Measurement and Applications of Long‐Range Heteronuclear Scalar Couplings: Recent Experimental and Theoretical Developments

The use of long‐range heteronuclear couplings, in association with ¹H–¹H scalar couplings and NOE restraints, has acquired growing importance for the determination of the relative stereochemistry, and structural and conformational information of organic and biological molecules. However, the routine use of such couplings is hindered by the inherent difficulties in their measurement. Prior to the advancement in experimental techniques, both long‐range homo‐ and heteronuclear scalar couplings were not easily accessible, especially for very large molecules. The development of a large number of multidimensional NMR experimental methodologies has alleviated the complications associated with the measurement of couplings of smaller strengths. Subsequent application of these methods and the utilization of determined J‐couplings for structure calculations have revolutionized this area of research. Problems in organic, inorganic and biophysical chemistry have also been solved by utilizing the short‐ and long‐range heteronuclear couplings. In this minireview, we discuss the advantages and limitations of a number of experimental techniques reported in recent times for the measurement of long‐range heteronuclear couplings and a few selected applications of such couplings. This includes the study of medium‐ to larger‐sized molecules in a variety of applications, especially in the study of hydrogen bonding in biological systems. The utilization of these couplings in conjunction with theoretical calculations to arrive at conclusions on the hyperconjugation, configurational analysis and the effect of the electronegativity of the substituents is also discussed.     

Some new protocols for the assignment of absolute configuration by NMR spectroscopy using chiral solvating agents and CDAs

The utility of enantiopure BINOL (1,10-Bi-2-naphthol), in a ternary ion-pair complex, which is obtained using a carboxylic acid and an organic base, as a versatile chiral solvating agent (CSA) has been demonstrated for chiral analysis and the absolute configuration assignment of hydroxy acids. Another protocol where the utility of NOBIN as a CSA has been developed for discrimination and absolute configuration assignment of acids, hydroxy acids and their derivatives with a distinct strategy where a third ingredient, p-toluenesulfonic acid (p-TsOH) serves as a linker. In addition some three component chiral derivatization protocols have been introduced, such as the use of 2-formylphenylboronic acid and enantiopure mandelic acid or a primary amine for the determination of the configuration of primary amines and hydroxy acids, respectively. A simple, rapid and highly efficient three component chiral derivatizing protocol has also been discussed which was developed for assigning the absolute configuration of chiral α-hydroxy acids and their derivatives, which involves the coupling of 2-formylphenylboronic acid with (R)-[1,1-binaphthalene]-2,2-diamine, and (S)-[1,1-binaphthalene]-2,2-diamine separately. In a few examples, the DFT based theoretical calculations have been carried out to determine the geometry optimized structures of the complexes.     

Ethyl 6‐acetylamino‐6,7‐dihydro‐5H‐dibenzo[a,c]cycloheptene‐6‐carboxylate

The title compound, C₂₀H₂₁NO₃, is a derivative of Aib (α‐­aminoisobutyric acid) and is cyclized at the C^α position by bi­phenyl rings. The seven‐membered ring possesses C2 symmetry. The C^α cyclization causes the backbone to assume a helical conformation in the crystal structure. The packing of the mol­ecules is stabilized by intermolecular C—H?O, C—H?π and N—H?O hydrogen bonds.