Revising the Absolute Configurations of Coatlines via Density Functional Theory Calculations of Electronic Circular Dichroism Spectra

Coatline A ( 1 ) and α‐epi‐coatline A ( 4 ) co‐occur in the trunk extract of Andira coriacea. Inspection of their chiroptical properties led to intriguing results. After a careful examination of the experimental data used for the previously reported absolute configuration of these compounds, some uncertainties were identified. A combined theoretical approach including conformational analyses and calculation of electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra, in addition with experimental data obtained for schoepfin A ( 5 ) and the new schoepfin D ( 6 ) isolated from Senna quinquangulata, allowed the revision of the absolute configuration of coatlines A ( 1 ) and B ( 2 ). Chirality 25:180–184, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Revised Absolute Configuration of Sibiricumin A: Substituent Effects in Simplified Model Structures Used for Quantum Mechanical Predictions of Chiroptical Properties

This study discusses the choice of different simplified models used in computations of electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra and other chiroptical characteristics used to determine the absolute configuration (AC) of the complex natural product sibiricumin A. Sections of molecules containing one chiral center with one near an aromatic group have large effects on the ECD spectra. Conversely, when the phenyl group is present on a substituent without a nonstereogenic center, removal of this section will have little effect on ECD spectra. However, these nonstereogenic‐center‐containing sections have large effects on calculated optical rotations (OR) values since the OR value is more sensitive to the geometries of sections in a molecule. In this study, the wrong AC of sibiricumin A was reassigned as (7R,8S,1'R,7'R,8'S)‐ 11 . Chirality 28:612–617, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Absolute configuration of an axially chiral sulfonate determined from its optical rotatory dispersion,electronic circular dichroism,and vibrational circular dichroism spectra

The absolute configuration (AC) of an axially chiral sulfonate (aCSO), 3,5‐dimethyl‐2‐(naphthalen‐1‐yl)‐6‐(naphthalen‐1‐yl)benzenesulfonate (labeled as aCSO5), was investigated using optical rotatory dispersion (ORD), electronic circular dichroism (ECD), and vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectroscopies. All three methods led to the same conclusion and the AC of aCSO5 is reliably determined to be (−)‐(aR , aR ), or conversely (+)‐(aS , aS ).     

Exploring potentialities and limitations of stapled o‐oligo(phenyleneethynylene)s (o‐OPEs) as efficient circularly polarized luminescence emitters

In this paper, we have studied the chiroptical properties of a family of o‐oligo(phenyleneethynylene) (o‐OPE) derivatives with different steric hindrance. Experimental results show high dissymmetry factors (g_abs and g_lum up to 1.1 × 10^?2) and very similar electronic circular dichroism (ECD) and circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) for all the derivatives that make this basic o‐OPE scaffold a robust pure organic emitter. Vibrational circular dichroism spectra are used to characterize conformational properties in solution. Density functional theory and time‐dependent density functional theory calculations support experimental results also proving that ECD and CPL are almost exclusively linked to helical moiety and not to size or conformation of substituents. As chiroptical properties of these emitters are independent of substituents, this OPE scaffold can be used as basic skeleton for the design of sensing probes with high CPL efficiencies.     

Good Computational Practice in the Assignment of Absolute Configurations by TDDFT Calculations of ECD Spectra

Quantum‐mechanical calculations of chiroptical properties have rapidly become the most popular method for assigning absolute configurations (AC) of organic compounds, including natural products. Black‐box time‐dependent Density Functional Theory (TDDFT) calculations of electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra are nowadays readily accessible to nonexperts. However, an uncritical attitude may easily deliver a wrong answer. We present to the Chirality Forum a discussion on what can be called good computational practice in running TDDFT ECD calculations, highlighting the most crucial points with several examples from the recent literature. Chirality 28:466–474, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Absolute configuration of the ocimene monoterpenoids from Artemisia absinthium

