Observation of Conformational Exchange in Cyclosporin in Media of Varying Polarity by NMR Spectroscopy

The molecule of peptide cyclosporin A experiences chemical exchange in polar solvents. In apolar media, such as chloroform or benzene, this transformation is suppressed, but still leads to formation of a small fraction of a minor conformer. To elucidate the nature of this phenomenon, the peptide was dissolved in mixed solvents chloroform–DMSO and water–DMSO. Analysis of ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance and two-dimensional exchange spectroscopy spectra showed that the conformational exchange proceeds at a low rate of \(\sim\) 10^?1 s^?1 at the room temperature and involves passing over a high free energy barrier. Thus the situation resembles the exchange process in chloroform, associated with cis–trans isomerization of peptide bonds, but in the presence of DMSO transformation occurs at several sites independently, and the energy difference between arising conformers is small, 10²–10³ kJ/mol.     

Self‐association,tautomerism and E–Z isomerization of isatin–phenylsemicarbazones – spectral study and theoretical calculations

The self‐association and tautomerism of (E)‐isatin‐3‐4‐phenyl(semicarbazone) Ia and (E)‐N‐methylisatin‐3‐4‐phenyl(semicarbazone) IIa were investigated in solvents of various polarity. In weakly interacting non‐polar solvents, such as CHCl₃ and benzene, phenylsemicarbazone concentrations above 1×10^?5 mol dm^?3 result in the formation of dimers or higher aggregates of E‐isomers Ia and IIa . This aggregate formation prevents room temperature E–Z isomerization of Ia and IIa to more stable Z‐isomers. In contrast to the situation in non‐polar solvents, E–Z isomerization from the monomeric form of phenylsemicarbazone Ia and IIa E‐isomers occurs in highly interactive polar solvents including MeOH and DMF only at temperatures above 70 °C. Moreover, decrease in phenylsemicarbazone concentration below 1×10^?4 mol dm^?3 in these highly solute–solvent interacting systems leads to aggregate dissociation, and a new hydrazonol tautomeric form with a high degree of conjugation predominates in these solutions. Theoretical calculations confirm obtained experimental results. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Solvent Dependence of Tautomeric Equilibria of 1‐(o‐Substituted Phenyl)Barbituric and ‐2‐Thiobarbituric Acid Derivatives

Abstract

The enolisation tendencies of 1‐(o‐substituted phenyl)barbituric and ‐2‐thiobarbituric acid derivatives have been studied by observing the behaviour of the compounds in different solvents by ¹H and ¹³C NMR. It has been found that the enolisation tendencies of the thiobarbituric acid derivatives observed in polar solvents are greater than those of the barbituric acid derivatives. The ratio of keto–enol tautomers of thiobarbituric acid derivatives in DMSO and in DMF has been calculated.     

Synthesis,Spectral Characterization,DNA Binding Studies and Antimicrobial Activity of Co(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), Fe(III) and VO(IV) Complexes with 4-Aminoantipyrine Schiff Base of Ortho-Vanillin

A series of transition metal complexes of Co(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), Fe(III) and VO(IV) have been synthesized involving the Schiff base, 2,3-dimethyl-1-phenyl-4-(2-hydroxy-3-methoxy benzylideneamino)-pyrazol-5-one(L), obtained by condensation of 4-aminoantipyrine with 3-methoxy salicylaldehyde. Structural features were obtained from their FT-IR, UV–vis, NMR, ESI Mass, elemental analysis, magnetic moments, molar conductivity and thermal analysis studies. The Schiff base acts as a monovalent bidentate ligand, coordinating through the azomethine nitrogen and phenolic oxygen atom. Based on elemental and spectral studies six coordinated geometry is assigned to Co(II), Ni(II), Fe(III) and VO(IV) complexes and four coordinated geometry is assigned to Zn(II) complex. The interaction of metal complexes with Calf thymus DNA were carried out by UV–VIS titrations, fluorescence spectroscopy and viscosity measurements. The binding constants (K_b) of the complexes were determined as 5?×?10⁵ M^?1 for Co(II) complex, 1.33?×?10⁴ M^?1 for Ni(II) complex, 3.33?×?10⁵ M^?1 for Zn(II) complex, 1.25?×?10⁵ M^?1 for Fe(III) complex and 8?×?10⁵ M^?1 for VO(IV) complex. Quenching studies of the complexes indicate that these complexes strongly bind to DNA. Viscosity measurements indicate the binding mode of complexes with CT DNA by intercalation through groove. The ligand and it’s metal complexes were screened for their antimicrobial activity against bacteria. The results showed the metal complexes to be biologically active, while the ligand to be inactive.     

