Ap Conformation Research Articles

Synthesis, crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of 4-{(1E)-1-[(car-bamo-thioyl-amino)-imino]-eth-yl}phenyl propano-ate.

The title compound, C12H15N3O2S, adopts an E configuration with respect to the C=N bond. The propionate group adopts an anti-periplanar (ap) conformation. There are short intra-molecular N-H⋯N and C-H⋯O contacts, forming S(5) and S(6) ring motifs, respectively. In the crystal, mol-ecules are connected into ribbons extending parallel to [010] by pairs of N-H⋯S inter-actions, forming rings with R 2 2(8) graph-set motifs, and by pairs of C-H⋯S inter-actions, where rings with the graph-set motif R 2 1(7) are observed. The O atom of the carbonyl group is disordered over two positions, with a refined occupancy ratio of 0.27 (2):0.73 (2). The studied crystal consisted of two domains.

Sterically Hindered Diarylethenes with a Benzobis(thiadiazole) Bridge: Enantiospecific Transformation and Reversible Photosuperstructures.

ConspectusPhotochromic diarylethenes featuring reversible regulation by external light irradiation have attracted increasing attention in versatile applications such as logic gates, supramolecular systems, liquid crystals, and super-resolution imaging because of their outstanding bistability and fatigue resistance. However, for typical diarylethene systems, there always exist three typical unsolved issues. The first is how to modulate the bistability between the open and closed forms from the viewpoint of ethene bridge aromaticity. The second is how to decrease and avoid the photoinactive parallel conformer in order to achieve a high quantum yield, since the open form possesses the photoactive antiparallel (ap) conformation and the photoinactive parallel (p) conformation. Because of the typical rapid rotation of the flexible side aryl groups, the two conformers cannot be separated efficiently, thereby resulting in a relatively low photocyclization quantum yield. The third is how to fulfill the enantiospecific transformation with reversibility to photomodulate the chirality. Stereochemically, the ap conformer with C2 symmetry can be further subdivided into a pair of enantiomers with P and M helicity originating from the central hexatriene moiety. Similarly, the rapid rotation can also lead to the loss of intrinsic chirality, restricting the development and application of light-driven chiroptical switches. Accordingly, it is desirable to construct a specific diarylethene system to break through these bottlenecks for real versatile applications.Our group has recently developed a unique sterically hindered diarylethene system based on benzobis(thiadiazole) as the ethene bridge for completely solving these issues. We introduce a low-aromaticity benzobis(thiadiazole) unit into the diarylethene as a central ethene bridge with incomparably high bistability. To block or freeze the rotation of flexible side aryls, we further incorporate a large bulky benzothiophene unit to induce a large steric hindrance, or rotation barrier, between the ethene bridge and side aryls, thereby successfully separating multiple conformers of the diarylethenes with high photocyclization quantum yields and enantiospecific photoreaction. Consequently, given such a fantastic building block, we enhance its performance by means of supramolecular self-assembly, thereby realizing unique conformer-dependent self-assembly as well as unprecedented concerted isomerization and enantiospecific photoreaction of photoresponsive metallacycles. In addition, decoration of the intrinsically chiral diarylethenes with mesogenic units can enable us to manipulate the helical superstructure of liquid crystals, thus achieving a multiple anticounterfeiting technique and a quadridimensional manipulable laser. We also unravel the dual aggregation-induced emission (AIE) behavior of the sterically hindered diarylethene, especially as applied in super-resolution imaging.

Structure and Photophysical Properties of 1,1,2,2-Tetra(1-anthryl)ethane: A C(sp3 )-C(sp3 ) Bond Substituted with Four Anthracene Units.

The title aromatic compound comprising four anthracene units was synthesized by the McMurry coupling of di(1-anthryl) ketone as a hydrogenated product in 65 % yield. The molecule forms a C2 symmetric structure with the ap conformation about the C(sp3 )-C(sp3 ) single bond, as revealed by X-ray analysis and DFT calculations. The UV/vis and fluorescence spectra of this compound were compared with those of anthracene, di(1-anthryl)methane, and 1,2-di(1-anthryl)ethane. The fluorescence spectrum showed a broad emission band at 450 nm having a long lifetime at 21 ns, which was assignable to an excimer-type emission, in contrast to the other reference compounds. The characteristic photophysical property is discussed in terms of the molecular structure with the aid of the noncovalent interaction plots and the conformational analysis.

