Conformational equilibria in diols: the rotational spectrum of chiral 1,3-butandiol

The rotational spectra of five conformers of 1,3-butandiol have been measured by pulsed jet Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy. All of them are stabilized by an internal hydrogen bond and all of them have a GG' or a G'G arrangement of the two hydroxyl oxygens, which means that both oxygen atoms are on the same side with respect to the C1C2C3 plane. Apart from the spectroscopic constants, the relative abundances in the supersonic expansion are provided.     

Internal dynamics features in the free jet rotational spectrum of the acetaldehyde-Kr molecular complex

The structure and the dynamics of internal motions in the complex formed between acetaldehyde and Kr are studied by free jet absorption microwave spectroscopy performed in the range 60-78 GHz. The fourfold structure of each rotational line is evidence of the vibration-rotation coupling between the overall rotation of the complex, a tunneling motion of the Kr atom between two equivalent positions and the internal rotation of the methyl group in the acetaldehyde moiety. The four sets of transitions could be fitted with a coupled Hamiltonian which allows for the Coriolis interaction obtaining the energy separation between the vibrational energy levels related to the tunneling motion, while the observed splittings due to the methyl group internal rotation were analyzed independently with an appropriate model. The potential energy barriers for the tunneling motion and the internal rotation of the methyl group have been calculated and the interaction of the rare gas atom with the acetaldehyde moiety is reflected in the change of the V(3) barrier to internal rotation in going from the molecule to the weakly bound complex.     

Interactions between organic molecules and water: rotational spectrum of the 1:1 oxetane-water complex

The 1:1 molecular complex between oxetane and water has been investigated by using free-jet millimeter-wave spectroscopy. The rotational spectra of five isotopomers (with H(2)O, D(2)O, DOH, HOD and H(2) (18)O) have been assigned. Partial r(0) and r(s) structures of the complex have been derived. The water moiety lies in the plane of symmetry of oxetane, with the "free" hydrogen E with respect to the ring. The oxetane ring appears to be slightly nonplanar, with the C(beta) carbon tilted on the opposite side of the water unity. The three atoms involved in the hydrogen bond adopt a linear arrangement with an O(ring).H distance of about 1.86 A, and the angle between the COC bisector and the O(ring).H bond being congruent with 106 degrees. Additionally, quantum-chemical calculations for the complex were performed and were found to be in agreement with the experimental results.     

Study of the adsorption behavior of the enantiomers of 1-phenyl-1-propanol on a cellulose-based chiral stationary phase

Using single-step frontal analysis, we measured single-component and competitive adsorption isotherm data for the two enantiomers of 1-phenyl-1-propanol (PP). These experimental data were fitted to several competitive bi-Langmuir models (with 8, 6, 5 and 4 parameters) and to the competitive Langmuir model. The latter model accounted well for the behavior of both PP enantiomers on Chiracel OB (cellulose tribenzoate coated on silica gel). The parameters obtained were used in numerical calculations to predict the band profiles of the two single components and of their mixtures under overloaded conditions. The equilibrium-dispersive model provides satisfactory results, with minor differences between the calculated and the experimental profiles. These differences became negligible when a more complex kinetic model was used, with a concentration-dependent rate coefficient.     

Enantioseparation of 1-phenyl-1-propanol on cellulose-derived chiral stationary phase by supercritical fluid chromatography II. Non-linear isotherm

The separation of the enantiomers of 1-phenyl-1-propanol by supercritical fluid chromatography on a chiral stationary phase, which consists of cellulose tris (3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate) coated on a silica support (Chiralcel-OD), is studied under overloaded, non-linear chromatographic conditions. Pulse experiments are performed at a temperature of 30 degrees C using supercritical CO(2) modified with methanol as a mobile phase. The parameters of the binary Langmuir adsorption isotherm are determined by the inverse method, comparing experimental and simulated peak responses. Isotherm parameters are derived for modifier concentrations between 1 and 5% (w/w) and operating pressures between 125 and 185 bar, and the dependency of the isotherm parameters, namely the Henry constant and the saturation capacity, on operating conditions is investigated.     

Conformational preferences of fluorocyclohexane and 1-fluoro-1-silacyclohexane molecules: ab initio study and NBO analysis

The molecular structure of the axial and equatorial conformers of fluorocyclohexane and 1-fluoro-1-silacyclohexane, H₂C(CH₂CH₂)₂XH–F (X = C or Si), as well as the thermodynamic equilibrium between these species were investigated by means of quantum chemical calculations up to MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ level of theory. According to MP2 data, these compounds consist of a mixture of conformers with chair conformation and C _s symmetry differing in the axial and equatorial position of the C–F/Si–F bonds (axial = 42/56 mol%, equatorial = 58/44 mol%) at T = 298 K. This corresponds to a free energy difference of A = (G _ax ? G _eq) = 0.19/?0.13 kcal mol^?1 for X = C/Si. NBO analysis revealed that the axial conformer of 1-fluoro-1-silacyclohexane is an example of stabilization of the form that is unfavorable in terms of conjugation effects; stabilization is achieved mainly due to steric interactions. The equatorial conformer of fluorocyclohexane is an example of stabilization of the form that is unfavorable in terms of electrostatic interactions; stabilization is achieved due to steric and conjugation effects.     

