Nickel(II) cyclidenes with appended ethylpyridine receptor centers as molecular tweezers for dicarboxylic acids

A series of 14-, 15-, and 16-membered nickel(II) cyclidene macrocycles appended with 2-aminoethyl(2-pyridine) receptors I-III, respectively, were prepared and characterized by X-ray crystallography and NMR techniques. The 14- and 15-membered macrocycles I and II exist in a planar or extended Z-configuration, whereas the 16-membered macrocycle III was saddle shaped and had two asymmetric configurations in the unit cell (IIIa in a "capped" configuration and IIIb in an "open" configuration). Variable-temperature (1)H NMR studies of III in CD(3)CN were conducted (25-65 degrees C), and at room temperature, the interconversion between capping and uncapping is slow on the NMR time scale, resulting in a broad spectrum, whereas at 65 degrees C, interconversion was fast. (1)H NMR binding studies indicated I-III bind unsaturated dicarboxylic acids in a 1:1 stoichiometry with binding constants approaching 400 M(-)(1) in CD(3)CN, and the binding strength was dependent on the shape of the macrocyclic cyclidene platforms, whereas monocarboxylic acids were not bound. Generally, the planar 14-membered cyclidene I bound diacids the weakest and the 16-membered cyclidene III bound diacids the strongest. The presence of nuclear Overhauser effect spectrometry cross peaks in a 20 mM solution of 1:1 II-maleic acid indicates that the binding mode is ditopic with the guest being encapsulated by the aminoethylpyridine arms above the macrocyclic framework.     

Cyclic triureas--synthesis, crystal structures and properties

The synthesis of 24-membered macrocycles is described, in which rigid xanthene units (X) and/or diphenyl ether units (D) as flexible analogues are linked via urea groups. All four possible combinations (XXX, XXD, XDD, DDD) have been obtained with yields of 40-72% for the cyclisation step. In two cases, the respective cyclic hexamers (XXDXXD, XXXXXX) were also isolated. Two compounds have been characterised by a single crystal X-ray analysis of the free triurea (XXD, XDD) and one example (DDD) by its complex with tetrabutylammonium chloride. It shows the chloride anion in the centre of the macrocycle, held by six NH...Cl- hydrogen bonds. The interaction with various other anions has been studied by 1H NMR. Complexation constants for chloride, bromide and acetate have been measured for all trimers by UV spectrophotometry. Molecular dynamics simulations have been carried out to determine the conformation of the free receptors in chloroform and acetonitrile. They show that in chloroform, intramolecular hydrogen bonding occasionally facilitated by trans-->cis isomerisation of an amide bond dominates the conformation of the macrocycles while in acetonitrile (the solvent used for complexation measurements), the ligating urea NH protons are properly arranged for the complexation of anions, however, their strong solvation is counteractive to the complexation.     

The unique properties observed for the unsymmetrical macrocyclic compounds with the highly distorted structure

A new class of aza-macrocycles with the highly distorted structure was found to exhibit unique properties. These macrocycles react with various lithium salts to form lithium complexes and their lithium complexation reactions depend on a substituent on the macrocyclic ring; slower rates and larger equilibrium constants were observed for the macrocycle with a bulkier substituent. The irradiation of these macrocycles by UV light was found to lead to the isomerization, and the photoisomerization rate of macrocycle with the bulky substituent was much faster. The highly distorted structure of these macrocycles makes it much easier to change the conformation of macrocyclic skeleton and these macrocycles have a variety of conformations. The factors to govern this conformational change were therefore explored. The solvent effect was examined by ¹H NMR spectroscopy, because these macrocycles have a strong intramolecular hydrogen bond in the ring. As a result, the solvent was found to have a big effect on the ¹H NMR spectra of macrocycles that could be explained in terms of the conformational change of macrocycle. This finding suggests the solvent to be an important way of controlling the conformation.     

