New silyl ether reagents for the absolute stereochemical determination of secondary alcohols

[reaction: see text] Herein we report a new set of silyl ether reagents for determining the enantiomeric purity and absolute stereochemistry of secondary alcohols. These derivatives are easily synthesized, provide straightforward spectroscopic results, and allow for facile recovery of the original chiral alcohol.     

Application of the cd homoallylic benzoate method as a chiroptical tool for determination of absolute configuration

After the conformation I was clarified to 5α-,10α,-cis-solidagolactones by ¹H NMR measurement with Eu(dpm)₃ and chemical transformations, the CD homoallylic benzoate chirality method was applied to the homoallylic alcohol system of solidagolactone IV ($\text{1a}$) for a chiroptical determination of the absolute configuration. The result agreed with absolute configuration elucidated by x-ray analysis, indicating the usefulness of the cd method.     

New approach to stereochemical structure determination of bis-selenium-subsituted alkenes

A new approach to determination of the stereochemical structure of bis-selenium-substituted alkenes using experimental ⁷⁷Se NMR studies and B3LYP/6-311G(d) quantum-chemical calculations is developed. Joint analysis of experimental and calculated data allows assignment of signals in the ⁷⁷Se NMR spectrum. The method was evaluated taking the model compounds (PhSe)HC=C(SePh)R (R = COOMe, CH₂NMe₂, CH₂OH, Ph) as examples.     

Helicity induction in a bichromophore: a sensitive and practical chiroptical method for absolute configuration determination of aliphatic alcohols

[reaction: see text] A practical method for the determination of the absolute configuration of aliphatic secondary alcohols, based on the circular dichroism of the readily available N-(1,8-naphthaloyl)-2-aminobenzoyl (NAB) derivative, is presented. The origin of the induced Cotton effects is traced by ab initio calculations to the dominant helicity of the NAB pi-electron system.     

A first approach to the stereochemical analysis of tetraarylmethanes

A mathematical model is defined to represent tetraarylmethanes. The skeletal permutations of this model are described and analyzed in terms of mode equivalent rearrangements. This analysis is applied to an interpretation of the previously published results of a DNMR study of tetra-o-tolylsilane and analogs. A mechanism for the rearrangement is then postulated. The group of permutational flips is described and combined with the skeletal group to give the full permutation group of tetraarylmethanes.     

Absolute configuration for 1,n-glycols: a nonempirical approach to long-range stereochemical determination

The absolute configurations of 1,n-glycols (n = 2-12, 16) bearing two chiral centers were rapidly determined via exciton-coupled circular dichroism (ECCD) using a tris(pentafluorophenyl)porphyrin (TPFP porphyrin) tweezer system in a nonempirical fashion devoid of chemical derivatization. A unique "side-on" approach of the porphyrin tweezer relative to the diol guest molecule is suggested as the mode of complexation.     

Determining the absolute configuration of two marine compounds using vibrational chiroptical spectroscopy

Chiroptical techniques are increasingly employed for assigning the absolute configuration of chiral molecules through comparison of experimental spectra with theoretical predictions. For assignment of natural products, electronic chiroptical spectroscopies such as electronic circular dichroism (ECD) are routinely applied. However, the sensitivity of electronic spectral parameters to experimental conditions and the theoretical methods employed can lead to incorrect assignments. Vibrational chiroptical methods (vibrational circular dichroism, VCD, and Raman optical activity, ROA) provide more reliable assignments, although they, in particular ROA, have been little explored for assignments of natural products. In this study, the ECD, VCD, and ROA chiroptical spectroscopies are evaluated for the assignment of the absolute configuration of a highly flexible natural compound with two stereocenters and an asymmetrically substituted double bond, the marine antibiotic Synoxazolidinone A (SynOxA), recently isolated from the sub-Arctic ascidian Synoicum pulmonaria. Conformationally averaged nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), ECD, Raman, ROA, infrared (IR) and VCD spectral parameters are computed for the eight possible stereoisomers of SynOxA and compared to experimental results. In contrast to previously reported results, the stereochemical assignment of SynOxA based on ECD spectral bands is found to be unreliable. On the other hand, ROA spectra allow for a reliable determination of the configuration at the double bond and the ring stereocenter. However, ROA is not able to resolve the chlorine-substituted stereogenic center on the guanidinium side chain of SynOxA. Application of the third chiroptical method, VCD, indicates unique spectral features for all eight SynOxA isomers in the theoretical spectra. Although the experimental VCD is weak and restricted by the limited amount of sample, it allows for a tentative assignment of the elusive chlorine-substituted stereocenter. VCD chiroptical analysis of a SynOxA derivative with three stereocenters, SynOxC, results in the same absolute configuration as for SynOxA. Despite the experimental challenges, the results convincingly prove that the assignment of absolute configuration based on vibrational chiroptical methods is more reliable than for ECD.     