Conformational flexibility in open chain molecules: chiral and achiral alkanes

Conformational partition functions of chiral and achiral alkanes have been computed by using a continuum approach (instead of rotational isomeric state approximations). The accessible conformational space per bond depends upon the structure of the compound and is only in the range of 5–13% of the maximum accessible range. In order to partly overcome the intrinsic ambiguity of the term “conformational flexibility”, the distinction between number flexibility (a measure of the number of accessible energy minima) and space flexibility (a measure of the total allotted space) is proposed. Further, the conformational versatility of each bond of a molecule is evaluated in terms of the a priori probability density function of that bond, and it is shown that the use of this function permits a comparison of the relative conformational flexibilities of the individual bonds, which is particularly useful for molecules having more than two rotation angles (where the conventional energy maps cannot be used). Optical rotations are calculated for a series of chiral alkanes by combining the continuum approach for conformational analysis and a recent optical activity calculation scheme. Contributions of single bonds to the molar optical rotation are evaluated and discussed. The influence of temperature upon conformational and chiral properties is evaluated.     

1-Methyl-1-phenyl-3,3-dimethyl-3-dimethylamino-1-propanol synthesis

Summary A new tertiary amino alcohol, 1-methyl-1-phenyl-3,3-dimethyl-3-dimethylamino-1-propanol,was prepared; it failed to enter the esterification reaction.The present work was begun during the life of I. N. Nazarov as a small part of a systematic study suggested by him.     

The rotational spectrum and heavy-atom-planar structure of propargyl benzene (3-phenyl-1-propyne)

The microwave rotational spectrum of propargyl benzene has been studied and its stable conformation has coplanar carbon atoms. This planar structure is confirmed independently by the value of its P_cc second moment consistent with only a pair of H atoms out of the plane, by its rotational spectrum obeying a- and b-type and not c-type selection rules, by its display of spectra of nine rather than six distinguishable monosubstituted ¹³C isotopomers, by the absence of tunneling splittings, and by the insensitivity of P_cc to ¹³C isotopic substitution. This conformation is also observed in its isoelectronic analogue, benzyl cyanide. The structure is stabilized by an effective hydrogen bond between an ortho C-H and the π electrons of the triple bond.     

Disymmetry indices based on optical rotational polarizability of chiral molecules

New molecular disymmetry indices are suggested based on an analysis of the moments of rotational polarizability defining optical activity. It is shown that the fourth moment of rotational polarizability coincides with the electron-kinematic index of chirality, introduced previously by one of the authors. The norm of imaginary frequency rotational polarizability is suggested for use as an additional disymmetry index. Illustrative Hartree-Fock calculations of these chirality indices with the 6-31G basis set are performed for hydrogen peroxide, water trimer, and some amino acids. Kharkov State University. Rostov State University. Translated fromZhurnal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol. 39, No. 2, pp. 319–327, March–April, 1998.     

Enantioseparation of 1-phenyl-1-propanol by supercritical fluid-simulated moving bed chromatography

The enantioseparation of 1-phenyl-1-propanol through the supercritical fluid-simulated moving bed (SF-SMB) process is studied. Non-linear isotherms were measured on an analytical column, and used together with the triangle theory for SMB design to select operating conditions for the SF-SMB. Experiments were carried out on a pilot-scale SF-SMB plant at conditions that corresponded to the non-linear range of the isotherm. Under conditions of low feed concentration, complete separation (extract purity = 99.5%; raffinate purity = 98.4%) was achieved. Under conditions of larger feed concentration, the best separation corresponded to an extract purity of 98.0% and a raffinate purity of 94.0%, and yielded a productivity of 110 g of racemate per kg stationary phase per day.     

Kinetic and chemical resolution of different 1-phenyl-2-propanol derivatives

Seven chiral target molecules containing a hydroxy group have been resolved by both biocatalytic and chemical means. The lipase-catalyzed acylation mainly yielded the acylated derivative of the (R)-alcohols with moderate enantiomeric excess and the enantiopure (S)-alcohols. In the course of the chemical resolution, first the dicarboxylic acid monoesters of the target molecules were synthesized and the resolution of these monoesters was attempted by different homochiral bases. By re-resolution and/or optimization of the reaction time and/or recrystallization, respectively, each molecule was produced in very high enantiomeric purity.     