The two-top molecule 3-penten-2-one: Acetyl methyl torsion in α,β-unsaturated ketones

Using a molecular jet Fourier transform spectrometer, the microwave spectrum of E-3-penten-2-one, also called methyl propenyl ketone, was recorded in a range from 2.0 to 26.5 GHz. Two conformers, antiperiplanar (ap) and synperiplanar (sp), could be identified. Complicated splitting patterns arising due to the internal rotation of the acetyl methyl and propenyl methyl groups could be resolved, and all measured rotational transitions were fitted to measurement accuracy. The barrier heights of the acetyl methyl group are 434.149(37) cm−1 and 358.076(26) cm−1 for the ap and sp conformers, respectively. For the propenyl methyl group, the barrier is 581.903(45) cm−1 for the ap conformer and 595.271(71) cm−1 for the sp conformer. By comparing these results to those of other ketones categorized in a class system connecting the internal rotation of the acetyl methyl group to the structures of the molecules, we extended the categorization with a new class for α,β-unsaturated ketones.

Synthesis and Evaluation of FICA Derivatives as Chiral Derivatizing Agents

1-Fluoroindan-1-carboxyic acid (FICA) derivatives containing a monosubstituted benzene ring (1b-e) were synthesized as their methyl esters and their potential as chiral derivatizing agents (CDAs) were assessed by both 19F- and 1H-NMR spectroscopy. Introduction of a substituent at the 4-position in the benzene ring caused a 1.2-2 fold increase in ΔδF values when compared with that of FICA. This increase was investigated using a correlation model for 19F-NMR and by the order of the stability of the synperiplanar (sp) and antiperiplanar (ap) conformers of the (R,S) and (S,S) diastereomers from the Gibbs' free energy at 298.15 K.

Conformational flexibility in amidophosphoesters: a CSD analysis completed with two new crystal structures of (C6H5O)2P(O)X [X= NHC7H13 and N(CH2C6H5)2

The crystal structures of diphenyl (cycloheptylamido)phosphate, C19H24NO3P or (C6H5O)2P(O)(NHC7H13), (I), and diphenyl (dibenzylamido)phosphate, C26H24NO3P or (C6H5O)2P(O)[N(CH2C6H5)2], (II), are reported. The NHC7H13 group in (I) provides two significant hydrogen-donor sites in N-H...O and C-H...O hydrogen bonds, needed for a one-dimensional hydrogen-bond pattern along [100] in the crystal, while (II), with a (C6H5CH2)2N moiety, lacks these hydrogen bonds, but its three-dimensional supramolecular structure is mediated by C-H...π interactions. The conformational behaviour of the phenyl rings in (I), (II) and analogous structures from the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD) were studied in terms of flexibility, volume of the other group attached to phosphorus and packing forces. From this study, synclinal (±sc), anticlinal (±ac) and antiperiplanar (±ap) conformations were found to occur. In the structure of (II), there is an intramolecular Cortho-H...O interaction that imposes a +sc conformation for the phenyl ring involved. For the structures from the CSD, the +sc and ±ap conformations appear to be mainly imposed by similar Cortho-H...O intramolecular interactions. The large contribution of the C...H/H...C contacts (32.3%) in the two-dimensional fingerprint plots of (II) is a result of the C-H...π interactions. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analyses exhibit peak temperatures (Tm) at 109 and 81 °C for (I) and (II), respectively, which agree with the strengths of the intermolecular contacts and the melting points.

Conformational Dynamics and Exchange Kinetics of N-Formyl and N-Acetyl Groups Substituting 3-Amino-3,6-dideoxy-α-d-galactopyranose, a Sugar Found in Bacterial O-Antigen Polysaccharides.

