Fluorine Substitution Effects on Flexibility and Tunneling Pathways: The Rotational Spectrum of 2‐Fluorobenzylamine

The effect of ring fluorination on the structural and dynamical properties of the flexible model molecule 2‐fluorobenzylamine has been studied by rotational spectroscopy in free‐jet expansion and quantum chemical methods. The complete potential energy surface originating from the flexibility of the aminic side chain has been calculated at the B3LYP/6‐311++G** level of theory and the stable geometries were also characterized with MP2/6‐311++G**. The rotational spectra show the presence of two of the predicted four stable conformers: the global minimum (I), in which the side chain’s dihedral angle with the phenyl plane is almost perpendicular, is stabilized by an intramolecular hydrogen bond between the fluorine atom and one hydrogen of the aminic group; and a second conformer II (E_II?E_I≈5 kJ mol^?1) in which the dihedral angle is smaller and the amino group points towards the aromatic ortho hydrogen atom. This conformation is characterized by a tunneling motion between two equivalent positions of the amino group with respect to the phenyl plane, which splits the rotational transition. The ortho fluorination increases, with respect to benzylamine, the tunneling splitting of this motion by four orders of magnitude. The motion is analyzed with a one‐dimensional flexible model, which allows estimation of the energy barrier for the transition state as approximately 8.0 kJ mol^?1.     

Effects of Aromatic Fluorine Substitution on Protonated Neurotransmitters: The Case of 2‐Phenylethylamine

Fluorination of pharmaceutical compounds is a common tool to modulate their physiochemical properties. We determine the effects of site‐specific aromatic fluorine substitution on the geometric, energetic, vibrational, and electronic properties of the protonated neurotransmitter 2‐phenylethylamine (xF‐H⁺PEA, x=ortho, meta, para) by infrared multiphoton photodissociation (IRMPD) in the fingerprint range (600–1750 cm^?1) and quantum chemical calculations at the B3LYP‐D3/aug‐cc‐pVTZ level. The IRMPD spectra of all ions are assigned to their folded gauche conformers stabilized by intramolecular NH⁺???π hydrogen bonds (H‐bonds) between the protonated amino group and the aromatic ring. H→F substitution reduces the symmetry and allows for additional NH⁺???F interactions in oF‐H⁺PEA, leading to three distinct gauche conformers. In comparison to oF‐H⁺PEA, the fluorination effects on the energy landscape (energy ordering and isomerization barriers) in pF‐H⁺PEA and mF‐H⁺PEA with one and two gauche conformers are less pronounced. The strengths of the intramolecular NH⁺???F and NH⁺???π bonds are analyzed by the noncovalent interaction (NCI) method.     

Molecular Self‐Recognition: Rotational Spectra of the Dimeric 2‐Fluoroethanol Conformers

Fluoroalcohols show competitive formation of intra‐ and intermolecular hydrogen bonds, a property that may be crucial for the protein‐altering process in a fluoroalcohol/water solution. In this study, we examine the intra‐ and intermolecular interactions of 2‐fluoroethanol (FE) in its dimeric conformers by using rotational spectroscopy and ab initio calculations. Three pairs of homo‐ and heterochiral dimeric FE conformers are predicted to be local minima at the MP2/6‐311++G(d,p) level of theory. They are solely made of the slightly distorted most stable G+g?/G?g+ FE monomer units. Jet‐cooled rotational spectra of four out of the six predicted dimeric conformers were observed and unambiguously assigned for the first time. All four observed dimeric conformers have compact geometries in which the fluoromethyl group of the acceptor tilts towards the donor and ensures a large contact area. Experimentally, the insertion of the O? H group of one FE subunit into the intramolecular O? H???F bond of the other was found to lead to a higher stabilisation than the pure association through an intermolecular O? H???O? H link. The hetero‐ and homochiral combinations were observed to be preferred in the inserted and the associated dimeric conformers, respectively. The experimental rotational constants and the stability ordering are compared with the ab initio calculations at the MP2 level with the 6‐311++G(d,p) and aug‐cc‐pVTZ basis sets. The effects of fluorination and the competing inter‐ and intramolecular hydrogen bonds on the stability of the dimeric FE conformers are discussed.     

