1H nuclear magnetic resonance studies of N-acetyl-L-proline N-methylamide. Molecular conformations, hydrogen bondings, and thermodynamic quantitites in various solvents.

Abstract

AbstractConcentration and temperature dependences of the 1H nmr spectra of N‐acetyl‐L‐proline N‐methylamide were observed in various solvents [CCl4, CDCl3, (CD3)2CO, (CD3)2SO, H2O, and D2O]. The fraction of the cis isomer (with respect to the bond between the acetyl carbonyl carbon and prolyl nitrogen atoms) depends greatly on the solvent used; the fraction of the cis isomer is higher in polar solvents than in nonpolar solvents. It depends also on concentration and temperature in nonpolar solvents but not in polar solvents. In nonpolar solvents the trans isomer mostly exists in the γ‐turn structure with an intramolecular hydrogen bond and the cis isomer tends to form molecular aggregates by intermolecular hydrogen bonds. In polar solvents both the cis and trans isomers exist in monomeric forms which interact with solvent molecules. The pH dependences of the N‐methyl proton resonances indicate that the γ‐turn structure of the trans isomer is present also in aqueous solution, though its population is difficult to determine. Apparent enthalpy and entropy changes for the conversion of the trans isomer to cis isomer are evaluated for various solvents. The results are discussed in terms of the intra‐ and intermolecular hydrogen bondings.