Alkali metal counterion control of enolate protonation stereoselectivity

[reaction: see text] Generation of the lithium salt of the norbornenol shown (M = H) followed by quenching with aqueous NH(4)Cl solution gives predominantly the beta-epimeric ketone 6. Similar production of the potassium alkoxide leads instead to the alpha-epimer (99:1). These results reveal the potential importance of alkali metal counterions as stereocontrol elements.     

Intramolecular weak interactions in the thermodynamic stereoselectivity of copper(II) complexes with carnosine-trehalose conjugates

The interactions of metal ions with chiral molecules are of particular interest for relevant biochemical processes, as many of them are made possible only with a selected chirality of the stereocenters. In this work we report a study of the stereoselectivity of copper(II) complexes with D-trehalose-L-carnosine and D-trehalose-D-carnosine as a prototypical case of natural chirality selection. The interest in L-carnosine dipeptide is compounded by its antioxidant and antitumor properties, which are further enhanced when combined with D-trehalose. Potentiometric, calorimetric, and UV/circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopic measurements show that the copper(II) dimer of D-trehalose-L-carnosine is more stable than the D-trehalose-D-carnosine diastereoisomeric copper(II) dimer (log β(L)(22-2) - log β(D)(22-2) = 3.6). Free-energy calculations highlight that the cause of this different behavior lies with different intramolecular weak interactions between the diastereoisomers. The different pattern of hydrogen bonds and the different CH-π interactions between the π-electron-rich imidazole and the α-glucose rings are more favorable by 5 kcal mol(-1) in the L dimer.     

A thermodynamic study of the protonation of some sulphur-containing α,ω-diamines in aqueous solution

The protonation equilibria in aqueous solution of α,ω-thiadiamines of general formula (R)(R′)N(CH₂)_n,S(CH₂)_mNH₂ (R,R′= CH₃ or H) have been investigated potentiometrically and calorimetrically at 25° C in 0.5 mole dm^?3 KNO₃ solution. The enthalpy and entropy changes are discussed in terms of intrinsic proton affinities and solvation effects.     

Stereoselective synthesis of some cis 2,3- disubstituted cyclanones : Ring size influence on the stereoselectivity of 2-substituted endocyclic enolates protonation

Conjugate addition of carbanionic reagents formed from aryl-or phenyl-thioacetonitriles 1a–1c and 2 to 2-methyl and 2-phenyl 2-cyclohexenone or 2-methyl 2-cyclopentenone, followed by acidic quench, under kinetic control, leads to different ratios of cis and trans 2,3-disubstituted cyclanones according to ring size. From 2-methyl and 2-phenyl 2-cyclohexenone, the cis isomer is highly predominant (85 to 98%). From 2-methyl 2-cyclopentenone a cis/trans mixture is obtained: the cis isomer only predominates when a bulky reagent (1c) is used (80%); in the other cases a mixture of nearly 1:1 is obtained.     

Effects of protonation on the thermodynamic properties of alkyl dimethylamine oxides

The effects of protonation on alkyldimethyl amine oxide micelles are reviewed, mainly with regard to dodecyl and tetradecyl homologs. The topics discussed are hydrogen ion titration properties, critical micelle concentration (CMC), area per surfactant and micelle aggregation number. A hydrogen bond hypothesis is proposed to interpret the several characteristic results associated with protonation: between two cationic species as well as between the non-ionic-cationic pair. The dipole-dipole interaction of the non-ionic micelle is discussed in relation to both: (a) the unusually high CMC values of the non-ionic micelles compared with other non-ionic surfactants with the same hydrocarbon chain; and (b) the reversal of the stability of the non-ionic and the cationic micelles at high ionic strengths. Two different approaches of the salting out effect on the ionic micelles are compared, the Chan-Mukerjee approach and ours, in relation to the non-linear Corrin-Harkins relation. The obtained salting out constants of the surfactants carrying a dodecyl chain decreased as the head group becomes more polar. Infrared and 13C-NMR spectra data are examined from the point of the specific interaction claimed by the hydrogen bond model. Mixed surfactant systems including amine oxides and the solid state phase behavior of amine oxides are both briefly reviewed.     

