinuclidine (±)- 6 to give ketone (±)- 8 , followed by diastereoselective reduction with diisobutylaluminum hydride (DIBAL-H). The absolute configuration at C(9) and C(8), i.e., at the methanol bridge and the adjacent quinuclidine C-atom, in the two enantiomers of 5 is identical to the configuration at the corresponding centers in (?)-quinine ( 1 ) and (+)-quinidine ( 2 ), respectively. For the optical resolution of (±)- 5 , a chiral stationary phase for HPLC was prepared by covalently bonding quinine via a thiol spacer to a silica-gel surface. The enantiomer separation was accomplished at an α value of 1.61 with (±)- 5 being eluted last, in agreement with ¹H-NMR studies in CDCl₃ which showed that (+)- 5 underwent a more stable host-guest association with quinine than (?)- 5 . ¹H{¹H} Nuclear Overhauser effect (NOE) difference spectroscopical analysis of the host-guest associations with quinine in CDCl₃, combined with computer-model examinations, allowed the assignment of the absolute configurations as (+)-(8R,9S)- 5 and (?)-(8S,9R)- 5 . A detailed conformational analysis displayed excellent agreement between the results of computational methods (Monte Carlo multiple minimum simulations, analyses of the total energy as a function of the flexible dihedral angles in the molecule) and ¹H{¹H}-NOE difference spectroscopical data. It was found that (?)- 5 and (+)- 5 differ significantly in their conformational preference from their natural counterparts quinine ( 1 ) and quinidine ( 2 ). Whereas the natural alkaloids prefer the ‘open’ conformation, with the quinuclidine N-atom pointing away from the quinoline ring, analog (±)- 5 adopts preferentially (by ca. 4 kcal mol^?1) a ‘closed’ conformation, in which the quinuclidine N-atom points into the cleft of the 9,9′-spirobifluorene moiety. Since the basic quinuclidine N-atom in the ‘closed’ conformation is sterically shielded from forming strong H-bonds, the new Cinchona alkaloid analogs form less stable host-guest associations via H-bonding than quinine or quinidine.