How Water Interacts with Halogenated Anesthetics: The Rotational Spectrum of Isoflurane–Water

The rotational spectra of several isotopologues of the 1:1 complex between the inhaled anesthetic isoflurane and water have been recorded and analyzed by using Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy. The rotational spectrum showed a single rotamer, corresponding to the configuration in which the most stable conformer of isolated isoflurane is linked to the water molecule through an almost linear C?H???O weak hydrogen bond. All transitions display a hyperfine structure due to the ³⁵Cl (or ³⁷Cl) nuclear quadrupole effects.     

Interactions between Freons: A Rotational Study of CH2F2–CH2Cl2

The rotational spectra of two isotopologues of a 1:1 difluoromethane–dichloromethane complex have been investigated by pulsed‐jet Fourier‐transform microwave spectroscopy. The assigned (most stable) isomer has C_s symmetry and it displays a network of two C? H???Cl? C and one C? H???F? C weak hydrogen bonds, thus suggesting that the former interactions are stronger. The hyperfine structures owing to ³⁵Cl (or ³⁷Cl) quadrupolar effects have been fully resolved, thus leading to an accurate determination of the three diagonal (χ_gg; g=a, b, c) and the three mixed quadrupole coupling constants (χ_gg′; g, g′=a, b, c; g≠g′). Information on the structural parameters of the hydrogen bonds has been obtained. The dissociation energy of the complex has been estimated to be 7.6 kJ mol^?1.     

Shapes and Internal Dynamics of the 1:1 Adducts of Ammonia with trans and gauche Ethanol: A Rotational Study

Two 1:1 adducts of ammonia with ethanol have been characterized by using pulsed‐jet FT microwave spectroscopy. They are formed with two different (trans and gauche), stable conformers of ethanol. Several internal‐dynamics effects are reflected in the features of the rotational spectra. The trans complex shows the tunneling effects owing to internal rotation of both ammonia and the methyl group. The rotational transitions of the gauche species exhibit a small splitting that is related to tunneling through the potential‐energy barrier between the two equivalent minima.     

Competing Insertion and External Binding Motifs in Hydrated Neurotransmitters: Infrared Spectra of Protonated Phenylethylamine Monohydrate

Hydration has a drastic impact on the structure and function of flexible biomolecules, such as aromatic ethylamino neurotransmitters. The structure of monohydrated protonated phenylethylamine (H⁺PEA?H₂O) is investigated by infrared photodissociation (IRPD) spectroscopy of cold cluster ions by using rare‐gas (Rg=Ne and Ar) tagging and dispersion‐corrected density functional theory calculations at the B3LYP‐D3/aug‐cc‐pVTZ level. Monohydration of this prototypical neurotransmitter gives an insight into the first step of the formation of its solvation shell, especially regarding the competition between intra‐ and intermolecular interactions. The spectra of Rg‐tagged H⁺PEA?H₂O reveal the presence of a stable insertion structure in which the water molecule is located between the positively charged ammonium group and the phenyl ring of H⁺PEA, acting both as a hydrogen bond acceptor (NH⁺???O) and donor (OH???π). Two other nearly equivalent isomers, in which water is externally H bonded to one of the free NH groups, are also identified. The balance between insertion and external hydration strongly depends on temperature.     

Intrinsic Folding Proclivities in Cyclic β‐Peptide Building Blocks: Configuration and Heteroatom Effects Analyzed by Conformer‐Selective Spectroscopy and Quantum Chemistry

This work describes the use of conformer‐selective laser spectroscopy following supersonic expansion to probe the local folding proclivities of four‐membered ring cyclic β‐amino acid building blocks. Emphasis is placed on stereochemical effects as well as on the structural changes induced by the replacement of a carbon atom of the cycle by a nitrogen atom. The amide A IR spectra are obtained and interpreted with the help of quantum chemistry structure calculations. Results provide evidence that the building block with a trans‐substituted cyclobutane ring has a predilection to form strong C8 hydrogen bonds. Nitrogen‐atom substitution in the ring induces the formation of the hydrazino turn, with a related but distinct hydrogen‐bonding network: the structure is best viewed as a bifurcated C8/C5 bond with the N heteroatom lone electron pair playing a significant acceptor role, which supports recent observations on the hydrazino turn structure in solution. Surprisingly, this study shows that the cis‐substituted cyclobutane ring derivative also gives rise predominantly to a C8 hydrogen bond, although weaker than in the two former cases, a feature that is not often encountered for this building block.     

