Molecular quantum similarity of enantiomers: substituted allenes

Molecular quantum similarity is evaluated for enantiomers in the case of molecules possessing a chiral axis, as an extension of previous studies on molecules with a single asymmetric carbon atom. As a case study, the enantiomers of substituted allenes are examined. Next to studying global similarity, using the already existing similarity indices defined by Carbó and Hodgkin-Richards, we evaluate local similarity using our earlier proposed local similarity index based on the Hirshfeld partitioning, to quantify the consequences of Mezey's holographic electron density theorem in chiral systems. Furthermore, the relation between the optical activity and the dissimilarity is studied.     

Study of molecular quantum similarity of enantiomers of amino acids

Molecular quantum similarity is evaluated for enantiomers in the case of molecules showing conformational flexibility, using our earlier proposed Boltzmann weighted similarity index. The conformers of the enantiomers of the amino acids alanine, asparagine, cysteine, leucine, serine, and valine were examined. Next to studying global indices, the evaluation of local similarity is carried out using our earlier proposed local similarity index based on the Hirshfeld partitioning, to further illustrate Mezey's holographic electron density theorem in chiral systems and to quantify dissimilarity of enantiomers.     

Information theoretical study of chirality: enantiomers with one and two asymmetric centra

In this work, the Kullback-Leibler information deficiency is probed as a chirality measure. It is argued that the information deficiency, calculated using the shape functions of the R and S enantiomers, considering one as reference for the other, gives an information theory based expression useful for quantifying chirality. The measure is evaluated for five chiral halomethanes possessing one asymmetric carbon atom with hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine as substituents. To demonstrate the general applicability, a study of two halogen-substituted ethanes possessing two asymmetric carbon atoms has been included as well. The basic expression of the sum of the local information deficiency over all atoms can be decomposed into separate summations over coinciding and noncoinciding atoms, or into a global and a mixing entropy term, or into a local entropy contribution for each atom individually based on the Hirshfeld partitioning. Avnir's continuous chirality measure (CCM) has been computed and confronted with the information deficiency. Finally, the relationship between chirality and optical rotation is used to study the proposed measure. The results illustrate Mezey's holographic electron density theorem with an intuitively appealing division of the strength of propagation of the atomic chirality from an asymmetric carbon atom throughout the molecule. The local information deficiency of the carbon atom is proposed as a measure of chirality; more precisely, the difference in information between the R and the S enantiomer turns out to be a quantitative measure of the chirality of the system. It may be evaluated as the arithmetic mean of the different alignments, or considering only the alignment resulting in the highest similarity value, or using the QSSA alignment.     

Can chiral single walled carbon nanotubes be used as enantiospecific adsorbents?

Single-walled carbon nanotubes can exist in chiral forms and can adsorb a range of molecules. We use atomistic simulations to consider whether enantiopure carbon nanotubes might be effective enantiospecific adsorbents for chiral molecules. We examine the adsorption of both enantiomers of trans-1,2-dimethylcyclopropane and trans-1,2-dimethylcyclohexane in a range of chiral nanotubes. Our simulations indicate that these molecules are strongly adsorbed in nanotubes, that is, they have large heats of adsorption, but the energy differences between adsorbed enantiomers are negligible. We argue that this result is generic for chiral organic molecules adsorbed in carbon nanotubes, suggesting that these materials will not be effective enantiospecific adsorbents.     

Chiral response of single walled carbon nanotube based sensors to adsorption of amino acids: a theoretical model

Calculations of the interaction energy and dielectric responses of chiral single walled carbon nanotubes to the presence of amino acid enantiomers are carried out. A theoretical study is developed to show that the frequency shifts of selected nanotubes conveniently tailored to the size of the probed molecules and used in a resonator configuration can selectively detect different species of amino acids and the left- and right-handed enantiomers of these species. Criteria for an optimization of the adsorption energy and frequency response on the size and chiral angle of the nanotubes are given. It is found that a very small set of carbon tubes obeys these conditions.     

