Computer-Assisted 3D Structure Elucidation (CASE-3D): The Structural Value of 2JCH in Addition to 3JCH Coupling Constants

We present a method to use long-range CH coupling constants to derive the correct diastereoisomer from the molecular constitution of small molecules. A set of 79 ²J_CH and ³J_CH values collected from a single HSQMBC experiment on a sample of strychnine were used in the CASE-3D (computer-assisted 3D structure elucidation) protocol. In addition to the most commonly used ³J_CH coupling constants, the subset of 32 ²J_CH values alone showed an excellent degree of configuration selection. The study is mainly based on comparison of DFT-calculated ^2,3J_CH values with experimental ones, critical for the case of ²J_CH. But the configuration selection also works well using ³J_CH values predicted from a semi-empirical Karplus-based equation limited to H−C−C−C fragments. The robustness, shown using strychnine as a proof of concept, makes the J-based CASE-3D analysis a viable option for the application in fields such as peptide and carbohydrate research, organic synthesis, natural-product identification and analysis, as well as medicinal chemistry.     

Conformation analysis of d‐glucaric acid in deuterium oxide by NMR based on its JHH and JCH coupling constants

d ‐Glucaric acid (GA) is an aldaric acid and consists of an asymmetric acyclic sugar backbone with a carboxyl group positioned at either end of its structure (i.e., the C1 and C6 positions). The purpose of this study was to conduct a conformation analysis of flexible GA as a solution in deuterium oxide by NMR spectroscopy, based on J‐resolved conformation analysis using proton–proton (³J_HH) and proton–carbon (²J_CH and ³J_CH) coupling constants, as well as nuclear overhauser effect spectroscopy (NOESY). The ²J_CH and ³J_CH coupling constants were measured using the J‐resolved heteronuclear multiple bond correlation (HMBC) NMR technique. NOESY correlation experiments indicated that H2 and H5 were in close proximity, despite the fact that these protons were separated by too large distance in the fully extended form of the chain structure to provide a NOESY correlation. The validities of the three possible conformers along the three different bonds (i.e., C2? C3, C3? C4, and C4? C5) were evaluated sequentially based on the J‐coupling values and the NOESY correlations. The results of these analyses suggested that there were three dominant conformers of GA, including conformer 1 , which was H2H3:gauche, H3H4:anti, and H4H5:gauche; conformer 2 , which was H2H3:gauche, H3H4:anti, and H4H5:anti; and conformer 3 , which was H2H3:gauche, H3H4: gauche, and H4H5:anti. These results also suggested that all three of these conformers exist in equilibrium with each other. Lastly, the results of the current study suggested that the conformational structures of GA in solution were ‘bent’ rather than being fully extended. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Unsymmetrical indirect covariance processing of hyphenated and long‐range heteronuclear 2D NMR spectra ‐ Enhanced visualization of 2JCH and 4JCH correlation responses

Recent reports have demonstrated the unsymmetrical indirect covariance combination of discretely acquired 2D NMR experiments into spectra that provide an alternative means of accessing the information content of these spectra. The method can be thought of as being analogous to the Fourier transform conversion of time domain data into the more readily interpreted frequency domain. Hyphenated 2D‐NMR spectra such as GHSQC‐TOCSY, when available, provide an investigator with the means of sorting proton‐proton homonuclear connectivity networks as a function of the ¹³C chemical shift of the carbon directly bound to the proton from which propagation begins. Long‐range heteronuclear chemical shift correlation experiments establish proton‐carbon correlations via heteronuclear coupling pathways, most commonly across three bonds (³J_CH), but in more general terms across two (²J_CH) to four bonds (⁴J_CH). In many instances ³J_CH correlations dominate GHMBC spectra. We demonstrate in this report the improved visualization of ²J_CH and ⁴J_CH correlations through the unsymmetrical indirect covariance processing of GHSQC‐TOCSY and GHMBC 2D spectra.     