Direct NMR measurement of rotation rates: solvent effects on rotation barriers

2,2,4,4‐Tetramethyl‐3‐{2‐[3,4‐dialkoxy‐5‐(3‐pyridyl)]thienyl}pentan‐3‐ols self‐associate both in the solid state and in solution. The IR spectra of the solids display a broad OH absorption at 3320 cm^?1, corresponding to an intermolecularly hydrogen‐bonded syn rotamer, probably a dimer, as well as absorptions around 3500 cm^?1 of the intramolecularly hydrogen‐bonded anti form. Well‐crystallized samples of these derivatives go into solution in the syn form but undergo rotation to the anti rotamer at a rate which can be measured directly by proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The diethoxy derivative was studied in a wide variety of solvents. The activation energy for syn→anti rotation is practically solvent‐independent, whereas that of the reverse reaction falls in hydrogen‐bonding solvents, by more than 2 kcal mol^?1 on going from chloroform or benzene to dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). By combining direct measurements at low temperature and Dynamic Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (DNMR) results at high temperature, rotation rates were evaluated over a range of more than 100 K, and significantly large negative activation entropies determined. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Steady‐State and Time‐Resolved Emission Studies of 6‐Methoxy Quinoline

Abstract

Steady‐state absorption, fluorescence excitation, and emission spectra of 6‐methoxy quinoline (6‐MQ) were measured at room temperature in cyclohexane, dioxane, ethanol, acetonitrile, water, and water–dioxane solvents. Absorption spectra of cyclohexane, n‐hexane, and isopentane solutions show resolved vibronic structure at room temperature. However, the excitation spectrum of cyclohexane solution is structureless and is found to be emission wavelength dependent, indicating the formation of at least two distinct species in the ground state. Similar behavior was observed in dioxane and water–dioxane solutions. For all other solutions, the fluorescence excitation spectrum of 6‐MQ was found to be the same for different emissions. Emission of 6‐MQ in all solvents consisted of two bands with their maxima around 355 nm (I) and 430 nm (II), the actual positions and the relative intensities being dependent on the solvent used. The bands I and II were respectively attributed to normal and protonated/H‐bonded species of either ¹L_a or ¹L_b states or mixed (¹L_a/¹L_b) state of ππ* character. Fluorescence decay of this dye in all solvents monitored over each emission maximum showed biexponential behavior, and the analysis yielded two different lifetime components for each emission band. The short and long fluorescence decay components were respectively in the range of 0.30–3.00 ns and 18–20 ns. The observed emission characteristics coupled with the nature of the fluorescence polarization spectra and two different decay components for each emission suggest the existence of two different conformers having two different excited electronic states.     

Surface and Bulk Structure Characterization of Proton (3 MeV) Irradiated Polycarbonate

Polycarbonate (Makrofol‐N) thin films were irradiated with protons (3 MeV) under vacuum at room temperature with the fluence ranging from 1×10¹⁴ to 1×10¹⁵ protons cm^?2. The change in surface morphology, optical properties, degradation of the functional groups, and crystallinity of the proton‐irradiated polymers were investigated with atomic force microscopy (AFM), UV‐VIS, and Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) techniques, respectively. AFM shows that the root mean square (RMS) roughness of the irradiated polycarbonate surface increases with the increment of ion fluence. The UV‐VIS analysis revealed that in Makrofol‐N the optical band gap decreased by 30% at highest fluence of 1×10¹⁵ protons cm^?2. The band gap can be correlated to the number of carbon atoms, M, in a cluster with a modified Robertson's equation. The cluster size in the proton‐irradiated Makrofol‐N increased from 112 to 129 atoms with the increase of fluence from 1×10¹⁴ to 1×10¹⁵ protons cm^?2. FTIR spectra of proton (3 MeV) irradiated Makrofol‐N showed a strong decrease of almost all absorption bands at about 1× 10¹⁴ protons cm^?2. However, beyond a higher critical dose an increase in intensity of almost all characteristic bands was noticed. The appearance of a new peak at 3,500 cm^?1 (‐OH groups) was observed at the higher fluences in the FTIR spectra of proton‐irradiated polycarbonate. XRD measurements showed an increase of full width at half maximum (FWHM) and the average intermolecular spacing of the main peak, which may be due to the increase of chain scission and the introduction of ‐OH groups in the proton irradiated polycarbonate.     