Absolute asymmetric synthesis from an isotropic racemic mixture of chiral molecules with the help of their laser orientation-dependent selection

We analyzed the absolute asymmetric synthesis (AAS) of enantiomers from an isotropic racemic mixture of chiral molecules, which employs the laser electrodipole interaction, and revealed a set of basic symmetry-based conditions on the parameters of field-molecule interaction. Using these conditions, we developed a novel scenario of the AAS (through selective photodestruction of the enantiomers of a given type) based on the joint action of the strong multicomponent femtosecond and picosecond laser pulses. Key mechanism of this scenario is the partly modified scheme of laser orientation-dependent selection of molecules proposed by us earlier [D. V. Zhdanov et al., JETP 130, 387 (2006)]. Calculations made on example of chiral molecule SiHNaClF show rather high efficiency and stability of the proposed AAS scenario with respect to the parameters of the incident laser pulses and even feasibility of its realization at room temperature.     

“手性分子博物馆”之旅

This article describes a dream of Little R visiting the 'Chiral Molecule Museum'. It introduces the structure of chiral molecules, the experiment to demonstrate the existence of chiral molecules-experiments on the separation of optical isomers of sodium ammonium tartrate by Pasteur, the two enantiomers of limonene; chiral drug thalidomide, and asymmetric catalysis.     

A simple chiral shift reagent for measurement of enantiomeric excesses of phosphine oxides

(R)-(?)-N-(3,5-dinitrobenzoyl)-α-phenylethylamine is a chiral shift reagent which allows ee measurements of various phosphine oxides. Good results were obtained for monophosphine oxides with asymmetric phosphorus centers as well as with an asymmetric carbon in α position of phosphorus. The reagent is also able to differentiate the two enantiomers of racemic DIOP dioxide.     

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

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

Asymmetric Fluorofunctionalizations with Carboxylate-Based Phase-Transfer Catalysts

Fluorine is an attractive element in the field of pharmaceutical and agrochemical chemistry due to its unique properties. Considering the chiral environment in nature, where enantiomers often show different biological activities, the introduction of fluorine atom(s) into organic molecules to make chiral fluorinated compounds is an important subject. Herein, we describe the story of the development of our chiral carboxylate-based phase-transfer catalysts and their applications for asymmetric fluorocyclizations of alkenes bearing a carboxylic acid, an amide, and an oxime as an internal nucleophile with a dicationic fluorinating reagent, Selectfluor. We also describe dearomative fluorinations of indole derivatives, 2-naphthols, and resorcinols.     

Quantum stochastic resonance in parity violating chiral molecules

In order to explore parity violating effects in chiral molecules, of interest in some models of evolution towards homochirality, quantum stochastic resonance (QSR) is studied for the population difference between the two enantiomers of a chiral molecule (hence for the optical activity of the sample), under low viscous friction and in the deep quantum regime. The molecule is described by a two-state model in an asymmetric double well potential where the asymmetry is given by the known predicted parity violating energy difference (PVED) between enantiomers. In the linear response to an external driving field that lowers and rises alternatively each one of the minima of the well, a signal of QSR is predicted only in the case that the PVED is different from zero, the resonance condition being independent on tunneling between the two enantiomers. It is shown that, at resonance, the fluctuations of the first order contribution to the internal energy are zero. Due to the small value of the PVED, the resonance would occur in the ultracold regime. Some proposals concerning the external driving field are suggested.     

