Solvation of phenylglycine- and leucine-derived chiral stationary phases: molecular dynamics simulation study

A theoretical study of the solvation of ( R)- N-(3,5-dinitrobenzoyl)phenylglycine- and ( R)- N-(3,5-dinitrobenzoyl)leucine-derived chiral stationary phases (CSPs) is presented. Semiflexible models of the chiral selectors are prepared from B3LYP/6-311G** calculations, and these are used in the molecular dynamics simulations of the corresponding interface. The chiral interface is examined for four solvents: 100% hexane, 90:10 hexane:2-propanol, 80:20 hexane:2-propanol, and 100% 2-propanol. Despite the similarities between phenylglycine and leucine, the interfaces are distinct both in terms of the selector orientations at the surface and in the number of hydrogen bonds formed with 2-propanol. We also find that an increase in alcohol concentration alters the preferred orientations of the selectors.     

Elucidation of chiral recognition processes of macrocyclic antibiotic vancomycin

A theoretical investigation was carried out on the retention and separation of enantiomeric molecules including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, anti-neoplastic compounds and N-derivatized amino acids by capillary electrophoresis using macrocyclic antibiotics, a new class of chiral selectors, as stationary phase. Firstly docking methods were used to study the enantiorecognition in chiral electrophoresis. The molecular dynamics simulations of the two diastereoisomer complexes were then performed in order to understand how these antibiotics recognize the enantiomers. Another approach was applied in this study to establish a quantitative structure-enantioselectivity relationship (QSER) model, able to describe the resolution of a series of chiral compounds in capillary electrophoresis using vancomycin as the resolving agent.     

Nuclear magnetic resonance approaches to the rationalization of chromatographic enantiorecognition processes

NMR spectroscopy represents a valuable tool for obtaining information about structure and dynamics at a molecular level on the diastereoisomeric complexes formed by enantiomeric substrates and chromatographic chiral selectors or modifiers. Some examples collected from the literature show the potentialities of solution NMR spectroscopy in the rationalization of chromatographic enantiorecognition processes and the different NMR approaches needed according to the chiral selector features.     

Rational optimization of the Whelk-O1 chiral stationary phase using molecular dynamics simulations

Rational in silico optimization of the Whelk-O1 chiral stationary phase (CSP) has been carried out based on the chiral recognition mechanism extracted from previous molecular dynamics simulations [C.F. Zhao, N.M. Cann, Anal. Chem. 80 (2008) 2426] of this CSP. Three modified CSPs have been examined. The first two are designed to increase selectivity by reducing the docking probability of the less retained analyte. The third modified selector reverses the amide bridge to introduce a structural motif found in the popular carbamate-derivatized polysaccharide CSPs [Y. Okamoto, M. Kawashima, K. Hatada, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 106 (1984) 5357]. For each modified selector, an atomistic model has been obtained through extensive ab initio calculations. The effect of selector modification is then evaluated via simulations of the modified interface in the presence of target analytes. Simulation results show that the separation factors are increased for the modified CSPs but in some cases elution orders are reversed. The Whelk-O1 CSP was originally designed to separate naproxen [W.H. Pirkle, C.J. Welch, B. LAmm, J. Org. Chem. 57 (1992) 3854]. With this in mind, molecular dynamics simulations of naproxen are compared for the original, and the modified, selectors.     

