Adjacent Hydrogen Bonds Research Articles

Theoretical study on the cascaded double proton transfer mechanism involving two adjacent hydrogen bonds in conjugated organic molecules

The cascaded double proton transfer reaction has attracted the interest of many researchers due to its effective six-level system cycle. Herein, the double proton transfer mechanism of naphthalene-based analog NDH and anthracene-based analog ADH in different solvents is investigated using density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT). The results indicate that the first occurrence of excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) in NDH and ADH is an ultrafast, barrierless process. Additionally, ADH undergoes a second ESIPT reaction, radiating a wider range of fluorescence spectrum. Theoretical studies reveal that this is due to the significantly increased hydrogen bond strength of ADH compared to NDH in the first excited (S1) state, creating favorable conditions for the second ESIPT. Analysis of electronic properties indicates that ADH exhibits enhanced chemical and kinetic activity, with a more pronounced intramolecular charge transfer (ICT), leading to increased stability of the keto structure (KB2*) after the second ESIPT. Finally, we identify the factors influencing the cascaded double proton transfer reaction. The second ESIPT process is promoted by extending the π-conjugated skeleton of the core molecule horizontally and leveraging the driving force provided by the H3 atom near the proton donor O3–H2. It is expected that these studies will provide theoretical guidance and new insights for the design and synthesis of near infrared (NIR) organic materials.

Intermolecular interactions in the crystalline structure of some polyhalogenated Di– And triamino Pyridines: Spectroscopical perspectives

Supramolecular synthon is identified as a unit and provides important structural and energetic information in the study of organic crystals. However, the direct estimation of the supramolecular interaction remains challenging. In the present work six polyhalogenated di– or triamino pyridines were synthesised, their crystalline structure was characterised, and corresponding supramolecular synthons were studied using a combination of quantum mechanical calculations and FT–IR and Raman spectroscopy. Some distinctive features were identified especially for three vibrational normal modes (RNMs) related to the pyridine ring (viz. RNM1, RNM3 and RNM7) in the vibrational spectra (FT–IR and Raman) of the solid samples, which are due to the supramolecular interactions, hydrogen bond (hb) in particular, according to the quantum mechanical calculations. The comparison between the IR and Raman spectra of experimental and simulated results indicates that the adjacent intermolecular hydrogen bonds between two same molecules extensively exist in the solid samples. Moreover, some quantitative correlation was established among the dimerisation energies for hb dimers (hb1 dimers for compounds 1 and 2), the ring structure defined by the distribution of the substituents and quantitative characteristics of the vibrational spectra, for instance, the splitting magnitudes for RNM3(2) in IR spectra and the peak gap between RNM1 and RNM2 in Raman spectra.

Nature of the Hydrogen Bond Enhanced Halogen Bond.

The factors responsible for the enhancement of the halogen bond by an adjacent hydrogen bond have been quantitatively explored by means of state-of-the-art computational methods. It is found that the strength of a halogen bond is enhanced by ca. 3 kcal/mol when the halogen donor simultaneously operates as a halogen bond donor and a hydrogen bond acceptor. This enhancement is the result of both stronger electrostatic and orbital interactions between the XB donor and the XB acceptor, which indicates a significant degree of covalency in these halogen bonds. In addition, the halogen bond strength can be easily tuned by modifying the electron density of the aryl group of the XB donor as well as the acidity of the hydrogen atoms responsible for the hydrogen bond.

Theoretical, Solid-State, and Solution Quantification of the Hydrogen Bond-Enhanced Halogen Bond.

Proximal noncovalent forces are commonplace in natural systems and understanding the consequences of their juxtaposition is critical. This paper experimentally quantifies for the first time a Hydrogen Bond-Enhanced Halogen Bond (HBeXB) without the complexities of protein structure or preorganization. An HBeXB is a halogen bond that has been strengthened when the halogen donor simultaneously accepts a hydrogen bond. Our theoretical studies suggest that electron-rich halogen bond donors are strengthened most by an adjacent hydrogen bond. Furthermore, stronger hydrogen bond donors enhance the halogen bond the most. X-ray crystal structures of halide complexes (X- =Br- , I- ) reveal that HBeXBs produce shorter halogen bonds than non-hydrogen bond analogues. 19 F NMR titrations with chloride highlight that the HBeXB analogue exhibits stronger binding. Together, these results form the foundation for future studies concerning hydrogen bonds and halogen bonds in close proximity.