Three dimensional shape and conformation of carbohydrates are important factors in molecular recognition events and the N-acetyl group of a monosaccharide residue can function as a conformational gatekeeper whereby it influences the overall shape of the oligosaccharide. NMR spectroscopy and quantum mechanics (QM) calculations are used herein to investigate both the conformational preferences and the dynamic behavior of N-acetyl and N-formyl substituents of 3-amino-3,6-dideoxy-α-d-galactopyranose, a sugar and substitution pattern found in bacterial O-antigen polysaccharides. QM calculations suggest that the amide oxygen can be involved in hydrogen bonding with the axial OH4 group primarily but also with the equatorial OH2 group. However, an NMR J coupling analysis indicates that the θ1 torsion angle, adjacent to the sugar ring, prefers an ap conformation where conformations <180° also are accessible, but does not allow for intramolecular hydrogen bonding. In the formyl-substituted compound 4JHH coupling constants to the exo-cyclic group were detected and analyzed. A van't Hoff analysis revealed that the trans conformation at the amide bond is favored by ΔG° ≈ - 0.8 kcal·mol-1 in the formyl-containing compound and with ΔG° ≈ - 2.5 kcal·mol-1 when the N-acetyl group is the substituent. In both cases the enthalpic term dominates to the free energy, irrespective of water or DMSO as solvent, with only a small contribution from the entropic term. The cis-trans isomerization of the θ2 torsion angle, centered at the amide bond, was also investigated by employing 1H NMR line shape analysis and 13C NMR saturation transfer experiments. The extracted transition rate constants were utilized to calculate transition energy barriers that were found to be about 20 kcal·mol-1 in both DMSO-d6 and D2O. Enthalpy had a higher contribution to the energy barriers in DMSO-d6 compared to in D2O, where entropy compensated for the loss of enthalpy.

One-pot green synthesis of biologically relevant novel spiro[indolin-2-one-3,4'-pyrano[2,3-c]pyrazoles] and studies on their spectral and X-ray crystallographic behaviors.

Syntheses via green route and single-crystal X-ray structural investigations have been carried out for three spiro[indolin-2-one-3,4'-pyrano[2,3-c]pyrazole] derivatives, 6'-amino-2-oxo-3'-propyl-2'H-spiro[indoline-3,4'-pyrano[2,3-c]pyrazole]-5'-carbonitrile dimethyl sulfoxide monosolvate (5a), 6'-amino-5-fluoro-2-oxo-3'-propyl-2'H-spiro[indoline-3,4'-pyrano[2,3-c]pyrazole]-5'-carbonitrile dimethyl sulfoxide monosolvate (5b) and methyl 6'-amino-5-cyano-1-methyl-2-oxo-3'-propyl-2'H-spiro[indoline-3,4'-pyrano[2,3-c]pyrazole]-3'-carboxylate 0.25 hydrate (5c), respectively. Compounds (5a) and (5b) crystallize in the triclinic space group P\bar 1, whereas compound (5c) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c. In molecules (5a) and (5b) all the rings are practically flat, while in (5c), the heterocyclic pyran ring adopts a flattened-boat conformation. In (5a) and (5b) the cyanide group is oriented in a (-ap) conformation, while the amino group is oriented in a (+ap) conformation with a pyran ring, but in (5c) both the cyanide and amino groups are oriented in a (-ap) conformation with the pyran ring. In the crystal structure of (5a) and (5b), the molecules are linked by an elaborate system of N-H...O and N-H...N hydrogen bonds to generate a zigzag-like construct. In (5c) molecules are linked by N-H...O hydrogen bonds, thereby generating extended chains. The present communication focuses on the detailed and comparative information about spectral behaviors, single-crystal X-ray crystallographic properties and solid-state supramolecular architectures of these synthesized compounds of potential biological interests.

