Combining magnetic resonance spectroscopies, mass spectrometry, and molecular dynamics: investigation of chiral recognition by 2,6-di-O-methyl-beta-cyclodextrin

EPR spectroscopy has been employed to investigate the formation of complexes between heptakis-(2,6-O-dimethyl)-beta-cyclodextrin (DM-beta-CD) and different enantiomeric pairs of chiral nitroxides of general structure PhCH2NO.CH(R)R'. Accurate equilibrium measurements of the concentrations of free and included radicals afforded the binding constant values for these nitroxides. The relationship between the stereochemistry of the DM-beta-CD complexes and the thermodynamics of complexation was elucidated by correlating EPR data with 1H-1H NOE measurements carried out on the complexes between DM-beta-CD and the structurally related amine precursors of nitroxides. NOE data suggested that inclusion of the stereogenic center in the DM-beta-CD cavity occurs only when the R substituent linked to the chiral carbon contains an aromatic ring. For these types of complexes, molecular dynamics simulation indicated that the depth of penetration of the stereogenic center into the cyclodextrin cavity is determined by the nature of the second substituent (R') at the asymmetric carbon and is responsible for the observed chiral selectivity. Analysis of mass spectra showed that, for the presently investigated amines, electrostatic external adducts of CDs with protonated amines are detected by ESI-MS.     

Preparation and characterization of new chiral nitronyl nitroxides bearing a stereogenic center in the imidazolyl framework

A synthetic procedure for optically active and racemic alpha-nitronyl nitroxides (alpha-NNs) having a stereogenic center at the 4-position of the imidazolyl ring is described. This procedure consists of (1) the synthesis of a dissymmetric vic-dinitro compound by Kornblum reaction, (2) the enantiomeric resolution of the racemate by a diastereomer method for obtaining the optically active sample, (3) the quick reduction of the optically active or racemic vic-dinitro compound to the bis(hydroxyamino) derivative with Al/Hg, (4) the solvent-free condensation of the bis(hydroxyamino) compound with an aldehyde to give the 1,3-dihydroxyimidazolidine, and (5) the final oxidation of the alpha-NN precursor with aqueous NaIO(4). The absolute configuration of the optically active alpha-NNs was assigned by correlating with the X-ray crystal structure of the (-)-(1S,4R)-camphanic acid ester derivative of the optically active vic-dinitro compound. The molecular conformation of the optically active alpha-NNs was found to be folded both in solution and in the solid state by CD spectroscopy and energy minimization with the Monte Carlo method. The magnetic properties of both optically active and racemic alpha-NNs in solution and in the solid state were characterized by EPR spectroscopy and magnetic susceptibility measurement, respectively.     

Comparison of high-performance liquid chromatography of cyclotriphosphazene derivatives with one or two equivalent stereogenic centres

High-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) methods have been developed for investigating the stereogenic properties of two analogous series of dibenzylamino derivatives of cyclotriphosphazene containing either one or two equivalent stereogenic centres. Separation of the enantiomers of all the racemic compounds has been investigated by chiral HPLC using Whelk-01 and Chiralcel OD columns. In all cases, conditions for separation of enantiomers have been found using a Whelk-01 column with different ratios of tetrahydrofuran in n-hexane as the mobile phase. It is found that both the separation factor (alpha) and resolution factor (R(S)) of molecules with two equivalent stereogenic centres are greater than those for analogues with only one centre.     

Supramolecular structure of racemic 5‐hydroxy‐4‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)‐10‐oxa‐4‐azatricyclo[5.2.1.02,6]dec‐8‐en‐3‐one

The structure of the title compound, C₁₅H₁₅NO₄, comprises a racemic mixture of chiral molecules containing five stereogenic centres. The cyclohexane ring tends towards a boat conformation and the two tetrahydrofuran rings adopt envelope conformations. Molecules are linked into sheets parallel to (100) by a combination of O—H...O, C—H...O and C—H...π hydrogen bonds, leading to a two‐dimensional supramolecular structure.     

A Phenyl α-Nitronyl Nitroxide with a Forced Chiral Conformation

Summary.  A new phenyl α-nitronyl nitroxide bearing a hydroxyl group at position 2 of the aromatic ring and a chiral methyl lactate substituent at position 5 has been synthesized with the aim of combining the magnetic properties of this kind of radical with the optical properties endowed by the chiral group. The optically active compound forms intramolecular hydrogen bonds between the OH group and one of the NO groups and shows a large torsion angle between the two rings when compared with similar radicals with no substituent in this position. Therefore, the optical properties are distinct. The optical and magnetic properties of the new radical in both solution and solid state are presented. Received June 23, 2000. Accepted (revised) September 18, 2000     

