Absolute stereochemistry of dihydrofuroangelicins bearing C-8 substituted double bonds: a combined chemical/exciton chirality protocol

Coumarins are associated with a variety of pharmacological activities which have led to the synthesis of numerous derivatives. However, no general method for determination of the absolute configuration of chiral coumarins is known. This has now been achieved for a series of dihydrofuroangelicins bearing a variety of C-8 substituted double bonds, synthesized in the racemic form and resolved through enantioselective chromatography. A combined chemical/chiroptical protocol has been developed in which the C[double bond, length as m-dash]C double bonds are replaced with a styrenoid chromophore through either (i) cross metathesis, (ii) Heck reaction, or (iii) a combined method of cross metathesis and Heck reaction with about 1 mg sample under mild conditions. The coupling between the styrenoid and coumarin chromophores gives rise to clear-cut exciton coupled CD curves, suitable for assignments of absolute configurations. The solution conformation of the styrenoid derivatives is determined by NMR and DFT molecular modeling; the electronic structure of the 7-hydroxy coumarin chromophore is also clarified by semi-empirical and TDDFT methods. The conformation thus derived, in conjunction with quantitative DeVoe's coupled-oscillator CD calculation, establishes the absolute configurations of the coumarins. The theoretical study described herein justifies the straightforward approach of the current chemical/exciton chirality protocol to this type of dihydrofuroangelicins.     

Absolute configuration of a rare dibenzoylmethane derivative from Dahlstedtia glaziovii (Fabaceae)

Dibenzoylmethanes (DBMs) belong to a small group of flavonoids, known as β-hydroxychalcones, rarely found in nature. Despite their biological and chemotaxonomic importance, the absolute configuration of C-8 substituted DBMs has never been reported. Herein, the absolute stereochemistry of 2′-methoxy-8-(α-α-dimethylallyl)-[3′,4′:4″,5″]-furan-dibenzoylmethane is determined using the VCD exciton chirality method, which may be safely applied to other members of this class.     

Determination of the absolute configuration of a chiral oxadiazol-3-one calcium channel blocker, resolved using chiral chromatography, via concerted density functional theory calculations of its vibrational circular dichroism, electronic circular dichroism, and optical rotation

The chiral oxadiazol-3-one 2 has recently been shown to exhibit myocardial calcium entry channel blocking activity, substantially higher than that of diltiazem. To determine the enantioselectivity of this activity, the enantiomers of 2 have been resolved using chiral chromatography. The absolute configuration (AC) of 2 has been determined by comparison of density functional theory (DFT) calculations of its vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectrum, electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectrum, and optical rotation (OR) to experimental VCD, ECD, and OR data. All three chiroptical properties yield identical ACs; the AC of 2 is unambiguously determined to be S(+)/R(-).     

Direct determination of absolute configuration of monoalcohols by bis(magnesium porphyrin)

Ethane bridged bis(Mg porphyrin) has been found to be an effective sensor for the direct determination of the absolute configuration of a variety of monoalcohols at millimolar concentrations and room temperature based on the CD exciton chirality method. Examination of a variety of synthetic and natural monoalcohols, including alpha-substituted aliphatic and aromatic alkanols with one chiral center, as well as alicyclic alcohols with 2-5 chiral centers, gave consistent results. In the case of alcohols with multiple chiral centers, the absolute configuration of the carbon alpha to OH is always read out.     