Dielectric Dispersion Study of Poly(vinyl Pyrrolidone)–Polar Solvent Solutions in the Frequency Range 20 Hz–1 MHz

Influence of polar solvents environment and polymer concentrations on the electrical properties (complex dielectric constant, ac electrical conductivity, complex electric modulus and complex impedance) of the solutions of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) in polar solvents, namely water, ethyl alcohol, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, poly(ethylene glycol), glycerol, dimethyl sulfoxide and dimethyl formamide, have been investigated in the frequency range 20 Hz–1 MHz at 25°C. Comparative analysis of the dielectric dispersion curves confirms that the solvent molecular size and number of its hydroxyl groups, and the solutions viscosity, are the major factors which governs the PVP chain segmental motion. The ionic conduction and electrode polarization phenomena has a dominant influence on the large increase of complex dielectric constant values of the solutions of PVP‐polar solvent in the lower frequency region. The values of relaxation times corresponding to these phenomena are also reported.     

Enols of 2‐nitro‐ and related 2‐substituted malonamides

The structures of 2‐substituted malonamides, YCH(CONR¹R²)CONR³R⁴ (Y = Br, SO₂Me, CONH₂, COMe, and NO₂) were investigated. When Y = Br, R¹R² = R³R⁴ = HEt; Y = SO₂Me, R¹–R⁴ = H and for Y = CONH₂ or CONHPh, R¹–R⁴ = Me, the structure in solution is that of the amide tautomer. X‐ray crystallography shows solid‐state amide structures for Y = SO₂Me or CONH₂, R¹–R⁴ = H. Nitromalonamide displays an enol structure in the solid state with a strong hydrogen bond (O^…O distance = 2.3730 Å at 100 K) and d(OH) ≠ d(O^…H). An apparently symmetric enol was observed in solution, even in appreciable percentages in highly polar solvents such as DMSO‐d₆, but K_enol values decrease on increasing the solvent polarity. The N,N′‐dimethyl derivative is less enolic. Acetylmalonamides display a mixture of enol on the acetyl group and amide in non‐polar solvents, and only the amide in DMSO‐d₆. DFT calculations gave the following order of pK_enol values for Y: H > CONH₂ > COMe ≥ COMe (on acetyl) ≥ MeSO₂ > CN > NO₂ in the gas phase, CHCl₃, and DMSO. The enol on the C?O group is preferred to the aci‐nitro compound, and the N? O? H^…O?C is less favored than the C?O? H^…O?C hydrogen bond. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Investigation of L(+)-Ascorbic acid with Raman spectroscopy in visible and UV light

Abstract: Raman spectroscopy investigations of l(+)-ascorbic acid and its mono- and di-deprotonated anions (AH^? and A^2?) are reviewed and new measurements reported with several wavelengths, 229, 244, 266, 488, and 532 nm. Results are interpreted, assisted by new DFT/B3LYP quantum chemical calculations with 6-311++G(d,p) basis sets for several conformations of ascorbic acid and the anions. Raman spectra were measured during titration with NaOH base in an oxygen-poor environment to avoid fluorescence when solutions were alkaline. The ultraviolet (UV) absorption band for ascorbic acid in aqueous solution at ～247 nm was found to cause strong resonance enhancement for the ring C?C stretching mode (called B) at ～1692 cm^?1. The ascorbate mono-anion absorbs at ～264.8 nm giving Raman resonance enhancement for the same ring C–C bond stretching, downshifted to ～1591 cm^?1. Finally, for the ascorbate di-anion, absorption was found at ～298.4 nm with molar absorptivity of ～7,000 L mol^?1 cm^?1 and below ～220 nm. With UV light (244 and 266 nm), strongly basic solutions gave pronounced Raman resonance enhancement at ～1556 cm^?1. Relatively weak preresonance enhancement was seen for A^2? when excitation was done with 229 nm UV light, allowing water bands to become observable as for normal visible light Raman spectra.     

