Origins of steric effects in general-base-catalyzed enolization: solvation and electrostatic attraction

Br?nsted plots for general-base-catalyzed enolization of aldehydes and ketones show significant negative deviations for the rates of proton removal by sterically hindered amine bases. The origins of the deviations are not apparent from considerations of interactions at the site of the proton transfer. Contrasting behavior is observed in general-base-catalyzed proton removal from an iminium derivative, N1'-methyl-2-(1-hydroxybenzyl)thiamin (NMHBnT), which shows no deviations from the Br?nsted correlation for sterically hindered amine bases. The difference in behavior for these two systems suggests that the steric effects arise from disruption of solvation of the enolate enforced by the electrostatic requirements of the overall process. This interpretation also can account for reduced steric effects for enolization in the presence of metal ions.     

Stereoelectronic and steric effects in the collagen triple helix: toward a code for strand association

Collagen is the most abundant protein in animals. The protein consists of a helix of three strands, each with sequence X-Y-Gly. Natural collagen is most stable when X is (2S)-proline (Pro) and Y is (2S,4R)-4-hydroxyproline (4R-Hyp). We had shown previously that triple helices in which X is (2S,4S)-4-fluoroproline (4S-Flp) or Y is (2S,4R)-4-fluoroproline (4R-Flp) display hyperstability. This hyperstability arises from stereoelectronic effects that preorganize the main-chain dihedral angles in the conformation found in the triple helix. Here, we report the synthesis of strands containing both 4S-Flp in the X-position and 4R-Flp in the Y-position. We find that these strands do not form a stable triple helix, presumably because of an unfavorable steric interaction between fluoro groups on adjacent strands. Density functional theory calculations indicate that (2S,3S)-3-fluoroproline (3S-Flp), like 4S-Flp, should preorganize the main chain properly for triple-helix formation but without a steric conflict. Synthetic strands containing 3S-Flp in the X-position and 4R-Flp in the Y-position do form a triple helix. This helix is, however, less stable than one with Pro in the X-position, presumably because of an unfavorable inductive effect that diminishes the strength of the interstrand 3S-FlpC=O...H-NGly hydrogen bond. Thus, other forces can counter the benefits derived from the proper preorganization. Although (Pro-Pro-Gly)7 and (4S-Flp-4R-Flp-Gly)7 do not form stable homotrimeric helices, mixtures of these two peptides form stable heterotrimeric helices containing one (Pro-Pro-Gly)7 strand and two (4S-Flp-4R-Flp-Gly)7 strands. This stoichiometry can be understood by considering the cross sections of the two possible heterotrimeric helices. This unexpected finding portends the development of a "code" for the self-assembly of determinate triple helices from two or three strands.     

Wittig-selectivity in mixed ketones: exploring 1,3-interaction and enolization

The present work explored the primary factors governing regioselectivity of Wittig olefination in bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-5-en-2-ones having 5-aroyl or acyl substitutions. In absence of steric congestion less enolizable ketone kinetically favored the initial formation of the oxaphosphetane ring whereas, in presence of 1,3-interaction between phosphonium ylide and ketone substitutions could switch over the selectivity in other direction.     

Stereoelectronic effects on metallation of 1,3-dioxanes

Metallation of the acetal (H-2) proton in 1,3-dioxolanes, 1,3-dioxanes and open chain acetals is possible only if the proton can occupy an “equatorial-like” conformation.     

Reactions of Et(3)ZnLi with ketones: electronic and steric effects(1)

Toluene solutions of composition Et(3)ZnLi react rapidly with aldehydes and ketones to form addition products. Et(3)ZnNa and Et(3)ZnK solutions react readily with the same substrates although metalation, as well as addition, is significant with substrates having alpha-hydrogens. The Et(3)ZnM solutions react with 2-cyclohexenone to give mainly the 1,4-addition product. Relative rates of addition of Et(3)ZnLi to substituted acetophenones give a Hammett rho of 2.78. Addition of Et(3)ZnLi to acetophenone is slowed significantly by alpha and ortho methyl substituents; relative rates of addition to acetophenone, o-methylacetophenone, and tert-butyl phenyl ketone are 1.00, 0.012, and 0.003.     