Highly stable cyclic dimers based on non-covalent interactions

Highly stable cyclic dimers have been assembled through a combination of non-covalent interactions, including multiple hydrogen bonding, parallel stacking and hydrophobic shielding.     

Influence of protonation on substrate and inhibitor interactions at the active site of human monoamine oxidase-A

Although substrate conversion mediated by human monoaminooxidase (hMAO) has been associated with the deprotonated state of their amine moiety, data regarding the influence of protonation on substrate binding at the active site are scarce. Thus, in order to assess protonation influence, steered molecular dynamics (SMD) runs were carried out. These simulations revealed that the protonated form of the substrate serotonin (5-HT) exhibited stronger interactions at the protein surface compared to the neutral form. The latter displayed stronger interactions in the active site cavity. These observations support the possible role of the deprotonated form in substrate conversion. Multigrid docking studies carried out to rationalize the role of 5-HT protonation in other sites besides the active site indicated two energetically favored docking sites for the protonated form of 5-HT on the enzyme surface. These sites seem to be interconnected with the substrate/inhibitor cavity, as revealed by the tunnels observed by means of CAVER program. pK(a) calculations in the surface loci pointed to Glu32?, Asp32?, His???, and Asp132 as candidates for a possible in situ deprotonation step. Docking analysis of a group of inhibitors (structurally related to substrates) showed further interactions with the same two docking access sites. Interestingly, the protonated/deprotonated amine moiety of almost all compounds attained different docking poses in the active site, none of them oriented to the flavin moiety, thus producing a more variable and less productive orientations to act as substrates. Our results highlight the role of deprotonation in facilitating substrate conversion and also might reflect the necessity of inhibitor molecules to adopt specific orientations to achieve enzyme inhibition.     

Synthesis of multimetallic dendrimers through non-covalent interactions

Hexa-ammonium functionalized Dendriphos ligands and mono-sulfonate functionalized metal complexes have been used as building blocks for the preparation of multimetallic dendritic assemblies. These metallodendrimers consist of a single metal centre surrounded by an oligocationic shell formed by the coordinated Dendriphos ligands and multiple associated anionic organometallic complexes.     

Influence of protonation on the conformations of rigid-chain polymers

The conformations, internal rotation barriers, and the energies of bending deformation of molecules that model chain segments of the rigid-chain polymer poly(p-phenylenebenzobisoxazole) were calculated with the use of the AM1 semiempirical quantum-chemical method. The model molecules included several heterocycles and had a size larger than the repeat unit of the polymer, which includes one heterocyclic ring and one phenylene ring. For molecules in which all heterocyclic rings are diprotonated (at nitrogen atoms), the planar conformation is optimal (as in the case of uncharged molecules). At the same time, the internal rotation barriers in such molecules are reduced relative to the neutral molecules. However, when not all heterocycles are protonated in the molecule, the barriers turn out to be substantially higher than in the neutral molecule. For molecules in which all heterocycles are tetraprotonated, ab initio calculations of the optimal conformation were also performed. For these molecules, the conformation in which the phenyl rings and the heterocyclic rings are turned by almost 50° with respect to one another appeared to be optimal. In this case, the height of the rotation barriers is even lower than in molecules with diprotonated heterocycles. The protonation was found to have a weak effect on the bending rigidity of the poly(p-phenylenebezobisoxazole) chain.     

Modulation of the antioxidant activity of phenols by non-covalent interactions

Non-covalent (H-bonding) interactions, either intramolecular or with the surrounding medium, have a major influence on the activity of natural and synthetic phenolic antioxidants, due to the modulation of their reactivity with radical species, such as peroxyl radicals. Different cases can be distinguished. (i) Intra- or inter-molecular H-bonding involving the reactive -OH moiety will depress the antioxidant activity if the -OH acts as H-bond donor, while the opposite will generally occur if it acts as H-bond acceptor. (ii) Remote intra- and inter-molecular H-bonding, involving a distant -OH group (in polyphenols) or a ring substituent, may increase or decrease the reactivity of an antioxidant toward free radicals, depending on whether the stabilization produced by the H-bond increases or decreases along the reaction coordinate, on proceeding from reactants to the transition state. In this Perspective, the role of non-covalent interactions in the complex chemistry of natural polyphenolic antioxidants is discussed with the aid of literature data on simplified model compounds, aiming at the composition of a clear picture that might guide future research.     