Doubly tethered tertiary amide linked and ionically bonded diproline chiral stationary phases

Oligoproline chiral stationary phase (CSP) is a new class peptide chiral stationary phase. Many proline chiral stationary phases with different proline chain lengths and linkers have been prepared and evaluated. However, the doubly tethered and ionic type linkers have not been adequately investigated. In this study, covalently and ionically bonded chiral stationary phases with doubly tethered linker were prepared and characterized. The new covalently bonded doubly tethered diproline CSP was applied successfully to resolve various enantiomers of acidic, basic, and neutral compounds with phenyl, naphthyl, anthryl, or similarly sized groups. The enantiorecognition performances of singly and doubly tethered diproline CSPs were comparable. Variation of the type and content of organic modifiers in hexane or heptane mobile phase showed that the branch alcohols such as 2‐propanol and 2‐butanol, 1,2‐dichloroethane, methyl tert‐butyl ether, and ethyl acetate in the mobile phase enhanced chiral separation. End‐capping on doubly tethered diproline CSP did not always improve the separation factor and resolution. Due to the rigid structure of the double tether, the enantioseparation ability of ionically bonded diproline CSP was well expressed to some analytes.     

Evaluation of the effect of the chiral centers of Taxol on binding to β-tubulin: A docking and molecular dynamics simulation study

Taxol is one of the most important anti-cancer drugs. The interaction between different variants of Taxol, by altering one of its chiral centers at a time, with β-tubulin protein has been investigated. To achieve such goal, docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation studies have been performed. In docking studies, the preferred conformers have been selected to further study by MD method based on the binding energies reported by the AutoDock program. The best result of docking study which shows the highest affinity between ligand and protein has been used as the starting point of the MD simulations. All of the complexes have shown acceptable stability during the simulation process, based on the RMSDs of the backbone of the protein structure. Finally, MM-GBSA calculations have been carried out to select the best ligand, considering the binding energy criteria. The results predict that two of the structures have better affinity toward the mentioned protein, in comparison with Taxol. Three of the structures have affinity similar to that of the Taxol toward the β-tubulin.     

Evaluation and comparison of a methylated teicoplanin aglycone to teicoplanin aglycone and natural teicoplanin chiral stationary phases

HPLC enantiomeric separations of a wide variety of racemic analytes was evaluated using chiral stationary phases (CSPs) based on the macrocyclic glycopeptides teicoplanin (T), teicoplanin aglycone (TAG), and methylated teicoplanin aglycone (Me-TAG) in two different mobile phase modes, i.e., the RP mode and the polar organic (PO) mode. Comparison of the enantiomeric separations using Chirobiotic T, Chirobiotic TAG, and the methylated form of TAG were conducted in order to gain a better understanding of the roles of the polar functional groups on the CSP. Substantial effects due to the cleavage of saccharides and/or methylation on chiral separations were observed in both separation modes. Improved separation efficiencies for many acidic analytes were obtained by methylating the H-bonding groups of TAG. These groups were believed to be a contributing factor to band broadening on TAG due to their negative effect on mass transfer between the stationary phase and mobile phase. Ionic/dipolar interactions between the carboxylate group of the analytes and the amine groups on T, TAG, or Me-TAG are important for chiral discrimination. Therefore, analytes possessing a carboxyl group are good candidates for successful separations on these CSPs. Hydrophobic interactions are important for enantiomeric separations in the RP mode where the H-bonding interactions between analytes and the chiral selectors are relatively weak. Me-TAG offers higher hydrophobicity, which can accentuate the interactions of analytes with hydrophobic moieties, but these interactions are not necessarily stereoselective. In the PO mobile phase, electrostatic/dipolar interactions between polar functional groups are the dominating interactions in chiral recognition. Another important factor is steric fit, which could be changed with every modification of the T structure. Therefore, substantial changes of enantioseparations were obtained within this studied group of CSPs. The PO mode was shown to be the most powerful mobile phase mode for enantiomeric separations on T-based stationary phases, mainly due to the improved efficiency. Methylation of the TAG proved to be a very useful tool for investigating the chiral recognition mechanism for this group of chiral selectors.     