Predetermined chirality at metal centers of various coordination geometries: a chiral cleft ligand for tetrahedral (T-4), square-planar (SP-4), trigonal-bipyramidal (TB-5), square-pyramidal (SPY-5), and octahedral (OC-6) complexes

Two tetradentate bispinene-bipyridine type ligands, each with six stereogenic carbon centers, were synthesized from (-)-alpha-pinene. Their ability to predetermine chiral configurations at metal centers was studied. The two diastereoisomers, L1 and L2, differ in their absolute configuration at the bridgehead position. These ligands form metal complexes with Ag(I), Pd(II), Zn(II), Cu(II), and Cd(II), with coordination numbers four, five, and six and with complete control of chirality at the metal centers. Using L1 rather than L2 leads to complexes of inverted absolute configuration at the metal centers. These diastereomeric coordination species can be obtained either as separate compounds or, in some cases, as solids containing them in a 1:1 ratio. Ligands L1 and L2 thus show that the pinene-bipyridines are versatile molecules for the formation of metal complexes with predetermined chirality. In all cases, absolute configurations were determined in the solid state by X-ray diffraction methods and in solution by CD spectroscopy. The sign of exciton couplets from the pi-pi* transitions always agrees with the expectations for a given local configuration at the metal center. The five-coordinate, inherently chiral species of Zn(II) and Cu(II) described in this article are the first examples of trigonal-bipyramidal metal complexes with predetermined absolute configuration containing topologically linear ligands.     

Microscale determination of the absolute configuration of alpha-aryl-substituted alcohols by the CD exciton chirality method

The absolute configurations of a broad spectrum of aryl alcohols 1 have been determined for the first time by the CD exciton chirality method. The configurational assignment is additionally verified by computer modeling and lipase-catalyzed acetylation of the racemic alcohols. The CD-spectroscopic data have revealed that the S enantiomers of the benzoate derivatives 2 display a positive first Cotton effect and the R enantiomers a negative one at around 228 nm. Thus, the sense of the first Cotton effect of the benzoate derivative 2 allows a reliable assignment of the absolute configuration of the corresponding alcohol 1.     

Separation of the enantiomers of substituted dihydrofurocoumarins by HPLC using macrocyclic glycopeptide chiral stationary phases

Enantiomer separations by HPLC using the macrocyclic glycopeptides teicoplanin (Chirobiotic T), teicoplanin aglycon (Chirobiotic TAG), and ristocetin A (Chirobiotic R) chiral stationary phases (CSP) have been achieved on a unique series of potentially biologically active racemic analogues of dihydrofurocoumarin. The macrocyclic glycopeptides have proven to be very selective for this class of compound. All of the 28 chiral analogues examined afforded baseline separation on at least one of the macrocyclic glycopeptide CSP. The teicoplanin CSP showed the broadest enantioselectivity with 24 of the compounds baseline separated. The TAG and the R CSP produced 23 and 14 baseline separations respectively. All three mobile phase modes, i.e. normal phase (NP), reversed phase (RP), and new polar organic modes (PO), have been evaluated. The NP mode proved to be most effective for the separation of chiral dihydrofurocoumarins on all CSP tested. In the reversed phase (RP) mode, all three CSP separated a similar number of compounds. It was observed that the structural characteristics of the analytes and steric effects are very important factors leading to chiral recognition. Hydrogen bonding was found to play a secondary role in chiral discrimination in the normal phase and polar organic modes. Hydrophobic interactions are important for chiral separation in the reversed-phase mode. Chromatographic retention data does not provide information on the absolute configuration of these chiral dihydrofurocoumarin derivatives. However, when coupled with circular dichroism using the exciton coupling chirality method, the enantiomer elution order and the absolute configuration of some chiral dihydrofurocoumarins were successfully determined.     

