Reliable evaluation of molecular structure of methyl 3-O-nitro-α-d-glucopyranoside and its intermediates by means of solid-state NMR spectroscopy and DFT optimization in the absence of appropriate crystallographic data

Abstract

In this paper the comparative structural analysis of a series of compounds (methyl α-d-glucopyranoside, methyl 4,6-O-ethylidene-α-d-glucopyranoside (2), methyl 2,3-di-O-nitro-4,6-O-ethylidene-α-d-glucopyranoside and methyl 3-O-nitro-4,6-O-ethylidene-α-d-glucopyranoside) by way of synthesis leading to methyl 3-O-nitro-α-d-glucopyranoside (5) is reported. The title compound (5) is a novel d-glucosidic mononitrate having potential biological activity against cardiovascular diseases. The structural analysis was supported by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD), 13C CP/MAS NMR spectroscopy and DFT calculations. In the case of 2 and 5, XRD analysis could not be performed due to the fact that 2 is highly hygroscopic and 5 forms improper crystals. However, the molecular structures of 2 and 5 were obtained on the basis of experimental (existing XRD data for similar compounds) and theoretical (DFT optimization) approaches. This showed of very good agreement with the 13C CP/MAS NMR spectral data.