Theoretical, Solid‐State, and Solution Quantification of the Hydrogen Bond‐Enhanced Halogen Bond

AbstractProximal noncovalent forces are commonplace in natural systems and understanding the consequences of their juxtaposition is critical. This paper experimentally quantifies for the first time a Hydrogen Bond‐Enhanced Halogen Bond (HBeXB) without the complexities of protein structure or preorganization. An HBeXB is a halogen bond that has been strengthened when the halogen donor simultaneously accepts a hydrogen bond. Our theoretical studies suggest that electron‐rich halogen bond donors are strengthened most by an adjacent hydrogen bond. Furthermore, stronger hydrogen bond donors enhance the halogen bond the most. X‐ray crystal structures of halide complexes (X−=Br−, I−) reveal that HBeXBs produce shorter halogen bonds than non‐hydrogen bond analogues. 19F NMR titrations with chloride highlight that the HBeXB analogue exhibits stronger binding. Together, these results form the foundation for future studies concerning hydrogen bonds and halogen bonds in close proximity.

Cooperative Effect of the Two Hydrogen Bonding Types on 11/9‐Helical Folding of α/β‐Peptides

α/β‐Peptide 11/9‐helix is an unconventional helical structure in which 11‐ and 9‐membered ring hydrogen bonds alternate along the helical axis. We have examined the interplay and the relative strength of these two hydrogen bonding types by IR, NMR, and X‐ray crystallographic methods. A pair of two adjacent hydrogen bonds with opposite directionality cooperatively stabilized each other in non‐hydrogen‐bonding solvents. In contrast, an unpaired hydrogen bond was unstable to promote helical folding. The IR and the NMR data of α/β‐depsipeptides suggested that a 9‐membered ring hydrogen bond is favored over an 11‐membered ring hydrogen bond.

(Invited) Superconformal Film Growth:Impact of Additives and Deposition on Hydrophilicity

State of the art manufacturing of semiconductor devices involves electrodeposition of copper for device wiring and more recently for through-silicon-vias (TSVs). The process depends on the use of electrolyte additives that affect the local deposition rate thereby resulting in superconformal, or bottom–up “superfilling” of trenches and vias. Quantitative descriptions based on mass balance analysis of the additives and their effect on the local deposition rate have been shown to be effective for describing Damascene feature filling (CEAC, Curvature Enhanced Coverage Mechanism) and larger scale TSV filling (S_NDR, S-shaped negative differential resistance models). Despite the success of these processes much remains to be known concerning the detailed molecular nature of the competitive co-adsorption processes involved in both the suppression and acceleration of the metal deposition reaction. Accordingly, the application of in situ surface science tools such as in situ STM and SEIRAS towards a better understanding of the additive interaction will also be detailed. These studies show that the addition of Cl- to an acidified CuSO4 electrolyte displaces co-adsorbed SO4 2--water species from the Cu surface. The rapidly formed ordered halide overlayer disrupts the adjacent solvent hydrogen bond network to create a hydrophobic interface that facilitates co-adsorption of polyethers, such as poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), polyoxamers (EPE), polyoxamines (TET), that are known to block the Cu deposition reaction by limiting access of Cu2+ aq to the underlying metal surface. When challenged by bis-(3-sodium sulfopropyl disulfide) (SPS), or mercaptopropane sulfonate (MPS), competitive disulfide/thiol adsorption leads to disruption and displacement of the polymer suppressor. The disulfide/thiol head group tethers SPS/MPS to the surface, via Cu adatoms or defects in the Cl- covered surface, while the SO3 - terminal group makes the interface hydrophilic which accounts for its anti-suppressor action. The potential dependence of competitive SPS adsorption and its dependence on the strength of polyether adsorption were measured.

The influence of the adjacent hydrogen bond on the hydroxylation processes mediated by cytochrome P450 side-chain cleavage enzyme