Liquid Chromatographic Enantioseparations Utilizing Chiral Stationary Phases Based on Crown Ethers and Cyclofructans

Natural compounds can exist in different forms, where molecules possessing chirality play an essential role in living organisms. Currently, one of the most important tasks of modern analytical chemistry is the enantioseparation of chiral compounds, in particular, the enantiomers of compounds having biological and/or pharmaceutical activity. Whether the task is to analyze environmental or food samples or to develop an assay for drug control, well-reproducible, highly sensitive, stereoselective, and robust methods are required. High-performance liquid chromatography best meets these conditions. Nevertheless, in many cases, gas chromatography, supercritical fluid chromatography, or capillary electrophoresis can also offer a suitable solution. Amino acids, proteins, cyclodextrins, derivatized polysaccharides, macrocyclic glycopeptides, and ion exchangers can serve as efficient selectors in liquid chromatography, and they are quite frequently applied and reviewed. Crown ethers and cyclofructans possessing similar structural characteristics and selectivity in the enantiodiscrimination of different amine compounds are discussed less frequently. This review collects information on enantioseparations achieved recently with the use of chiral stationary phases based on crown ethers or cyclofructans, focusing on liquid chromatographic applications.     

Carbene‐Catalyzed Dynamic Kinetic Resolution and Asymmetric Acylation of Hydroxyphthalides and Related Natural Products

A catalytic dynamic kinetic resolution and asymmetric acylation reaction of hydroxyphthalides is developed. The reaction involves formation of a carbene catalyst derived chiral acyl azolium intermediate that effectively differentiates the two enantiomers of racemic hydroxyphthalides. The method allows quick access to enantiomerically enriched phthalidyl esters with proven applications in medicine. It also enables asymmetric modification of natural products and other functional molecules that contain acetal/ketal groups, such as corollosporine and fimbricalyxlactone C.     

Carbene-Catalyzed Dynamic Kinetic Resolution and Asymmetric Acylation of Hydroxyphthalides and Related Natural Products

A catalytic dynamic kinetic resolution and asymmetric acylation reaction of hydroxyphthalides is developed. The reaction involves formation of a carbene catalyst derived chiral acyl azolium intermediate that effectively differentiates the two enantiomers of racemic hydroxyphthalides. The method allows quick access to enantiomerically enriched phthalidyl esters with proven applications in medicine. It also enables asymmetric modification of natural products and other functional molecules that contain acetal/ketal groups, such as corollosporine and fimbricalyxlactone C.     

Formation of Chiral Structures in UV-Initiated Formose Reaction

It has been found that the UV-initiated formose reaction in an extremely concentrated aqueous solution of formaldehyde gives sugars and other biologically significant chiral compounds with sp³-hybridized carbon atom. The reaction leads to an optically active condensed phase, which is a result of the spontaneous spatial separation of enantiomers in the racemate into the antipodes, similarly to the separation of enantiomers of different chirality sign in the famous Pasteur experiments. In our opinion, such a scenario is as close as possible to the actually realized de novo scenario of synthesis of chiral prebiotic molecules and matrices.     

Recent progress in a chiral multinucleating system utilizing tartaric acid esters

In order to develop a practical method for the construction of chiral molecules, we have designed a novel chiral reaction system possessing multi‐metal centers utilizing tartaric acid ester as a chiral auxiliary. Based on this concept, we have developed an asymmetric 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition reaction of azomethine imines, an asymmetric hetero Diels‐Alder reaction of nitroso compounds, an asymmetric Diels‐Alder reaction of o‐quinodimethanes. Furthermore, an asymmetric nucleophilic addition of alkynylzinc reagents, prepared in situ from dialkylzinc and 1‐alkynes, to nitrones was achieved with high level of stereocontrol. In the last case, the addition of methylzinc salt of a product‐like racemic hydroxylamine was found to be effective for unprecedented enhancement of enantioselectivity. © 2010 The Japan Chemical Journal Forum and Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Chem Rec 10: 173–187; 2010: Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ) DOI 10.1002/tcr.201000002     

Expansion of the Concept of Nonlinear Effects in Catalytic Reactions Beyond Asymmetric Catalysis

The observation and investigation of nonlinear effects in catalytic reactions provides valuable mechanistic insight. However, the applicability of this method was, until now, limited to molecules possessing chirality and therefore to asymmetric synthesis. The concept of nonlinear effects is expanded to catalytic reactions beyond asymmetric catalysis by using derivatives instead of enantiomers and by considering rates instead of enantiomeric excess. Additionally, its systematic application to investigate the mechanism of catalytic reactions is presented. By exceeding the limitation to asymmetric reactions, the study of nonlinear effects can become a general tool to elucidate reaction mechanisms.     