Anion binding versus intramolecular hydrogen bonding in neutral macrocyclic amides

Although amide groups are important hydrogen-bond donors in natural and synthetic anion receptors, studies on structure-affinity relationships of amide-based macrocyclic receptors are still very limited. Therefore, we synthesized a series of macrocyclic tetraamides 5-8 derived from 1,3-benzenedicarboxylic (isophthalic) acid and aliphatic alpha,omega-diamines of different lengths. (1)H NMR titrations in DMSO solution show that the anion affinity of these receptors decreases with increasing size of the macrocycle irrespective of the anion, and this suggests a minor role of geometric complementarity. Comparison with their previously studied pyridine congeners reveals that the isophthalic acid based macrocycles are less potent, in contrast to what was found for simple model diamides. Combined theoretical and experimental structural studies were carried out to determine the reasons behind this behaviour. The results show that the unexpectedly low anion binding ability of the isophthalic acid-based receptors is due to the self-complementary nature of the isophthalic bis-amide fragments: when two such moieties are present within a sufficiently flexible macrocycle, they adopt syn-anti conformations and bind each other by two strong intramolecular hydrogen bonds that close the macrocyclic cavity. Nevertheless, anion binding is able to break these hydrogen bonds and switch a macrocycle into a convergent all-syn conformation. Despite the ill-preorganized conformation, 20-membered receptor 6 is better than either its open-chain analogue (macrocyclic effect) and/or its isomer having differently placed carbonyl groups. The crystal structures of four anion complexes of the macrocyclic receptors are reported. X-ray studies and solution NMR data confirmed the inclusive nature of the complexes and pointed to strong involvement of aromatic CH hydrogen atoms in anion binding.     

Conformationally constrained macrocycles that mimic tripeptide beta-strands in water and aprotic solvents

The beta-strand conformation is unknown for short peptides in aqueous solution, yet it is a fundamental building block in proteins and the crucial recognition motif for proteolytic enzymes that enable formation and turnover of all proteins. To create a generalized scaffold as a peptidomimetic that is pre-organized in a beta-strand, we individually synthesized a series of 15-22-membered macrocyclic analogues of tripeptides and analyzed their structures. Each cycle is highly constrained by two trans amide bonds and a planar aromatic ring with a short nonpeptidic linker between them. A measure of this ring strain is the restricted rotation of the component tyrosinyl aromatic ring (DeltaG(rot) 76.7 kJ mol(-1) (16-membered ring), 46.1 kJ mol(-1) (17-membered ring)) evidenced by variable temperature proton NMR spectra (DMF-d(7), 200-400 K). Unusually large amide coupling constants ((3)J(NH-CHalpha) 9-10 Hz) corresponding to large dihedral angles were detected in both protic and aprotic solvents for these macrocycles, consistent with a high degree of structure in solution. The temperature dependence of all amide NH chemical shifts (Deltadelta/T 7-12 ppb/deg) precluded the presence of transannular hydrogen bonds that define alternative turn structures. Whereas similar sized conventional cyclic peptides usually exist in solution as an equilibrium mixture of multiple conformers, these macrocycles adopt a well-defined beta-strand structure even in water as revealed by 2-D NMR spectral data and by a structure calculation for the smallest (15-membered) and most constrained macrocycle. Macrocycles that are sufficiently constrained to exclusively adopt a beta-strand-mimicking structure in water may be useful pre-organized and generic templates for the design of compounds that interfere with beta-strand recognition in biology.     

14-helical folding in a cyclobutane-containing beta-tetrapeptide

The efficient synthesis of tetrapeptide 5 containing, in alternation, cyclobutane and beta-alanine residues is described. NMR experiments both at low temperature in CDCl(3) and at 298 K in DMSO-d(6) solutions show the contribution of a strong hydrogen bond in the folded major conformation of 5. Temperature coefficients and diffusion times point out a hydrogen bond involving the NH proton from the cyclobutane residue 1 whereas NOEs manifest the high rigidity of the central fragment of the molecule and are compatible with a 14-membered macrocycle. Theoretical calculations predict a most stable folded conformation corresponding to a 14-helix stabilized by a hydrogen bond between NH(10) in the first residue and OC(25) in the third residue. This structure remains unaltered during the molecular dynamics simulation at 298 K in chloroform. All these results provide evidence for a 14-helical folding and reveal the ability of cis-2-aminocyclobutane carboxylic acid residues to promote folded conformations when incorporated into beta-peptides.     

