Dimerization of the keto tautomer of acetohydroxamic acid-infrared matrix isolation and theoretical study

Dimerization of the keto tautomer of acetohydroxamic acid has been studied using FTIR matrix isolation spectroscopy and DFT(B3LYP)/6-31+G(d,p) calculations. Analysis of CH3CONHOH/Ar matrix spectra indicates formation of two dimers in which two intramolecular CO...HON bonds within two interacting acetohydroxamic acid molecules are retained. A chain dimer I is stabilized by the intermolecular CO...HN hydrogen bond, whereas the cyclic dimer II is stabilized by two intermolecular NH...O(H)N bonds. Twelve vibrations were identified for dimer I and six vibrations for dimer II; the observed frequency shifts show a good agreement with the calculated ones for the structures I and II. Both dimers have comparable binding energies (DeltaE(ZPE)(CP)I, II=-7.02, -6.34 kcal mol-1) being less stable than calculated structures III and IV (DeltaE(ZPE)(CP)III, IV=-9.50, -8.87 kcal mol-1) in which one or two intramolecular hydrogen bonds are disrupted. In the most stable 10-membered cyclic dimer III, two intermolecular CO...HON hydrogen bonds are formed at expense of intramolecular hydrogen bonds of the same type. The formation of the less stable (AHA)2 dimers in the studied matrixes indicates that the formation of (AHA)2 is kinetically and not thermodynamically controlled.     

Spectroscopic investigation of the structures of dialkyl tartrates and their cyclodextrin complexes

Structures of three dialkyl tartrates, namely, dimethyl tartrate, diethyl tartrate, and diisopropyl tartrate, in CCl4, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)/DMSO-d6, and H2O/D2O solvents have been investigated using vibrational absorption (VA), vibrational circular dichroism (VCD), and optical rotatory dispersion (ORD). VA, VCD, and ORD spectra are found to be dependent on the solvent used. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations are used to interpret the experimental data in CCl4 and DMSO. The trans-COOR conformer with hydrogen bonding between the OH group and the C=O group attached to the same chiral carbon is dominant for dialkyl tartrates both in vacuum and in CCl4. The experimental VA, VCD, and ORD data of dialkyl-D-tartrates in CCl4 correlated well with those predicted for dimethyl-(S,S)-tartrate molecule as both isolated and solvated in CCl4. In DMSO solvent, dialkyl tartrate molecules favor formation of intermolecular hydrogen bonding with DMSO molecules. Clusters of dimethyl-(S,S)-tartrate, with one molecule of dimethyl-(S,S)-tartrate hydrogen bonded to two DMSO molecules, are used for the DFT calculations. A trans-COOR cluster and a trans-H cluster are needed to obtain a reasonable agreement between the predicted and experimental data of dimethyl tartrate in DMSO solvent. VA, VCD, and optical rotations are also measured for dialkyl tartrate-cyclodextrin complexes. It is noted that these properties are barely affected by complexation of dialkyl tartrates with cyclodextrins, indicating weak interaction between tartrates and cyclodextrin. Binding constants of alpha-CD and beta-CD with diethyl L-tartrate in both H2O and DMSO have been determined using isothermal titration calorimetry technique. The smaller binding constants (less than 100) confirmed the weak interaction between tartrates and cyclodextrin in the solution state.     

Synthesis and chiroptical properties of cryptophanes having C1-symmetry

New enantiopure cryptophanes 3-7 having C(1)-symmetry have been synthesized. Electronic circular dichroism (ECD) and vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) have been used to investigate their chiroptical properties, and the results are compared to those obtained for cryptophane-A (1) having D(3)-symmetry. The ECD spectra of compounds 3-7 show Cotton effects that differ from those of cryptophane-A. However, our results suggest that a confident determination of the absolute configuration of the monofunctionalized cryptophanes can be made using ECD spectroscopy. Interestingly, we have found that the ECD spectra of cryptophanes, especially the (1)L(b) transition, are very sensitive to the nature of the solvent. These spectral modifications are essentially due to bulk solvent properties rather than the ability of a particular solvent to insert into the cavity of cryptophanes. On the other hand, VCD spectra of the monofunctionalized cryptophanes have not revealed significant spectral modifications with respect to the VCD spectrum of the CHCl(3) at cryptophane-A complex, except for CHCl(3) at 7 and to a smaller extent for CHCl(3) at 6. These spectral modifications, which essentially consist in lower intensities of VCD bands associated with the cryptophane backbone, were perfectly reproduced by ab initio calculations performed at DFT (B3PW91/6-31G*) level. These results clearly demonstrate that VCD measurements associated with DFT calculations allow an easy determination of the absolute configuration of cryptophane-A derivatives.     