Aromatic-aromatic interactions in crystal structures of helical peptide scaffolds containing projecting phenylalanine residues

Aromatic-aromatic interactions between phenylalanine side chains in peptides have been probed by the structure determination in crystals of three peptides: Boc-Val-Ala-Phe-Aib-Val-Ala-Phe-Aib-OMe, I; Boc-Val-Ala-Phe-Aib-Val-Ala-Phe-Aib-Val-Ala-Phe-Aib-OMe, II; Boc-Aib-Ala-Phe-Aib-Phe-Ala-Val-Aib-OMe, III. X-ray diffraction studies reveal that all three peptides adopt helical conformations in the solid state with the Phe side chains projecting outward. Interhelix association in the crystals is promoted by Phe-Phe interactions. A total of 15 unique aromatic pairs have been characterized in the three independent crystal structures. In peptides I and II, the aromatic side chains lie on the same face of the helix at i/i + 4 positions resulting in both intrahelix and interhelix aromatic interactions. In peptide III, the Phe side chains are placed on the opposite faces of the helix, resulting in exclusive intermolecular aromatic interactions. The distances between the centroids of aromatic pair ranges from 5.11 to 6.86 A, while the distance of closest approach of ring carbon atoms ranges from 3.27 to 4.59 A. Examples of T-shaped and parallel-displaced arrangements of aromatic pairs are observed, in addition to several examples of inclined arrangements. The results support the view that the interaction potential for a pair of aromatic rings is relatively broad and rugged with several minima of similar energies, separated by small activation barriers.     

Synthetic applications of aryl radical building blocks for cyclisation onto azoles

2-(2-Bromophenyl)ethyl groups have been used as building blocks in radical cyclisation reactions onto azoles to synthesise tri- and tetra-cyclic heterocycles. 2-(2-Bromophenyl)ethyl methanesulfonate was used to alkylate azoles (imidazoles, pyrroles, indoles and pyrazoles) for the synthesis of the radical precursors. Cyclisations of the intermediate aryl radicals yield new 6-membered rings attached to the azoles. The aryl radicals undergo intramolecular homolytic aromatic substitution onto the azole rings. Tributylgermanium hydride has been used with success to replace the toxic and troublesome tributyltin hydride. Initial studies show that the protocol can be used on solid phase resins. The molecular and crystal structures of methyl 5,6-dihydroimidazo[5,1-a]iso-quinoline-1-carboxylate and methyl 5,6-dihydroimidazo[2,1-a]isoquinoline-3-carboxylate were determined by X-ray crystallography.     

Acylative kinetic resolution of racemic amines using N-phthaloyl-(S)-amino acyl chlorides

A comparative study of the kinetic resolution of racemic 2-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline and 2,3-dihydro-3-methyl-4H-1,4-benzoxazine using N-phthaloyl-(S)-amino acyl chlorides as chiral acylating agents is described. Temperature and solvent effects on the stereochemical features have been examined. It has been found that N-phthaloyl-(S)-phenylalanyl and N-phthaloyl-(S)-2-phenylglycyl chlorides bearing aromatic substituents close to the stereogenic centre are more stereoselective acylating agents than N-phthaloyl-(S)-alanyl chloride. For the preparative kinetic resolution of racemic amines N-phthaloyl-(S)-phenylalanyl chloride proved to be the most appropriate chiral acylating agent.     

Spontaneous racemization and epimerization behavior in solution of chiral nitroxides

[reaction: see text] Enantiomerically enriched samples of chiral cyclic nitroxides with a 4-hydroxyphenyl group on the stereogenic center bearing the NO radical group undergo unprecedented spontaneous racemization and/or epimerization in aprotic solvents, which can be well accounted for by the multistep equilibrations involving planar quinoid intermediates.     

Supramolecular helical stacking of metallomesogens derived from enantiopure and racemic polycatenar oxazolines

The present report undertakes a challenge of general interest in supramolecular chemistry: the achievement of helical organizations with controlled structure. To achieve this target we considered the possibility of inducing supramolecular chirality using molecules that were designed to organize into columnar mesophases. The use of oxazoline-derived ligands and metal coordination served as tools to prepare molecules with a phasmidic-like structure, which show columnar organization in the liquid crystalline state. To ensure the formation of chiral mesophases, these complexes bear stereogenic centers in the rigid coordination environment of the metal. X-ray and circular dichroism experiments have revealed that chirality transfer does indeed take place from the chiral molecule to the columnar liquid crystal organization. This chiral columnar organization appears as a helix consisting of stacks of molecules that rotate with respect to one another along the column while maintaining their mean planes parallel to each other. In fact, it has been concluded that packing of these polycatenar molecules must be more efficient upon rotation of a molecule with respect to the adjacent one along the column. Furthermore, the same type of helical supraorganization has been found to be present in the mesophase of the racemic mixture and the mixture of diastereomers prepared from the racemic ligand. In this case, segregation of the optical isomers is proposed to occur to give rise to both types of helix (right-handed and left-handed).     