Structures of N—（2,3,4,6—Tetra—O—acetyl—β—D—glycosyl） thiocarbamic Benzoyl Hydrazine

The crystal structure of N-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-D-gly-cosyl)-thiocarbamic benzoyl hydrazine(C22H27N3O9S) was determined by X-ray diffracton method.The hexopyranosyl ring adopts a chair conformation.All the ring substituents are in the equatorial positions.The acetoxyl-methyl group is in synclinal conformation.The S atom is in synperiplanar conformation while the benzoyl hydrazine moiety is anti-periplanar.The thiocarbamic moiety is almost companar with the benzoyl hydrazine group.There are two intramolecular hydrogen bonds and one intermolecular hydrogen bond for each molecule in the crystal structure.The molecules form a network structure through intermolecular hydrogen bonds.     

Frontiers in Rotational Spectroscopy: Shapes and Tunneling Dynamics of the Four Conformers of the Acrylic Acid—Difluoroacetic Acid Adduct

The rotational spectra of four conformers of the acrylic acid—difluoroacetic acid adduct (CH₂=CHCOOH–CHF₂COOH, AA‐DFA) are reported and information on their internal dynamics is supplied. This represents an unprecedented result for the conformational analysis, with microwave spectroscopy, of such a heavy molecular adduct.     

Conformational Equilibria and Large‐Amplitude Motions in Dimers of Carboxylic Acids: Rotational Spectrum of Acetic Acid–Difluoroacetic Acid

We report the rotational spectra of two conformers of the acetic acid–difluoroacetic acid adduct (CH₃COOH–CHF₂COOH) and supply information on its internal dynamics. The two conformers differ from each other, depending on the trans or gauche orientation of the terminal ?CHF₂ group. Both conformers display splittings of the rotational transitions, due to the internal rotation of the methyl group of acetic acid. The corresponding barriers are determined to be V₃(trans)=99.8(3) and V₃(gauche)=90.5(9) cm^?1 (where V₃ is the methyl rotation barrier height). The gauche form displays a further doubling of the rotational transitions, due to the tunneling motion of the ?CHF₂ group between its two equivalent conformations. The corresponding B₂ barrier is estimated to be 108(2) cm^?1. The increase in the distance between the two monomers upon OH→OD deuteration (the Ubbelohde effect) is determined.     

Probing the Rotational Dynamics of meso‐(2‐Substituted)aryl Substituents in A2B‐Type Subporphyrins

A₂B‐type B‐methoxy subporphyrins 3 a – g and B‐phenyl subporphyrins 7 a – c , e , g bearing meso‐(2‐substituted)aryl substituents are synthesized, and their rotational dynamics are examined through variable‐temperature (VT) ¹H NMR spectroscopy. In these subporphyrins, the rotation of meso‐aryl substituents is hindered by a rationally installed 2‐substituent. The rotational barriers determined are considerably smaller than those reported previously for porphyrins. Comparison of the rotation activation parameters reveals a variable contribution of ΔH^≠ and ΔS^≠ in ΔG^≠. 2‐Methyl and 2‐ethyl groups of the meso‐aryl substituents in subporphyrins 3 e , 3 f , and 7 e induce larger rotational barriers than 2‐alkoxyl substituents. The rotational barriers of 3 g and 7 g are reduced by the presence of the 4‐dibenzylamino group owing to its ability to stabilize the coplanar rotation transition state electronically. The smaller rotational barriers found for B‐phenyl subporphyrins than for B‐methoxy subporphyrins indicate a negligible contribution of S_N1‐type heterolysis in the rotation of meso‐aryl substituents.     