Configurational assignment in alkyl‐branched sugars via the geminal C,H coupling constants

The measurement of the magnitude and sign of ²J(C,H) couplings offers a reliable way to determine the absolute configuration at a carbon center in a fixed cyclic system. A decrease of the dihedral angle ? in the O—C_A—C_B—H fragment always leads to a change of the ²J(C_A,H_B) coupling to more negative values, independent of the type and position of substituents at the two carbon centers. The orientations of the two substituents at C‐3 of the epimeric pair 1 and 2 were determined unambiguously through the measurement of the geminal coupling constants between C‐3 and the hydrogen atoms at C‐2 and C‐4. In particular, ²J(C‐3,H‐2ax) with ?1.5 Hz, ? = 174° in 1 and ?6.6 Hz, ? = 47° in 2 , and ²J(C‐3,H‐4) with +1.5 Hz, ? = 175° in 1 and ?4.7 Hz, ? = 49° in 2 showed the greatest differences between the two epimers. Both couplings therefore allow the determination of the absolute configuration at C‐3. It should be noted, however, that the size of the coupling constants can be different for dihedral angles of nearly identical size, when there are different numbers of electronegative substituents on the two coupling pathways, i.e. no O‐substituent at C‐2, but one axial O‐substituent at C‐4. It becomes clear that it is not sufficient to measure the magnitude of ²J coupling constants only, but that the sign of the geminal coupling is needed to identify the absolute configuration at a chiral center. The coupling of C‐3 with H‐2eq is not useful for the determination of the configuration at C‐3, as the similarity of the dihedral angles ? (O—C‐3—C‐2—H‐2eq) (57° in 1 and 70° in 2 ) leads to identical coupling constants (?6.1 Hz) for both epimers. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Investigation of two‐ and three‐bond carbon–hydrogen coupling constants in cinnamic acid based compounds

Two‐ and three‐bond coupling constants (²J_HC and ³J_HC) were determined for a series of 12 substituted cinnamic acids using a selective 2D inphase/antiphase (IPAP)‐single quantum multiple bond correlation (HSQMBC) and 1D proton coupled ¹³C NMR experiments. The coupling constants from two methods were compared and found to give very similar values. The results showed coupling constant values ranging from 1.7 to 9.7 Hz and 1.0 to 9.6 Hz for the IPAP‐HSQMBC and the direct ¹³C NMR experiments, respectively. The experimental values of the coupling constants were compared with discrete density functional theory (DFT) calculated values and were found to be in good agreement for the ³J_HC. However, the DFT method under estimated the ²J_HC coupling constants. Knowing the limitations of the measurement and calculation of these multibond coupling constants will add confidence to the assignment of conformation or stereochemical aspects of complex molecules like natural products. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Computational NMR coupling constants: Shifting and scaling factors for evaluating 1JCH

Optimized shifting and/or scaling factors for calculating one‐bond carbon–hydrogen spin–spin coupling constants have been determined for 35 combinations of representative functionals (PBE, B3LYP, B3P86, B97‐2 and M06‐L) and basis sets (TZVP, HIII‐su3, EPR‐III, aug‐cc‐pVTZ‐J, ccJ‐pVDZ, ccJ‐pVTZ, ccJ‐pVQZ, pcJ‐2 and pcJ‐3) using 68 organic molecular systems with 88 ¹J_CH couplings including different types of hybridized carbon atoms. Density functional theory assessment for the determination of ¹J_CH coupling constants is examined, comparing the computed and experimental values. The use of shifting constants for obtaining the calculated coupling improves substantially the results, and most models become qualitatively similar. Thus, for the whole set of couplings and for all approaches excluding those using the M06 functional, the root‐mean‐square deviations lie between 4.7 and 16.4 Hz and are reduced to 4–6.5 Hz when shifting constants are considered. Alternatively, when a specific rovibrational contribution of 5 Hz is subtracted from the experimental values, good results are obtained with PBE, B3P86 and B97‐2 functionals in combination with HIII‐su3, aug‐cc‐pVTZ‐J and pcJ‐2 basis sets. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Selective COSY‐J‐resolved‐HMBC,a new method for improving sensitivity of cross peaks of methine proton signals attached to a methyl group