Do inverse dithienylethenes behave as normal ones? A joint spectroscopic and theoretical investigation

We investigate an inverse (I) dithienylethene, the bis(3,5-dimethyl-2-thienyl) perfluorocyclopentene, using absorption, emission and NMR spectroscopies as well as state-of-art first-principles (TDDFT) calculations. First, we find in addition to the expected antiparallel and parallel conformers, a new stable antiparallel conformer , but its energy is too high to be significantly populated at working temperature. More importantly, we demonstrate that, instead of an equal proportion of an AP and a P conformer as in normal (N) diarylethenes, the AP conformer is present in large excess. This result is confirmed by both DFT thermodynamical analysis and temperature-dependent NMR experiments modelized with an ↔ fast interconversion model. With the latter, the relative populations are estimated to be ca. 3/1 for /. Furthermore, the 0-0 energies simulated with a model that accounts for both vibrational and state-specific media effects of the ground and the excited states indicate that and have very similar absorption signatures while only the conformer should give rise to emission. Eventually, within excited state manifold, important topological points along the ring-closure reaction coordinate, and more specifically the unprecedented S1(opt) of the closed isomer, have been identified.

Femtosecond Laser Photolysis Studies on Temperature Dependence of Cyclization and Cycloreversion Reactions of a Photochromic Diarylethene Derivative

Temperature dependencies of cyclization and cycloreversion processes of a photochromic diarylethene derivative, 1,2-bis(2-methyl-3-benzothienyl)perfluorocyclopentene (BT), were investigated by steady-state spectroscopy and femtosecond laser photolysis methods. Steady-state measurements revealed that the cyclization reaction quantum yield and the fraction of the conformer with C2v symmetry favorable for the cyclization (antiparallel, AP conformer) were independent of temperature in the range of 253–343 K. These results indicated that the cyclization reaction of the AP conformer in the open-ring isomer in the excited state had no apparent temperature dependence and suggested that the fate of the excited AP conformer in the open-ring isomer, such as cyclization or deactivation to the ground state, was determined at the conical intersection. On the other hand, the cycloreversion reaction was dependent on the temperature; the reaction quantum yield increased together with a decrease in the lifetime of the excited state of the closed-ring isomer with increasing temperature. On the basis of the adiabatic energy surface for the reaction profiles, it was deduced that the rapid deactivation into the ground state took place in the S1 state in competition with the activated pathways leading to the conical intersection where the cycloreversion occurred.

High Resolution Millimeter-Wave Spectroscopy of Cyclopropylphosphine–Borane

The microwave spectrum of cyclopropylphosphine-borane, C(3)H(5)PH(2)-BH(3), has been investigated in the frequency range 150-195 GHz. The spectral assignment was supported by high level ab initio calculations. Two stable conformations have been predicted: the most stable antiperiplanar form and synclinal form that is higher in energy by 7.3 kJ/mol. In the observed spectra, only the most stable antiperiplanar (ap) form has been assigned. The analysis of the rotational spectra in the lowest excited vibrational states of the ap conformer has enabled determination of the potential function for the C-P torsional mode in the vicinity of equilibrium position. The barrier to internal rotation of the BH(3) top has been determined to be 9.616(15) kJ/mol and agrees well with quantum chemical calculations.

Additional conformer observed in the microwave spectrum of methyl vinyl ketone

A chirped-pulse Fourier transform microwave spectrometer was used to record the rotational spectrum of methyl vinyl ketone (MVK, 3-butene-2-one). Two stable conformations were identified: the previously documented antiperiplanar (ap) conformer and synperiplanar (sp), which is reported for the first time in this microwave study. Methyl torsional analysis resulted in V3 barrier heights of 433.8(1) and 376.6(2)cm−1 for ap- and sp-MVK, respectively. Heavy atom isotopic species of both conformers were detected in natural abundance allowing bond lengths and angles of the molecular frames to be calculated through Kraitchman analysis. A comparison with ab initio calculations is included.