Advances in enantiomeric resolution on monolithic chiral stationary phases in liquid chromatography and electrochromatography

During the last decade, chiral monolithic stationary phases have been prepared and used for rapid enantioseparations in CEC and HPLC. Various chiral selectors are used to prepare these CSPs. The preparation, properties, and applications of these CSPs are discussed in this paper. Attempts have been made to describe optimization strategies and the chiral recognition mechanisms. A comparison of chiral separations in CEC and HPLC is described. Efforts have also been made to predict the future perspectives and challenges of chiral monolithic stationary phases. The most effective chiral selectors include polysaccharides, cyclodextrins, and macrocyclic glycopeptide antibiotics. These chiral phases produced acceptable analytical enantiomeric separation of a variety of racemates. However, the development of these CSPs for preparative‐scale separations is needed.     

Effect of the presence of a free hydroxyl group on the enantiodiscrimination properties of cholic acid based CSPs bearing 2-naphthylcarbamate and 3,5-dinitrophenylcarbamate moieties in the HPLC resolution of racemic compounds

Two new chiral selectors, obtained by derivatizing two of the three hydroxyl groups of cholic acid with 2-naphthylisocyanate and 3,5-dinitrophenylisocyanate, have been prepared and linked to silica gel to obtain chiral stationary phases (CSPs) for the HPLC separation of enantiomers. The enantiodiscriminating capability of the two CSPs has been compared to that of the analogous CSP obtained from an exhaustively derivatized cholic acid based selector, in order to establish the effect of the presence of a free hydroxyl group on the enantiodiscrimination properties of this kind of selector. The chromatographic results demonstrate that the enantioselectivity of these selectors strongly depends on the position of the hydroxyl group on the cholestanic backbone.     

Structure‐enantioselectivity relationships for the study of chiral recognition in peptide enantiomer separation on cinchona alkaloid‐based chiral stationary phases by HPLC: Influence of the N‐terminal protecting group

Eleven different N‐terminal protecting groups (acetyl, benzoyl, FMOC, etc.) were employed for the HPLC separation of oligoalanine peptide enantiomers containing up to six amino acids. Isocratic HPLC separations were performed using a hydro‐organic buffered mobile phase and 4 mm ID columns containing three different chiral anion exchange stationary phases based on cinchona alkaloid‐derived chiral selectors. For most peptides successful separations could be obtained with all protecting groups, although those comprising aromatic moieties were found to yield higher enantioselectivities than those with aliphatic residues, since they are capable of undergoing favourable π‐π interactions with the selector. Systematic investigations concerning the presence or absence of structural features of related protecting groups showed that the use of protecting groups that are optimally adjusted to the binding pocket of the chiral selector effects a significant gain in enantioselectivity. At the same time these studies provided new insights into the chiral recognition mechanism.     

Recent advances in peptide chiral selectors for electrophoresis and liquid chromatography

The application of peptides in chiral separations using techniques such as capillary electrophoresis (CE), electrokinetic capillary chromatography (EKC) and liquid chromatography is the focus of this review. Methods for finding peptide selectors using combinatorial library approaches are discussed, as well as recent advances in the use of peptides as general chiral selectors for electrophoresis and liquid chromatography. One example shows the effectiveness of polymeric dipeptide surfactants as general chiral selectors for electrophoresis. Another example shows the versatility of oligoproline chiral stationary phases, exhibiting resolution for a number of racemic analytes comparable to other well-established chiral stationary phases.     

Molecular modelling experiments on chiral recognition in GC with specially derivatized cyclodextrins as selectors

The results of gas chromatographic enantiomeric separations of selected non-polar and polar test solutes (limonene and 1-phenylethanol) using two different derivatives of β-cyclodextrin, permethyl-β-CD and 2,3-dimethyl-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-β-CD (PMCD and TBCD) are interpreted in combination with the conclusions from molecular modelling calculations based on docking experiments. A comparison of the two selectors which were used as solution in a polysiloxane matrix (OV 1701) indicated that the less flexible TBCD which is blocked on one side by the bulky tert-butyldimethylsilyl groups seems to possess advantages for certain chiral separations, especially of the non-polar type. The special properties of TBCD as selector are also demonstrated by chiral separations of other compounds.     