Chirality organization of ferrocenes bearing podand dipeptide chains: synthesis and structural characterization

A variety of ferrocenes bearing podand dipeptide chains have been synthesized to form an ordered structure in both solid and solution states and have been investigated by 1H NMR, FT-IR, CD, and X-ray crystallographic analyses. Conformational enantiomerization through chirality organization was achieved by the intramolecular hydrogen bondings between the podand dipeptide chains. The single-crystal X-ray structure determination of the ferrocene 2 bearing the podand dipeptide chains (-D-Ala-D-Pro-OEt) revealed two C2-symmetric intramolecular hydrogen bondings between CO (Ala) and NH (another Ala) of each podand dipeptide chain to induce the chirality-organized structure. The molecular structures of the ferrocene 1 composed of the podand L-dipeptide chains (-L-Ala-L-Pro-OEt) and 2 are in a good mirror image relationship, indicating that they are conformational enantiomers. An opposite helically ordered molecular arrangement was formed in the crystal packing of 2 as compared with 1. The ferrocene 2 exhibited induced circular dichroism (CD), which appeared at the absorbance of the ferrocene moiety. The mirror image of the CD signals between 1 and 2 was observed, suggesting that the chirality-organized structure via intramolecular hydrogen bondings is present even in solution. The ferrocene 4 bearing the podand dipeptide chains (-Gly-L-Leu-OEt) also showed an ordered structure in the crystal based on two intramolecular hydrogen bondings between CO (Gly) and NH (another Gly) of each podand dipeptide chain, together with intermolecular hydrogen bondings between CO adjacent to the ferrocene unit and NH (neighboring Leu) to create the highly organized self-assembly. A different self-assembly was observed in the crystal of the ferrocene 5 composed of the podand dipeptide chains (-Gly-L-Phe-OEt), wherein each molecule is bonded to two neighboring molecules through two pairs of symmetrical intermolecular hydrogen bonds to form a 14-membered intermolecularly hydrogen-bonded ring. These ordered structures based on the intramolecular hydrogen bondings in the solution state are also confirmed by 1H NMR and FT-IR.     

Linkage isomerism in the binding of pentapeptide Ac-His(Ala)3His-NH2 to (ethylenediamine)palladium(II): effect of the binding mode on peptide conformation