The conversion of cholesterol to pregnenolone is a physiologically essential process which initiates with two sequential hydroxylation processes catalyzed by cytochrome P450 side-chain cleavage enzyme (P450SCC). Extensive efforts have been exerted; however, the mechanistic details remain obscure. In this work, we employed the dispersion-corrected density functional theoretical (DFT-D) calculations to investigate the mechanistic details of such hydroxylation processes. Calculated results reveal that the active intermediate Compound I (CpdI) of P450SCC hydroxylates cholesterol efficiently, which coincides with previous spectrometric observations. The hydrogen bond effect of water molecule within the active site lowers the energy barrier significantly. Intriguingly, the adjacent hydrogen bond (H-bond) between the hydroxyl group of the substrate and the oxo group of CpdI in the second hydroxylation affects the H-abstraction significantly. Such H-bond was weakened during the C-H bond activation process, increasing the energy barriers by approximately 2 kcal/mol, which is different to the intermolecular H-bond effect of water903 found by Shaik et al. that decreases the barrier by about 4 kcal/mol. Such adjacent H-bond also affects the transition state by bending the alignment of the C-H-O moiety, and consequently lowering the kinetic isotope effect values. Besides, a series of DFT-D calculations (Grimme's D2, D3-zero, and D3-BJ methods) were performed and accessed to find out an appropriate protocol for H-bond containing hydroxylation process. Our results show that DFT-D single-point energies (SPE) based on geometries optimized with non-dispersion-corrected DFT varies drastically and sometime presents unreasonable results. DFT-D SPE calculations on DFT-D optimized geometries present stable and reasonable results.

Assembly of three novel metal (II) complexes based on polycarboxylate and 1,10-phenanthroline ligands

With the principles of crystal engineering, three novel metal(II) complexes, [Cu2(betd)(phen)4].15H2O (1), [Cd4(betd)2(phen)8]⋅28H2O (2) and {[Co2(betd)(phen)2(H2O)2]·2H2O}n (3) (H4betd=bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-7-ene-2,3,5,6-tetracarboxylic acid, phen=1,10-phenanthroline) were synthesized and structurally characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectroscopy, single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses, TGA, powder XRD and fluorescent measurements. Complex 1 is a binuclear structure, novel water tapes are observed to be encapsulated in the 3D open supramolecular architecture by hydrogen bond interactions. In 2, two pairs of CdII ions joined with two (betd)4− ions to form a cyclic tetranuclear structure. The neighboring tetranuclear units are linked into 2D network through π⋯π stacking interactions. Interestingly, the lattice H2O molecules are joined by strong hydrogen bond interactions generating a wavy water layer, which contacts the 2D network to form 3D supramolecular structure. 3 shows a 2D (4,4) grid network, which are assembled in an ABAB sequence to 3D supramolecular structures via π⋯π stacking interactions between two central phen ligands from two adjacent sheets and hydrogen bond interactions.

The Single Crystal X-ray Structure of β-Hematin DMSO Solvate Grown in the Presence of Chloroquine, a β-Hematin Growth-Rate Inhibitor

Single crystals of solvated β-hematin were grown from a DMSO solution containing the antimalarial drug chloroquine, a known inhibitor of β-hematin formation. In addition, a kinetics study employing biomimetic lipid-water emulsion conditions was undertaken to further investigate the effect of chloroquine and quinidine on the formation of β-hematin. Scanning electron microscopy shows that the external morphology of the β-hematin DMSO solvate crystals is almost indistinguishable from that of malaria pigment (hemozoin), and single crystal X-ray diffraction confirms the presence of μ-propionato coordination dimers of iron(III) protoporphyrin IX. The free propionic acid functional groups of adjacent dimers hydrogen bond to included DMSO molecules, rather than forming carboxylic acid dimers. The observed exponential kinetics were modeled using the Avrami equation, with an Avrami constant equal to 1. The decreased rate of β-hematin formation observed at low concentrations of both drugs could be accounted for by assuming a mechanism of drug adsorption to sites on the fastest growing face of β-hematin. This behavior was modeled using the Langmuir isotherm. Higher concentrations of drug resulted in decreased final yields of β-hematin, and an irreversible drug-induced precipitation of iron(III) protoporphyrin IX was postulated to account for this. The model permits determination of the equilibrium adsorption constant (K(ads)). The values for chloroquine (log K(ads) = 5.55 ± 0.03) and quinidine (log K(ads) = 4.92 ± 0.01) suggest that the approach may be useful as a relative probe of the mechanism of action of novel antimalarial compounds.