Chiral molecular nanosilicas

Molecular nanoparticles including polyoxometalates, proteins, fullerenes and polyhedral oligosiloxane (POSS) are nanosized objects with atomic precision, among which POSS derivatives are the smallest nanosilicas. Incorporation of molecular nanoparticles into chiral aggregates either by chiral matrices or self-assembly allows for the transfer of supramolecular chirality, yet the construction of intrinsic chirality with atomic precision in discrete molecules remains a great challenge. In this work, we present a molecular folding strategy to construct giant POSS molecules with inherent chirality. Ferrocenyl diamino acids are conjugated by two or four POSS segments. Hydrogen bonding-driven folding of diamino acid arms into parallel β-sheets facilitates the chirality transfer from amino acids to ferrocene and POSS respectively, disregarding the flexible alkyl spacers. Single crystal X-ray structures, density functional theory (DFT) calculations, circular dichroism and vibrational circular dichroism spectroscopy clearly verify the preferential formation of one enantiomer containing chiral molecular nanosilicas. The chiral orientation and chiroptical properties of POSS show pronounced dependence on the substituents of α-amino acids, affording an alternative way to control the folding behavior and POSS chirality in addition to the absolute configuration of amino acids. Through the kinetic nanoprecipitation protocol, one-dimensional aggregation enables chirality transfer from the molecular scale to the micrometer scale, self-assembling into helices in accordance with the packing propensity of POSS in a crystal phase. This work, by illustrating the construction of chiral molecular nanosilicas, paves a new way to obtain discrete chiral molecular nanoparticles for potential chiroptical applications.

A molecular folding strategy is developed to construct ferrocenyl diamino acid conjugated polyhedral oligosiloxane molecules. Hydrogen bonding-driven folding facilitates the chirality transfer from the molecular scale to the micrometer scale.     

Determination of the absolute configuration of the enantiomers of dihydroquinolines, isolated by chiral chromatography, by non empirical analysis of circular dichroism spectra and X-ray analysis

The enantiomers of racemic 3,4-dihydroquinolines with an acetal or thioacetal spiro ring and a quaternary stereogenic carbon have been isolated through semipreparative chiral chromatography using a polysaccharide-derived chiral stationary phase (Chiralpak AD) and n-hexane/ethanol as a mobile phase. The absolute configurations of the enantiomers of four compounds have been determined by a comparison of density functional theory (DFT) calculations of their electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra with the experimental ECD data. A detailed conformer population search to achieve a conformational average of these compounds was crucial, due to the flexibility of these molecules. The conformer distribution was evaluated by spartan 02 and the structure of each of the conformers found within 4 kcal/mol energy range was optimized with DFT. The final calculated ECD spectrum obtained after Boltzmann averaging was compared with the ECD spectrum of the less well retained enantiomer and the correlation (R)/(−) was established for all compounds. The monocrystals of both enantiomers of one compound were obtained from the HPLC eluates. Their absolute configurations were determined by X-ray crystallographic analysis and confirmed by ECD analysis. In all cases, the second-eluted enantiomer in chiral HPLC exhibits an (R)-configuration.     

Determination of absolute stereochemistry of panaxynol

Absolute stereochemistry of panaxynol was determined by exciton chirality method. The circular dichroism spectra of panaxynol p-bromobenzoate and p-dimethylaminobenzoate show the negative exciton chirality at λ_ext indicating the S configuration of the chiral center.     

Asymmetric radical cyclization of (2S,3S)-2,3-butanediyl, (2S,4S)-2,4-pentanediyl,and (2S,5S)-2,5-hexanediyl bis(4-vinylbenzoate)s as a model reaction for asymmetric cyclocopolymerization

The asymmetric cyclocopolymerization of bis(4-vinylbezoate) of a chiral diol with styrene is a promising method for the preparation of optically active polystyrene derivatives because of main-chain chirality. However, the mechanism for chirality induction from the chiral diol to the main chain is still unknown. To clarify the chirality induction mechanism, we carried out the radical cyclizations of (2S,3S)-2,3-butanediyl bis(4-vinylbenzoate), (2S,4S)-2,4-pentanediyl bis(4-vinylbenzoate), and (2S,5S)-2,5-hexanediyl bis(4-vinylbenzoate) with tri-n-butyltin hydride or allyltri-n-butyltin as a chain-transfer reagent as model reactions for asymmetric cyclocopolymerization. The absolute configuration was determined with single-crystal X-ray crystallography and a circular dichroism exciton chirality method. The distribution of the stereoisomer showed (R)-configuration selectivity (21–34% diastereomeric excess) in the intramolecular cyclization and an extremely low extent (<1%) of the (S,S)-cyclized product among the four stereoisomers. Therefore, chirality induction is caused by the selective inhibition of the (S,S)-racemo configuration. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 4671–4681, 2004     

