Conformational analysis of gossypol and its derivatives by molecular mechanics

Conformations and inversion pathways leading to racemization of all the tautomers of gossypol, gossypolone, anhydrogossypol, and a diethylamine Schiff's base of gossypol were investigated with MM3(2000). All forms have hindered rotation because of clashes between the methyl carbon atom and oxygen-containing moieties ortho to the bond linking the two naphthalene rings. Inversion energies generally agree with available experimental data. Gossypol preferentially inverts in its dihemiacetal tautomeric form through the cis pathway (where similar groups clash). Gossypolone inverts more easily than gossypol, and preferentially through the trans pathway (where dissimilar groups clash) when one of its outer rings has an enol-keto group and the other has an aldehyde group. Anhydrogossypol racemizes through the cis pathway. The bridge bond and the ortho exo-cyclic bonds in all the structures bend from planarity, and the inner naphthalene rings pucker to accommodate the inversion. For gossypol, the transition is achieved through greater bending of the exo-cyclic bonds (up to 12°) and less distortion of the inner benzyl rings (q≤0.34 Å), (up to 12.7°) . For gossypolone the transition occurs with greater distortion of the inner benzyl rings (q≤0.63 Å) and less out-of-plane bending (up to 8.4°). By isolating individual clashes, their contribution to the overall barrier can be analyzed, as shown for the dialdehyde tautomer of gossypol.     

Binaphthalene with substituted tetrathiafulvalene and trichloroquinone: a new example of metal ion-promoted electron transfer

A new binaphthalene (R)-1 with two substituted TTF and trichloroquinone units is reported. Both absorption and ESR spectral studies show that electron transfer occurs between TTF and trichloroquinone units of (R)-1 in the presence of metal ions (Pb²⁺, Sc³⁺, Zn²⁺, and Ca²⁺). We also propose a possible mechanism for this electron transfer process. But, the CD spectral change of (R)-1 in the presence of metal ions is rather small.     

HPLC separation of the enantiomers of racemic benzergoline derivatives on a chiral binaphthalene covalently bonded to silica gel

A novel chiral stationary phase (CSP) derived from the atropisomeric enantiomer S-3,3′-dicarboxy-2,2′-dihydroxy-1,1′-binaphthyl (S-DDBN) has been synthesized and its use for the separation of enantiomers demonstrated. The chiral selector is covalently bonded to amino-functionalized silica gel, thus enabling the use of alcohols as mobile phases. Good chiral discrimination was obtained for the pharmacologically interesting class of benzergoline derivatives which act as selective dopamine D₁ receptor agonists. This paper reports the successful separtion of fifteen structurally related benzergoline racemates with separation factors up to 3.5. The influence of small differences in molecular structure on chiral discrimination was examined.