H/D Isotopic and Temperature Effects in the Polarized IR Spectra of Hydrogen-Bond Cyclic Trimers in the Crystal Lattices of Acetone Oxime and 3,5-Dimethylpyrazole

Polarized IR spectra of hydrogen-bonded acetone oxime and 3,5-dimethylpyrazole crystals were measured at 293 and 77 K in the ν(X-H) and ν(X-D) band frequency ranges. These crystals contain molecular trimers in their lattices. The individual crystal spectral properties remain in a close relation with the electronic structure of the two different molecular systems. We show that a vibronic coupling mechanism involving the hydrogen-bond protons and the electrons on the π-electronic systems in the molecules determines the way in which the vibrational exciton coupling between the hydrogen bonds in the trimers occurs. A strong coupling in 3,5-dimethylpyrazole trimers prefers a "tail-to-head"-type Davydov coupling widespread via the π-electrons. A weak through-space exciton coupling in acetone oxime trimers involves three adjacent hydrogen bonds in each cycle. The relative contribution of each exciton coupling mechanism in the trimer spectra generation is temperature and the molecular electronic structure-dependent. This explains the observed difference in the temperature-induced evolution of the compared spectra. The mechanism of the H/D isotopic "self-organization" processes in the crystal hydrogen bonds was also analyzed. The two types of the hydrogen-bond trimers exhibit the same way, in which the H/D isotopic recognition mechanism occurs. In acetone oxime and 3,5-dimethylpyrazole trimers, identical hydrogen isotope atoms exist in these entire hydrogen-bond systems.

Electronic properties of two adjacent intramolecular hydrogen bonds and their effects to the molecular charge distribution: Experimental synchrotron microcrystal and DFT computational study

The experimental crystal structure and corresponding theoretical electron density determination of 2-hydroxy-4,4-dimethyl-6-oxo-cyclohex-1-ene carboxy amide is reported with special focus on two adjacent intramolecular hydrogen bonds (O–H⋯O and N–H⋯O). The possible tautomeric forms are studied and their theoretical populations in the gas phase were determined. Additionally, theoretical models which refer to the title compound were optimized and investigated in terms of the combined analysis of ED-topology, energy densities, electron localizability indicator (ELI), delocalization index and source function (SF). This analysis confirmed the O–H⋯O interactions to be resonance assisted and of medium strength, while the N–H⋯O interactions are rather weak. Moreover, in all cases the hydrogen bond strength and amount of resonance in the six-membered rings is related to the type of interaction (O–H⋯O and/or N–H⋯O) and to the molecular symmetry.

H/D isotopic recognition mechanism in hydrogen-bonded crystals of 3-methylacetanilide and 4-methylacetanilide

Polarized IR spectra of 3- and 4-methylacetanilide as well as their deuterium derivative crystals were measured at 293K and at 77K by a transmission method. The obtained results were interpreted within the limits of the “strong-coupling” theory. This approach facilitated the understanding of the H/D isotopic, temperature and dichroic effects observed in the hydrogen bond IR spectra. The existence of H/D isotopic “self-organization” phenomenon, depending on the non-random distribution of protons and deuterons in the crystal lattices of isotopically diluted samples of a compound was ascertained. This effect resulted from the dynamical co-operative interactions involving the closely spaced hydrogen bonds, each belonging to a different chain of associated 3- and 4-methylacetanilide molecules. In the case of 4-methylacetanilide crystals weaker but non-negligible exciton coupling also involved adjacent hydrogen bonds in each molecular chain and the H/D isotopic “self-organization” mechanism concerned at least four hydrogen bonds from each unit cell. The source of these phenomena was ascribed to the molecular electronic properties determined by aromatic rings linked to nitrogen atoms of the amide fragments.

H/D isotopic recognition in hydrogen bonded systems: H/D isotopic self-organization effects in the IR spectra of the hydrogen bond in 2-methylimidazole crystals

Polarized IR spectra of H12 345 2-methylimidazole and of its H1D2 345, D1H2 345 and D12 345 deuterium derivative crystals are reported and interpreted within the limits of the “ strong- coupling” theory. The spectra interpretation facilitated the recognition of the H/D isotopic “ self-organization” phenomenon, which depends on a non-random distribution of protons and deuterons in the lattices of isotopically diluted crystal samples. The H/D isotopic “ self- organization” mechanism engaged all four hydrogen bonds from each unit cell. These effects basically resulted from the dynamical co- operative interactions involving adjacent hydrogen bonds in each hydrogen bond chain. A weaker exciton coupling involved the closely spaced hydrogen bonds; each belonging to a different chain of associated 2-methylimidazole molecules. The high intensity of the narrow band at ca. 1880 cm −1 was interpreted as the result of coupling between the γ N–H⋯N proton bending “ out of plane” vibration overtone and the ν N–H proton stretching vibration.