Recent studies of docking and molecular dynamics simulation for liquid‐phase enantioseparations

Liquid‐phase enantioseparations have been fruitfully applied in several fields of science. Various applications along with technical and theoretical advancements contributed to increase significantly the knowledge in this area. Nowadays, chromatographic techniques, in particular HPLC on chiral stationary phase, are considered as mature technologies. In the last thirty years, CE has been also recognized as one of the most versatile technique for analytical scale separation of enantiomers. Despite the huge number of papers published in these fields, understanding mechanistic details of the stereoselective interaction between selector and selectand is still an open issue, in particular for high‐molecular weight chiral selectors like polysaccharide derivatives. With the ever growing improvement of computer facilities, hardware and software, computational techniques have become a basic tool in enantioseparation science. In this field, molecular docking and dynamics simulations proved to be extremely adaptable to model and visualize at molecular level the spatial proximity of interacting molecules in order to predict retention, selectivity, enantiomer elution order, and profile noncovalent interaction patterns underlying the recognition process. On this basis, topics and trends in using docking and molecular dynamics as theoretical complement of experimental LC and CE chiral separations are described herein. The basic concepts of these computational strategies and seminal studies performed over time are presented, with a specific focus on literature published between 2015 and November 2018. A systematic compilation of all published literature has not been attempted.     

Chiral HPLC Separation on Derivatized Cyclofructan Versus Cyclodextrin Stationary Phases

Cyclodextrins (CDs) and cyclofructans (CFs) are chiral cyclic oligosaccharides. While β-CD is composed of seven glucopyranose units forming rigid cavity, hydrophobic inside, CF6 and CF7, contain six and seven fructofuranose units, respectively, creating a polar crown ether core. These basic structures can be easily derivatized to form even more potential chiral selectors that enable enantioselective separation of various chiral compounds. Chiral stationary phases (CSPs) based on CFs and CDs that were derivatized with the same derivatization group, either dimethylphenyl or R-naphthylethyl, were compared. A set of analytes with different interaction possibilities was used for characterization of retention and enantioseparation abilities of these CSPs in normal separation mode of HPLC. The results showed that both cyclic oligosaccharide structure and derivatization group influenced the retention/separation behavior of analytes. Complementary enantioseparations were obtained for some analytes.     

非水溶液毛细管电泳手性分离

对非水溶液毛细管电泳中手性分离的研究现状和发展趋势进行了简要的评述。主要是以手性分离中所用的手性试剂为线索，对它们在非水溶液中的应用情况及其对分离度、柱效和分离选择性的影响进行综述并与水溶液中的情况作了比较。对于在水溶液中已经得到应用而在非水溶液中未被使用的部分试剂也进行了简要地解释。     

Spectroscopy, NMR and DFT studies on molecular recognition of crown ether bridged chiral heterotrinuclear salen Zn(II) complex

A barium-containing crown ether bridged chiral heterotrinuclear salen Zn(II) complex BaZn2L(ClO4)2, where L is a folded dinuclear chiral (R,R)-salen ligand, has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, 1H NMR, UV-vis, IR, circular dichroism (CD) spectra, and mass spectra. As a folded dinuclear chiral host, its recognition with achiral guests (imidazole derivatives), rigid bidentate guest (1,4-diazobicyclo[2,2,2]octane, DABCO) and chiral guests (amino acid methyl esters) was investigated by means of UV-vis spectrophotometric titration, CD spectra. The association constants of D-amino acid methyl esters are found to be higher than those of their L-enantiomer. The sandwich-type binding of BaZn2L(ClO4)2-DABCO supramolecular assembly was specially studied via 1H NMR titration and 1H ROESY. To understand the recognition on molecular level, density functional theory (DFT) calculations on B3LYP/LanL2DZ were performed on the minimal energy conformations of host, guests, and host-guest complexes. The minimal energy conformations were obtained by molecular mechanics (MM) optimization and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. The results of single point energy, HOMO energy, and charges transfer were analyzed. The results of theoretical calculations are in good agreement with the experimental data.     

