Through‐space 19F–19F spin–spin coupling in ortho‐fluoro Z‐azobenzene

We report through‐space (TS) ¹⁹F–¹⁹F coupling for ortho‐fluoro‐substituted Z ‐azobenzenes. The magnitude of the TS‐coupling constant (^TSJ_FF) ranged from 2.2–5.9 Hz. Using empirical formulas reported in the literature, these coupling constants correspond to non‐bonded F–F distances (d_FF) of 3.0–3.5 Å. These non‐bonded distances are significantly smaller than those determined by X‐ray crystallography or density functional theory, which argues that simple models of ¹⁹F–¹⁹F TS spin–spin coupling solely based d_FF are not applicable. ¹H, ¹³C and ¹⁹F data are reported for both the E and Z isomers of ten fluorinated azobenzenes. Density functional theory [B3YLP/6‐311++G(d,p)] was used to calculate ¹⁹F chemical shifts, and the calculated values deviated 0.3–10.0 ppm compared with experimental values. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Predicting 19F NMR Chemical Shifts: A Combined Computational and Experimental Study of a Trypanosomal Oxidoreductase–Inhibitor Complex

The absence of fluorine from most biomolecules renders it an excellent probe for NMR spectroscopy to monitor inhibitor–protein interactions. However, predicting the binding mode of a fluorinated ligand from a chemical shift (or vice versa) has been challenging due to the high electron density of the fluorine atom. Nonetheless, reliable ¹⁹F chemical‐shift predictions to deduce ligand‐binding modes hold great potential for in silico drug design. Herein, we present a systematic QM/MM study to predict the ¹⁹F NMR chemical shifts of a covalently bound fluorinated inhibitor to the essential oxidoreductase tryparedoxin (Tpx) from African trypanosomes, the causative agent of African sleeping sickness. We include many protein–inhibitor conformations as well as monomeric and dimeric inhibitor–protein complexes, thus rendering it the largest computational study on chemical shifts of ¹⁹F nuclei in a biological context to date. Our predicted shifts agree well with those obtained experimentally and pave the way for future work in this area.     

19F coupling constants and chemical shifts in some dimethylamino and alkoxy derivatives of tellurium hexafluoride,cis TeF4XY

The spectra of A₂BC spin systems provided by the ¹⁹F nuclei in cis (RO) (MeO)TeF₄ and (RO) (Me₂N)TeF₄ (R = Me, Et, Pr, i-Pr) have been recorded and analysed. The geminal coupling constants ²J(F,F) range from 137–174 Hz and trends in the ¹⁹F chemical shifts permit complete assignment of the resonances. Stereospecific coupling between ¹⁹F and the protons of the N-methylamino groups is also observed.     

Conformational dynamics of bis(BF2)‐2,2′‐bidipyrrins revealed by through‐space 13C?19F and 19F?19F couplings

The conformation of [bis‐(N,N′‐difluoroboryl)]‐3,3′‐diethyl‐4,4′,8,8′,9,9′,10,10′‐octamethyl‐2,2′‐bidipyrrin (1) in solution was studied by analyzing the ¹³C? ¹⁹F and ¹⁹F? ¹⁹F through‐space spin–spin couplings. The ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra were assigned on the basis of nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy (NOESY), heteronuclear single‐quantum correlation (HSQC), and heteronuclear multiple‐bond correlation (HMBC) experiments. The ¹⁹F spectrum of 1 was compared with that of 2‐ethyl‐1,3,5,6,7‐pentamethyl‐4,4‐difluoro‐4‐bor‐3a,4a‐diaza‐s‐indacen (2). The ¹⁹F? ¹⁹F through‐space spin? spin coupling in 1 was thus assigned and the coupling constant was obtained by simulating the coupling patterns. The obtained conformation of 1 was compared with those of the known complexes [bis‐(N,N′‐difluoroboryl)]‐3,3′,8,8′,9,9′‐hexaethyl‐4,4′,10,10′‐tetramethyl‐6,6′‐(4‐methylphenyl)‐2,2′‐bidipyrrin (3)and [bis‐(N,N′‐difluoroboryl)]‐9,9′‐diethyl‐4,4′,8,8′,10,10′‐hexamethyl‐3,3′‐bis(methoxycarbonylethyl)‐2,2′‐bidipyrrin (4). The conformational dynamics of 1, 3, and 4 was surveyed by observing the temperature dependence of the through‐space coupling constants between 253 and 333 K. The ¹³C? ¹⁹F and ¹⁹F? ¹⁹F through‐space spin–spin couplings thus confirm similar conformations of different BisBODIPYs in solution in contrast to earlier findings in the solid state. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