Microwave induced selective enolization of steroidal ketones and efficient acetylation of sterols in semisolid state

Under microwave irradiation steroidal enones, more specifically, position three carbonyls were efficiently and selectively converted to the corresponding enol acetates in the presence of additional enolizable carbonyl functions at other positions, using acetic anhydride and a catalytic amount of toluene-p-sulfonic acid. Acetylation of hydroxyl groups of the sterols, including those at the hindered positions, was near quantitative. Strictly anhydrous conditions were not a pre-requisite for acetylation and the reaction system easily tolerated up to 10% (v/v) moisture.     

Influence of steric, electric, and dielectric effects on membrane potential

The membrane potential arising through nanofiltration membranes separating two aqueous solutions of the same electrolyte at identical hydrostatic pressures but different concentrations is investigated within the scope of the steric, electric, and dielectric exclusion model. The influence of the ion size and the so-called dielectric exclusion on the membrane potential arising through both neutral and electrically charged membranes is investigated. Dielectric phenomena have no influence on the membrane potential through neutral membranes, unlike ion size effects which increase the membrane potential value. For charged membranes, both steric and dielectric effects increase the membrane potential at a given concentration but the diffusion potential (that is the high-concentration limit of the membrane potential) is affected only by steric effects. It is therefore proposed that membrane potential measurements carried out at high salt concentrations could be used to determine the mean pore size of nanofiltration membranes. In practical cases, the membrane volume charge density and the dielectric constant inside pores depend on the physicochemical properties of both the membrane and the surrounding solutions (pH, concentration, and chemical nature of ions). It is shown that the Donnan and dielectric exclusions affect the membrane potential of charged membranes similarly; namely, a higher salt concentration is needed to screen the membrane fixed charge. The membrane volume charge density and the pore dielectric constant cannot then be determined unambiguously by means of membrane potential experiments, and additional independent measurements are in need. It is suggested to carry out rejection rate measurements (together with membrane potential measurements).     

Stereoelectronic effects in diastereoselective formation of fulleroids

The substituent effects on diastereoselective formation of fulleroids in the reactions of C(60) with various unsymmetrical diazoalkanes were investigated. The steric demand on the stereochemical course of reactions dominated the diastereoselectivity for diazoalkanes bearing aliphatic as well as monosubstituted pi-resonating groups, whereas the stereoelectronic effects of coexisting pi-resonating aromatic and cyclopropyl groups played a crucial role in the ring closure of the radical intermediates, overriding the steric demand.     

Synthetic studies in the intramolecular carbocyclization of N-acyloxyiminium ions. Stereoelectronic and steric implications of nucleophilic alkene, alkyne, and allene tethers

N-Acyloxyiminium ions generated from 4-substituted l-pyroglutamic esters with 4-(3-butenyl), 4-(3-butynyl), 4-(3-cinnamylmethyl), and 4-allenic tethers undergo rapid Lewis acid mediated carbocyclization to give stereodefined azacyclic compounds depending on the nature of the nucleophilic tether. In general, reactions of alkenes and alkynes with terminal alkyl or aryl substituents, as well as allenes, proceed through transient vinylic carbocations that are attacked internally by the N-Boc group to give tricyclic dihydrooxazinones. Diastereotopic bis-4-(3-butenyl) and 4-(3-butynyl) tethers undergo stereochemically controlled attack favoring an antiperiplanar rather than synclinal approach to give enantiopure 6-halo octahydroindole-2-carboxylic acids and 6-halo hexahydroindole-2-carboxylic acids as their methyl esters, respectively. The aza bicyclic and tricyclic compounds are excellent scaffolds for diversification.     

Stereoelectronic substituent effects in polyhydroxylated piperidines and hexahydropyridazines

From the pK(a) values of the conjugate acids of a large series of hydroxylated piperidines and hexahydropyridazines, a consistent difference in basicity was found between stereoisomers having an axial or equatorial hydroxyl (OH) group either beta or gamma to the amine. Compounds with an equatorial OH group in the 3-position were 0.8 pH units more acidic than otherwise identical compounds with an axial OH group, whilst compounds with an equatorial OH group in the 4-position relative to the amine were 0.4 pH units more acidic than the corresponding compound with an axial OH. A similar effect was observed for the COOMe substituent. The difference in electron-withdrawing power of axial and equatorial substituents was explained by a difference in charge-dipole interactions in the two systems. Since this stereoelectronic substituent effect causes differences in basicity in different conformers, certain piperidines and hexahydropyridazines were found to change conformation upon protonation. A method for predicting the pK(a) of piperidines which takes stereochemistry into account is described.     