Improved pulse sequences for measuring long‐range C‐H coupling constants (ⁿJ_C‐H), named selective COSY‐J‐resolved HMBC‐1 and ?2, have been developed. In the spin systems, such as ‐CH_C‐CH_A(CH₃)‐CH_B‐, a methine proton H_A splits into a multiplet owing to several vicinal couplings with protons, resulting in attenuation of its cross‐peak intensity. Therefore, the measurements of ⁿJ_C‐H with H_A are generally difficult in the J‐resolved HMBC or selective J‐resolved HMBC spectrum. With the aim of accurate measurements of ⁿJ_C‐H in such a spin system, we have developed new pulse sequences, which transfer the magnetization of a methyl group to its adjacent methine proton. The proposed pulse sequences successfully enable to enhance the sensitivity of H_A cross peak in comparison with the selective J‐resolved HMBC pulse sequence. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

On the interference of J(HH) modulation in HSQMBC‐IPAP and HMBC‐IPAP experiments

The effects of phase modulation due to homonuclear proton–proton coupling constants in HSQMBC‐IPAP and HMBC‐IPAP experiments are experimentally evaluated. We show that accurate values of small proton–carbon coupling constants, ⁿJ_CH, can be extracted even for phase‐distorted cross‐peaks obtained from a selHSQMBC experiment applied simultaneously on two mutually J‐coupled protons. On the other hand, an assessment of the reliability of ⁿJ_CH measurement from distorted cross‐peaks obtained in broadband IPAP versions of equivalent HMBC and HSQMBC experiments is also presented. Finally, we show that HMBC‐COSY experiments could be an excellent complement to HMBC for the measurement of small ⁿJ_CH values. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

High resolution 13C NMR spectroscopy. IV—stereochemical assignments in butenedioic acids and 3-pentene-2-ones

Vicinal ¹³C, H coupling constants ³J(CO, H) for butenedioic acids and ³J(CH₃, H) for 3-pentene-2-ones have been determined and are correlated with the configuration of the corresponding C?C double bond. For both types the relationship ³J(CH) trans > ³J(CH)cis holds; in the case of the CH₃, H couplings, however, the ³J(CH₃, H) trans values are reduced because of steric reasons, so that configurational assignments seem possible only when both isomers are present. Additionally, the coupling constants ³J(COC H₃,H ) and the chemical shifts δ have been evaluated for the pentenones and it is shown that these parameters give information about the predominating conformation of α, β-unsaturated methyl ketones.     

Unexpected behavior of the 3JCH coupling constant in unsaturated compounds

The experimental and theoretical behavior of the (OC) CC H ³J_CH coupling constant is investigated for a series of α,β-unsaturated compounds ( 1 to 8 ), and for some of them, the well-known relationship (³J_CHcis < ³J_CHtrans) was observed. However, for some compounds, close values for ³J_CHcis and ³J_CHtrans couplings were observed, and for aldehydes group containing compounds ( 7 and 8 E), an inversion order is observed (³J_CHcis > ³J_CHtrans). In all cases where the ³J_CHcis < ³J_CHtrans relationship it is not followed, a polar group or electronegative atom oriented in opposite direction (s-trans) to the H CC hydrogen is present, suggesting that conformational preference of such polar group or atoms are important factor on the behavior of ³J_CH couplings. Taking all of these in consideration, a new Karplus-type equation was proposed for ³J_CH couplings in α,β-unsaturated compounds, which can be used for configurational and conformational assignment on trisubstituted double bond derivatives.     

Difluorobenzenes revisited: an experimental and theoretical study of spin–spin coupling constants for 1,2‐, 1,3‐, and 1,4‐difluorobenzene