The reaction of the pentapeptide Ac-His1-Ala2-Ala3-Ala4-His5-NH2 (AcHAAAHNH2) (1) with [Pd(en)(ONO2)2] (en = NH2CH2CH2NH2) in either DMF-d(7) or H2O:D2O (90%:10%) gave three linkage isomers of [Pd(en)(AcHAAAHNH2)](2+) (2), 2a, 2b, and 2c, which differ only in which pair of imidazole nitrogen atoms bind to Pd. In the most abundant isomer, 2a, Pd is bound by N1 from each of the two imidazole rings. In the minor isomers 2b and 2c, Pd is bound by N1(His1) and N3(His5) and by N3(His1) and N1(His5), respectively. The reactions of [Pd(en)(ONO2)2] with the N-methylated peptides Ac-(N3-MeHis)-Ala-Ala-Ala-(N3-MeHis)-NH2 (AcH*AAAH*NH2) (3), Ac-(N3-MeHis)-Ala-Ala-Ala-(N1-MeHis)-NH2 (AcH(*)AAAH(#)NH2) (4), and Ac-(N1-MeHis)-Ala-Ala-Ala-(N3-Me-His)-NH2 (AcH(#)AAAH(*)NH2) (5) each gave a single species [Pd(en)(peptide)](2+) in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) or aqueous solution, 7, 8, and 9, respectively, with Pd bound by the two nonmethylated imidazole nitrogen atoms in each case. These complexes were analogous to 2a, 2b, and 2c, respectively. Ac-(N1-MeHis)-Ala-Ala-Ala-(N1-MeHis)-NH2 (AcH(#)AAAH(#)NH2) (6) with [Pd(en)(ONO2)2] in DMF slowly gave a single product, [Pd(en)(AcH(#)AAAH(#)NH2)](2+) (10), in which Pd was bound by the N3 of each imidazole ring. The corresponding linkage isomer of 2 was not observed. Complex 10 was also the major product in aqueous solution, but other species were also present. All compounds were exhaustively characterized in solution by multinuclear 1D ((1)H , (13)C, and, with (15)N-labeled ethylenediamine, (15)N) and 2D (correlation spectroscopy, total correlation spectroscopy, transverse rotating-frame Overhauser effect spectroscopy (T-ROESY), heteronuclear multiple-bond correlation, and heteronuclear single quantum coherence) NMR spectra, circular dichroism (CD) spectra, electrospray mass spectroscopy, and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. ROESY spectra were used to calculate the structure of 2a, which contained a single turn of a peptide alpha helix in both DMF and water, the helix being better defined in DMF. The Pd(en)(2+) moiety was not used in structure calculations, but its location and coordination by one imidazole N1 from each histidine to form a 22-membered metallocycle were unambiguously established. Convergence of the structures was greatest when calculated with two hydrogen-bond constraints (Ala4 peptide NH...OC acetyl and His5 peptide NH...OC-His1) that were indicated by the low temperature dependence of these NH chemical shifts. Vicinal HN-CHalpha coupling constants and chemical shifts of alpha-H atoms were also consistent with a helical conformation. Similar long-range ROE correlations were observed for [Pd(en)(AcH(*)AAAH(*)NH2)](2+) (7), which displayed a CD spectrum in aqueous solution that suggested the presence of some helicity. Long-range ROE correlations were not observed for 8, 9, or 10, but a combination of NMR data and CD spectroscopy was interpreted in terms of the conformational behavior of the coordinated pentapeptide. Only for the linkage isomer [Pd(en)(AcH(*)AAAH(#)NH2)](2+) (8) was there evidence of a contribution from a helical conformation. The data for 8 were interpreted as interconversion between the helix and random coil conformations. Zn(2+) with peptides gave broad NMR peaks attributed to lability of this metal ion, while reactions of cis-[Pt(NH3)2(ONO2)2] were slow, giving a complex mixture of products rather than the macrochelate ring observed with Pd(en)(2+). In summary, these studies indicate that Pd(en)(2+) coordinates to histidine with similar preference for each of the two imidazole nitrogens, enabling the formation of up to four linkage isomers in its complexes with pentapeptides His-xxx-His. Only the N1-N1 linkage isomer that forms a 22-membered macrochelate ring is able to induce an alpha-helical peptide conformation, whereas the 20- and 21-membered rings of linkage isomers do not. This suggests that linkage isomeric mixtures may compromise histidine coordination to metal ions and reduce alpha-helicity.     