Factors influencing stereoselectivity in the photoreduction of some cyclohexanones

Photoreduction of cyclohexanones not α substituted, generally leads to diastereoisomeric cyclohexanols when the hydrogen-donor is an alcohol or an hydrocarbon. In ethers photoadducts are also isolated.The stereoselectivity of photoreduction depends on experimental conditions. In 2-propanol in particular, it varies with the cyclohexanone/2-propanol molar ratio, with the incident light intensity and with addition of radical scavengers (phenyl disulfide, 1-hexene).The present results can be interpreted at the radical step. They are discussed according to two assumptions of a strictly planar or pyramidal radical centre.     

Solvent effect on heats of protonation of some amines

The heats of protonation of n-pentylamine, dipentylamine, tributylamine and heats for the first protonation step of 1,8-diamino-3,6-dioxaoctan, diazacrownether 22 and cryptand 222 in pure acetonitril and propylene carbonate and of diazacrownether 22 and dibenzosubstituted ligand 22BB in water + acetonitrile mixtures have been measured at 298.15 K using calorimetric titrations. The values of the reaction enthalpies in the solvents as well as the data in aqueous and methanol solutions reported in literature are analysed in terms of the simple electrostatic model and thermodynamic parameters of transfer (solvation) of the reactants. Estimation of the electrostatic and covalent contributions to standard enthalpy of transfer of the reactions from water to non-aqueous and mixed solvents has been made.     

Induced crystal G phase through intermolecular hydrogen bonding VII. Influence of non-covalent interactions on mesomorphism and crystallization kinetics

A series of intermolecular hydrogen bonding complexes, 2,2'-bipyridine: p- n-alkoxybenzoic acids (BP : nABA) was isolated from liquid crystalline p-n-alkoxybenzoic acids (nABA) (where n represents alkoxy carbon numbers, 3 to 10 and 12) and a non-mesogen, 2,2'-bipyridine (BP). The thermal and phase behaviour of these complexes was studied by thermal microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). These studies revealed the induction of tilted smectic F and crystal G phases. The structural elucidation pertaining to the formation of intermolecular hydrogen bonding was carried out by a detailed IR spectral investigation. Comparative crystallization kinectic studies using DSC, performed on two representative compounds, showed different forms of the crystallization process. The magnitudes of the Avrami exponent n suggests two different mechanisms operate for individual members leading to sporadic three-dimensional growth. Nevertheless, an overall unique mechanism is predicted to operate at each crystallization temperature investigated, while the Avrami constant b shows a temperature dependence suggesting a strong influence of alkoxy terminal groups on the rates of nucleation.     

Induced crystal G phase through intermolecular hydrogen bonding VII. Influence of non-covalent interactions on mesomorphism and crystallization kinetics

A series of intermolecular hydrogen bonding complexes, 2,2'-bipyridine: p- n-alkoxybenzoic acids (BP : nABA) was isolated from liquid crystalline p-n-alkoxybenzoic acids (nABA) (where n represents alkoxy carbon numbers, 3 to 10 and 12) and a non-mesogen, 2,2'-bipyridine (BP). The thermal and phase behaviour of these complexes was studied by thermal microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). These studies revealed the induction of tilted smectic F and crystal G phases. The structural elucidation pertaining to the formation of intermolecular hydrogen bonding was carried out by a detailed IR spectral investigation. Comparative crystallization kinectic studies using DSC, performed on two representative compounds, showed different forms of the crystallization process. The magnitudes of the Avrami exponent n suggests two different mechanisms operate for individual members leading to sporadic three-dimensional growth. Nevertheless, an overall unique mechanism is predicted to operate at each crystallization temperature investigated, while the Avrami constant b shows a temperature dependence suggesting a strong influence of alkoxy terminal groups on the rates of nucleation.     