The experimental spin–spin coupling constants (SSCCs) for 1,3‐ and 1,4‐difluorobenzene have been determined anew, and found to be consistent with previously determined values. SSCCs for 1,2‐, 1,3‐, and 1,4‐difluorobenzene have been analyzed by comparing them with the coupling constants computed using the second‐order polarization propagator approximation (SOPPA) and the equation‐of‐motion coupled cluster singles and doubles method (EOM‐CCSD). Eighty experimental values have been analyzed using SOPPA calculations, and a subset of 40 values using both SOPPA and EOM‐CCSD approaches. One‐bond coupling constants ¹J(C? C) and ¹J(C? F) are better described by EOM‐CCSD, whereas one‐bond ¹J(C? H) values are better described by SOPPA. An empirical equation is presented which allows for the prediction of unknown coupling constants from computed SOPPA values. A similar approach may prove useful for predicting coupling constants in larger systems. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Measurement of long‐range heteronuclear coupling constants using the peak intensity in classical 1D HMBC spectra

In this contribution, we show that the magnitude of heteronuclear long‐range coupling constants can be directly extracted from the classical 1D HMBC spectra, as all multiplet lines of a cross‐peak always and exclusively vanish for the condition Δ = k/ⁿJ_CH. To the best of our knowledge, this feature of the classical HMBC has not yet been noticed and exploited. This condition holds true, irrespective of the magnitude and numbers of additional active and passive homonuclear ⁿJ_HH′ couplings. Alternatively, the ⁿJ_CH value may also be evaluated by fitting the peak's intensity in the individual spectra to its simple sin(πⁿJ_CHΔ)exp(−Δ/T_2eff) dependence. Compared to the previously proposed J‐HMBC sequences that also use the variation of the cross‐peak's intensity for extracting the coupling constants, the classical HMBC pulse sequence is significantly more sensitive.     

Stereochemical assignments of aldol products of 2‐arylimino‐3‐aryl‐thiazolidine‐4‐ones by 1H NMR

The aldol reactions of 2‐arylimino‐3‐aryl‐thiazolidine‐4‐ones with benzaldehyde carried out at ?78 °C were found to produce sec‐carbinols. Intramolecular hydrogen bonding within the aldol products forming a six‐membered ring enabled the assignment of stereochemistries of the major and minor diastereomers via analysis of the syn and anti ³J_H,H ¹H NMR coupling constants. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

BASHD‐J‐resolved‐COSY: a new method for measuring proton‐proton spin coupling constants of multiplet signals

An effective pulse sequence for measuring H–H coupling constants, named BASHD‐J‐resolved‐COSY, has been developed. In the spin systems such as –CH_A–CH_B(CH₃)–CH_C–, a methine proton H_B splits into a multiplet owing to several vicinal couplings, resulting in attenuation of its cross‐peak intensity. Therefore, the measurements of ³J_H–H with respect to H_B are generally difficult in the E‐COSY‐type experiments. With the aim of accurate measurements of ³J_H‐H in such a spin system, we have developed a new pulse sequence, which selectively decouples the secondary methyl group. The proposed pulse sequence provides the simplified cross‐peak patterns, which are suitable for reliable measurements of ³J_H‐H in a complicated natural product. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

High resolution‐HMBC (HR‐HMBC), a new method for measuring heteronuclear long‐range coupling constants

A useful pulse sequence for measuring long‐range C? H coupling constants (J_{C? H}) named high resolution‐HMBC (HR‐HMBC) has been developed. In this pulse sequence, the J‐scaling pulse [(nt₁)/2? 180° (H/C) ? (nt₁)/2] is incorporated after the spin evolution period, and then followed by an ¹H 180° pulse to reverse the magnetization of J_{C? H} couplings. As a result, splittings of the cross peaks due to the long‐range J_{C? H} are realigned with separations of nJ_{C? H} along the F₁ dimension, and thus even the small long‐range J_{C? H} values can easily be determined. The efficiency of measuring the long‐range J_{C? H} using the proposed pulse sequences has been demonstrated in application to the complicated natural product, portmicin. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Selective J‐resolved HMBC,an efficient method for measuring heteronuclear long‐range coupling constants

An efficient pulse sequence for measuring long‐range C? H coupling constants (J_{C? H}) named selective J‐resolved HMBC has been developed by replacing a ¹H 180° pulse with a selective ¹H 180° pulse and the HMBC pulse scheme with the constant time (CT) HMBC employed in the J‐resolved HMBC pulse sequence that we reported previously. The novel pulse sequence providing only long‐range J_{C? H} cross peaks for easy and accurate analysis enables to overcome disadvantages of the previous HMBC‐based pulse sequences (J‐resolved HMBC‐1) along with maintaining high sensitivity. The efficiency of measuring long‐range J_{C? H} using the proposed pulse sequence has been demonstrated in applications to the complicated natural products, portmicin and monazomycin. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