NH tautomerism in the natural chlorin derivatives

The NH tautomerism of five Mg-free chlorophyll a and b derivatives 2-6 was studied utilizing NMR spectroscopy and molecular modeling. The results from the dynamic NMR measurements of the chlorins revealed that substituent effects contribute crucially to the free energy of activation (DeltaG(double dagger)) in the NH tautomeric processes. An intermediate tautomer for the total tautomeric NH exchange in a chlorin was observed for the first time, when the (1)H NMR spectra of chlorin e(6) TME (3) and rhodin g(7) TME (4) (TME = trimethyl ester) were measured at lower temperatures. The lower energy barriers (DeltaG(1)(double dagger)) obtained for the formation of the intermediate tautomers of 3 and 4, assigned to the N(22)-H, N(24)-H trans-tautomer, were 10.8 and 10.6 kcal/mol, respectively. The energy barrier (DeltaG(2)(double dagger) value) for the total tautomeric NH exchange in the five chlorins was found to vary from 13.6 kcal/mol to values higher than 18 kcal/mol. The lowest DeltaG(2)(double dagger) value (13.6 kcal/mol) was obtained for rhodochlorin XV dimethyl ester (2), which was the only chlorophyll derivative lacking the C(15) substituent. In the case of chlorins 4 and 5, the steric crowding around the methoxycarbonylmethyl group at C(15) raised the DeltaG(2)(double dagger) activation free-energy to 17.1 kcal/mol. However, the highest energy barrier with DeltaG(2)(double dagger) > 18 kcal/mol was observed for the NH exchange of pyropheophorbide a methyl ester (6), possessing the macrocycle rigidifying isocyclic ring E. Our results demonstrate that the steric strain, arising either from the steric crowding around the bulky substituent at C(15) or the macrocycle rigidifying isocyclic ring E, slows down the NH tautomeric process. We suggest that deformations in the chlorin skeleton are closely connected to the NH tautomeric exchange and that the exchange occurs by a stepwise proton-transfer mechanism via a hydrogen bridge.     

Influence of charge on anion receptivity in amide-based macrocycles

Binding and structural aspects of anions with tetraamido/diquaternized diamino macrocyclic receptors containing m-xylyl, pyridine, and thiophene spacers are reported. (1)H NMR studies indicate that the quaternized receptors display higher affinities for anions compared to corresponding neutral macrocycles. The macrocycles containing pyridine spacers consistently display higher affinity for a given anion compared to those with either m-xylyl or thiophene spacers. The m-xylyl- and pyridine-containing receptors exhibit high selectivity for H(2)PO(4)(-) in DMSO-d(6) with association constants, K(a) = 1.09 × 10(4) and >10(5) M(-1), respectively, and moderate selectivity for Cl(-) with K(a) = 1.70 × 10(3) and 5.62 × 10(4) M(-1), respectively. Crystallographic studies for the Cl(-) and HSO(4)(-) complexes indicate that the m-xylyl-containing ligand is relatively elliptical in shape, with the two charges at ends of the major axis of the ellipse. The anions are hydrogen bonded with the macrocycle but are outside the ligand cavity. In the solid state, an unusual low-barrier hydrogen bond (LBHB) was discovered between two of the macrocycle's carbonyl oxygen atoms in the HSO(4)(-) complex. The pyridine-containing macrocycle folds so that the two pyridine units are face-to-face. The two I(-) ions are chelated to the two amides adjacent to a given pyridine. In the structure of the thiophene containing macrocycle with two BPh(4)(-) counterions, virtually no interaction was observed crystallographically between the macrocycle and the bulky anions.     

Helix-forming carbohydrate amino acids

[reaction: see text] The solution-phase conformational properties of tetrameric and octameric chains of C-glycosyl alpha-d-lyxofuranose configured tetrahydrofuran amino acids (where the C-2 and C-5 substituents on the tetrahydrofuran ring are trans to each other) were examined using NMR and IR and CD in organic solvents. Studies by NMR and IR demonstrated that in chloroform solution, the tetramer 7 does not adopt a hydrogen-bonded conformation whereas the octamer 10 populates a well-defined helical secondary structure stabilized by 16-membered (i, i - 3) interresidue hydrogen bonds, similar to a pi-helix. Circular dichroism studies in trifluoroethanol are consistent with this conformation for the octamer 10, and also indicate that the tetramer 7 adopts a rigid conformation not stabilized by hydrogen bonds.     

