Chiral solvating properties of (S)-1-benzyl-6-methylpiperazine-2,5-dione

In CDCl₃ solution, enantiopure (S)-1-benzyl-6-methylpiperazine-2,5-dione (S)-1a formed diastereomeric CO⋯H–N hydrogen-bonded associates with racemic (RS,Z)-1-benzyl-3-(dimethylamino)methylidene]piperazine-2,5-diones 2a and 2b, (RS)-tert-butyl pyroglutamate (RS)-2c and (RS)-N-benzoylalanine methyl ester (RS)-2d. This resulted in splitting (doubling) of the characteristic signals in the ¹H NMR and ¹³C spectra of racemic compounds 2a–d in the presence of 1 equiv of (S)-1a. The formation of hydrogen-bonded dimers in CDCl₃ solution was studied by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and 2D NMR and confirmed by the intermolecular NOE observed between the hydrogen-bonded amide protons from each of the monomeric units, (S)-1a and 2a–c. On the other hand, a slightly different binding mode was proposed for association of (S)-1a with alaninamide (RS)-2d. Enantiomer compositions of known (weighed) mixtures of both enantiomers of tert-butyl pyroglutamate 2c were re-determined by ¹H NMR in the presence of (S)-1a in CDCl₃. The experimental values were in good agreement with the theoretical values, thus indicating the potential applicability of (S)-1a and related diketopiperazines as chiral solvating agents in NMR spectroscopy.