Optically active diaryl tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives

In (1R,3S)-6,7-dimethoxy-3-(methoxydiphenylmethyl)-1-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline, C(31)H(31)NO(3), (I), and (1R,3S)-2-benzyl-3-[diphenyl(trimethylsiloxy)methyl]-6,7-dimethoxy-1-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline, C(40)H(43)NO(3)Si, (II), the absolute configurations have been confirmed to be R and S at the isoquinoline 1- and 3-positions, respectively, by NMR spectroscopy experiments. Both structures have monoclinic (P2(1)) symmetry and the N-containing six-membered ring assumes a half-chair conformation. The asymmetric unit of (I) contains one molecule, while (II) has two molecules within the asymmetric unit. These structures are of interest with respect to the conformation around the exocyclic C-C bond: (I) displays an ap (antiperiplanar) conformation, while (II) displays an sc-exo (synclinal) conformation around this bond. These conformations are significant for stereocontrol when these compounds are used as catalysts. Various C-H...π and C-H...O bonds link the molecules together in the crystal structure of (I). In the crystal structure of (II), three intermolecular C-H...π hydrogen bonds help to establish the packing.

Influence of the Structure of Polyfluorinated Alcohols on Brønsted Acidity/Hydrogen-Bond Donor Ability and Consequences on the Promoter Effect

The influence of substituents on the properties of tri- and hexafluorinated alcohols derived from 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (TFE) and 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFIP) was examined. Measurements of specific solvent-solute interactions revealed that H-bond donation (HBD) of fluorinated alcohols is sensitive to the steric hindrance of the OH group, whereas their Brønsted acidity is dependent only on the number of fluorine atoms. For hexafluorinated alcohols (HFAs), their association with amines characterized by X-ray diffraction showed that the balance between HBD and acidity is influenced by their structure. Moreover, the ability of HFAs to donate H-bonds is exerted in synclinal (sc), synperiplanar (sp), and also antiperiplanar (ap) conformations along the C-O bond. Comparison of the effects of fluorinated alcohols as promoting solvents in three reactions is reported. The positive correlation between rate constants and H-bonding donation ability for sulfide oxidation and imino Diels-Alder reaction brings to light the role of this property, while acidity might have a minor influence. In the third reaction, epoxide opening by piperidine, none of these properties can clearly be put forward at this stage.

Supramolecular architectures of conformationally controlled 1,3-phenyl-dioxalamic molecular clefts through hydrogen bonding and steric restraints

In this contribution the supramolecular architecture of a series of six 1,3-phenyl-dioxalamic molecular clefts is described. The conformation was controlled by the use of Me and OMe group substitution in the phenyl spacer. The structural and conformational study was carried out by X-ray diffraction analysis, DFT calculations at PBEPBE 6-31+G (3df, 3pd) theory level and variable temperature 1H NMR in solution. The C2-Me group exerts a dual influence on the conformation adopting the endo(sc) or exo(ac) conformations in the oxalamic arms, meanwhile the C2-OMe group leads to the adoption of the exo(ap) conformation. DFT study results showed that the exo(ap)–exo(ap) conformation is more stable than the other conformations due to the conjugation that stabilizes the molecule and minimizes the conformational energy. Supramolecular arrays in oxalamate/oxalamide derivatives of 1,3-diaminobenzene, 2-methyl-benzene-1,3-diamine and 2,4,6-trimethyl-benzene-1,3-diamine are directed by self-complementary N–H⋯O hydrogen bonding interactions, whose organization in the crystal depends on the twist of the oxalamic arms, meanwhile in oxalamate/oxalamide derivatives of 5-tert-butyl-2,6-diamineanisol with an exo(ap)–exo(ap) conformation, the supramolecular arrays are directed by π-stacking, dipolar carbonyl–carbonyl interactions and C–H⋯O soft contacts. N1,N1′-(1,3-(2,4,6-Trimethyl)-phenyl)-bis-(N2-(2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethyl)oxalamide) adopts the form of a supramolecular meso-helix, which is the first example of helical 1,3-phenyl-dioxalamide.

N-[2-(4-Methyl-2-quinolyl)phenyl]acetamide: aP1 structure withZ= 4

The title compound, C18H16N2O, crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1, with four independent mol­ecules in the asymmetric unit wherein two mol­ecules have an irregular -ac, -ac, +ap conformation (ap, antiperiplanar; ac, anticlinal), while the other mol­ecules exhibit a different, +ac, +ac, +ap conformation. The planar (r.m.s. deviation = 0.006 Å in each of the four molecules) quinoline ring systems of the four mol­ecules are oriented at dihedral angles of 32.8 (2), 33.4 (2), 31.7 (2) and 32.3 (2)° with respect to the benzene rings. Intra­molecular N—H⋯N inter­actions occur in all four independent mol­ecules. The crystal packing is stabilized by inter­molecular N—H⋯O and C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, and are further consolidated by C—H⋯π and π–π stacking inter­actions [centroid–centroid distances = 3.728 (3), 3.722 (3), 3.758 (3) and 3.705 (3) Å].