Total synthesis and absolute stereochemical assignment of kibdelone C

Kibdelones are hexacyclic tetrahydroxanthones and potent anticancer agents isolated from an Australian microbe. Herein, we describe the synthesis of a chiral, nonracemic iodocyclohexene carboxylate EF ring fragment of the kibdelones employing an intramolecular iodo halo-Michael aldol reaction and its merger with an ABCD ring fragment to afford the congener kibdelone C.     

Renaissance in chiroptical spectroscopic methods for molecular structure determination

Two of the chiroptical spectroscopic methods, namely optical rotatory dispersion (ORD) and electronic circular dichroism (ECD), have been around for several decades. But their use in determining the absolute configuration and predominant conformation is gaining renewed interest with the availability of quantum mechanical methods for predicting ORD and ECD. Two other methods, namely vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) and vibrational Raman optical activity (VROA), are relatively new and offer convenient approaches for deducing the structural information in chiral molecules. With the availability of quantum mechanical programs for predicting VCD and VROA, these methods have attracted numerous new researchers to this area. This review summarizes the latest developments in these four areas and provides examples where more than one method has been used to confirm the information obtained from individual methods.     

Synthesis,chiroptical properties and absolute configuration of α-phenylglycidic acid

The (+)- and (-) enantiomers of potassium α-phenylglycidate, an irreversible inhibitor of the enzyme mandelate racemase, were synthesized by resolution of the diastereomeric esters with R-(-)-2-octanol. Base-catalyzed ring-opening of the resolved α-phenylglycidate esters gave the enantiomers of 2,3-dihydroxy-2-phenylpropanoic acid, also obtained by resolution of the racemic dihydroxy acid using ephedrine. A comparison of the chiroptical properties of the esters of α-phenylglycidic and 2,3-dihydroxy-2-phenylpropanoic acids with those of the structurally similar atrolactic and mandelic acids and their 2-methoxy-derivatives showed that the (-)-methyl 2,3-dihydroxy-2-phenylpropanoate corresponding to the (+)-enantiomer of potassium α-phenylglycidate, as well as the esters of α-phenylglycidic acid derived from the same (+)-potassium salt, were all configurationally related to S-(+)-atrolactic and mandelic acids. The configurational assignments made on the basis of the chiroptical data were confirmed by lithium aluminum hydride reduction of the (-)-2-octyl S- and R-α-phenylglycidates, which led exclusively to the R-(-)- and S-(+)-2-phenyl-1, 2-propanediols, respectively, previously related configurationally to R-(-)- and S-(+)-atrolactic acids.     

Conformational rigidification via derivatization facilitates the determination of absolute configuration using chiroptical spectroscopy: a case study of the chiral alcohol endo-borneol

We demonstrate that derivatization of the OH group of endo-borneol, 1, leads to conformational rigidification. Conformational analysis (CA) of 1 and its methyl, acetate, tert-butyl, and trimethylsilyl derivatives, 2-5, is carried out using ab initio density functional theory (DFT). The number of thermally accessible stable conformations is reduced from 3 in 1, to 2 in 2, and to 1 in 3-5. Comparison of IR and vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectra of 1 and 3-5, calculated using DFT, to experimental spectra unambiguously confirms the DFT CA. The determination of absolute configurations (ACs) of chiral molecules via analysis of chiroptical spectra using DFT methods increases in complexity and decreases in reliability as the number of populated conformations increases. Our results for endo-borneol support the conclusion that, in the case of chiral alcohols, derivatization can lead to substantial rigidification and, as a result, significantly facilitate the determination of ACs.     