Spectroscopic and Conductance Studies of New Transition Metal Complexes with a Schiff Base Derived from 4‐Methoxybenzaldehyde and 1,2‐bis(p‐Aminophenoxy)ethane

Four new metal complexes of Cu(II), Ni(II), Zn(II) and Co(III) with Schiff base derived from 4‐methoxybenzaldehyde and 1,2‐bis(p‐aminophenoxy)ethane have been prepared and characterized by magnetic susceptibility, conductance measurements, elemental analyses, UV–Vis, ¹H NMR and IR spectra studies. The magnetic and spectroscopic data indicate an octahedral geometry for the six‐coordinate complexes. The ligand was used for complexation studies. Stability constants were measured by means of a conductometric method. Furthermore, the stability constants for complexation between ZnCl₂, Cu(NO₃)₂ and AgNO₃ salts and ligand (L) in 80% dioxane–water and pure methanol were determined from conductance measurements. In 80% dioxane–water, he stability constants (log Ke) increase inversely with the crystal radii in the order Ag(I) < Zn(II) < Cu(II).     

Spectrophotometric and 27‐Al NMR Characterization of Aluminum(III) Complexes with l‐Histidine

Abstract

The complex formation between l‐histidine (HHis) and aluminum(III) ion in water solutions was studied by UV spectrophotometric and 27‐Al NMR measurements at 298 K. UV spectra were measured on solutions in which the total concentration of histidine was from 15.0 to 50.0 mmol/dm³ and the concentration ratio of histidine to aluminum was varied from 3∶1 to 10∶1 in the pH range between 4.2 and 6.0. The spectra were taken in the wavelength interval 240–340 nm. Nonlinear least‐squares treatment of the spectrophotometric data indicates the formation of the complexes Al(HHis)³⁺, Al(His)²⁺, Al(HHis)His²⁺, and Al₂(OH)His⁴⁺ with the overall formation constants β_p,q,r: log β_1,1,1=11.90±0.04, log β_1,1,0=7.25±0.08, log β_1,2,1=20.1±0.1, and log β_2,1,1=5.92±0.12 (p, q, r are stoichiometric indices for metal, ligand, and proton, respectively). ²⁷Al‐NMR spectra were taken on solutions with the concentration of aluminum 50 mmol/dm³ and that of histidine 250 mmol/dm³. In the pH interval 5.0–6.1, two resonances at 9.5 ppm and 12.0 ppm were assigned to Al(HHis)²⁺ and Al(HHis)(His)²⁺ (or Al(OH)(HHis)₂ ²⁺), respectively.     

Carbon (70 MeV) and copper (120 MeV) ions irradiation effects in Makrofol-N

Makrofol-N polycarbonate was irradiated with carbon (70 MeV) and copper (120 MeV) ions to analyze the induced effects with respect to optical and structural properties. In the present investigation, the fluence for carbon and copper beams was kept in the range of 1×10¹¹– 1×10¹³ ions/cm² to study the swift heavy ion induced modifications. UV–VIS, FTIR and XRD techniques were utilized to study the induced changes. The analysis of UV–VIS absorption studies revealed that the optical energy gap was reduced by 17% on carbon irradiation, whereas the copper beam leads to a decrease of 52% at the highest fluence of 1×10¹³ ions/cm². The band gap can be correlated to the number of carbon atoms, N, in a cluster with a modified Robertson's equation. In copper (120 MeV) ions irradiated polycarbonate, the number of carbon atoms in a cluster was increased from 63 to 269 with the increase of ion fluence from 0 to 1×10¹³ ions/cm², whereas N is raised only up to 91 when the same polymer films were irradiated with carbon (70 MeV) ions under similar conditions. FTIR analysis showed a decrease in almost all characteristic absorption bands under irradiation. The formation of hydroxyl (? OH) and alkene (C?C) groups were observed in Makrofol-N at higher fluence on irradiation with both types of ions, while the formation alkyne end (R? C≡ CH) group was observed only after copper ions irradiation. The radii of the alkyne production of about 3.3 nm were deduced for copper (120 MeV) ions. XRD measurements show a decrease in intensity of the main peak and an increase of the average intermolecular spacing with the increase of ion fluence, which may be attributed to the structural degradation of Makrofol-N on swift ion irradiation.     