19F‐MAS NMR on Proteorhodopsin: Enhanced Protocol for Site‐Specific Labeling for General Application to Membrane Proteins†

Proteorhodopsin (PR) is a light‐driven proton pump found in near‐surface marine γ‐proteobacteria. The green absorbing variant has three cysteines at positions 107, 156 and 175. We probed the accessibility of these residues by ¹⁹F‐MAS NMR. For this purpose, an efficient but simple protocol for chemical fluorine labeling of accessible cysteines in membrane proteins was established. This one‐step reaction was applied to detergent‐solubilized PR before reconstitution into phospholipids. All three cysteines could be labeled and showed distinct ¹⁹F chemical shifts with different integral intensities. The accessibility of these cysteines is discussed in the context of a homology model. With the chemical cysteine labeling procedure shown here, an attractive option for site‐directed solid‐state NMR studies on other membrane proteins is offered due to the high intrinsic sensitivity of ¹⁹F‐MAS NMR.     

Configuration of functional trifluoromethylated dienoates,aryldienoates and trienoates

The configuration of certain trifluoromethylated functional dienoates, aryldienoates and trienoates is presented by the measurement of their ¹³C NMR and ¹⁹F NMR chemical shifts, and their ³ J(C–F), ⁴J(H–F) and through‐space ⁵J(H–F) coupling constants. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Fluorine Pseudocontact Shifts Used for Characterizing the Protein–Ligand Interaction Mode in the Limit of NMR Intermediate Exchange

The characterization of protein–ligand interaction modes becomes recalcitrant in the NMR intermediate exchange regime as the interface resonances are broadened beyond detection. Here, we determined the ¹⁹F low‐populated bound‐state pseudocontact shifts (PCSs) of mono‐ and di‐fluorinated inhibitors of the BRM bromodomain using a highly skewed protein/ligand ratio. The bound‐state ¹⁹F PCSs were retrieved from ¹⁹F chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) in the presence of the lanthanide‐labeled protein, which was termed the ¹⁹F PCS‐CEST approach. These PCSs enriched in spatial information enabled the identification of best‐fitting poses, which agree well with the crystal structure of a more soluble analog in complex with the BRM bromodomain. This approach fills the gap of the NMR structural characterization of lead‐like inhibitors with moderate affinities to target proteins, which are essential for structure‐guided hit‐to‐lead evolution.     

1H‐19F REDOR‐filtered NMR spin diffusion measurements of domain size in heterogeneous polymers

Solid state NMR spectroscopy is inherently sensitive to chemical structure and composition and thus makes an ideal method to probe the heterogeneity of multicomponent polymers. Specifically, NMR spin diffusion experiments can be used to extract reliable information about spatial domain sizes on multiple length scales, provided that magnetization selection of one domain can be achieved. In this paper, we demonstrate the preferential filtering of protons in fluorinated domains during NMR spin diffusion experiments using ¹H‐¹⁹F heteronuclear dipolar dephasing based on rotational echo double resonance (REDOR) MAS NMR techniques. Three pulse sequence variations are demonstrated based on the different nuclei detected: direct ¹H detection, plus both ¹H?¹³C cross polarization and ¹H?¹⁹F cross polarization detection schemes. This ¹H‐¹⁹F REDOR‐filtered spin diffusion method was used to measure fluorinated domain sizes for a complex polymer blend. The efficacy of the REDOR‐based spin filter does not rely on spin relaxation behavior or chemical shift differences and thus is applicable for performing NMR spin diffusion experiments in samples where traditional magnetization filters may prove unsuccessful. This REDOR‐filtered NMR spin diffusion method can also be extended to other samples where a heteronuclear spin pair exists that is unique to the domain of interest.     