A general and nonempirical approach to the determination of the absolute configuration of 1-aryl-1,2-diols

We describe herein a simple, general, and reliable nonempirical approach, based on the exciton coupling method, to assign the absolute configuration of the benzylic stereogenic center of 1-aryl-1,2-diols. According to this method, it is only necessary to prepare the 4-biphenylboronic esters of the diols and to record their CD spectra in the 230-300 nm range, i.e., in the range corresponding to the long-axis (1)L(a) transition of the biphenyl chromophore. From the sign of the CD couplet or Cotton effect at 260 nm it is possible to know the chirality defined by the aryl and biphenyl chromophore transitions and then to determine the absolute configuration of the benzylic carbon. By this approach, simple rules have been formulated which allow us to establish the absolute configuration of many classes of 1-aryl-1,2-diols.     

Structure elucidation of highly condensed stilbenoids: chiroptical properties and absolute configuration

We investigated the potential roles of the skeleton-based comparative study of electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra for an application of absolute configuration (AC) determination of oligostilbenoids (OS). This approach was ultimately achieved followed by the isolation and elucidation of relative configuration (RC) of upunaphenol Q (1) (new compound) and vateriaphenol A (2), namely two octamers are dimeric tetramers of resveratrol (Res). The common building blocks (BB) provide further insight into how smaller OS are apparently conserved during downstream metabolites, as well as providing additional impetus to resolve AC of highly condensed stilbenoids (HCS). They also underline the importance of studies on determination of AC of common BB in the chemical library and to provide chiroptical properties.     

A convenient method for the determination of the absolute configuration of chiral amines

A highly useful methodology that allows the determination of the absolute configuration of aliphatic and aromatic chiral amines based on the rationalization of stereoselective three-point interactions during chromatography on a rationally designed chiral stationary phase and conformational analysis of the elutes was developed. This approach is based on the broadly accepted chiral recognition mechanism of the Whelk-O 1 CSP and requires a facile derivatization of the amine and the determination of the lowest energy conformation of the corresponding t-Boc- or Z-derived carbamates. The absolute configuration determined by employing chiral structure activity relationships in HPLC analysis was verified by single-crystal X-ray analysis or studies with carbamoyl derivatives of amines of known configuration. The general validity and applicability of this methodology was demonstrated by analysis of seven carbamates derived from aliphatic and aromatic amines. Due to its simplicity and time-efficiency, i.e., ease of derivatization of amines and fast HPLC method development, this approach can be considered a useful supplement to established techniques such as NMR spectroscopy.     

Radical cyclisation approach for the first synthesis and determination of absolute stereochemistry of discosiolide from diacetone glucose

By the adoption of a regio- and stereoselective intramolecular radical cyclisation reaction onto a chiron derived from diacetone glucose, the crucial cis-fused bicyclo[3.3.0]octane system was made and utilized for the first synthesis of discosiolide 1, thereby establishing the absolute stereochemistry of the natural product.     

Thermodynamic asymmetric induction: a new approach to the development of rules for the determination of absolute configurations

The absolute configurations of chiral primary amines can be determined using the optical rotations of the corresponding N-p-toluenesulfonyl-N-2,4-dinitrobenzensulfenyl derivatives.     

Enantioselective synthesis,chiroptical properties and absolute configuration of 3-aminosubstituted isothiazole S-oxides

Herein we report a mild and efficient method to synthesize chiral 3-aminosubstituted isothiazole sulfoxides taking advantage of (+)- and (?)-((8,8-dichlorocamphoryl)sulfonyl)oxaziridine under microwave irradiation. The determination of the absolute configuration of the chiral sulfoxide was achieved by theoretical calculation of the CD spectra. The reason for the observed stereoselectivity was enlightened by means of analysis of our data using DFT calculations.