Bridged bioxepines and bi[10]paracyclophanes—synthesis and absolute configuration of a bi[10]paracyclophane with two chiral planes and one chiral axis

A preparative synthesis of novel bioxepines and bi[10]paracyclophanes with meso- and rac-configuration is described. The bi[10]paracyclophane (−)-6b with two elements of planar chirality and one chiral axis has been obtained in enantiomerically pure form. Its absolute configuration was determined by quantum chemical calculation of the circular dichroism and comparison with the experimental CD spectrum.     

应用电子圆二色光谱方法确定手性金属配合物的绝对构型

与电子能级跃迁相关的电子圆二色(ECD)光谱因其研究对象宽泛,与涉及振动能级的振动圆二色(VCD)光谱互补,已成为应用于手性立体化学研究的集成手性光谱的主流表征手段。本文概述了确定手性金属配合物绝对构型的三种主要方法,详细介绍了ECD光谱法在确定手性金属配合物绝对构型中的应用,其中着重强调了激子手性方法,并对集成手性光谱学未来的发展趋势做出了展望。     

Determination of absolute configuration using vibrational circular dichroism spectroscopy: the chiral sulfoxide 1-(2-methylnaphthyl) methyl sulfoxide

We report the determination of the absolute configuration (AC) of the chiral sulfoxide, 1-(2-methylnaphthyl) methyl sulfoxide, 1, using vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectroscopy. The VCD of 1 has been measured in the mid-IR spectral region in CCl(4) solution. Analysis employs the ab initio DFT/GIAO methodology. DFT calculations predict two stable conformations of 1, E and Z, Z being lower in energy than E by <1 kcal/mol. In both conformations the S-O bond is rotated from coplanarity with the naphthyl moiety by 30-40 degrees. The predicted unpolarized absorption ("IR") spectrum of the equilibrium mixture of the two conformations permits assignment of the experimental IR spectrum in the mid-IR spectral region. The presence of both E and Z conformations is clearly evident. The VCD spectrum predicted for S-1 is in excellent agreement with the experimental spectrum of (-)-1, unambiguously defining the AC of 1 as R(+)/S(-).     

Magnesium tetraarylporphyrin tweezer: a CD-sensitive host for absolute configurational assignments of alpha-chiral carboxylic acids

A protocol to determine the absolute configuration of alpha-chiral carboxylic acids based on a modified circular dichroic (CD) exciton chirality method has been developed. The protocol relies on a host-guest complexation mechanism: the chiral substrates are derivatized to give bifunctional amide conjugates ("guests") that form complexes with a dimeric magnesium porphyrin host, Mg-T (T stands for "tweezer") that acts as a "receptor". The two porphyrins in the complex adopt a preferred helicity dictated by the substituents at the chiral center in accordance with their steric sizes (assigned on the basis of conformational energy A-values) and, consequently, with the absolute configuration of the substrates under investigation. This chiroptical method, verified with a variety of chiral substrates, has been demonstrated to be reliable and generally applicable, including natural products with complex structures. Molecular modeling, NMR, and FTIR experiments of selected host-guest complexes revealed the mode of ligation of the substrates to the magnesium porphyrin species and led to clarification of the structure of the complex. When oxygen functionalities were directly attached to the chiral center, the signs of the CD couplets were opposite to those predicted on the basis of steric size. NMR and molecular modeling experiments indicated that this apparent inconsistency was due to conformational characteristics of the guest molecules. The stereochemical analysis is shown to be a sensitive technique, not only for the determination of absolute configurations of substrates but also for elucidation of their solution conformations.     