Molecular and electronic structures, infrared spectra, and vibrational assignment for ap and sc conformers of hexafluoro- iso-propanol

Comprehensive studies of the molecular structures, vibrational frequencies and infrared intensities of the antiperiplanar ( ap) and synclinal ( sc) conformers of 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFIP) have been performed by the density functional (B3LYP) method using the extended 6-311++G(df,pd) basis set. The detailed natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis has revealed the nature of the hyperconjugative interactions, which stabilize each conformer, in the gas phase. The mid-infrared spectra of HFIP in carbon tetrachloride solution were measured, and the experimental intensities of each conformer were obtained by the curve–resolution procedure. The relative abundance of the two conformers, calculated from the relative intensities, shows nearly equimolar ratio ( N sc / N ap ≈ 1), in this solution. The DFT-predicted frequencies show very good agreement with the experimental data. The clear-cut vibrational assignment for each conformer is reported on the basis of the calculated potential energy distributions. Several controversies in an earlier assignment of HFIP have been elucidated.

NMR‐Solution Structures of Fluoro‐Substituted β‐Peptides: A 314‐Helix and a Hairpin Turn. The First Case of a 90° OCCF Dihedral Angle in an α‐Fluoro‐Amide Group

AbstractTo further study the preference of the antiperiplanar (ap) conformation in α‐fluoro‐amide groups, two β‐peptides, 1 and 2, containing a (2‐F)‐β3hAla and a (2‐F)‐β2hPhe residue, have been synthesized. Their NMR‐solution structures in CD3OH were determined and compared with those of non‐F‐substituted analogs, 3 and 4a. While we have found in a previous investigation (Helv. Chim. Acta 2005, 88, 266) that a stereospecifically introduced F‐substituent in the central position of a β‐heptapeptide is capable of ‘breaking’ the 314‐helical structure by enforcing the FCCO ap‐conformation, we could now demonstrate that the same procedure leads to a structure with the unfavorable ca. 90° FCCO dihedral angle, enforced by the 314‐helical folding in a β‐tridecapeptide (cf. 1; Fig. 4). This is interpreted as a consequence of cooperative folding in the longer β‐peptide. A F‐substituent placed in the turn section of a β‐peptidic hairpin turn was shown to be in an ap‐arrangement with respect to the neighboring CO bond (cf. 2; Fig. 7). Analysis of the non‐F‐substituted β‐tetrapeptides (with helix‐preventing configurations of the two central β2/β3‐amino acid residues) provides unusually tight hairpin structural clusters (cf. 3 and 4a; Figs. 8 and 9). The skeleton of the β‐tetrapeptide H‐(R)β3hVal‐(R)β2hVal‐(R)β3hAla‐(S)β3hPhe‐OH (4a) is proposed as a novel, very simple backbone structure for mimicking α‐peptidic hairpin turns.

Structure, Conformation, Stereodynamics, Dimer Formation, and Absolute Configuration of Axially Chiral Atropisomers of Hindered Biphenyl Carbinols