Lanthanide complexes of chiral 3 + 3 macrocycles derived from (1R,2R)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane and 2,6-diformyl-4-methylphenol

The enantiopure amine macrocycle H(3)L, as well as the parent macrocyclic Schiff base H(3)L1, the 3 + 3 condensation product of (1R,2R)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane and 2,6-diformyl-4-methylphenol, are able to form mononuclear complexes with lanthanide(III) ions. The lanthanide(III) complexes of H(3)L have been studied in solution using NMR spectroscopy and electrospray mass spectrometry. The NMR spectra indicate the presence of complexes of low C(1) and C(2) symmetry. The (1)H and (13)C NMR signals of the Lu(III) complex obtained from H(3)L have been assigned on the basis of COSY, TOCSY, NOESY, ROESY and HMQC spectra. The NMR data reveal unsymmetrical binding of lanthanide(III) ion and the presence of a dynamic process corresponding to rotation of Lu(III) within the macrocycle. The [Ln(H(4)L)(NO(3))(2)](NO(3))(2)(Ln = Sm(III), Eu(III), Dy(III), Yb(III) and Lu(III)) complexes of the cationic ligand H(4)L(+) have been isolated in pure form. The X-ray analysis of the [Eu(H(4)L)(NO(3))(2)](NO(3))(2) complex confirms the coordination mode of the macrocycle determined on the basis of NMR results. In this complex the europium(III) ion is bound to three phenolate oxygen atoms and two amine nitrogen atoms of the monoprotonated macrocycle H(4)L(+), as well as to two axial bidendate nitrate anions. In the presence of a base, mononuclear La(III), Ce(III) and Pr(III) complexes of the deprotonated form of the ligand L(3-) can be obtained. When 2 equivalents of Pr(III) are used in this synthesis Na(3)[Pr(2)L(NO(3))(2)(OH)(2)](2)NO(3).5H(2)O is obtained. The NMR, ES MS and an X-ray crystal model of this complex show coordination of two Pr(III) ions by the macrocycle L. The X-ray crystal structure of the free macrocycle H(3)L1 has also been determined. In contrast to macrocyclic amine H(3)L, the Schiff base H(3)L1 adopts a cone-type conformation resembling calixarenes.     

Dimerization of the keto tautomer of acetohydroxamic acid-infrared matrix isolation and theoretical study

Dimerization of the keto tautomer of acetohydroxamic acid has been studied using FTIR matrix isolation spectroscopy and DFT(B3LYP)/6-31+G(d,p) calculations. Analysis of CH3CONHOH/Ar matrix spectra indicates formation of two dimers in which two intramolecular CO...HON bonds within two interacting acetohydroxamic acid molecules are retained. A chain dimer I is stabilized by the intermolecular CO...HN hydrogen bond, whereas the cyclic dimer II is stabilized by two intermolecular NH...O(H)N bonds. Twelve vibrations were identified for dimer I and six vibrations for dimer II; the observed frequency shifts show a good agreement with the calculated ones for the structures I and II. Both dimers have comparable binding energies (DeltaE(ZPE)(CP)I, II=-7.02, -6.34 kcal mol-1) being less stable than calculated structures III and IV (DeltaE(ZPE)(CP)III, IV=-9.50, -8.87 kcal mol-1) in which one or two intramolecular hydrogen bonds are disrupted. In the most stable 10-membered cyclic dimer III, two intermolecular CO...HON hydrogen bonds are formed at expense of intramolecular hydrogen bonds of the same type. The formation of the less stable (AHA)2 dimers in the studied matrixes indicates that the formation of (AHA)2 is kinetically and not thermodynamically controlled.     