The absolute configuration (AC) of the naturally occurring ocimenes (−)‐(3S ,5Z )‐2,6‐dimethyl‐2,3‐epoxyocta‐5,7‐diene ( 1 ) and (−)‐(3S ,5Z )‐2,6‐dimethylocta‐5,7‐dien‐2,3‐diol ( 2 ), isolated from the essential oils of domesticated specimens of Artemisia absinthium , followed by vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) studies of 1 , as well as from the acetonide 3 and the monoacetate 4 , both derived from 2 , since secondary alcohols are not the best functional groups to be present during VCD studies in solution due to intermolecular associations. The AC follows from comparison of experimental and calculated VCD spectra that were obtained by Density Functional Theory computation at the B3LYP/DGDZVP level of theory. Careful nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements were compared with literature values, providing for the first time systematic ¹H and ¹³C chemical shift data. Regarding homonuclear ¹H coupling constants, after performing a few irradiation experiments that showed the presence of several small long‐range interactions, the complete set of coupling constants for 3 , which is representative of the four studied molecules, was determined by iterations using the PERCH software. This procedure even allowed assigning the pro ‐R and pro ‐S methyl group signals of the two gem ‐dimethyl groups present in 3 .     

Molecules‐in‐molecules fragment‐based method for the calculation of chiroptical spectra of large molecules: Vibrational circular dichroism and Raman optical activity spectra of alanine polypeptides

The molecules‐in‐molecules (MIM) fragment‐based method has recently been adapted to evaluate the chiroptical (vibrational circular dichroism [VCD] and Raman optical activity [ROA]) spectra of large molecules such as peptides. In the MIM‐VCD and MIM‐ROA methods, the relevant higher energy derivatives of the parent molecule are assembled from the corresponding derivatives of smaller fragment subsystems. In addition, the missing long‐range interfragment interactions are accounted at a computationally less expensive level of theory (MIM2). In this work we employed the MIM‐VCD and MIM‐ROA fragment‐based methods to explore the evolution of the chiroptical spectroscopic characteristics of 3₁₀‐helix, α‐helix, β‐hairpin, γ‐turn, and β‐extended conformers of gas phase polyalanine (chain length n = 6–14). The different conformers of polyalanine show distinctive features in the MIM chiroptical spectra and the associated spectral intensities increase with evolution of system size. For a better understanding the site‐specific effects on the vibrational spectra, isotopic substitutions were also performed employing the MIM method. An increasing redshift with the number of isotopically labeled ¹³C=O functional groups in the peptide molecule was seen. For larger polypeptides, we implemented the two‐step‐MIM model to circumvent the high computational expense associated with the evaluation of chiroptical spectra at a high level of theory using large basis sets. The chiroptical spectra of α‐(alanine)₂₀ polypeptide obtained using the two‐step‐MIM model, including continuum solvation effects, show good agreement with the full calculations and experiment. This benchmark study suggests that the MIM‐fragment approach can assist in predicting and interpreting chiroptical spectra of large polypeptides.     

Optically Active α‐Phenylethylamine as Efficient Organocatalyst in the Solvent‐free Reactions Between 2,3‐Butanedione and Conjugated Nitroolefins

(R)‐(+) and (S)‐(?)‐1‐phenylethylamine have been shown to promote highly diastereoselective and complementary enantioselective formal [3 + 2]carbocyclization reactions between 2,3‐butanedione and conjugated nitroalkenes with formation of enantiomerically rich 2‐hydroxy‐3‐nitrocyclopentanone derivatives. The reactions were carried out both in solvent and under solvent‐free conditions. The absolute configurations of the products were assigned by X‐ray and circular dichroism spectra analyses. Chirality 24:1005–1012, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Antibacterial and membrane‐damaging activities of β‐bungarotoxin B chain