Hydrogen‐Bond Cooperativity in Formamide2–Water: A Model for Water‐Mediated Interactions

The rotational spectrum of formamide₂–H₂O formed in a supersonic jet has been characterized by Fourier‐transform microwave spectroscopy. This adduct provides a simple model of water‐mediated interaction involving the amide linkages, as occur in protein folding or amide‐association processes, showing the interplay between self‐association and solvation. Mono‐substituted ¹³C, ¹⁵N, ¹⁸O, and ²H isotopologues have been observed and their data used to investigate the structure. The adduct forms an almost planar three‐body sequential cycle. The two formamide molecules link on one side through an N?H???O hydrogen bond and on the other side through a water‐mediated interaction with the formation of C=O???H?O and O???H?N hydrogen bonds. The analysis of the quadrupole coupling effects of two ¹⁴N‐nuclei reveals the subtle inductive forces associated to cooperative hydrogen bonding. These forces are involved in the changes in the C=O and C?N bond lengths with respect to pure formamide.     

Weak Intermolecular Hydrogen Bonds with Fluorine: Detection and Implications for Enzymatic/Chemical Reactions,Chemical Properties,and Ligand/Protein Fluorine NMR Screening

It is known that strong hydrogen‐bonding interactions play an important role in many chemical and biological systems. However, weak or very weak hydrogen bonds, which are often difficult to detect and characterize, may also be relevant in many recognition and reaction processes. Fluorine serving as a hydrogen‐bond acceptor has been the subject of many controversial discussions and there are different opinions about it. It now appears that there is compelling experimental evidence for the involvement of fluorine in weak intramolecular or intermolecular hydrogen bonds. Using established NMR methods, we have previously characterized and measured the strengths of intermolecular hydrogen‐bond complexes involving the fluorine moieties CH₂F, CHF₂, and CF₃, and have compared them with the well‐known hydrogen‐bond complex formed between acetophenone and the strong hydrogen‐bond donor p‐fluorophenol. We now report evidence for the formation of hydrogen bonds involving fluorine with significantly weaker donors, namely 5‐fluoroindole and water. A simple NMR method is proposed for the simultaneous measurement of the strengths of hydrogen bonds between an acceptor and a donor or water. Important implications of these results for enzymatic/chemical reactions involving fluorine, for chemical and physical properties, and for ligand/protein ¹⁹F NMR screening are analyzed through experiments and theoretical simulations.     

Direct Spectroscopic Detection of the Orientation of Free OH Groups in Methyl Lactate–(Water)1,2 Clusters: Hydration of a Chiral Hydroxy Ester

Hydration of chiral molecules is a subject of significant current interest in light of recent experimental observations of chirality transfer from chiral solutes to water in solution and the important roles which water plays in biological events. Using a broadband chirped pulse and a cavity based microwave spectrometer, we detected spectroscopic signatures of the mono‐ and dihydrates of methyl lactate, a chiral hydroxy ester. Surprisingly, these small hydration clusters show highly specific binding preferences. Not only do they strongly prefer the insertion H‐bonding topology, but they also favor specific pointing direction(s) for their non‐H‐bonded hydroxy group(s). We observed that the particular dihydrate conformer identified is not the most stable one predicted. This work highlights the superior capability of high‐resolution spectroscopy to identify specific water binding topologies, and provides quantitative data to test state‐of‐the‐art theory.     

The shape of leucine in the gas phase.

Two structures of neutral leucine are detected in the jet-cooled rotational spectrum of a laser-ablation molecular-beam Fourier transform microwave (LA-MB-FTMW) experiment. The comparison between the experimental rotational and (14)N nuclear quadrupole coupling constants and those calculated ab initio provides conclusive evidence for the identification of the conformers. The most stable species is stabilized by a N-H...O=C intramolecular hydrogen bond and a cis-COOH interaction, while a higher-energy conformer exhibits a N...H-O intramolecular hydrogen bond and trans-COOH, as in lower aliphatic amino acids. The isobutyl side chain adopts the same configuration in the two conformers of leucine, characterized by a trans arrangement of the C'-C(alpha)-C(beta)-C(gamma)-C(delta) chain. The differences with the preferred side chain configurations observed in valine and isoleucine are discussed.