Influence of an Unnatural Amino Acid Side Chain on the Conformational Dynamics of Peptides

In this work, a non‐natural amino acid, H‐propargylglycine‐OH (Pra), is chosen to examine the side‐chain effect on the backbone conformation of small peptides. The conformations of two synthesized Pra‐containing tripeptides, Ac‐Pra‐Pra‐NH₂ (PPTP) and Ac‐Pra‐Ala‐NH₂ (PATP), are examined by infrared (IR) spectroscopy in combination with molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and quantum chemical computations. By analyzing the joint distributions of backbone torsional angles, several significant conformations can be identified for the two tripeptides solvated in D₂O. At room temperature, 44 % of PPTP exists in the α‐α conformation and 33 % of PATP exists in the α‐polyproline‐II conformation. Larger structural inhomogeneity is seen in both cases by MD simulations at elevated temperatures. Thus even a small side chain, such as the propargyl group can significantly alter the peptide backbone conformations. The results suggest that there is no overwhelming conformational propensity of the Pra residue in short peptides. IR spectra simulated in the amide‐I region using two different methods, reasonably reproduce the experimental IR spectra and their temperature dependence.     

Chiral resolution of some environmental pollutants by capillary electrophoresis

The chiral resolution of the environmental pollutants by capillary electrophoresis is reviewed. Various aspects of the chiral resolution such as chiral selectors, optimization of capillary electrophoresis conditions including composition of the background electrolyte (BGE), pH of the BGE, ionic strength of the BGE, structures and types of the chiral selectors, applied voltage, temperature, structures of the chiral pollutants, use of organic modifiers and other parameters are presented. Furthermore, detection, sample treatment, validation of the methods, and the chiral recognition mechanisms, have been discussed.     

Predicting 15N amide chemical shifts in proteins. I. An additive model for the backbone contribution

Because proteins adopt unique structures, chemically identical nuclei in proteins exhibit different chemical shifts. Amide ¹⁵N chemical shifts have been shown to vary over 20 ppm. The cause of these chemical shift inequivalencies is the different intra‐ and intermolecular interactions that individual nuclei experience at different locations in the protein structure. These chemical shift inequivalencies can be described as structural shifts, the difference between the actual chemical shift and the random coil chemical shift. As a first step toward the prediction of these amide ¹⁵N structural shifts, calculations have been carried out on acetyl‐glycine‐methyl amide to examine how a neighboring peptide group influences the amide ¹⁵N structural shifts. The ϕ,ψ dihedral angle space is completely surveyed, while all other geometrical variables are held fixed, to isolate the effect of the backbone conformation. Similar calculations for a limited number of conformations of acetyl‐glycine‐glycine‐methyl amide were carried out, where the effects of the two terminal peptide groups on the central amide ¹⁵N structural shift are examined. It is shown that the effect of the two adjacent groups can be accurately modeled by combining their individual effects additively. This provides a quite simple method to predict the backbone influence on amide ¹⁵N structural shifts in proteins. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Comput Chem 22: 366–372, 2001     

大环抗生素--毛细管电泳手性分离中一种新的手性选择剂

两种类型的大环抗生素对很多外消旋化合物具有显著的手性选择性且手性选择性相互补充:第一种类型含ansamycin (安沙霉素) 特别适合于阳离子外消旋化合物的分离;第二种类型含glycopeptide (糖肽)最适于阴离子的分离.介绍了大环抗生素的结构特征及手性识别机理,讨论了pH值、抗生素类型和浓度、电泳电解质浓度和化学性质、有机改性剂及胶束相等不同实验条件对分离的影响,还概述了几种大环抗生素作为手性选择剂,在毛细管电泳手性分离中的研究近况.