The synthesis and reactions of A-ring aromatic steroid complexes of manganese tricarbonyl

Treatment of the A-ring aromatic steroids estrone 3-methyl ether and β-estradiol 3, 17-dimethyl ether with Mn(CO)₅⁺BF₄⁻ in CH₂Cl₂ yields the corresponding [(steroid)Mn(CO)₃]BF₄ salts 1 and 2 as mixtures of and β isomers. The X-ray structure of [(estrone 3-methyl ether)Mn(CO)₃]BF₄ · CH₂Cl₂ (1) having the Mn(CO)₃ moiety on the side of the steroid is reported: space group P2₁ with a=10.3958(9), b=10.9020(6), c=12.6848(9) Å, β=111.857(6)°, Z=2, V=1334.3(2) ų, _calc=.481 cm⁻³, R=0.0508, and wR=0.0635. The molecule has the traditional ‘piano stool’ structure with a planar arene ring and linear Mn---C---O linkages. The nucleophiles NaBH₄ and LiCH₂C(O)CMe₃ add to [(β-estradiol 3,17-dimethyl ether)Mn(CO)₃]BF₄ (2) in high yield to give the corresponding - and β-cyclohexadienyl manganese tricarbonyl complexes (3). The nucleophiles add meta to the arene -OMe substituent and exo to the metal. The and β isomers of 3 were separated by fractional crystallization and the X-ray structure of the β isomer with an exo-CH₂C(O)CMe₃ substituent is reported (complex 4): space group P2₁2₁2₁ with a=7.5154(8), b=15.160(2), c=25.230(3) Å, Z=4, V=2874.4(5) ų, _calc=1.244 g cm⁻³, R=0.0529 and wR2=0.1176. The molecule 4 has a planar set of dienyl carbon atoms with the saturated C(1) carbon being 0.592 Å out of the plane away from the metal. The results suggest that the manganese-mediated functionalization of aromatic steroids is a viable synthetic procedure with a range of nucleophiles of varying strengths.     

Molecular structures and some properties of tris(2-aminoethyl) amine cobalt(III) complexes with thiocarboxylato-O,S such as 3-mercaptopropionato, 2-mercaptoacetato and their derivatives

Cobalt(III) complexes with a thiolate or thioether ligand, t-[Co(mp)(tren)]⁺ (2), t-[Co(mtp)(tren)]²⁺ (1Me) and t-[Co(mta)(tren)]²⁺ (2Me), (mp = 3-mercaptopropionate, MA = 3-(methylthio)propionate and MTA = 2-(methylthio)acetate) have been prepared in aqueous solutions. The crystal structures of 1, 2, 1Me and 2Me were determined by X-ray diffraction methods. The crystal data are as follows, t-[Co(mp)(tren)]ClO₄ (1CIO₄): monoclinic, P2₁/n, A = 10.877(8), B = 11.570(4), c = 12.173(7) Å, β = 92.20(5)°, V = 1531(1) ų, Z = 4 and R = 0.060; t-[Co(ma)(tren)]Cl·3H₂O (2Cl·3H₂O): monoclinic, P2₁/n, a = 7.7688(8), B = 27.128(2), C = 7.858(1) Å, β = 100.63(1)°, V = 1627.7(3) ų, Z = 4 and R = 0.066; (+)₄₆₅^CD-t-[Co(mtp)(tren)](ClO₄)₂ ((+)₄₆₅^CD-1Me(ClO₄)₂): orthorhombic, P2₁2₁2₁, A = 10.6610(7), B = 11.746(1), C = 15.555(1) Å, V = 1947.9(3) ų, Z = 4 and R = 0.068; (+)₄₆₅^CD-t-[Co(mta)(tren)](ClO₄)₂ ((+)₄₆₅^CD-2Me(ClO₄)₂): orthorhombic, P2₁2₁2₁, a = 10.564(1), B = 11.375(1), C = 15.434(2) Å, V = 1854.7(4) ų, Z = 4 and R = 0.047. All central Co(III) atoms have approximately octahedral geometry, coordinated by four N, one O, and one S atoms. All of the complexes are only isomer, of which the sulfur atom in the didentate-O,S ligands are located at the trans position to the tertiary amine nitrogen atom of tren. 1 and 1Me contain six-membered chelate ring, and 2 and 2Me do five-membered chelate ring in the didentate ligand. The chirality of the asymmetric sulfur donor atom in (+)₄₆₅^CD-1Me is the S configuration and that in (+)₄₆₅^CD-2Me is the R one. The ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and electronic absorption spectral behaviors and electrochemical properties of the present complexes are discussed in relation to their stereochemistries.     