Surface modification and adhesion of wood-plastic composite (WPC) treated with UV/ozone

Because of the surfaces of wood-plastic composite (WPC) materials are enriched in polymers of low surface energy, they exhibit low adhesion properties. UV/ozone is proposed as surface treatment for increasing the surface energy and adhesion of WPC materials made with different polymers (polyethylene, polypropylene and polyvinyl chloride). UV lamp-WPC surface distance and time of UV exposure were varied for optimizing UV/ozone treatment of WPC, and UV dose used ranged between 2.02 × 10^?14 and 5.05 × 10^?12 J·s/m². UV/ozone treatment created new carbon-oxygen polar groups in WPC surfaces and increased their surface energy, mainly their polar component. Furthermore, ablation of the outermost WPC surface was produced, more noticeably by reducing the distance between WPC surface and UV lamp and by increasing the duration of the treatment. Noticeable increase in 180° peel adhesion was obtained in the joints made with UV/ozone treated WPC at 10–30 mm distance during 1–5 min (i.e., UV dose between 5.61 × 10^?14 and 2.53 × 10^?12 J·s/m²). Although 180° peel strength of joints made with acrylic adhesive tape and UV/ozone treated WPC for 10 min and 10 mm distance (UV dose: 5.05 × 10^?12 J·s/m²) was not increased because of dominant effect of ablation over creation of polar groups, the cross-hatch adhesion to different coatings was highly improved, irrespective of the polymer used and the wood content of WPC; however, the surface modifications and adhesion of UV/ozone treated WPC were more marked when its wood content was higher and by using UV dose between 0.10 × 10^?12 and 2.53 × 10^?12 J·s/m².     

Novel Multicolor Schiff Base Polymers Prepared via Oxidative Polycondensation

A series of diimine Schiff bases and their polymers were synthesized via the oxidative polycondensation reaction. The structures of the compounds were confirmed by ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, FT-IR and UV–vis spectral measurements. Electrochemical and optical band gap values of synthesized compounds were determined by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and UV–vis measurements, respectively. Fluorescence measurements of the compounds were conducted in various solvents. The effects of solution concentration on the fluorescence spectra were investigated and quantum yield was calculated for the polymer of 5-(diethylamino)-2-(biphenylmethylene) hydrazonomethylphenol (PDEAHP). According to fluorescence measurements, the quantum yield of PDEAHP was found as 16 % in DMF solution. Thermal characteristics of polymers were studied by TG-DTA and DSC analyses.     

Multi-spectroscopic and molecular docking studies on the interaction of new phthalimides with calf-thymus DNA: In vitro free radical scavenging activities

ABSTRACT

In this study, we report the synthesis and biological evaluation of novel phthalimide based Schiff base derivatives as promising antioxidant and DNA-binding agents. The structural investigation of the synthesized compounds was determined by spectral and elemental analysis. In vitro DNA-binding studies of title compounds were carried out by UV–Vis, fluorescence, circular dichroism spectroscopic techniques, cyclic voltammetry, thermal denaturation studies, and hydrodynamic measurements to investigate their potential as DNA-binding agents. The DNA binding constant (K_b) of target compounds was obtained from absorption studies between 1.2 × 10⁵ M^?1 and 1.27 × 10⁵ M^?1, respectively, suggesting that the test compounds have shown good affinity toward calf-thymus DNA. The experimental results of DNA-binding studies reveal a non-intercalative mode of binding between DNA and the synthesized compounds, most probably groove binding. In addition, molecular docking techniques were performed to rationalize the observed binding affinities with the target DNA. Furthermore, antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities of the synthesized compounds were carried out to find out their pharmacological potential. The results indicate that the title compounds displayed good antioxidant activity against DPPH (IC₅₀: 0.727 and 0.656 mg/mL) and H₂O₂ radicals (IC₅₀: 1.072 and 0.911 mg/mL) comparable to standard ascorbic acid.     