A study of the enolization of some alkyl ketones in lyomesophases formed by alkylammonium surfactants

The kinetics of enolization of acetone, 3-pentanone, and 6-undecanone have been studied in lyotropic systems in the isotropic, nematic, and lamellar phases. The data, analysed in terms of spontaneous and acid-catalyzed rate constants, do not show any relevant influence of the physical nature of the phase. Effects are instead observed in relation to the length of the alkyl chains of the ketones and the type of the amphiphilic molecule. 6-undecanone has a surprising effect in stabilizing ordered mesophases.     

Modulation of the porphyrin inner proton exchange rates by the steric effects of bridge substitution

The tautomeric equilibria and H-N proton transfer taking place in the nonsymmetrically substituted water-soluble 2-sulfonato-5,15-bis(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin (1) and in its 10-bromo-substituted derivative (2) were analyzed by NMR methods: 1H and 13C spectroscopies and heteronuclear multiple bond correlation (HMBC) and heteronuclear single quantum coherence (HSQC) 1H-13C and 1H-15N techniques. The existence of preferred pathways of H-N transfer was detected. The conclusions are rationalized by taking into account the effect partial meso-substitution exerts on the relative energies of the different cis-tautomer intermediates involved in the tautomerism. These results underline the experimental consequences stemming from the nonequivalence in porphyrins between the 'tautomeric interconversion' and 'proton transfer' terms, when observed by NMR techniques, as a consequence of the existence of two pairs of degenerate tautomers and transformation pathways.     

Substituent,solvent and steric effects on the electrochemical reduction of aziridinium salts

The polarographic behavior of a series of N,N-dimethyl-2-arylaziridinium fluorosulfonates was investigated as another example of ring-opening reactions of this important class of compounds. Half-wave potentials showed that in water reduction was facilitated by electron-donating groups. This unusual result was explained in terms of electron transfer to an aminocarbonium ion-like species. In methylene chloride, however, two one-electron waves were observed, with the first showing a normal substituent effect (? = 0.17 ± 0.03 V). This result indicated direct electron transfer to the aziridinium ion itself to form a radical species which was detected by cyclic voltammetry. Reasons for the change in mechanism are presented, and E_1/2 values for selected aziridinium salts illustrate the importance of steric effects on the reduction process.     

Lipophilicity, electronic, steric and topological effects of some phosphoramidates on acethylcholinesterase inhibitory property

The differences in the inhibition potency of organophosphorus agents are manifestations of differing molecular properties of the inhibitors involved in the interaction with the active site of an enzyme. We studied the inhibition potency (IC₅₀) of phosphoramidates with the general formula [(CH₃)₂N]P(O)[p-NHC₆H₄-X]₂, where, X = F (1), Cl (2), Br (3), I (4), and [(CH₃)₂N]P(O)X[p-OC₆H₄-CH₃], where, X = o-NHC₆H₄-CH₃ (5), m-NHC₆H₄-CH₃ (6), p-NHC₆H₄-CH₃ (7), on human acetylcholinesterase (AchE) activity. Inhibition of hAChE was evaluated by a modified Ellman’s method, and spectrophotometric measurements. The ability of the compounds to inhibit AChE was predicted by PASS software (version 1.193). The IC₅₀ values for inhibitors 1–7 were found to be 0.19, 0.35, 0.50, 0.63, 2.70, 2.44 and 1.50 mM, respectively. In addition, logP values, by the experimental and calculated (software) methods, were found to be 1.03, 1.64, 2.17, 2.74, 2.34, 2.28 and 2.23. Finally, parameters of IC₅₀, logP, δ³¹P (phosphorus chemical shifts), σ_p (para-substituent constant), σ⁺ (electron-releasing), steric and topological effects were used for the structure-activity relationships (SAR) studies.