Chiral Brønsted Acid Catalyzed Enantioconvergent Propargylic Substitution Reaction of Racemic Secondary Propargylic Alcohols with Thiols

Despite the significant progress of the enantioselective reaction using chiral catalysts, the enantioselective nucleophilic substitution reaction at the chiral sp³-hybridized carbon atom of a racemic electrophile has not been largely explored. Herein, we report the enantioconvergent propargylic substitution reaction of racemic propargylic alcohols with thiols using chiral bis-phosphoric acid as the chiral Brønsted acid catalyst. The substitution products were formed in high yields with high enantioselectivities in most cases. The cation-stabilizing effect of the sulfur functional group introduced at the alkynyl terminus is the key to achieving the efficient enantioconvergent process, in which chiral information originating from not only the racemic stereogenic center but also the formed contact ion pair is completely eliminated from the present system.     

Synthesis of Materials with Self-Ordering Chiral Macromolecules

The present work focuses on chirality, functionalization, and molecular shape to establish links between molecular architecture and the spatial organization of polymer chains in organic materials. The approach used was to synthesize chiral and racemic homologous polymers exhibiting a preference for extended chain conformations and having the strongly dipolar cyano group as a substituent of the stereogenic center. The strong dipole moment at the chiral center offered potential to combine strong long-range forces with chiral recognition. Electron and optical microscopies were our selected tools to probe three-dimensional structures, and nonlinear optics was used to measure the properties of the materials obtained. We found that the relative stereochemistry of the repeat unit dipole impacts significantly on global chain symmetry and its packing mode. Enantiomeric enrichment of chains changed hexagonally packed cylindrical molecules to board-like molecules which pack edge-to-edge in an orthorhombic lattice. Interestingly, enantiomeric enrichment of chains enhanced the second-order nonlinear optical susceptibility of films prepared from these macromolecules.     

The low‐temperature study of d‐ and dl‐camphoric anhydride

The low‐temperature crystal stuctures of d ‐ and dl ‐camphoric anhydride, C₁₀H₁₄O₃, have been determined by X‐ray diffraction methods. Although the two enantiomers crystallize in different space groups, the cell volumes and densities are essentially the same. The six‐membered rings deviate significantly from planarity, both exhibiting half‐boat conformations. The dihedral angle between the six‐ and five‐membered rings is 80.3 (1)° in both cases. The main difference in the molecular stuctures can be described by two torsion angles associated with the H atoms of the methyl substituents. The packing of the racemic and chiral structures are essentially the same.     

Charge delocalization in self-assembled mixed-valence aromatic cation radicals

The spontaneous assembly of aromatic cation radicals (D(+?)) with their neutral counterpart (D) affords dimer cation radicals (D(2)(+?)). The intermolecular dimeric cation radicals are readily characterized by the appearance of an intervalence charge-resonance transition in the NIR region of their electronic spectra and by ESR spectroscopy. The X-ray crystal structure analysis and DFT calculations of a representative dimer cation radical (i.e., the octamethylbiphenylene dimer cation radical) have established that a hole (or single positive charge) is completely delocalized over both aromatic moieties. The energetics and the geometrical considerations for the formation of dimer cation radicals is deliberated with the aid of a series of cyclophane-like bichromophoric donors with drastically varied interplanar angles between the cofacially arranged aryl moieties. X-ray crystallography of a number of mixed-valence cation radicals derived from monochromophoric benzenoid donors established that they generally assemble in 1D stacks in the solid state. However, the use of polychromophoric intervalence cation radicals, where a single charge is effectively delocalized among all of the chromophores, can lead to higher-order assemblies with potential applications in long-range charge transport. As a proof of concept, we show that a single charge in the cation radical of a triptycene derivative is evenly distributed on all three benzenoid rings and this triptycene cation radical forms a 2D electronically coupled assembly, as established by X-ray crystallography.     

Asymmetric cascade reaction sequences via chiral lithiated intermediates

The (-)-sparteine-mediated enantioselective intermolecular carbolithiation of (E)-2-propenylarylamines allows for the generation of chiral lithiated intermediates which have broad synthetic potential. These intermediates have been exploited in a series of further in situ reactions with electrophiles to generate a collection of products each containing a common stereogenic center. The stereogenic center, formed in high enantiomeric ratio in the first carbolithiation step, is carried through the cascade reaction sequence to the final products and is independent of electrophile used. The methodology is demonstrated by the synthesis of structurally diverse chiral anilines, indoles, and indolones all with an er of 92:8 (+/-1). The heterocyclic syntheses involve an enantioselective alkene carbolithiation and subsequent trapping of the intermediate organolithium with a suitable electrophile, followed by an in situ ring closure and dehydration to generate the indole or indolone rings.     