Influence of N‐Substitution on Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) Behavior of 2‐(2‐Nitrophenyl)‐1H‐benzimidazole Derivatives

Abstract

The synthesis of 2‐(2‐nitrophenyl)‐1H‐benzimidazole (1), 1‐benzoyl‐2‐(2‐nitrophenyl)‐1H ‐benzimidazole (2), and 1‐acetyl‐2‐(2‐nitrophenyl)‐1H‐benzimidazole (3) is reported. Stable radical anions (1 ^·?, 2 ^·?, and 3 ^·?) were generated by chemical reduction in DMSO and studied by ESR spectroscopy. The interpretation of the ESR spectra was done by means of computational simulation process. Hyperfine coupling constants were assigned by comparison with related compounds, and on the basis of calculation based on SCF INDO MO method in the unrestricted Hartree–Fock scheme.     

Indole-Based NLOphoric Donor-π-Acceptor Styryl Dyes: Synthesis,Spectral Properties and Computational Studies

Donor-π- acceptor styryl chromophores based on indole core were synthesized by Knoevenagel condensation of N-ethyl indole-3-carbaldehyde and different active methylene compounds. The absorption and emission properties of these dyes in different solvents were studied. The dyes displayed a broad absorption maximum in the UV and visible region between 397 and 469 nm with FWHM, 50 to 75 nm. Due to the extended π – conjugated systems this styryl chromophores shows strong intramolecular charge transfer characteristics. The dyes showed solid state emission and emission in solid state was red shifted as compared to their emission in less polar solvents. Density Functional Theory [B3LYP/6–311 + G(d)] computations were used to correlate the structural, molecular, electronic and photo physical parameters of styryl dye with experimental study. Synthesized dyes were confirmed by using FT-IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and HRMS spectral analysis.     

A Spectral Study of the Interaction Between Chelerythrine Chloride and Adenosine

Abstract

The possible anticancer mechanisms of chelerythrine (CHE) and its interactions with adenosine were investigated by UV‐visible spectrophotometric and spectrofluorimetric measurements and by thermodynamic calculations. The binding of CHE to adenosine could be characterized by the hypochromic and bathochromic effects in the absorption bands and the quenching of fluorescence intensity. The spectral data were fitted by linear analysis, yielding a binding constant of 8.68×10⁴ L · mol^?1 at 25°C of CHE with adenosine, and a van't Hoff enthalpy of 92.8 kJ/mol for the endothermic interactions. In addition, with ΔG=?28.2 kJ/mol and ΔS=406 J/mol · K, the interactions should be entropy‐driven.     

NMR Studies of Crowded Diels–Alder Adducts of Phencyclone with N‐(2,6‐Dialkylphenyl)maleimides. Hindered Rotations and Magnetic Anisotropy

Abstract

Phencyclone, 1, reacted with N‐(2,6‐dimethylphenyl)maleimide, 2a; with N‐(2,6‐diethylphenyl)maleimide, 2b; and with N‐(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)maleimide, 2c, respectively, to yield the corresponding Diels–Alder adducts, 3a–c. The adducts were extensively characterized by NMR (7 T) at ambient temperatures using one‐ and two‐dimensional (1D and 2D) proton and carbon‐13 techniques for assignments. Slow exchange limit (SEL) spectra were observed, demonstrating slow rotations on the NMR timescales, for the unsubstituted bridgehead phenyl groups [C(sp³)–C(aryl sp²) bond rotations] and for the 2,6‐dialkylphenyl groups [N(sp²)–C(aryl sp²) bond rotations]. Substantial magnetic anisotropic shifts were seen in the adducts. For example, in the N‐(2,6‐dialkylphenyl) moieties of the adducts, one of the alkyl groups is directed “into” the adduct cavity, toward the phenanthrenoid portion, and these “inner” alkyl proton NMR signals were shifted upfield. Thus, in CDCl₃, the “inner” methyl of adduct 3a exhibits a proton resonance at ?0.13 ppm, upfield of tetramethylsilane (TMS); the “inner” ethyl group signals from 3b appear at 0.026 ppm (CH₂, quartet), and ?0.21 ppm (CH₃, triplet); and the “inner” isopropyl group from 3c is seen at ?0.06 ppm (methine, approx. septet) and ?0.39 ppm (CH₃, doublet). Proton NMR of the crude N‐(2,6‐dialkylphenyl)maleamic acids (used as precursors of the maleimides, 2a–c) exhibited two sets of AB quartet signals, suggesting possible conformers from hindered rotation in the amide groups about the HN–C?O bonds.