Effects of electron irradiation on poly(vinylidene fluoride–trifluoroethylene) copolymers studied by solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

The effects of electron irradiation on the molecular chemical structure, conformation, mobility, and phase transition of vinylidene fluoride (VDF) and trifluoroethylene (TrFE) copolymer have been investigated with variable‐temperature, solid‐state ¹⁹F nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). It has been found that electron irradiation converts all‐trans conformations of both VDF‐rich and TrFE‐containing segments into dynamically mixed trans–gauche conformations accompanied by a simultaneous ferroelectric‐to‐paraelectric (or amorphous) transition. The variable‐temperature ¹⁹F magic‐angle‐spinning spectra results show that the paraelectric phase melts at much lower temperatures in irradiated films than in an unirradiated sample. Moreover, ¹⁹F NMR relaxation data (spin–lattice relaxation times in both the laboratory and rotating frames) reveal that electron irradiation enhances the molecular motion in paraelectric regions, whereas the molecular motion in a high‐temperature amorphous melt (>100 °C) is more constrained in irradiated films. Besides these physical changes, electron irradiation also induces the formation of several CF₃ groups. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 1714–1724, 2006     

13C?19F spin–spin coupling in some monofluoro-substituted polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

The determination and complete assignment of the ¹³C? ¹⁹F coupling constants and ¹³C chemical shifts for 15 monofluoro derivatives of nine polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are reported. Fluorine substitutent effects on the ¹³C chemical shifts are given and their regular behaviour, making comparisons between different compounds possible, is discussed. The numerical values of the ¹³C? ¹⁹F long range coupling constants are found, with a few exceptions, to decrease in an alternating manner along the periphery of the molecules. In several cases the signs of the coupling constants have been determined. It appears that the signs alternate, but additional evidence is required. The magnitudes of different types of coupling constants are discussed in terms of steric and electronic effects. CNDO/2 and INDO calculations of the ¹³C? ¹⁹F coupling constants in the fluoronaphthalenes have been performed using the ‘sum-over-states’ method with the aim of examining the orbital and spin–dipole contributions to the various couplings.     

Predicting 19F NMR Chemical Shifts: A Combined Computational and Experimental Study of a Trypanosomal Oxidoreductase–Inhibitor Complex

The absence of fluorine from most biomolecules renders it an excellent probe for NMR spectroscopy to monitor inhibitor–protein interactions. However, predicting the binding mode of a fluorinated ligand from a chemical shift (or vice versa) has been challenging due to the high electron density of the fluorine atom. Nonetheless, reliable ¹⁹F chemical-shift predictions to deduce ligand-binding modes hold great potential for in silico drug design. Herein, we present a systematic QM/MM study to predict the ¹⁹F NMR chemical shifts of a covalently bound fluorinated inhibitor to the essential oxidoreductase tryparedoxin (Tpx) from African trypanosomes, the causative agent of African sleeping sickness. We include many protein–inhibitor conformations as well as monomeric and dimeric inhibitor–protein complexes, thus rendering it the largest computational study on chemical shifts of ¹⁹F nuclei in a biological context to date. Our predicted shifts agree well with those obtained experimentally and pave the way for future work in this area.     

The bonding situation in 1,3,2‐diazaphospholene derivatives as studied by solid‐state NMR spectroscopy

The ³¹P chemical shift (CS) tensors of the 1,3,2‐diazaphospholenium cation 1 and the P‐chloro‐1,3,2‐diazaphospholenes 2 and 3 and the ³¹P and ¹⁹F CS tensors of the P‐fluoro‐1,3,2‐diazaphospholene 4 were characterized by solid‐state ³¹P and ¹⁹F NMR studies and quantum chemical model calculations. The computed orientation of the principal axes system of the ³¹P and ¹⁹F CS tensors in the P‐fluoro compound was found to be in good agreement with experimentally derived values obtained from evaluation of P–F dipolar interactions. A comparison of the trends in the chemical shifts of 1 – 4 with further available literature data confirms that the unique high shielding of δ₁₁ in the cation 1 can be related to the effective π‐conjugation in the five‐membered heterocycle, and that a further systematic decrease in δ₁₁ for the P‐halogen derivatives 2 – 4 is attributable to the increased perturbation of the π‐electron distribution by interaction with the halide donor. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

1H and 13C NMR study of the enol–enolic tautomerism of some cyclic β-ketoaldehydes

Aldehyde (δCH) and enolic (δOH) proton chemical shifts, the corresponding spin–spin coupling constants (JCH,OH) and the ¹³C chemical shifts (δC) have been measured for three cyclic β-ketoaldehydes as a function of temperature. A tautomeric equilibrium has been shown to exist between the aldo–enol ( A ) and hydroxymethylene ketone ( B ) forms. The chemical shifts δCH δOH and δC for the two pure tautomeric forms A and B have been calculated. The enthalpy changes ΔH in the tautomeric process A ? B and the percentages of the tautomeric forms have been determined.     