Crystal and molecular structure of μ-oxo-bis((5,10,15,20)tetrakispentafluorophenyl)porphinatoiron(III)

In this paper, we report the crystal and molecular structure of μ-oxo-bis(5,10,15,20)tetrakispentafluorophenyl)porphinatoiron(III) [(TPP(F₅)Fe)₂O]. The crystals belong to the tetragonal system, space group I4₁/a, with a =b = 26.362(7),c = 30.886(8)Å,V = 21465ų,Z = 8 and D_calc = 1.496. Discrepancy indices are R₁ = 0.084 and R₂ = 0.104 for 3320 reflections having I3σ(I). The FeN_p average distance, 2.088(11)Å, is at the long end of the range of high-spin ferric porphyrin while the FeO distances (1.775(1)Å) are similar to those of the non-halogenated analog (TPPFe)₂O. The FeOFe angle of 178.4(5)° shows an essentially linear oxo bridge. The 0.673(2)Ådisplacement of the iron atom from the porphyrin mean plane is unusually large. The facing porphyrin rings are twisted 47° with respect of each other giving the molecule nearly exact D_4d symmetry.     

Electrochemical synthesis and crystal structure of (3-trimethylsilylpyridine-2-thiolato) copper(I), [Cu4(3-Me3Sipyt)4]

(3-Trimethylsilyl-pyridine-2-thiolato-S,N)copper(I), [Cu(3-Me₃Sipyt)], was obtained by electrochemical oxidation of copper metal in an acetonitrile solution of the neutral ligand. The compound is tetrameric and the four copper atoms are arranged with distorted tetrahedral geometry, each copper atom being trigonally coordinated to one nitrogen and two sulfur atoms of three different ligands. Crystal data: 14₁/a, a=14.608(2), C=19.366(4) Å, V=4133(2), Å, Z=4, D_calc=1.581 g cm⁻³, R=0.0397 for 848 reflections.     

High resolution crystal structure of Rubrivivax gelatinosus cytochrome c'

The structure of the cytochrome c′ from the purple non-sulfur phototrophic bacterium Rubrivivax gelatinosus was determined using two crystals grown independently at pH 6.3 and pH 8. The resolution attained for the two structures (1.29 Å and 1.50 Å for the crystals at high and low pH, respectively) is the highest to date for this class of proteins. The two structures were compared in detail in an attempt to investigate the influence of pH on the geometry of the haem and of the coordination environment of the Fe(III) ion. However, while the results suggest some small propensity for the movement of the metal atom out of the plane of the haem ring upon pH increase, the accuracy of the measurements at these two pH below the pK of the axial histidine is not sufficient to provide hard evidence of a shift in the iron position and associated changes.     

Crystal structure of Zn(trz)Cl (trz = 11,2,4,-triazolato); a layered compound with triply bridging triazolato groups

ZnCl₂ reacts with 1,2,4-1H-triazole to afford Zn(trz)Cl. A spontaneous deprotonation of Htrz occurs. The crystal structure of Zn(trz)Cl has been solved. The compound crystallizes in the space group P2₁/n. The lattice parameters are a = 8.863(4), B = 9.762(4), C = 6.146(3) Å, β = 99.56(10)°, with Z = 4. The 1,2,4-triazolato bridges three zinc atoms through its three nitrogen atoms, affording a layered structure. The zinc atom is in an N₃Cl tetrahedral coordination. The layers are not planar, but rather corrugated. The chlorine atoms point to either side of the layers, and play the role of spacers. The shortest interlayer ZnZn separation is 5.701 Å.     