The influence of non-covalent interactions on the hydrogen peroxide electrochemistry on platinum in alkaline electrolytes

The potential range of the transition region between the diffusion-limited reduction to oxidation of hydrogen peroxide depends strongly on the nature of the cation of the supporting alkaline electrolyte. Non-covalent interactions between the hydrated alkali metal cations and chemisorbed OH species on platinum influence the potential-dependent reaction kinetics.     

Computational analysis of non-covalent polymer-protein interactions governing antibody orientation

The ALYGNSA is an affinity-based antibody orientation system produced through the interaction of the polymer poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and recombinant protein G (rProG), a streptococcal protein. This improved orientation suggests a specific non-covalent attachment of the rProG to PMMA that leaves the IgG binding region of the rProG more readily available. In this study, a full tertiary structure model of the rProG molecule of 198 amino acid residues containing a signal region, two IgG binding domains, and an anchor region, was computationally generated using the iterative threading assembly refinement (I-Tasser) server. The rProG model having the highest confidence score was subject to docking experiments with varied-length short chains of PMMA polymer via the graphic processing units-based Hex server. A five-residue section of the rProG anchor region, with the sequence TPATP, was identified as a potential interaction site. A complete ternary model (rProG, PMMA, and IgG) was assembled and provides insight into a plausible mechanism for non-covalent antibody orientation by the ALYGNSA system.     

Effect of dispersion corrections on covalent and non-covalent interactions in DFTB calculations

Dispersion corrections in quantum mechanical methods with the focus on non-covalent interactions have been extensively investigated in the past decade. In this paper, we elucidate the role of dispersion corrections in both non-covalent and covalent interactions within the density functional tight binding (DFTB) method. Our results suggest that two dispersion correction models, D3(BJ) and D3(CSO), generally improve different properties including barrier heights, isomerization energies, bond dissociation energies, and non-covalent binding energies. The D3(CSO) model, with fewer dispersion coefficients and DFTB-dependent parameters, was shown to perform as well as the D3(BJ) model.     

Lectin-bound conformations and non-covalent interactions of glycomimetic analogs of thiochitobiose

The bound conformations of five S-glycoside analogs of N,N′-diacetylchitobiose as well as their non-covalent interactions with two lectins, Phytolacca americana lectin (PAL) and wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), are reported. The conformations of the ligands were examined by trNOESY experiments and compared with the free, solution-state conformations and molecular modeling data obtained by force field calculations. In the case of S-aryl, S-glycosides with exclusively S-glycosidic linkages, similar free and lectin-bound conformations and non-covalent interactions were found, whereas they differed for mixed glycosides and for a thiazoline derivative. In addition, STD (saturation transfer difference) NMR magnetization transfer efficiencies at three different temperatures were determined and assessed with respect to the structural differences of these pseudosaccharides. The binding epitopes of each substrate with PAL and WGA were also determined.     

Stereoselective interactions of chiral dipeptides on amylose based chiral stationary phases

Dipeptides are stereo-specifically involved in several biological functions that are challenging to separate enantiomerically. Elution order of enantiomers is an important issue in chiral chromatography. Amylose tris-(3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate) chiral stationary phase(CSP) is the best and most-widely-used CSP in chiral separations, but experimental data of enantiomeric separation of dipeptides on this CSP is lacking. Simulation studies were conducted to determine the order of elution and the chiral recognition mechanism of didpetides on this CSP. Results indicated that the docking energy of SR-enantiomers were higher than SS-antipodes. The range of docking energies for SR-enantiomers was -7.44 to -5.92 kcal/mol with CSP, but -7.15 to -5.87 kcal/mol for SS-stereoisomers. Therefore it is predicted that SS-enantiomer will elute first, followed by SR-antipode. Furthermore, hydrogen bondings, van der Waal’s interactions and electrostatic interactions were observed among SR- and SSenantiomers and chiral grooves of CSP. The number of hydrogen bonds was one in each enantiomer binding except S-Ala-R-Tyr, which contained two hydrogen bonds. No hydrogen bond was found in S-Ala-R-Trp, S-Leu-S-Trp, and S-Leu-S-Tyr dipeptides bindings. The chiral recognition mechanisms dictate different strengths of stereoselective bindings of the enantiomers on CSP.