Conformational control of flexible molecules: design and synthesis of novel chiral 1,5-diaza-cis-decalins

Control of the conformational equilibria of 1,5-diaza-cis-decalins, a new class of chiral diamine ligands, has been investigated. Chiral 2,6- and 3,7-substituted derivatives of 1,5-diaza-cis-decalins were designed to stabilize the conformational form needed to chelate a lithium. These derivatives were synthesized in optically pure form starting from 1,5-diaza-cis-decalin. Due to the rigid and conformationally well-defined nature of these compounds, the potential of these compounds as chiral diamine ligands was investigated. Asymmetric lithiation-substitution reactions of N-Boc-pyrrolidine and N,N-diisopropyl-o-ethylbenzamide were performed using these ligands and up to 60% ee was obtained. For the latter substrate, results spanning a range from 32% ee (R) to 60% ee (S) were obtained (Delta ee = 92%) with 1,5-diaza-cis-decalin ligands differing only in the location of two methyl substituents. Unlike many other diamines that have been employed in asymmetric lithiation-substitution reactions, the limited conformational flexibility of the 1,5-diaza-cis-decalins is analogous to (-)-sparteine such that these results may permit the construction of structure-activity relationships.     

Detection of free nickel monocarbonyl, NiCO: rotational spectrum and structure

Unsaturated transition metal carbonyls are important in processes such as organometallic synthesis, homogeneous catalysis, and photochemical decomposition of organometallics. In particular, a metal monocarbonyl offers a zeroth-order model for interpreting the chemisorption of a CO molecule on a metal surface in catalytic activation processes. Quite large numbers of theoretical papers have appeared which predict spectroscopic and structural properties of transition metal carbonyls. The nickel monocarbonyl NiCO has been one of the metal carbonyls most extensively studied by the theoretical calculations. At least 50 theoretical studies have been published on this simplest transition metal carbonyl up to the present time. However, experimental evidence of NiCO is much more sparse than theoretical predictions, and the actual structure of NiCO has never been determined by any experimental methods. This Communication reports the first preparation of free nickel monocarbonyl and observation of its rotational transitions. The NiCO molecule was generated by the sputtering reaction of a Ni cathode in the presence of CO. The accurate bond lengths of Ni-C and C-O were experimentally determined from isotopic data and were compared with the theoretical predictions for the first time.     

Rotational spectra and conformational structures of 1-phenyl-2-propanol, methamphetamine, and 1-phenyl-2-propanone

Microwave spectra have been recorded for 1-phenyl-2-propanol, methamphetamine, and 1-phenyl-2-propanone from 11 to 24 GHz using a Fourier-transform microwave spectrometer. Only one spectrum from a single conformational isomer was observed for each species. The rotational transitions in the spectrum of 1-phenyl-2-propanone were split into separate transitions arising from the A- and E-torsional levels of the methyl rotor. The fit of the E-state transitions to a "high-barrier" internal rotation Hamiltonian determines V3 = 238(1) cm-1 and rotor-axis angles of thetaa = 87.7(5) degrees, thetab = 50.0(5) degrees, and thetac = 40.0(5) degrees. Ab initio optimizations (MP2/6-31G**) and single-point calculations (MP2/6-311++G**) were used to model the structures of 1-phenyl-2-propanol, methamphetamine, and 1-phenyl-2-propanone. The lowest energy conformations of these species were found to be stabilized by weak OH-pi, NH-pi, and CH-pi hydrogen-bonding interactions. Moments of inertia, derived from the model structures, were used to assign the spectra to the lowest energy conformation of each species. A series of MP2/6-31G* partial optimizations along the internal rotation pathway were used to estimate the barrier to methyl rotation to be 355 cm-1 for 1-phenyl-2-propanone.     

Valence photoionization dynamics in circular dichroism of chiral free molecules: the methyl-oxirane

The dynamical behavior of circular dichroism for valence photoionization processes in pure enantiomers of randomly oriented methyl-oxirane molecules has been studied by circularly polarized synchrotron radiation. Experimental results of the dichroism coefficient obtained for valence photoionization processes as a function of photon energy have been compared with theoretical values predicted by state-of-the-art ab initio density-functional theory. The circular dichroism measured at low electron kinetic energies was as large as 11%. Trends in the experimental dynamical behavior of the dichroism coefficients D(i)(omega) have been observed. Agreement between experimental and theoretical results permits unambiguous identification of the enantiomer and of the individual orbitals.     

Conformational and spacial preferences for substrates of PepT1

The conformation at the first residue of dipeptide substrates for the peptide transporter PepT1 has been probed using constrained peptide analogues, and the active conformation has been identified.     

Enantioseparation of 1-phenyl-1-propanol by simulated moving bed under linear and nonlinear conditions

Approximately optimum operating conditions needed to separate 1-phenyl-1-propanol (PP) enantiomers by simulated moving bed (SMB) were determined using the "safety margin" approach in the linear case and the "triangle theory" in the nonlinear case. Previous results showed the adsorption isotherm data to fit well to the competitive Langmuir model. This allowed the use of the triangle theory approach that applies straightforwardly to Langmuir systems. Experimentally, the operating conditions under nonlinear isotherm behavior were determined for a feed solution with a total concentration of 5 g/l. The purity of the products exceeded 98% for the raffinate and 95% for the extract. Failing to reach complete purity while the experimental conditions were chosen inside the separation zone is explained by the nonideality of the system used, which violates one of the triangle theory assumptions. The computed overall daily production rate was 11.6 g of racemic PP processed per day per kg of stationary phase, a result that compares favorably with previous ones.