Aromatic-Aromatic Interactions Database, A(2)ID: an analysis of aromatic π-networks in proteins

The geometrical arrangement of the aromatic rings of phenylalanine, tyrosine, tryptophan and histidine has been analyzed at a database level using the X-ray crystal structure of proteins from PDB in order to find out the aromatic-aromatic (π-π) networks in proteins and to understand how these aromatic rings are connected with each-other in a specific π-π network. A stringent examination of the 7848 proteins indicates that close to 89% of the proteins have occurrence of at least a network of 2π or a higher π-π network. The occurrence of π-π networks in various protein superfamilies based on SCOP, CATH and EC classifiers has also been probed in the present work. In general, we find that multidomain and membrane proteins as well as lyases show a more number of these networks. Analysis of the distribution of angle between planes of two proximal aromatic rings (?) distribution indicates that at a larger cutoff distance (between centroid of two aromatic rings), above 5?, C-H?π interactions (T-shaped orientation) are more prevalent, while π-π interactions (stacked orientation) are more prevalent at a smaller cutoff distance. The connectivity patterns of π-π networks propose strong propensity of finding arrangement of aromatic residues as clusters rather than linear arrangement. We have also made a public domain database "Aromatic-Aromatic Interactions Database" (A(2)ID) comprising of all types of π-π networks and their connectivity pattern present in proteins. It can be accessed by url http://203.199.182.73/gnsmmg/databases/aidb/aidb.html.     

Synthesis and problematic crystal structures of [Al(CH3CN)6][MCl6]3(CH3CN)3 (M=Ta, Nb or Sb)

Compounds of formula [Al(CH₃CN)₆][MCl₆]₃(CH₃CN)₃ (M=Ta (1); Nb (2); Sb (3)) have been synthesized from the reactions of MCl₅ and AlCl₃ in acetonitrile and characterized by X-ray crystallography. Complex 1 crystallizes in the tetragonal space group P4/mbm with a = B = 10.408(2), C = 7.670(3) Å, V = 830.9(4) ų and Z = 2/3. Complex 2 crystallizes in the tetragonal space group P4/mnc with a = B = 330(a), C = 15.320(3) ų V = 1634.8(4) ų and Z = 4/3. Complex 3 also crystallizes in the tetragonal space group P4/mnc with a = B = 10.313(1), C = 15.238(2) Å, V = 1621.0(1) ų and Z = 4/3. The non-integer Z values for complexes 1–3 result unusual problems of disorder and/or twinning in these crystal structures due to their high symmetry. The M---Cl distances range from 2.329(3) Å in the Ta complex to 2.355(1) Å in the Sb complex, while the Al---N distances are similar in all three complexes, ranging from 1.92(1) to 1.97(1) Å, respectively. Complexes 1–3 are the first structurally characterized complexes that contain a (hexaacetonitrile)aluminum(III) cation.     

Combined effect of restricted rotational diffusion plus jumps on nuclear magnetic resonance and fluorescence probes of aromatic ring motions in proteins.

A simple model is presented for the motion of phenylalanine and tyrosine rings in proteins. The model consists of restricted rotational diffusion of the rings about the side chain C alpha--C beta (chi 1) and C beta--C gamma (chi 2) axes combined with 180 degree ring flips. The model is used to evaluate order parameters for nuclear magnetic resonance relaxation and fluorescence depolarization probes of aromatic ring motions in proteins. The dependence of the order parameters on orientation in the ring plane is examined and it is demonstrated that in the presence of ring flips, additional ring librations can have a large effect on the probe order parameters.     

Synthesis,crystal structure,antitumor activity and DNA-binding study on the Mn(II) complex of 2H-5-hydroxy-1,2,5-oxadiazo[3,4-f]1,10-phenanthroline

The complex [Mn(L)(NO₃)₂(H₂O)₂] (1) (L=2H-5-hydroxy-1,2,5-oxadiazo[3,4-f]1,10-phenanthroline) was synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR and UV. The crystal and molecular structure of 1 was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction; crystal data: light yellow, monoclinic, space group P2₁/n, Z=4, a=7.432(2) Å, b=9.582(3) Å, c=23.445(7) Å, β=90.519(5)°. The Mn atom in 1 is hexa-coordinated in a distorted octahedral arrangement by two N atoms of the ligand L and four O atoms of two water molecules and two nitrate anions. Biological tests in vitro showed that 1 has significant antitumor activity against HL-60, KB, Hela and BGC-823 cells. The interaction of 1 with calf thymus DNA was investigated by absorption titration, thermal denaturation and viscosity measurements. The results suggest that 1 binds with DNA by intercalating via the ligand L.     