NMR spectra of biphenyl derivatives bearing a single CR2OH substituent in the ortho position indicate that they exist as sp (more stable) and ap (less stable) conformers, due to the restricted rotation about the Ar-CR2OH bond. When R = Et (compound 2) the corresponding rotation barrier was determined (7.5 kcal mol-1) by line shape simulation of the low-temperature NMR spectra. Introduction of the prochiral i-Pr group in the position 3' of a biphenyl with the CMe2OH substituent in the position 2 (4) allowed the determination of the enantiomerization barrier (due to the Ar-Ar bond rotation) for the stereolabile axially chiral atropisomers (13.95 kcal mol(-1)). DFT computations of these barriers were all in agreement with the experiments. Biphenyls bearing two CR2OH groups in the 2,2' positions were found to exist as configurationally stable atropisomers: when R = Me (7) they were separated by enantioselective HPLC and the absolute configuration assigned on the basis of the corresponding CD spectra. In solution, compounds 6 (R = H) and 7 (R = Me) were found to originate a dimer, due to H-bond interactions between two enantiomers. In the case of 7, the free energy of activation (9.5 kcal mol-1) for the exchange of the monomer with the dimer could be measured, for the first time, by dynamic NMR. The conformational preferences, predicted by computations for the biphenyls with two CR2OH substituents in the 2,2' positions, were confirmed by X-ray diffraction in the case of R = H (6), R = Me (7), and R = i-Pr (9).

Molecular structure of cotinine studied by gas electron diffraction combined with theoretical calculations

The molecular structure of cotinine (( S)-1-methyl-5-(3-pyridinyl)-2-pyrrolidinone), the major metabolite of nicotine, has been determined at about 182 °C by gas electron diffraction combined with MP2 and DFT calculations. The diffraction data are consistent with the existence of the (ax, sc), (ax, ap), (eq, sp) and (eq, ap) conformers, where ax and eq indicate the configuration of the pyrrolidinone ring by means of the position (axial and equatorial) of the pyridine ring, and sc, sp and ap distinguish the isomers arising from the internal rotation around the bond connecting the two rings. The (CH 3)NCCC(N) dihedral angles, ϕ, of the (ax, sc) and (eq, sp) conformers were determined independently to be 158(12)° and 129(13)°, respectively, where the numbers in parentheses are three times the standard errors, 3 σ. According to the MP2 calculations, the corresponding dihedral angles for the (ax, ap) and (eq, ap) conformers were assumed to differ by 180° from their syn counterparts. The ratios x(ax, sc)/ x(ax, ap) and x(eq, sp)/ x(eq, ap) were taken from the theoretically estimated free energy differences, Δ G, where x is the abundance of the conformer. The resultant abundances of (ax, sc), (ax, ap), (eq, sp) and (eq, ap) conformers are 34(6)%, 21% (d.p.), 28% (d.p.), and 17% (d.p.), respectively, where d.p. represents dependent parameters. The determined structural parameters ( r g (Å) and ∠ α (°)) of the most abundant conformer, (ax, sc), are as follows: r(N C) pyrrol = 1.463(5); r(N C methyl) = 1.457(←); r(N C( O)) = 1.384(12); r(C O) = 1.219(5); 〈 r(C C) pyrrol〉 = 1.541(3); r(C pyrrol C pyrid) = 1.521(←); 〈 r(C C) pyrid〉 = 1.396(2); 〈 r(C N) pyrid〉 = 1.343(←); ∠(CNC) pyrrol = 113.9(11); ∠CCC pyrrol(−C pyrid) = 103.6(←); ∠NCO = 124.1(13); ∠NC pyrrolC pyrid = 113.1(12); ∠C pyrrolC pyrrolC pyrid = 113.3(←); ∠(CNC) pyrid = 117.1(2); 〈∠(NCC) pyrid〉 = 124.4(←); ∠C methylNC( O) = ∠C methylNC(−C pyrid) = 122.8(d.p.); ∠NC( O)C = 107.1(d.p.); ∠NC pyrrol(−C pyrid)C pyrrol = 103.0(d.p.) and ∠CCC( O) = 105.2(d.p.), where ← in the parentheses means that the parameter is bound to the preceding one and 〈 〉 denote average values. The puckering angle, α, of the pyrrolidinone ring is 26(3)°. The N⋯N distances of the (ax, sc) and (eq, sp) conformers, which are 4.844(5) and 4.740(5) Å, respectively, are close to that of the most stable conformer of nicotine, 4.885(6) Å and the corresponding one of arecoline, 4.832(13) Å. It is concluded that the weak nicotinic activity of cotinine cannot be ascribed to such a small difference in the N⋯N distances.