This study investigates whether the B chain of β‐bungarotoxin exerted antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (Gram‐negative bacteria) and Staphylococcus aureus (Gram‐positive bacteria) via its membrane‐damaging activity. The B chain exhibited a growth inhibition effect on E. coli but did not show a bactericidal effect on S. aureus. The B‐chain bactericidal action on E. coli positively correlated with an increase in membrane permeability in the bacterial cells. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) layer destabilization and lipoteichoic acid (LTA) biosynthesis inhibition in the cell wall increased the B‐chain bactericidal effect on E. coli and S. aureus. The B chain induced leakage and fusion in E. coli and S. aureus membrane‐mimicking liposomes. Compared with LPS, LTA notably suppressed the membrane‐damaging activity and fusogenicity of the B chain. The B chain showed similar binding affinity with LPS and LTA, whereas LPS and LTA binding differently induced B‐chain conformational change as evidenced by the circular dichroism spectra. Taken together, our data indicate that the antibacterial action of the B chain is related to its ability to induce membrane permeability and suggest that the LPS‐induced and LTA‐induced B‐chain conformational change differently affects the bactericidal action of the B chain. Copyright © 2012 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Chiroptical study of cryptophanes subjected to self‐encapsulation

In 1,1,2,2‐tetrachloroethane‐d₂, the ¹²⁹Xe NMR spectrum of the Xe@cryptophane‐223 complex bearing seven acetate groups (Xe@ 1 complex) shows an unusually broad signal compared with that of its congeners (Chapellet, LL. et al. J. Org. Chem. 2015 ;80:6143–6151). To interpret this unexpected behaviour, a ¹H NMR analysis and a thorough study of the chiroptical properties of 1 as a function of the nature of the solvent have been performed. The ¹H NMR spectra of 1 reveal that a self‐encapsulation phenomenon takes place in DMSO‐d₆ and 1,1,2,2‐tetrachloroethane‐d₂ solvents. Thanks to the separation of the two enantiomers of 1 by HPLC on chiral stationary phase, the two enantiomers of 1 have been studied in detail by polarimetry, electronic (ECD), and vibrational (VCD) circular dichroism spectroscopies. Except for ECD spectroscopy, these chiroptical techniques reveal spectroscopic changes as a function of the nature of the solvent. For instance, in DMSO and 1,1,2,2‐tetrachloroethane, in which the self‐encapsulation phenomenon takes place, the sign of the specific optical rotation of [CD(?)₂₅₄]‐ 1 and [CD(+)₂₅₄]‐ 1 is changed. These results have then been compared with those obtained with cryptophane‐223 bearing only one acetate group on the propylenedioxy linker (compound 2 ) and with cryptophane‐223 bearing six acetate groups (compound 3 ). A self‐encapsulation phenomenon is also observed with compound 2 . Finally, compounds 2 and 3 show different chiroptical properties compared with those obtained with the two enantiomers of compound 1 .     

Chiroptical Properties of Streptorubin B: The Synergy Between Theory and Experiment

Analysis of the calculated and measured optical rotation (OR) together with other calculated chiroptical properties such as electronic circular dichroism (ECD) and vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) of the prodigiosin alkaloid streptorubin B shows that these are dominated by the pseudoenantiomeric atropisomers anti‐(S)‐streptorubin B ( 1A ) and syn‐(S)‐streptorubin ( 1B ). Atropisomerism is a dynamic phenomenon with a potentially nonequilibrium population of isomers, and accordingly the measured chiroptical responses may vary with time, concentration, temperature, and the anion of the salts used. Streptorubin also has the potential to form stacked homodimers for which the optical rotations measured at 589 nm can vary greatly due to the presence of ECD‐active electronic transitions in this region. Chirality 27:745–751, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Chirality sensing of bioactive compounds with amino alcohol unit via circular dichroism

The aim of the present work was to test various chiroptical techniques, including in particular the in situ dirhodium methodology, to assign the absolute configuration of 1,2‐ and 1,3‐amino alcohols. As models, we selected mainly compounds that have both an additional strongly absorbing and interfering chromophoric system and application in medicinal chemistry. Determination of the absolute configuration (AC) of the tested molecules such as cinchona alkaloids, Tamiflu, and others was carried out using a combination of electronic and vibrational circular dichroism (ECD, VCD) spectroscopy. It has been demonstrated that both 1,2‐ and 1,3‐aminol moieties are subject to the same sector rule correlating stereostructure of formed Rh₂‐complex with chiroptical properties, and that the changes in the position of the stereogenic center do not affect its proper use.     