Vibrational circular dichroism and absolute configuration of chiral sulfoxides: tert-butyl methyl sulfoxide

Mid-infrared vibrational unpolarised absorption and vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectra of CCl4 solutions of tert-butyl methyl sulfoxide (1) are reported. The spectra are compared to ab initio density functional theory (DFT) calculations carried out using two functionals, B3PW91 and B3LYP, and two basis sets, 6-31G* and TZ2P. The VCD spectra are calculated using Gauge-invariant atomic orbitals (GIAOs). The analysis of the VCD spectrum confirms the R(-)/S(+) absolute configuration of 1. The advantages and disadvantages of VCD spectroscopy in determining the absolute configurations of chiral sulfoxides are discussed.     

Lactic acid in solution: investigations of lactic acid self-aggregation and hydrogen bonding interactions with water and methanol using vibrational absorption and vibrational circular dichroism spectroscopies

The infrared vibrational absorption (VA) and vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectral features of L-(+)-lactic acid (LA) in CDCl3 solution are concentration dependent, showing evidence of oligomerization with increasing concentrations. To understand the observed spectra, geometry optimizations, vibrational frequencies, and VA and VCD intensities were evaluated for (LA)n with n=1-4 using density functional theory calculations at the B3LYP6-311++G(d,p), B3LYP/cc-pVTZ, and in some cases, B3LYP/aug-cc-pVTZ levels of theory. Comparisons with the experimental spectra indicate that the lowest energy LA dimer (AA), formed by two C Double Bond O...HO hydrogen bonds, is one of the dominating species in solution at room temperature. Possible contributions from the LA trimer and tetramer are also discussed. To model the VA and VCD spectra of LA in water and in methanol, both implicit polarizable continuum model and explicit hydrogen bonding considerations were used. For explicit hydrogen bonding, geometry optimizations of the AA-(water)n and AA-(methanol)n complexes, with n=2,4,6, were performed, and the corresponding VA and VCD spectra were simulated. Comparisons of the calculated and experimental VA and VCD spectra in the range of 1000-1800 cm(-1) show that AA-(water)n with n=6 best reproduces the experimental spectra in water. On the other hand, AA-(methanol)n with n=2 reproduces well the experimental results taken in methanol solution. In addition, we found evidence of chirality transfer, i.e., some vibrational bands of the achiral water subunits gain VCD strength upon complexation with the chiral LA solute. The study is the first to use VCD spectroscopy to probe the structures of LA aggregates and hydrogen bonding solvation clusters in the solution phase.     

Chirality transfer through hydrogen-bonding: experimental and ab initio analyses of vibrational circular dichroism spectra of methyl lactate in water

The infrared vibrational absorption (VA) and vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectra of methyl lactate were measured in the 1000-1800 cm(-1) region in the CCl(4) and H(2)O solvents, respectively. In particular, the chirality transfer effect, i.e. the H-O-H bending bands of the achiral water subunits that are hydrogen-bonded to the methyl lactate molecule exhibit substantial VCD strength, was detected experimentally. A series of density functional theory calculations using B3PW91 and B3LYP functionals with 6-311++G(d,p) and aug-cc-pVTZ basis sets were carried out to simulate the VA and VCD spectra of the methyl lactate monomer and the methyl lactate-(H(2)O)(n) complexes with n = 1, 2, 3. The population weighted VA and VCD spectra of the methyl lactate monomer are in good agreement with the experimental spectra in CCl(4). Implicit polarizable continuum model was found to be inadequate to account for the hydrogen-bonding effect in the observed VA and VCD spectra in H(2)O. The methyl lactate-(H(2)O)(n) complexes with n = 1, 2, 3 were used to model the explicit hydrogen-bonding. The population weighted VA and VCD spectra of the methyl lactate-H(2)O binary complex are shown to capture the main spectral features in the observed spectra in aqueous solution. The theoretical modeling shows that the extent of chirality transfer depends sensitively on the specific binding sites taken by the achiral water molecules. The observation of chirality transfer effect opens a new spectral window to detect and to model the hydrogen-bonding solvent effect on VCD spectra of chiral molecules.     