Reactions of benzocyclobutene chromium complexes with carbon, nitrogen and oxygen nucleophiles: nucleophilic addition and unexpected proximal ring opening reactions

Tricarbonyl(η⁶-1-oxobenzocyclobutene)chromium(0) (1) can be transformed to tricarbonyl(η⁶-1-endo-hydroxybenzocyclobutene) chromium(0) derivatives with substituents R (R=CH₃, CH=CH₂, (CH₂)₄CH=CH₂, (CH₂)₄OSi(Me)₂tBu) at Cl on the exo face of the complex. The relative configuration is proven by an X-ray crystal structure analysis of the trimethylsilyl ether 8 (C₁₆H₁₈CrO₄Si: a=8.693(1), b=9.490(1), c=11.063(1) Å, =97.51(1), β=110.32(1), γ=95.38(1)°, triclinic, space group P (No.2), R=0.037, R_w=0.052 for 4609 observed reflections. Attempts directed at an intramolecular cycloaddition of the ortho-quinodimethane complex derived from 17 by anion promoted ring opening unexpectedly resulted in the formation of 12 as the product of an opening of the proximal bond of the anellated ring located between the hydroxy group and the coordinated aromatic ring in 16. The fact that the intermolecular cycloaddition reaction for 16 is possible in the presence of a dienophile is taken as evidence for an equilibrium between the alcoholate 17 and the two ring opened products 16 and 18. The proximal ring opening of 6 is not observed when the free organic ligand 21 is used as the educt. Ketone complexes 1 and 25 undergo proximal ring opening reaction when treated with alcoholate or primary amines.     

Heterobimetallic aggregates of copper(I) with thiotungstates and thiomolybdates. Synthesis and characterization of polymeric (NEt4)3[Cu4(NCS)5WS4], (NEt4)2[(CuNCS)3WS4] and (NEt4)2[(CuNCS)4WS4], M = Mo, W

Reaction of (NEt₄)₂MS₄ (M = Mo, W) with CuCl and KSCN (or NH₄SCN) in acetone or acetonitrile affords a new set of mixed metal–sulfur compounds: infinite anionic chains Cu₄(NCS)₅MS_4³⁻ (1,2), (CuNCS)₃WS_4²⁻ (3) and two dimensional polymeric dianions (CuNCS)₄MS_4²⁻ (4,5). Crystal of 1 (M = W) and 3 are triclinic, space group P1(1:a = 10.356(2),b = 15.039(1),c = 17.356(2)Å, = 78.27(1)°, β = 88.89(2)° and γ = 88.60(1)°,Z = 2,R = 0.04 for 3915 independent data;3:a = 8.449(2),b = 14.622(4),c = 15.809(8)Å, = 61.84(3)°, β = 73.67(3)° and γ = 78.23(2)°,Z = 2,R = 0.029 for 6585 independent data). Crystals of 4 (M = W) and 5 (M = Mo) are monoclinic, space group P2₁/m,Z = 2 (4:a = 12.296(4),b = 14.794(4),c = 10.260(3)Åand β = 101.88(3)°,R = 0.034 for 4450 independent data;5:a = 12.306(2),b = 14.809(3),c = 10.257(2)Åand β = 101.99(3)°,R = 0.043 for 3078 independent data). The crystal structure determinations of 4 and 5 show that four edges of the tetrahedral MS_4²⁻ core are coordinated by copper atoms forming WS₄Cu₄ aggregates linked by eight-membered Cu(NCS)₂Cu rings. A two-dimensional network is thus formed in the diagonal (101) plane. The space between the anionic two-dimensional networks is filled with the NEt_4⁺ cations. Additional NCS groups lead to the [Cu₄(NCS)₅WS₄]³⁻ (1) trianion connected by NCS bridges forming pseudo-dimers. These latter are held together by weak CuS(NCS) interactions giving rise to infinite chains along a direction parallel to [100]. In contrast complex3 develops infinite chains from WS₄Cu₃ aggregates with the same Cu(NCS)₂Cu bridges as in 4 and 5. These chains are running along a direction parallel to [010]. The structural data of the different types of polymeric compounds containing MS_4²⁻ and CuNCS have been used to interpret vibrational spectroscopic data of the thiocyanate groups.     