Enantiomeric 4‐Acylamino‐6‐alkyloxy‐2 Alkylthiopyrimidines As Potential A3 Adenosine Receptor Antagonists: HPLC Chiral Resolution and Absolute Configuration Assignment by a Full Set of Chiroptical Spectroscopy

The chiral separation of enantiomeric couples of three potential A₃ adenosine receptor antagonists: (R/S)‐N‐(6‐(1‐phenylethoxy)‐2‐(propylthio)pyrimidin‐4‐yl)acetamide ( 1 ), (R/S)‐N‐(2‐(1‐phenylethylthio)‐6‐propoxypyrimidin‐4‐yl)acetamide ( 2 ), and (R/S)‐N‐(2‐(benzylthio)‐6‐sec‐butoxypyrimidin‐4‐yl)acetamide ( 3 ) was achieved by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Three types of chiroptical spectroscopies, namely, optical rotatory dispersion (ORD), electronic circular dichroism (ECD), and vibrational circular dichroism (VCD), were applied to enantiomeric compounds. Through comparison with Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations, encompassing extensive conformational analysis, full assignment of the absolute configuration (AC) for the three sets of compounds was obtained. Chirality 28:434–440, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Absolute Configuration Determination and Convenient Asymmetric Synthesis of cis-3-(9-Anthryl)cyclohexanol with Proline as a Catalyst

cis‐(3R)‐(9‐anthryl) derivative of cyclohexanol was conveniently obtained in enantiomerically pure form from 2‐cyclohexenone using asymmetric Michael addition of anthrone catalyzed by l ‐proline in a key step. The absolute configuration of the addition product was unequivocally determined by means of electronic circular dichroism measurements combined with calculation of the circular dichroism spectrum by using a density functional theory method. Chirality 24:833–839, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Chiroptical Studies on Supramolecular Chirality of Molecular Aggregates

The attempts of applying chiroptical spectroscopy to supramolecular chirality are reviewed with a focus on vibrational circular dichroism (VCD). Examples were taken from gels, solids, and monolayers formed by low‐molecular mass weight chiral gelators. Particular attention was paid to a group of gelators with perfluoroalkyl chains. The effects of the helical conformation of the perfluoroalkyl chains on the formation of chiral architectures are reported. It is described how the conformation of a chiral gelator was determined by comparing the experimental and theoretical VCD spectra together with a model proposed for the molecular aggregation in fibrils. The results demonstrate the potential utility of the chiroptical method in analyzing organized chiral aggregates. Chirality 27:659–666, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Synthesis of Diastereomeric Bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane Dibenzoyl Esters and Study of Their Chiroptical Properties

A synthesis of diastereomeric bicyclic dibenzoyl esters derived from enantiomerically pure (1S,5S)‐bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane‐2,6‐dione was accomplished. Molecules containing two benzoyl chromophores with different configuration in the bicyclic framework were obtained. Chiroptical properties of the synthesized enantiomerically pure molecules were studied. Diastereomeric esters exhibited exciton couplets in the circular dichroism (CD) spectra because of transannular interaction between non‐conjugated benzoate chromophores. The conformational effects and solvent impact on the exciton coupling were examined by CD spectroscopy. Theoretical computation of the CD spectra of diastereomers correctly reproduced the sign of the exciton couplets in the studied molecules, however, no major solvent dielectric constant influence and conformational effects per se on the exciton coupling was observed. Chirality 24:810–816, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Chemoenzymatic Approach to Optically Active 4‐Hydroxy‐5‐alkylcyclopent‐2‐en‐1‐one Derivatives: An Application of a Combined Circular Dichroism Spectroscopy and DFT Calculations to Assignment of Absolute Configuration