Aromatic 19F–13C TROSY—[19F, 13C]‐Pyrimidine Labeling for NMR Spectroscopy of RNA

We present the access to [5‐¹⁹F, 5‐¹³C]‐uridine and ‐cytidine phosphoramidites for the production of site‐specifically modified RNAs up to 65 nucleotides (nts). The amidites were used to introduce [5‐¹⁹F, 5‐¹³C]‐pyrimidine labels into five RNAs—the 30 nt human immunodeficiency virus trans activation response (HIV TAR) 2 RNA, the 61 nt human hepatitis B virus ? (hHBV ?) RNA, the 49 nt SAM VI riboswitch aptamer domain from B. angulatum, the 29 nt apical stem loop of the pre‐microRNA (miRNA) 21 and the 59 nt full length pre‐miRNA 21. The main stimulus to introduce the aromatic ¹⁹F–¹³C‐spin topology into RNA comes from a work of Boeszoermenyi et al., in which the dipole‐dipole interaction and the chemical shift anisotropy relaxation mechanisms cancel each other leading to advantageous TROSY properties shown for aromatic protein sidechains. This aromatic ¹³C–¹⁹F labeling scheme is now transferred to RNA. We provide a protocol for the resonance assignment by solid phase synthesis based on diluted [5‐¹⁹F, 5‐¹³C]/[5‐¹⁹F] pyrimidine labeling. For the 61 nt hHBV ? we find a beneficial ¹⁹F–¹³C TROSY enhancement, which should be even more pronounced in larger RNAs and will facilitate the NMR studies of larger RNAs. The [¹⁹F, ¹³C]‐labeling of the SAM VI aptamer domain and the pre‐miRNA 21 further opens the possibility to use the biorthogonal stable isotope reporter nuclei in in vivo NMR to observe ligand binding and microRNA processing in a biological relevant setting.     

Synthesis of 15‐, 16‐, and 17‐Membered Bis‐C‐Pivot Macrocycles Consisting of N2O2 Donor‐Type Crown Ethers and Dialkyl Phosphonates

Bis‐C‐pivot macrocycles containing aminophosphonate functions ( 5–10 ) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, FTIR, MS, 1D ¹H, ¹³C and ³¹P NMR, and 2D HETCOR techniques. The phosphorylation reaction of dibenzo‐bis‐imino crown ethers ( 1–4 ) with dimethyl and diethyl phosphite used here has the potential to provide bis‐C‐pivot macrocycles ( 5–10 ), which possess two stereogenic C‐centers giving rise to diastereoisomers (meso and racemic). Detailed spectral assignments for the meso and racemic forms of the compounds are reported on the basis of chemical shifts, signal intensities, spin–spin coupling constants, and splitting patterns. The bis‐C‐pivot macrocycles ( 5–10 ) may serve as a potential new class of supramolecular host molecules.     

Magnetism,optical absorbance,and 19F NMR spectra of nafion films with self‐assembling paramagnetic networks

