Fluorophenyl Bilirubins: Synthesis and Stereochemistry

 Analogs of bilirubin with vinyl groups replaced by symmetrically-disposed o-fluorophenyls (1, bis-exo, and 2, bis-endo) were synthesized and characterized spectroscopically. Their ¹H NMR spectra and NOE data are consistent with an intramolecularly hydrogen-bonded ridge-tile conformation where each propionic acid group embraces an opposing dipyrrinone. Like bilirubin, 1 and 2 exhibit negative chirality induced circular dichroism (ICD) Cotton effects in chloroform containing quinine. Unlike bilirubin, however, in aqueous buffer containing human serum albumin, 2 exhibits a negative exciton chirality ICD, whereas that of 1 is positive.