Dynamic Chirality Control of tropos DPCB‐digold Skeleton by Chiral Binaphthyldicarboxylate

The planar 3,4‐diphosphinidenecyclobutene (DPCB) can be remarkably twisted into a C₂‐type helical structure by dual coordination of a AuCl moiety. A prompt chirality control of the twisted DPCB skeleton ligated by the digold units affords the enantiopure structure by exchanging the chloride ligands for chiral [1,1′‐binaphthalene]‐2,2′‐dicarboxylate. The chirality of the diaurated 2,2′‐bis(diphenylphosphanyl)‐1,1′‐biphenyl (BIPHEP) system can be controlled prior to that of DPCB. Mixing of a DPCB‐bis(chlorogold) complex with the chiral silver salt dynamically leads to a single diastereomer, which was characterized by the ³¹P NMR spectrum and the CD couplet patterns in the visible (DPCB) area. The absolute configuration of the singly induced helical structure was assigned by the theoretical CD spectra determined by TD‐DFT calculations. Intramolecular alkoxycyclization of hexa‐4,5‐dien‐1‐ol catalyzed by the asymmetric DPCB‐digold structure were also attempted.     

Absolute configuration of chiral [2.2]paracyclophanes with intramolecular charge-transfer interaction. Failure of the exciton chirality method and use of the sector rule applied to the cotton effect of the CT transition

Optically active 4,7-dicyano-12,15-dimethoxy[2.2]paracyclophanes have been separated by chiral HPLC and their absolute configurations determined by comparison of the experimental and the theoretical VCD spectra. X-ray crystallographic structures for both diastereomers are also reported. The electronic circular dichroism spectra of these enantiomeric pairs, as chiral intramolecular charge-transfer complexes, have been obtained for the first time. The exciton coupling method, usually used for determining the absolute configuration of chiral molecules, however, did not give a correct prediction for the present CT-paracyclophane system. Instead, empirical sector rules for the signs of the Cotton effects of the CT transition can be applied for the assignment of the absolute configuration.     

Chirality-Embedded Nanographenes

The development of chiral nanographenes has mostly been carried out by bottom-up methods and examples of species developed by the post-modification of nanographenes prepared by top-down methods remain limited. We show that the attachment of chiral functional groups onto the edge of nanographenes generates chirality on the surface. X-ray diffraction analysis and DFT calculations indicate that the chirality of the functional groups is transferred to the surface via steric interactions from the chiral center through the five-membered cyclic imide to the nanographene edge. The exciton coupling between the p-bromophenyl groups confirms that the functional groups are arranged on the armchair edges at distances that permit exciton coupling, which provides information about their relative orientation. These pieces of information help to elucidate the edge structure of nanographenes prepared by top-down methods.     

Dysidavarones A-D, new sesquiterpene quinones from the marine sponge Dysidea avara

Dysidavarones A-D (1-4), four new sesquiterpene quinones possessing the unprecedented "dysidavarane" carbon skeleton, were isolated from the South China Sea sponge Dysidea avara. The structures were established by spectroscopic methods, and the absolute configurations were determined using quantum mechanical calculation of the electronic circular dichroic (ECD) spectrum and exciton chirality CD method. Their cytotoxic activity against four human cancer cell lines and PTP1B inhibitory activity were also evaluated.     

Absolute configuration assignment made easier by the VCD of coupled oscillating carbonyls: the case of (−)-propanedioic acids, 2-(2,3)-dihydro-3-oxo-1H-isoindol-1-yl)-1,3-dimethyl ester

Depending on their relative orientation, coupled oscillating carbonyl groups provide a VCD spectrum with a characteristic CO bond stretching region showing a strong bisignate VCD feature, which can be readily predicted adopting long available semiempirical methods. The extended coupled oscillator (ECO) formalism has been used to assign the absolute configuration of a recently synthesized chiral 3-substituted isoindolinone. The prediction of (S) configuration for the (−) enantiomer has been confirmed by quantum mechanical calculations.