Synthesis, Conformational Studies, X-ray Structures, and Complexation Properties of Semirigid Macrocyclic Phosphonamides

The semirigid phosphonamide ligands 1-5 have been synthesized from the macrocyclic precursors 6-9 by reaction with 1,3-propanediol ditosylate or 1,2-dichloroethane. For the thiophosphoryl compounds 1 and 2, and the phosphoryl derivative 5, the reactions were carried out in biphasic aqueous NaOH solutions. The phosphoryl derivatives 3 and 4 were better obtained from NaH in anhydrous tetrahydrofuran. The conformations of the hosts in solution were deduced from low-temperature NMR and NOE difference experiments. Conformational equilibria between exo and endo forms are observed for the 18-membered macrocycles 1 and 3. The exo conformer predominates in solution for the 21-membered macrocycle 2, whereas 4 exists as rapidly exchanging conformers. The X-ray crystal structures of macrocycles 1, 2, and 5 have been determined as well as the complexes 1.Hg(SCN)(2) and 5.LiNO(3). In the Hg(2+) complex the metal ion is located out of the macrocyclic cavity and is coordinated to the thiophosphoryl unit. In 5.LiNO(3)()()the Li(+) cation is located inside the macrocyclic cavity and is coordinated to a tetrahedral array of oxygen donors. Free energies of complexation (DeltaG degrees ) of the phosphorylated ligands 3-5 with alkali metal and ammonium cations were determined in CHCl(3) saturated with H(2)O by picrate extraction experiments. The -DeltaG degrees values are greatest for 4 complexing K(+) and NH(4)(+) (7.3 and 8.0 kcal/mol, respectively). The relationships between structure and binding are discussed.     

Synthesis and Conformational Preferences of a Potential beta-Sheet Nucleator Based on the 9,9-Dimethylxanthene Skeleton

A 4,5-disubstituted-9,9-dimethylxanthene-based amino acid (10) has been synthesized for incorporation into peptide sequences which have a propensity to adopt beta-sheet structure. Molecular dynamics studies support the FT-IR and NMR results which demonstrate that amides based on this residue utilize the NH and the C=O from the xanthene residue to form an intramolecular hydrogen bond (13-membered ring), unlike the previously studied dibenzofuran-based amino acid residues in which the NH and the C=O of the attached amide groups participate in intramolecular hydrogen bonding (15-membered ring). Interestingly, residue 10 derivatized as a simple amide prefers to adopt a trans conformation where the aliphatic side chains are placed on opposite sides of the plane of the 9,9-dimethylxanthene ring system. This is different than the conformational preferences of the dibenzofuran-based amino acids which adopt a cis conformation that is preorganized to nucleate beta-sheet formation. It will be interesting to see how these conformational differences effect nucleation in aqueous solution.     

From helix to macrocycle: anion-driven conformation control of π-conjugated acyclic oligopyrroles

Anion-responsive pyrrole-based linear receptor oligomers were newly synthesized and their anion-driven dynamic conformation changes were investigated. Phenylene-bridged dimers and a tetramer of dipyrrolyldiketone boron complexes as π-conjugated acyclic anion receptors formed anion-driven helical structures in the solid and solution states. In fact, single-crystal X-ray analyses of the receptor-anion complexes exhibited various helical structures, such as [1+1]- and [1+2]-type single helices and a [2+2]-type double helix according to the lengths of oligomers and the existence of terminal aryl substituents. Anion-binding modes and behaviors of the oligomers in solution state were also examined by (1)H NMR and UV/Vis spectra along with ESI-TOF MS. Differences in the binding modes were observed in the solid and solution states. The oligomers showed augmented anion-binding constants and anion-tunable electronic and optical properties in comparison with the monomer receptor. A negative cooperative effect in the tetramer was observed in the second anion binding of the [1+2]-type single helix due to electrostatic repulsion between two anions captured in the helix. Further, an anion-template coupling reaction from the linear dimer provided a receptor macrocycle, which was obtained as a Cl(-) complex with distinct electronic and optical properties. The macrocycle exhibited extremely high anion-binding constants (>10(10) m(-1) in CH(2)Cl(2)) through multiple hydrogen bonding.     

Formation and characterization of inclusion complexes of poly(butylene succinate) with alpha- and gamma-cyclodextrins

The inclusion complexes (ICs) of alpha- and gamma-cyclodextrins (CDs) with high-molecular-weight poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) were prepared and characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), wide-angle X-ray diffraction, solid-state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and solution 1H NMR spectroscopy. The resultant ICs were found to have channel structures. FT-IR data suggested that the ICs were stabilized by hydrogen bonds between the host CD molecules and the guest PBS chains. Through the formation of ICs, the PBS chain possibly adopts the kink conformation in the included state, as indicated by NMR analysis.     