The magnetochemistry of verdazyl radical-based materials

Stable organic radicals have received much attention as building blocks for the construction of molecular magnetic materials because they are readily functionalized using modern synthetic techniques. In this context, the nitroxide radical family has been the dominant class of radicals in molecular magnetochemistry. However, other stable radical systems have also been explored. One such example is the verdazyl family of radicals. Their high chemical stability and synthetic versatility make verdazyls one of the more attractive alternatives to nitroxides in molecular magnet design. This article reviews the magnetism of verdazyl-based systems, including through-bond coupling in polyradicals, coordination complexes and intermolecular interactions in the solid state.     

Conformation of S-shaped aromatic imide foldamers and their induced circular dichroism

Conformation of aromatic foldamers possessing three aromatic rings in a sequence of anthracene-phenylene-anthracene linked with iminodicarbonyl was examined. Their folding structures were confirmed by single crystal X-ray analysis. Two conformations, straight-zigzag and helically-zigzag conformations, were found depending on the substituents at the imide nitrogen atom. Induced circular dichroism originated in the interaction of the upper and bottom anthracene moieties was observed both in solution and in the solid state.     

Diastereoisomeric singly bridged cyclophosphazene-macrocyclic compounds

31P NMR spectroscopy and added chiral shift reagent (CSR) or chiral solvating agent (CSA) have been used to show that unsymmetrically substituted singly bridged macrocyclic phosphazene compounds exist as 1:1 diastereoisomers of two racemic mixtures, in contrast to previous work (ref 2) on symmetrically substituted diastereoisomeric analogues, which exist as meso and racemic forms. The cis-ansa cyclotriphosphazatriene-macrocycle, 1, is meso and monosubstitution of the >P(O-macrocycle)Cl group with 2-naphthol gives a racemic product (7), in which the macrocyclic ring exists in a trans-ansa configuration. Reaction of 7 with the di-secondary amine, piperazine, gives an unsymmetrically disubstituted racemic compound (8) having a cis-ansa configuration of the macrocyclic ring. Reaction of 8 with a further quantity of 1 forms a singly bridged derivative (9) with the macrocyclic rings in cis-trans configurations, and further reaction of 9 with pyrrolidine gives compound 10 with the macrocyclic rings in cis-cis configurations. Both 9 and 10 have four stereogenic centers giving rise to diastereoisomeric compounds existing as mixtures of two racemates. The results are consistent with inversion of configuration at phosphorus at each step of the reaction of >P(OR)Cl groups with nucleophile Z (i.e., Z = naphthoxy, piperazino, pyrrolidino) to form >P(OR)Z derivatives.     

Self-assembly of enantiopure 2,2′-dimethylbiphenyl-6,6′-dicarboxylic acid. Formation of chiral squares and their columnar stacking

The title (R)-diacid has been found to self-assemble as hydrogen-bonded cyclotetramers in solution as well as in the solid phase; in the crystal the tetramers are stacked into chiral columns. In contrast, the racemic diacid forms infinite zig-zag chains of molecules of alternating chirality.     

The structural and stereogenic properties of pentaerythritoxy-bridged cyclotriphosphazene derivatives: spiro-spiro, spiro-ansa and ansa-ansa isomers

Reactions of pentaerythritol with hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene, N3P3Cl6, and gem-disubstituted cyclotriphosphazene derivatives, N3P3Cl4R2 [R = Ph, NHBu(t) or (OCH2CF2CF2CH2O)0.5] gave a series of pentaerythritol-bridged derivatives linked spiro-spiro, spiro-ansa and ansa-ansa. The structures and stereogenic properties of the products were characterised by X-ray crystallography and 31P NMR spectroscopy on addition of the chiral solvating agent, (S)-(+)-2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(9-anthryl)ethanol. Molecules with spiro-spiro and spiro-ansa bridged gem-disubstituted cyclophosphazenes [R = Ph, NHBu(t) or (OCH2CF2CF2CH2O)0.5] are found to be chiral and exist as racemates. Molecules with ansa-ansa bridged cyclophosphazenes [R = Cl or (OCH2CF2CF2CH2O)0.5] have been characterised for the first time and are shown to have meso configurations. Analysis of crystal structure data shows that the six-membered chair form of the spiro rings and the eight-membered boat-chair form of the ansa rings in the bridged compounds are similar to analogous spiro and ansa exocyclic ring conformations of 1,3-propanedioxy-derivatives of cyclophosphazenes.