Synthesis and Stereochemical Assignment of Crypto‐Optically Active 2H6‐Neopentane

The determination of the absolute configuration of chiral molecules is at the heart of asymmetric synthesis. Here we probe the spectroscopic limits for chiral discrimination with NMR spectroscopy in chiral aligned media and with vibrational circular dichroism spectroscopy of the sixfold‐deuterated chiral neopentane. The study of this compound presents formidable challenges since its stereogenicity is only due to small mass differences. For this purpose, we selectively prepared both enantiomers of ²H₆‐ 1 through a concise synthesis utilizing multifunctional intermediates. While NMR spectroscopy in chiral aligned media could be used to characterize the precursors to ²H₆‐ 1 , the final assignment could only be accomplished with VCD spectroscopy, despite the fleetingly small dichroic properties of 1 . Both enantiomers were assigned by matching the VCD spectra with those computed with density functional theory.     

Monte Carlo modeling of chiral adsorption on nanostructured chiral surfaces and slit pores

Adsorptive separation of chiral molecules is a powerful technique that has long been used in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. An important challenge in this field is to design and optimize new adsorbents to provide selective discrimination of enantiomers. In this article, we introduce an off-lattice model of chiral adsorption on nanostructured surfaces and slit pores with the aim of predicting their enantioslective properties. The concept presented here involves finding the optimal chiral pattern of active sites on the pore walls that maximizes the difference between the binding energies of the enantiomers. Our initial effort focuses on chiral molecules that do not have specific interactions with the pore surface. One candidate meeting this requirement is 1,2-dimethylcyclopropane (DMCP), a chiral hydrocarbon whose interaction with a model pore surface was described using the Lennard-Jones potential. To model the adsorption of DMCP, we used the Monte Carlo simulation method. It was demonstrated that the separation of the enantiomers of DMCP is hardly obtainable because of the smoothness of the potential energy surface for molecules physisorbed in the pore. However, the simulated results allowed the identification of key factors that influence the binding of the enantiomers of DMCP to the pore walls with a special distribution of active sites. This information will be useful in future considerations of the adsorption of more complex chiral molecules.     

Ferrocene derivatives with planar chirality and their enantioseparation by liquid-phase techniques

In the last decade, planar chiral ferrocenes have attracted a growing interest in several fields, particularly in asymmetric catalysis, medicinal chemistry, chiroptical spectroscopy and electrochemistry. In this frame, the access to pure or enriched enantiomers of planar chiral ferrocenes has become essential, relying on the availability of efficient asymmetric synthesis procedures and enantioseparation methods. Despite this, in enantioseparation science, these metallocenes were not comprehensively explored, and very few systematic analytical studies were reported in this field so far. On the other hand, enantioselective high-performance liquid chromatography has been frequently used by organic and organometallic chemists in order to measure the enantiomeric purity of planar chiral ferrocenes prepared by asymmetric synthesis. On these bases, this review aims to provide the reader with a comprehensive overview on the enantioseparation of planar chiral ferrocenes by discussing liquid-phase enantioseparation methods developed over time, integrating this main topic with the most relevant aspects of ferrocene chemistry. Thus, the main structural features of ferrocenes and the methods to model this class of metallocenes will be briefly summarized. In addition, planar chiral ferrocenes of applicative interest as well as the limits of asymmetric synthesis for the preparation of some classes of planar chiral ferrocenes will also be discussed with the aim to orient analytical scientists towards ‘hot topics’ and issues which are still open for accessing enantiomers of ferrocenes featured by planar chirality.