Conformational landscape and hydrogen bonding in (S)-(−)-perillyc acid: experimental VCD,IR, Raman,and theoretical DFT studies

(S)-(?)-Perillyc acid (4-isopropenylcyclohexene-1-carboxylic acid) is an intermediate in the limonene and pinene pathway degradation and its measurement in urine is used to monitor cancer patients receiving oral limonene. For the first time, a theoretical study of the conformational preference in the monomer and H-bonded dimers complemented with a theoretical and experimental analysis of the infrared, raman, and vibrational vircular dichroism spectra of (S)-(?)-perillyc acid in solution and solid phases is presented. With regard to the monomer, theoretical calculations revealed the existence of two conformers depending on the position of the isopropenyl group (axial and equatorial) and 24 rotamers (12 equatorials and 12 axials). The study of the H-bonded dimers revealed great complexity in the conformational landscape with a total of 36 structures studied. Herein, from a reliable assignment of the IR and Raman spectra and with help from the study of the VCD spectrum of the title compound, the most stable rotamers of the H-bonded complexes have been detected experimentally in the liquid and solid phases. Additionally, natural bond orbitals (NBO) analysis indicates an electronic delocalization between the two subunits in the dimer. The IR, Raman, and VCD are helpful and complementary techniques to characterize flexible systems, such as terpenes, which present several conformers and H-bonded aggregates.     

Infrared spectroscopy of 2-pyrrolidinone and its hydrogen bonded dimers in a cold (8 K) inert gas matrix

Matrix isolation-FTIR spectra of 2-pyrrolidinone monomer and its two hydrogen bonded dimers are recorded in N₂ matrix at 8 K temperature and in CCl₄ solution at variable temperature within the range 30-45 °C. The transient singly hydrogen bonded dimer (SHBD) is identified in the cold N₂ by comparing the matrix spectrum with that in CCl₄ solution. The spectral shifts of both amide-I and amide-A bands indicate cooperative strengthening of hydrogen bonds in doubly hydrogen bonded dimer (DHBD). Density functional theory at B3PW91/6-311++G** level of calculation is found to be in good accord to the observed spectral features.     

Detecting hydrogen bonding by NMR relaxation of the acceptor nuclei

The formation of hydrogen bonds (HB) between phenol or N-methyltrifluoroacetamide and several acceptors (pyridine, carbonyl compounds, nitriles, amides) in CCl4 or CHCl3 been investigated through the analysis of NMR relaxation times (T1) of the heteronuclei (14N and 17O) directly involved in the HB interaction. Thus, a comparison is made between such T1 values (corrected for changes in molecular dynamics and motional anisotropy) and electric field gradients calculated by ab initio methods for the acceptor molecules, both isolated and in 1:1 or 2:1 hydrogen-bonded complexes. When other effects are properly accounted for, there is a good agreement between theoretical and experimental electric field gradient (efg) changes. The noticeable difference found between CCl4 or CHCl3 as solvents is discussed in relation to the presence of phenol oligomers, and the non-negligible HB donor power of CHCl3.     

Theoretical and experimental vibrational spectrum study of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid as monomer and dimer

Theoretical calculations on the molecular geometry and the vibrational spectrum of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid were carried out by the Density Functional Theory (DFT/B3LYP) method. In addition, IR and Raman spectra of the 4-hydroxybenzoic acid in solid phase were newly recorded using them in conjunction the experimental and theoretical data (including SQM calculations), a vibrational analysis of this molecular specie was accomplished and a reassignment of the normal modes corresponding to some spectral bands was proposed. The geometries of monomers and dimers in gas phase were optimized using the DFT B3LYP method with the 6-31G*, D95** and 6-311++G** basis sets. Also, both the vibrational spectra recorded and the results of the theoretical calculations show the presence of one stable conformer for the 4-hydroxybenzoic acid cyclic dimer. The B3LYP/6-31G* method was used to study the structure for cyclic dimer of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and for a complete assignment our results were compared with results of the cyclic dimer of benzoic acid. A scaled quantum mechanical analysis was carried out to yield the best set of harmonic force constants. The formation of the hydrogen bond was investigated in terms of the charge density by the AIM program and by the NBO calculations.     