Hydroxylation of Salicylate and Phenylalanine as Assays for Hydroxyl Radicals: a Cautionary Note Visited for the Third Time

Hydroxylation of salicylate to2, 3- and2, 5-dihydroxy-benzoates (DHBs) is widely used as an index of hydroxyl radical (OH) formation in vivo and in vitro. Several recent studies indicate that peroxynitrite can lead to generation of DHBs from salicylate and it is uncertain as to whether or not OH' is involved. A similar problem may occur in the use of phenylalanine as an OH' detector. Hence formation of hydroxylation products from salicylate (or phenylalanine) may not in itself be a definitive index of OH' generation, especially in cases where such generation in physiological systems is decreased by inhibitors of nitric oxide syn-thase. Determination of salicylate (or phenylalanine) nitration products can allow distinction between peroxynitrite-dependent aromatic hydroxylation and that involving “real” OH.     

Dynamics of the aromatic amino acid residues in the globular conformation of the basic pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI). I. 1H NMR studies.

The basic pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI) was investigated by high resolution 1H NMR techniques at 360 MHz. Observation of the amide proton resonances of the polypeptide backbone showed that the globular conformation of BPTI determined by X-ray studies in single crystals is maintained in aqueous solution over the temperature range from 4 degrees to 87 degrees. NMR studies over this temperature range of the aromatic amino acid residues of BPTI. i.e. 4 tyrosines and 4 phenylalanines, led to complete assignments of all the aromatic spin systems in the protein. From this, information was obtained on the rotational motions about the C beta--Cv bond axis of the aromatic rings in the globular form of PBTI. At 25 degrees, two tyrosine rings and one phenylalanine ring are rotating rapidly on the NMR time scale. For the other rings the transitions from slow to rapid rotational motions were investigated at variable temperatures and energy barriers for these intramolecular rate processes determined. The studies of the tyrosine resonances had been described in detail in a previous publication. The present paper describes the identification of the phenylalanine resonances and comments on some technical aspects which might be of quite general interest for the analysis of highly resolved 1H NMR spectra of proteins. Data for the tyrosines and the phenylalanines are compiled in three tables, i.e. the pK alpha-values for the tyrosines, the NMR parameters for all eight aromatics, and the parameters delta G not equal to, and, where available, delta H not equal to and delta S not equal to for the rotational motions of the rings.     

Chicken liver basic fatty acid-binding protein (pI = 9.0). Purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray data

Chicken liver basic fatty acid-binding protein (pI = 9.0) has been purified with a high yield by a modification of a method originally applied to rat liver. The final product is highly homogeneous and can be used to grow crystals that belong to two different space groups. The crystals are either tetragonal, space group P4₂2₁2 with a = b = 60.2 Å and c = 138.1 Å or orthorhombic, space group P2₁2₁2₁ with a = 60.7 Å, b = 40.1 Å and c = 66.7 Å. The second form appears to be more suitable for X-ray diffraction studies, it diffracts to at least 2.8 Å resolution and it is believed to contain one protein molecule in the crystallographic asymmetric unit.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and magnetic properties of the first structurally characterized 1,2-dithiocroconato-containing Cu(II) complex, [Cu(bpca)(H2O)]2[Cu(1,2-dtcr)2]·2H2O

The first crystal and molecular structure of a transition metal complex containing 1,2-dithiocroconate (1,2-dtcr, dianion of 1,2-dimercaptocylopent-1-ene-3,4,5-trione), [Cu(bpca)(H₂O)]₂[Cu(1,2-dtcr)₂]·2H₂O (where bpca is the bis(2-pyrdidylcarbonyl)amide anion), has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction methods. The compound crystallizesin the monoclinic syste, space group P2₁/c, with a = 11.661(3), b = 20.255(6), c = 8.265(3) Å, ß = 107.26(2)° and Z = 2. The structure is formally built of [Cu(1,2-dtcr)₂]²⁻ and [Cu(bpca)(H₂O)]⁺ ions and water of hydration. The copper atom of the anion is situated at a crystallographic inversion centre, bonded to four sulfur atoms in a planar, approximately square arrangement. In the cation the copper equatorial plane is formed by the three nitrogen atoms of the bpca ligand and a water oxygen atom. In addition there is a very weak axial bond to one of the sulfur atoms of a 1,2-dtcr ligand in the anion. Through these latter weak bonds each anion is connected to, and sandwiched between, two cations, resulting in neutral, trinuclear, centrosymmetric formula units. The triple-decker molecules are arranged in stacks along the crystallographic a-axis creating close contacts between the terminal copper atoms and bpca groups of the neighbouring molecules. This intermolecular interaction is, however, too weak to define the structure as a chain compound. The distance between adjacent copper atoms within the trinuclear unit is 4.189(1) Å, while the shortest intra-stack metal-metal separation between terminal copper atoms is 5.281(1) Å. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements in the temperature r.2–140 K reveal that a Curie law is followed; with three non-interacting copper(II) ions in the formula unit.     