Magnetization, optical absorbance, and ¹⁹F NMR spectra of Nafion transparent films as received and doped with Mn²⁺, Co²⁺, Fe²⁺, and Fe³⁺ ions with and without treatment in 1H‐1,2,4‐triazole (trz) have been studied. Doping of Nafion with Fe²⁺ and Co²⁺ and their bridging to nitrogen of triazole yields a hybrid self‐assembling paramagnetic system that exhibits interesting magnetic and optical properties. These include spin crossover phenomena between high‐spin (HS) and low‐spin (LS) states in Nafion‐Fe²⁺‐trz and Nafion‐Co²⁺‐trz accompanied by thermochromic effects in the visible range induced by temperature. A large shift of the magnetization curve induced by a magnetic field in the vicinity of the HS ? LS, ～220 K, observed for Nafion‐Fe²⁺‐trz has a rate of ～6 K/kOe, which is about three orders of magnitude larger than that in bulk spin crossover Fe²⁺ materials. Selective response of ¹⁹F NMR signals on doping with paramagnetic ions demonstrates that NMR can be used as spatially resolved method to study Nafion film with paramagnetic network. Both chemical shift and width of ¹⁹F NMR signals show that SO groups of Nafion, Fe or Co ions, and nitrogen of triazole are bonded whereas they form a spin crossover system. Based on a model of nanosize cylinders proposed for Nafion [K. Schmidt‐Rohr and Q. Chen, Nat Mater (2008), 75], we suggest that paramagnetic ions are located inside these cylinders, forming self‐assembling magnetically and optically active nanoscale networks. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 50: 129–138, 2012     

A survey of wave function effects on theoretical calculation of gas phase F NMR chemical shifts using factorial design

The wave functions for calculating gas phase ¹⁹F chemical shifts were optimally selected using the factorial design as a multivariate technique. The effects of electron correlation, triple-ξ valance shell, diffuse function, and polarization function on calculated ¹⁹F chemical shifts were discussed. It is shown that of the four factors, electron correlation and the polarization functions affect the results significantly. B3LYP/6-31 + G(df,p) wave functions have been proposed as the best and the most efficient level of theory for calculating ¹⁹F chemical shifts. An additional series of fluoro compounds were used as a test set and their predicted ¹⁹F chemical shifts values confirmed the validity of the approaches.     

Through‐space 19F–15N couplings for the assignment of stereochemistry in flubenzimine

Through‐space ¹⁹F–¹⁵N couplings revealed the configuration of flubenzimine, with the CF₃ group on N4 pointing towards the lone pair of N5. The ¹⁹F–¹⁵N coupling constants were measured at natural abundance using a spin‐state selective indirect‐detection pulse sequence. As ¹⁵N‐labelled proteins are routinely synthesized for NMR studies, through‐space ¹⁹F–¹⁵N couplings have the potential to probe the stereochemistry of these proteins by ¹⁹F labelling of some amino acids or can reveal the site of docking of fluorine‐containing drugs. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

15N and 13C NMR chemical shifts of 6‐(fluoro,chloro, bromo,and iodo)purine 2′‐deoxynucleosides: measurements and calculations

The ¹⁵N and ¹³C chemical shifts of 6‐(fluoro, chloro, bromo, and iodo)purine 2′‐deoxynucleoside derivatives in deuterated chloroform were measured. The ¹⁵N chemical shifts were determined by the ¹H? ¹⁵N HMBC method, and complete ¹⁵N chemical‐shift assignments were made with the aid of density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Inclusion of solvation effects significantly improved the precision of the calculations of ¹⁵N chemical shifts. Halogen‐substitution effects on the ¹⁵N and ¹³C chemical shifts of purine rings are discussed in the context of DFT results. The experimental coupling constants for ¹⁹F interacting with ¹⁵N and ¹³C of the 6‐fluoropurine 2‐deoxynuleoside are compared with those from DFT calculations. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Evaluating electronic structure methods for accurate calculation of 19F chemical shifts in fluorinated amino acids

The ability of electronic structure methods (11 density functionals, HF, and MP2 calculations; two basis sets and two solvation models) to accurately calculate the ¹⁹F chemical shifts of 31 structures of fluorinated amino acids and analogues with known experimental ¹⁹F NMR spectra has been evaluated. For this task, BHandHLYP, ωB97X, and Hartree–Fock with scaling factors (provided within) are most accurate. Additionally, the accuracy of methods to calculate relative changes in fluorine shielding across 23 sets of structural variants, such as zwitterionic amino acids versus side chains only, was also determined. This latter criterion may be a better indicator of reliable methods for the ultimate goal of assigning and interpreting chemical shifts of fluorinated amino acids in proteins. It was found that MP2 and M062X calculations most accurately assess changes in shielding among analogues. These results serve as a guide for computational developments to calculate ¹⁹F chemical shifts in biomolecular environments. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.