Absolute configurations, predominant conformations and tautomeric structures of enantiomeric tert-butylphenylphosphine oxides

Enantiomeric tert-butylphenylphosphine oxides have been isolated via resolution of the racemate with mandelic acid and investigated by using vibrational circular dichroism (VCD). Vibrational absorption and circular dichroism spectra of dextrorotatory, levorotatory, and racemic mixture of tert-butylphenylphosphine oxide have been measured in CDCl(3) and CHCl(3) solutions in the 2000-900 cm(-)(1) region. Experimental spectra are compared with the ab initio predictions of absorption and VCD spectra obtained with density functional theory using B3LYP/6-31G basis set for different tautomeric structures and conformers of (S)-tert-butylphenylphosphine oxide. This comparison indicates that (-)-tert-butylphenylphosphine oxide is of the (S)-configuration and indicates only one tautomeric structure and one conformation predominant for tert-butylphenylphosphine oxide in CDCl(3) and CHCl(3) solutions.     

Quantum-chemical study of CHCl3-SO2 association

CHCl(3)-SO(2) association is studied by high-level quantum-chemical calculations of stationary points of the dimer electronic potential-energy hypersurface, including correlated second-order Moller-Plesset and CCSD(T) calculations with basis sets up to 6-311++G(d,p). During geometry optimization, frequency, and energy calculations, a self-written computer code embedding the GAMESS ab initio program suite applies counterpoise correction of the basis set superposition error. A CH...O hydrogen-bonded complex (DeltaE(0)=-8.73 kJmol) with a 2.4 A intermolecular H...O distance and two very weak van der Waals complexes (DeltaE(0)=-3.78 and -2.94 kJmol) are located on the counterpoise-corrected potential-energy surface. The intermolecular interactions are characterized by Kitaura-Morokuma interaction energy decompositions and Mulliken electron population analyses. The unusual hydrogen bond is distinguished by a CH-bond contraction, a pronounced enhancement of the IR intensity and a shift to higher frequency ("blueshift") of the CH-stretching vibration compared to the CHCl(3) monomer. Spectroscopy and association in liquid solution is also discussed; our results provide an alternative explanation for features in the CH-stretching vibration spectrum of chloroform dissolved in liquid sulfur dioxide which have been attributed previously to an intermolecular Fermi resonance.     

DFT study of vibrational circular dichroism spectra of D-lactic acid-water complexes

This paper presents a discussion of the interaction energies, conformations, vibrational absorption (VA, harmonic and anharmonic) and vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectra for conformers of monomeric chiral d(-)-lactic acid and their complexes with water at the DFT(B3LYP)/aug-cc-pVDZ and DFT(B3LYP)/aug-cc-pVTZ levels. A detailed analysis has been performed principally for the two most stable complexes with water, differing by lactic acid conformation. The VCD spectra were found to be sensitive to conformational changes of both free and complexed molecules, and to be especially useful for discriminating between different chiral forms of intermolecular hydrogen bonding complexes. In particular, we show that the VCD modes of an achiral water molecule after complex formation acquire significant rotational strengths whose signs change in line with the geometry of the complex. Using the theoretical prediction, we demonstrate that the VCD technique can be used as a powerful tool for structural investigation of intermolecular interactions of chiral molecules and can yield information complementary to data obtained through other molecular spectroscopy methods.     