H/D Isotopic Recognition in Hydrogen-Bonded Systems: Strong Dynamical Coupling Effects in the Polarized IR Spectra of 3-Methylthioacetanilide and 4-Methylthioacetanilide Crystals

This paper presents the investigation results of the polarized IR spectra of the hydrogen bond in crystals of 3- and 4-methylthioacetanilide. The spectra were measured at 293 and 77 K by a transmission method, with the use of polarized light. The main spectral properties of the crystals can be interpreted satisfactorily in terms of the "strong-coupling" theory, on the basis of the hydrogen bond centrosymmetric dimer model. The spectra revealed that the strongest vibrational exciton coupling involved the closely spaced hydrogen bonds, each belonging to a different chain of associated 3- and 4-methylthioacetanilide molecules. A weaker exciton coupling involved the adjacent hydrogen bonds in each individual chain. It was proven that a nonrandom distribution of the protons and deuterons took place in the lattices of isotopically diluted crystalline samples of 3- and 4-methylthioacetanilide. In each case, the H/D isotopic "self-organization" mechanism involved all four hydrogen bonds from each unit cell.

An AAAA–DDDD quadruple hydrogen-bond array

Secondary electrostatic interactions between adjacent hydrogen bonds can have a significant effect on the stability of a supramolecular complex. In theory, the binding strength should be maximized if all the hydrogen-bond donors (D) are on one component and all the hydrogen-bond acceptors (A) are on the other. Here, we describe a readily accessible AAAA–DDDD quadruple hydrogen-bonding array that exhibits exceptionally strong binding for a small-molecule hydrogen-bonded complex in a range of different solvents (K(a) > 3 × 10(12) M(-1) in CH2Cl2, 1.5 × 10(6) M(-1) in CH3CN and 3.4 × 10(5) M(-1) in 10% v/v DMSO/CHCl3). The association constant in CH2Cl2 corresponds to a binding free energy (ΔG) in excess of –71 kJ mol(-1) (more than 20% of the thermodynamic stability of a carbon–carbon covalent bond), which is remarkable for a supramolecular complex held together by just four intercomponent hydrogen bonds.

Enhancement of Hydrophobic Interactions and Hydrogen Bond Strength by Cooperativity: Synthesis, Modeling, and Molecular Dynamics Simulations of a Congeneric Series of Thrombin Inhibitors

Accurately predicting the binding affinity of ligands to their receptors by computational methods is one of the major challenges in structure-based drug design. One of the potentially significant errors in these predictions is the common assumption that the ligand binding affinity contributions of noncovalent interactions are additive. Herein we present data obtained from two separate series of thrombin inhibitors containing hydrophobic side chains of increasing size that bind in the S3 pocket and with, or without, an adjacent amine that engages in a hydrogen bond with Gly 216. The first series of inhibitors has a m-chlorobenzyl moiety binding in the S1 pocket, and the second has a benzamidine moiety. When the adjacent hydrogen bond is present, the enhanced binding affinity per A(2) of hydrophobic contact surface in the S3 pocket improves by 75% and 59%, respectively, over the inhibitors lacking this hydrogen bond. This improvement of the binding affinity per A(2) demonstrates cooperativity between the hydrophobic interaction and the hydrogen bond.

Strong Hydrogen Bond between Glutamic Acid 46 and Chromophore Leads to the Intermediate Spectral Form and Excited State Proton Transfer in the Y42F Mutant of the Photoreceptor Photoactive Yellow Protein

In the Y42F mutant of photoactive yellow protein (PYP) the photoreceptor is in an equilibrium between two dark states, the yellow and intermediate spectral forms, absorbing at 457 and 390 nm, respectively. The nature of this equilibrium and the light-induced protonation and structural changes in the two spectral forms were characterized by transient absorption, fluorescence, FTIR, and pH indicator dye experiments. In the yellow form, the oxygen of the deprotonated p-hydroxycinnamoyl chromophore is linked by a strong low-barrier hydrogen bond to the protonated carboxyl group of Glu46 and by a weaker one to Thr50. Using FTIR, we find that the band due to the carbonyl of the protonated side chain of Glu46 is shifted from 1736 cm(-1) in wild type to 1724 cm(-1) in the yellow form of Y42F, implying a stronger hydrogen bond with the deprotonated chromophore in Y42F. The FTIR data suggest moreover that in the intermediate spectral form the chromophore is protonated and Glu46 deprotonated. Flash spectroscopy (50 ns-10 s) shows that the photocycles of the two forms are essentially the same except for a transition around 5 mus that has opposite signs in the two forms and is due to the chemical relaxation between the two dark states. The two cycles are coupled, likely by excited state proton transfer. The Y42F cycle differs from wild type by the occurrence of a new intermediate with protonated chromophore between the usual I(1) and I(2) intermediates which we call I(1)H (370 nm). Transient fluorescence measurements indicate that in I(1)H the chromophore retains the orientation it had in I(1). Transient proton uptake occurs with a time constant of 230 mus and a stoichiometry of 1. No proton uptake was associated however with the formation of the I(1)H intermediate and the relaxation of the yellow/intermediate equilibrium. These protonation changes of the chromophore thus occur intramolecularly. The chromophore-Glu46 hydrogen bond in Y42F is shorter than in wild type, since the adjacent chromophore-Y42 hydrogen bond is replaced by a longer one with Thr50. This facilitates proton transfer from Glu46 to the chromophore in the dark by lowering the barrier, leading to the protonation equilibrium and causing the rapid light-induced proton transfer which couples the cycles.