Template synthesis of a huge macrocycle by olefin metathesis using easily accessible [Pt(PEt(3))(2)] templates

We have reported the template synthesis of a 90-membered macrocycle by olefin metathesis. The macrocycle 7 was prepared by an initial six-oxidative-addition reaction of 2 by [Pt(PEt(3))(4)]. The definite structure of a six-oxidative product was confirmed by the crystal structure. The coordination of 2,6-bis(hex-5-enyloxy)pyridine to 3 led to the hexacationic aryl complex of type 4. The metathesis of olefin-substituted pyridine with Grubbs catalyst ([PhCH==RuCl(2)(Cy(3)P)(2)]) formed the expected macrocycle 5. The olefin metathesis reaction was formed under high dilution to suppress intermolecular olefin metathesis polymerization. The detachment of the newly formed macrocycle 6, followed by reduction to alkane macrocycle 7 by using palladium on charcoal and hydrogen led to a huge macrocycle. The mild and easy access of the template protocol opens a host of potential subsequent transformations toward the construction of a variety of macrocycles.     

A reverse turn structure induced by a D,L-alpha-aminoxy acid dimer

Our previous work revealed that two adjacent D-alpha-aminoxy acids could form two homochiral N-O turns, with the backbone folding into an extended helical structure (1.8(8)-helix). Here, we report the conformational studies of linear peptides 3-6, which contain a D,L-alpha-aminoxy acid dimer segment. The NMR and X-ray analysis of 3 showed that it folded into a loop conformation with two heterochiral N-O turns. This loop segment can be used to constrain tetrapeptides 4 and 6 to form a reverse turn structure. (1)H NMR dilution studies, DMSO-d6 addition studies, and 2D-NOESY data indicated that tetrapeptides 4 and 6 folded into reverse turn conformations featured by a head-to-tail 16-membered-ring intramolecular hydrogen bond. In contrast, tetrapeptide 5 with L-Ala instead of Gly or D-Ala as the N-terminal amino acid could not form the desired reverse turn structure for steric reasons. Quantum mechanics calculations showed that model pentamide 7, with the same substitution pattern of 4, adopted a novel reverse turn conformation featuring two heterochiral N-O turns (each of an 8-membered ring hydrogen bond), a cross-strand 16-membered ring hydrogen bond, and a 7-membered ring gamma-turn.     

Conformational analysis of new 14-membered ring diketal dilactam macrocycles: molecular mechanics, liquid and solid state NMR studies

A conformational study of new diversely substituted 14-membered diketal dilactam macrocycles was conducted by NMR spectroscopy in liquid and solid states, molecular mechanics calculations and, for one compound, a previous X-ray analysis. The results obtained by the different techniques show that the conformations depend closely on whether the molecules are chiral or achiral and on the stereochemistry of the ketal OMe groups. In achiral compounds, the most stable conformation of each compound has, in both the liquid and solid states, the two NH-CO links positioned perpendicular to the macrocycle plane, lending to the trans-7,7′-OMe macrocycles 6b and 7b a rectangular [3434]-type structure. In contrast, in chiral compounds, the most stable conformations are not the same in the liquid and solid phases. In the liquid state the conformations are set by the presence of one or two N₄-H?O_1′, N_4′-H?O₁ intramolecular hydrogen bonds that position the amide group parallel to the macrocycle plane, whereas in the solid state the amide moieties again adopt a perpendicular position which can be stabilized, when the 3-R substituent is not too bulky, by intermolecular N-H?OC bonds between parallel sheets, and exceptionally, in the cis-7,7′-OMe-3,3′-Ph compound 1c, by a π-π stacking effect between the phenyl groups.