Furan-formic acid dimers: an ab initio and matrix isolation study

The dimers formed by formic acid (FA) and furan are investigated by ab initio methods and matrix isolation spectroscopy. Nine complexes with binding energies between -3.91 and -0.82 kcal/mol (MP2/6-311++G(d,p) + ZPE + BSSE) are identified. Another five weaker bound complexes are localized at lower level of theory only. The binding in the furan-FA dimers can be described in terms of OH...O, C=O...H, HO...H, CH...O, OH...pi, and CH...pi interactions. Therefore, the furan-FA complexes are classified in two types: (1) the dimers where the OH hydrogen of formic acid interacts with the furan molecule and (2) the dimers where the main interactions of FA with the furan molecule are via the less acidic CH hydrogen. Duning's and Pople's triple and double basis sets were used to study the dependence of the geometries and energies of the complexes from the basis set. BSSE (basis set superposition error) counterpoise corrections (CP) were included during the geometry optimizations of all dimers at the MP2/6-31G(d,p) level of theory. Matrix isolation spectroscopy allowed us to record the IR spectrum of aggregates between FA and furan. By comparison of the experimental IR spectrum with calculated IR spectra of a variety of complexes, it was possible to identify the most stable furan-FA dimer as the major product of the aggregation.     

Vibrational circular dichroism studies of molecular conformation and association of dipeptides

Vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) and infrared (IR) absorption spectra in the NH stretching region have been measured for the dipeptides, R′COAANHR′'(R′ = Me and tertBu; AA = Ala, Leu, Val and Phe; R′' = Me, isoBu and neoPe). Analyses of the VCD and absorption spectra indicated that the VCD bands for the NH stretching are quite sensitive to the state of hydrogen bonding as well as the local conformation of oligopeptides. VCD spectra exhibit a negative VCD band at 3420-3405 cm⁻¹ due to the C₅ conformer with an intramolecularly hydrogen-bonded five-membered ring. The intermolecularly hydrogen-bonded NH stretching vibration exhibits a characteristic negative—positive couplet from the high wavenumber side due to the antiparallel C₅C₅ dimer formation. Hydrogen-bonded oligomers beyond the dimer formed in highly concentrated solutions give rise to an additional negative VCD band on the lower wavenumber side of the hydrogen-bonded absorption band.     

Vibrational absorption and circular dichroism studies of (-)-camphanic acid

Vibrational absorption and circular dichroism (VCD) spectra of (-)-(1S,3R)-camphanic acid have been measured in deuterated chloroform solutions at different concentrations (0.005, 0.045, and 0.200 M) in the mid-infrared spectral range. Experimental spectra have been compared with the density functional theory (DFT) absorption and VCD spectra, calculated using the B3PW91 functional and cc-pVTZ basis set for three conformers of both the monomer and the dimer forms of (-)-(1S,3R)-camphanic acid. These calculations indicate that, in the dilute solution, the conformer with intramolecular hydrogen-bonding between the hydroxyl and lactone groups is of lowest energy and represents 70% of the different monomer conformers at room temperature, whereas, in concentrated solution, the dimer formed by intermolecular hydrogen-bonding of carboxyl groups of the two distinct monomer conformations is stabilized. The vibrational absorption and circular dichroism spectra calculated from the Boltzmann population of the individual monomer and dimer conformers are in very good overall agreement with the corresponding experimental spectra, allowing the absolute conformation and configuration of (-)-(1S,3R)-camphanic acid in dilute and concentrated solution, respectively. Experiments were also performed on (-)-(1S,3R)-camphanic chloride for which the populations predicted by DFT calculations are found to be in disagreement with those deduced from experimental spectra.     

EPR study on the ligand-exchange reaction between bis(diethyldiselenocarbamato)copper(II) and bis(octyldithiocarbonato)copper(II)

EPR study on the ligand-exchange reaction between bis(diethyldiselenocarbamato)copper(II), Cu(Et2dsc)2, and bis(octyldithiocarbonato)copper(II), Cu(octxant)2, in CH2Cl2, CHCl3, CCl4, C6H6 and C6H5.CH3 is reported for the first time. Mixing of equimolar amounts of the parents (chromophores CuSe4 and CuS4, respectively) in C6H6, C6H5.CH3 and CH2Cl2 makes EPR signals of both parents superimposed by the spectrum of a mixed-chelate Cu(xant)(dsc) complex (chromophore CuS2Se2). A new additional EPR spectrum appears in CHCl3 or CCl4 due to a five-coordinate mixed-ligand complex with the chromophore Cu(S3Se)S as follows by comparing the g-values of parents and mixed-ligand complexes. The appearance of this complex could be explained having in mind donor-acceptor properties of complexes, solvents and the resultant reaction of Cu(octxant)2 with the ester of diselenocarbamic acid yielded in Cu(Et2dsc)2 destruction by CCl4 or CHCl3.     