AAA−DDD Triple Hydrogen Bond Complexes

Experiment and theory both suggest that the AAA-DDD pattern of hydrogen bond acceptors (A) and donors (D) is the arrangement of three contiguous hydrogen bonding centers that results in the strongest association between two species. Murray and Zimmerman prepared the first example of such a system (complex 3*2) and determined the lower limit of its association constant (K(a)) in CDCl(3) to be 10(5) M(-1) by (1)H NMR spectroscopy (Murray, T. J. and Zimmerman, S. C. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1992, 114, 4010-4011). The first cationic AAA-DDD pair (3*4(+)) was described by Bell and Anslyn (Bell, D. A. and Anslyn, E. A. Tetrahedron 1995, 51, 7161-7172), with a K(a) > 5 x 10(5) M(-1) in CH(2)Cl(2) as determined by UV-vis spectroscopy. We were recently able to quantify the strength of a neutral AAA-DDD arrangement using a more chemically stable AAA-DDD system, 6*2, which has an association constant of 2 x 10(7) M(-1) in CH(2)Cl(2) (Djurdjevic, S., Leigh, D. A., McNab, H., Parsons, S., Teobaldi, G. and Zerbetto, F. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2007, 129, 476-477). Here we report on further AA(A) and DDD partners, together with the first precise measurement of the association constant of a cationic AAA-DDD species. Complex 6*10(+)[B(3,5-(CF(3))(2)C(6)H(3))(4)(-)] has a K(a) = 3 x 10(10) M(-1) at RT in CH(2)Cl(2), by far the most strongly bound triple hydrogen bonded system measured to date. The X-ray crystal structure of 6*10(+) with a BPh(4)(-) counteranion shows a planar array of three short (NH...N distances 1.95-2.15 A), parallel (but staggered rather than strictly linear; N-H...N angles 165.4-168.8 degrees), primary hydrogen bonds. These are apparently reinforced, as theory predicts, by close electrostatic interactions (NH-*-N distances 2.78-3.29 A) between each proton and the acceptor atoms of the adjacent primary hydrogen bonds.

Evaluation of triproline and tri-α-methylproline chiral stationary phases: Retention and enantioseparation associated with hydrogen bonding

In this study, to demonstrate preparation strategy and improve understanding of chiral recognition mechanisms, triproline chiral stationary phases (CSPs) were evaluated with a series of analytes classified as having none, one, two or three H-bond donors. The average retention factors and mobile phase strength generally followed none < one < two < three hydrogen bond donors. The average solvent volume ratio (H r stands for average hexane volume ratio in the mobile phase, Hp r for heptane, ACN r for acetonitrile, or H 2O r for water) normalized chromatographic parameters calculated for di-, tri-, tetra-, penta-, hexa-, and decaproline CSPs facilitated the characterization of properties associated to the H-bond donor categorization. The H r of triproline CSP were 1.0, 0.96 and 0.88 for analyte of none, one and two hydrogen bond donors with hexane/2-propanol mobile phase, respectively. The number of hydrogen bond donors in an analyte was found to be a primary factor in influencing the retention and enantioseparation in the normal-phase and polar organic modes. Two H-bond acceptor solvents methyl tert-butyl ether and ethyl acetate increased chiral separation on oligoproline CSPs for some compounds. The role of carbon-donor hydrogen bonding at the H atom of proline asymmetric center was implied through testing a tri-α-methylproline stationary phase. On oligoproline CSPs, three factors including adjacent hydrogen bond acceptor and carbon-donor, and a rigid proline residue chain were recognized as important for contributing to the broad enantioselectivity. The α hydrogen atom on chiral center of stationary phase was found to play a crucial role in enantiomeric discrimination.