On the lability of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) coordinated to the [Ru(II)-NO(+)] species: X-ray structures of mer-[RuCl(3)(DMSO)(2)(NO)] and mer-[RuCl(3)(CD(3)CN)(DMSO)(NO)

The syntheses of nitrosyl–dimethylsulfoxide–ruthenium(II) complexes with general formula mer-[RuCl₃(L)(DMSO)(NO)] (L=DMSO or CD₃CN) is reported. The mer-[RuCl₃(DMSO)₂(NO)] (1) complex was obtained from the reaction of [RuCl₃(NO)] with the sulfoxide ligand in acetone. The mer-[RuCl₃(CD₃CN)(DMSO)(NO)] (2) compound was obtained from mer-[RuCl₃(DMSO)₂(NO)] maintained in deuterated acetonitrile. These data suggest a slow kinetic reaction due the low lability of the DMSO ligand coordinated to the {Ru^II–NO⁺} species. The crystal and molecular structures of (1) and (2) have been determined from X-ray studies. Crystal data: for (1), monoclinic, P2₁/c, a=8.8340(2) Å, b=12.0230(3) Å, c=13.7064(4) Å, β=114.546(2)°, Z=4, R1=0.0429; for (2), monoclinic, P21/n, a=10.0180(7) Å, b=9.5070(7) Å, c=13.3340(9) Å, β=102.264(4)°, Z=4, R1=0.0472. The spectroscopic characterization of (1), in solid state (infrared spectrum) and in solution (nuclear magnetic resonance and cyclic voltammetry) is also described.     

A dicopper complex of N,N′-bis[2,2-dimethyl-4-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-aza-3-buten] oxamide. Structure and magnetic behaviour of the mono hydrated form

The ligand N, N′-bis[2,2-dimethyl-4-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-aza-3-buten] oxamide with two identical coordination sites reacts with copper ions in its tetradeprotonated form to yield the dinuclear complex [Cu₂(C₂₄H₂₆N₄O₄)]·H₂O. The structure of this compound has been determined by the X-ray diffraction method. The crystals are orthorhombic with a = 11.744(1), B = 16.369(2), C = 26.340(3) Å, V = 5064(1) ų, Z = 8, space group Pbca. The oxamide is in a trans conformation with two different environments for the copper centres, a (4 + 1) coordination mode for the first one and a square planar environment for the other one. The water molecule is not directly bound to a copper centre, but involved in hydrogen bonding with the two oxygen atoms of an N₂O₂ coordination site. Indeed, extra coordination comes from a phenolic oxygen atom belonging to an adjacent dinuclear unit. Static susceptibility measurements point to a strong intrapair antiferromagnetic exchange interaction of 2J = −520(±4) cm⁻¹ and possibly an interpair ferromagnetic exchange interaction of 10(±5) cm⁻¹.     

Investigation of the nature of the methionine-pi interaction in beta-hairpin peptide model systems

There are frequent contacts between aromatic rings and sulfur atoms in proteins. However, it is unclear to what degree this putative interaction is stabilizing and what the nature of the interaction is. We have investigated the aryl-sulfur interaction by placing a methionine residue diagonal to an aromatic ring on the same face of a beta-hairpin, which places the methionine side chain in close proximity to the aryl side chain. The methionine (Met)-aryl interaction was compared with an equivalent hydrophobic and cation-pi interaction in the context of the beta-hairpin. The interaction between phenylalanine (Phe), tryptophan (Trp), or cyclohexylalanine (Cha) and Met stabilized the beta-hairpin by -0.3 to -0.5 kcal mole(-1), as determined by double-mutant cycles. The peptides were subjected to thermal denaturations that suggest a hydrophobic driving force for the interactions between Met and Trp or Cha. The observed interaction of Met or norleucine (Nle) with Trp or Cha are quite similar, implying a hydrophobic driving force for the Met-pi interaction. However, the thermodynamic data suggest that there may be some differences between the interaction of Met with Trp and Phe and that there may be a small thermodynamic component to the Met...Phe interaction.