31P-NMR-Daten heterocyclischer phosphine. Diastereomerenzuordnung an 1,3-Oxa-, 1,3-Aza- und 1,3-thiaphospholanen

The diastereomers of 16 1,3-oxa-, 1,3-aza- and 1,3- thiaphospholanes were assigned by means of the coupling constants ²J(P? C? H) and ³J(P? C? CH₃) and the linewidths of the ³¹P signals and ¹H chemical shifts of CH₃ groups. It is shown that the change in the ³¹P chemical shifts allows the estimation of the relative configuration in these compounds.     

Selective J‐resolved‐HMQC‐1 and ‐2, new methods for measuring proton–proton coupling constants in strongly coupled spin systems

Efficient pulse sequences for measuring ¹H–¹H coupling constants (J_HH) in strongly coupled spin systems, named selective J‐resolved‐HMQC‐1 and ‐2, have been developed. In the strongly coupled spin systems such as ‐CH₂‐CH_A(OH)‐CH_B(OH)‐CH₂‐, measurements of ³J_HAHB are generally difficult owing to the complicated splitting caused by the adjacent CH₂ protons. For easier and accurate measurements of ³J_HAHB in such a spin system, a selective excitation pulse is incorporated into the J‐resolved HMQC pulse sequence. In the proposed methods, only two strongly coupled protons, H_A and H_B which are excited by a selective pulse, are observed as J‐resolved HMQC signals. The cross peaks of H_A and H_B appear as doublets owing to ³J_HAHB along the F₁ dimension in the selective J‐resolved HMQC‐1 and ‐2 experiments. The efficiency of the proposed pulse sequences has been demonstrated in application to the stereochemical studies of the complicated natural product, monazomycin. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

BASHD‐J‐resolved‐HMBC,an efficient method for measuring proton–proton and heteronuclear long‐range coupling constants

Natural products often possess various spin systems consisting of a methine group directly bonded to a methyl group (e.g. –CH_a–CH_b(CH₃)–CH_c–). The methine proton H_b splits into a broadened multiplet by coupling with several vicinal protons, rendering analysis difficult of ⁿJ_C–H with respect to H_b in the J‐resolved HMBC‐1. In purpose of the reliable and easy measurements of ⁿJ_C–H and ⁿJ_H–H in the aforesaid spin system, we have developed a new technique, named BASHD‐J‐resolved‐HMBC. This method incorporates band selective homo decoupled pulse and J‐scaling pulse into HMBC. In this method, high resolution cross peaks can be observed along the F₁ axis by J‐scaling pulse, and band selective homo decoupled pulse simplified multiplet signals. Determinations of ⁿJ_C–H and ⁿJ_H–H of multiplet signals can easily be performed using the proposed pulse sequence. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Temperature dependences of J(C,H) and J(C,D) in 13CH4 and some of its deuterated isotopomers

The nuclear spin—spin coupling constants J(C,H) and J(C,D) have been measured over the temperature range 200–370 K for the methane isotopomers ¹³CH₄, ¹³CH₃D, ¹³CHD₃ and ¹³CD₄. The coupling constants increase with increasing temperature for any one isotopomer and decrease with increasing secondary deuterium substitution at any one temperature. The results are entirely attributable to intramolecular effects and the data have been fitted by a weighted least-squares regression analysis to a spin—spin coupling surface thereby yielding a value for ¹J_e(C,H), the coupling constant at equilibrium geometry, and values for the bond length derivatives of the coupling. We find that ¹J_e(C,H) = 120.78 (±0.05) Hz which is about 4.5 Hz smaller than the observed value in ¹³CH₄ gas at room temperature. Results are also reported for J(H,D) in ¹³CH₃D and ¹³CHD₃ for which no temperature dependence was detected.