Thermodynamics of ligand exchange reactions between bis(dithiocarbamato)copper(II) and copper(II) salts. An EPR study

EPR spectroscopy was chosen to investigate the ligand exchange reactions between copper(II) bis(dithiocarbamate), Cu(dtc)2, and copper(II) salts which proceeds with the formation of mixed-ligand complexes of the type Cu(dtc)X, where X = Cl, NO3, ClO4. Large concentrations of 1:1 mixed-ligand complexes of this type are obtained as indicated by the EPR spectra of acetone, CHCl3/EtOH, CHCl3/i-PrOH, CCl4/EtOH and CCl4/i-PrOH, solutions of Cu(dtc)2 and the appropriate copper(II) salt CuCl2, Cu(NO3)2 or Cu(ClO4)2. Double integration of Cu(dtc)2 EPR signals obtained at temperatures between 240 and 310 K affords the calculation of the equilibrium constant (K) of the reaction: Cu(dtc)2 + CuX2 <==> 2 Cu(dtc)X in all solvents as a function of T. From the values of K the stability constant beta of the mixed-ligand complexes has been derived. The error associated with the calculated stability constant is +/- 10%. Thermodynamic parameters (deltaH0, deltaG0 and deltaS0) are determined from the temperature dependence of K as measured by EPR spectroscopy.     

Vibrational absorption and circular dichroism studies of trans-(3S,4S)-d6-cyclopentene in the gas phase

Vibrational absorption (IR) and circular dichroism (VCD) measurements of trans-(3S,4S)-d6-cyclopentene in the gas phase were performed in the C-H, C-D, and mid-infrared regions. In this study, we report the first VCD spectra recorded at high spectral resolution (up to 0.5 cm(-1)) with a very good signal-to-noise ratio (differential absorbance lower than 5 x 10(-6)). The quality of the experimental spectra allows us the observation of the vibration-rotation structure of the bands in both absorption and VCD spectra. Experimental spectra have been compared with the density functional theory (DFT) absorption and VCD spectra, calculated using B3LYP functional and cc-pVTZ basis set for the axial, equatorial, and planar conformers. Lorentzian and PQR band profiles have been used to convert the calculated dipolar and rotational strengths. In the mid-infrared (<2000 cm(-1)) region, predicted (population-weighted) spectra were in excellent agreement with experiment, allowing the determination of the absolute configuration of this molecule. Above 2000 cm(-1), a reasonable agreement was obtained even if anharmonicity was not considered and if Fermi resonance occurs in the C-D stretching region. Finally, a more precise analysis of the absorption spectrum has been achieved by taking into account anharmonicity of the C-H stretching and its coupling with the ring-puckering motion.     

Attractive halogen–halogen interactions: F3CCl⋯FH and F3CCl⋯FCH3 dimers

The F₃CCl?FH and F₃CCl?FCH₃ dimers, which feature the halogen–halogen contacts, are investigated at MP2/6–311++G(d,p) and MP2/aug–cc–pVDZ levels of approximation. The binding energies of these complexes are found to be comparable to those of the weak hydrogen bonds. In both complexes the Cl?F are found to be significantly shorter than the sum of the corresponding van der Waals radii. The C–Cl?F contacts are also found to exhibit certain deviation from linearity. However, the energy differences between linear and bent structures are very small and primarily accounted for by electrostatic interactions between remote parts of the dimer. This indicates a high conformational flexibility of the halogen–halogen contacts and may help to explain the diversity of structural features in crystals formed by halogen-containing molecules. In both dimers the halogen–halogen interaction leads to certain shortening of the C–Cl electron accepting bond. This is accompanied by a small increase of the C–Cl stretching frequency. Hence, the two investigated dimers can possibly be classified as the blue-shifting halogen–halogen contacts.