A series of representative optically active derivatives of 4‐hydroxy‐5‐alkylcyclopent‐2‐en‐1‐one were prepared from the respective 2‐furyl methyl carbinols via the Piancatelli rearrangement followed by the enzymatic kinetic resolution of racemates. Applicability of chiroptical methods (experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism [ECD] and vibrational circular dichroism [VCD] spectra) to determine the absolute configuration of both stereogenic centers in 4‐hydroxy‐5‐methylcyclopent‐2‐en‐1‐one was demonstrated. It was also demonstrated that the concurrent application of ECD and VCD spectroscopy can be used for the determination of the configuration of two stereogenic centers. Chirality 26:300–306, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Synthesis and chiroptical properties of organometallic complexes of helicenic N‐heterocyclic carbenes

Novel [4, 6]helicenes ( 4a,b ) bearing a fused imidazolium unit have been prepared from [4, 6]helicene‐2,3‐di‐n‐propyl‐amines 3a,b . The in situ formation of N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) derivatives followed by their complexation to iridium(I) or rhodium(I) gave access to complexes 1a , 1′a , and 1b , containing mono‐coordinated helicene‐NHC, chloro and COD (COD = 1,5‐cyclooctadiene) ligands. Ir and Rh complexes 1a and 1′a were characterized by X‐ray crystallography. HPLC and NMR analyses showed that Ir(I) complex 1b existed as a mixture of two diastereomeric complexes corresponding to enantiomeric pairs M‐(?)/P‐(+)‐ 1b ¹ and M‐(?)/P‐(+)‐ 1b ² which differ by the position of COD through space. The chiroptical properties (electronic circular dichroism and optical rotation) of the four stereoisomers were measured. These complexes were also tested as catalysts in a transfer hydrogenation reaction.     

Conformation change of hornet silk proteins in the solid phase in response to external stimulation

Hornet silks adopt a variety of morphology such as fibers, sponge, films, and gels depending on the preparation methods. We have studied the conformation change of hornet silk proteins (Vespa mandarina) as regenerated films, using chiroptical spectrophotometer universal chiroptical spectrophotometer 1, which can measure true circular dichroism spectra without artifact signals that are intrinsic to solid‐state samples. The spectra showed that the proteins in films alter the conformation rapidly from the α‐helix to the coiled coil and then to a β‐sheet structure in response to heat/moisture treatment, but the transformation stopped at the coiled coil state when the sample was soaked in EtOH/water solution. Water is required for the α‐helix to the coiled coil transition, and extra energy is required for the further transition to a β‐sheet structure. This is the first successful circular dichroism study of fibril silk proteins to follow the conformation changes in the solid state. This work shows that proteins can undergo conformational changes easily even in the solid phase in response to external stimuli, and this can be traced by solid‐phase‐feasible chiroptical spectrophotometers. Application of unnatural stress to proteins gives valuable insights into their structure and characteristics.     

VCD studies on cyclic peptides assembled from L‐α‐amino acids and a trans‐2‐aminocyclopentane‐ or trans‐2‐aminocyclohexane carboxylic acid

The increasing interest in peptidomimetics of biological relevance prompted us to synthesize a series of cyclic peptides comprising trans‐2‐aminocyclohexane carboxylic acid (Achc) or trans‐2‐aminocyclopentane carboxylic acid (Acpc). NMR experiments in combination with MD calculations were performed to investigate the three‐dimensional structure of the cyclic peptides. These data were compared to the conformational information obtained by electronic circular dichroism (ECD) and vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectroscopy. Experimental VCD spectra were compared to theoretical VCD spectra computed quantum chemically at B3LYP/6‐31G(d) density functional theory (DFT) level. The good agreement between the structural features derived from the VCD spectra and the NMR‐based structures underlines the applicability of VCD in studying the conformation of small cyclic peptides. Copyright © 2010 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.