Density Functional Theory Geometry Optimizations Research Articles

Theoretical Investigation of Linear Relationships between the Dihedral Torsion Angles and Diosmium Bond Distances in Diosmium Sawhorse Complexes.

Strong linear relationships between their Ceq-Os-Os-Ceq dihedral angles and their Os-Os bond distances in diosmium sawhorse complexes Os2(u-O2CR)2(CO)4L2 (L = CO and/or PR3) form two trendlines depending upon the presence or absence of terminal phosphines. These trends appear unrelated to the basicity of the bridging ligand or the number of phosphines. The mathematical derivation of the relationship between the O-Os-Os-O dihedral angle and the Os-Os bond distance shows how the other geometric parameters affect this relationship. Optimized density functional theory (DFT) structures reveal a similar strong linear correlation, where more electron-donating ligands render shorter Os-Os bond distances and larger dihedral angles, but these results form a single trendline. Computational scans of individual parameters show that the Os-Os bond responds strongly to changes in the dihedral angles, but the dihedral angles only respond weakly to changes in the Os-Os bond distance because the Os-Os-O bond angle links and modifies their direct coupling. Solid-state analysis of their structures, including DFT geometry optimizations, shows that phosphines protect the Os-Os bond distance from packing influences along the Os-Os axis, while in complexes without phosphines, packing compresses the Os-Os bond and the weak dihedral responses create the second trendline.

Heterobimetallic Fe(II)–Cu(I) Complexes Supported with 1,1′-Bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene and Chelating Sulfur Donor Ligands: Structural Characterization, DFT Analysis, Anti-tyrosinase Assay and Biological Studies

Heterobimetallic complexes [(dppf)CuSP(S)(OiPr)2] (1), [(dppf)CuSP(S)(OEt)2] (2), [(dppf)CuSP(S)(OCy)2] (3) and [(dppf)CuS2H2B(mt)2] (4), supported with sulfur donors from the family of dialkyldithiophosphate, SP(S)(OR)2 (R = iPr, Et, Cy) and borate ligands, (S)2H2B(mt)2, were synthesized in one pot by the reaction of 1,1′-Bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene (dppf) with [Cu(CH3CN)4]BF4 and subsequent addition of the chelating sulfur donor ligands at room temperature in an overall moderate yield. 1-4 were characterized using a combination of 1H, 13C{1H}, 31P{1H} NMR, IR spectroscopy techniques, and single crystal X-ray diffraction. Crystal structure analysis revealed that Cu(I) centers in 1-4 adopt a distorted tetrahedral geometry. The borate ligand in 4 adopts a κ3-S,S,H mode in the solid state. A density functional theory geometry optimization calculation was used to extract further structural and electronic information about 1-4. To investigate the possible cytotoxicity of 1-4, in vitro cellular tests were carried out on the human cancerous breast cell line MCF-7. The antibacterial activities of complexes 1 and 4 were screened against gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus PTCC 1112 and gram-negative Escherichia coli PTCC 1330.

PCS/Bonds and PCS0: Pick your molecule and get its accurate structure and ground state rotational constants at DFT cost.

An unsupervised computational protocol is proposed with the aim of obtaining accurate structures of large molecules in the gas phase at the cost of standard density functional theory (DFT) computations. The whole workflow is fully automated and provides optimized equilibrium geometries and ground state rotational constants to be directly compared with experiments. The results for a panel of molecules of biological or medicinal interest show that the accuracy of the results delivered by the new tool at the cost of a single DFT geometry optimization is close to that delivered by state-of-the-art composite wavefunction methods for small semi-rigid molecules.

Two local minima for structures of [4Fe–4S] clusters obtained with density functional theory methods

[4Fe–4S] clusters are essential cofactors in many proteins involved in biological redox-active processes. Density functional theory (DFT) methods are widely used to study these clusters. Previous investigations have indicated that there exist two local minima for these clusters in proteins. We perform a detailed study of these minima in five proteins and two oxidation states, using combined quantum mechanical and molecular mechanical (QM/MM) methods. We show that one local minimum (L state) has longer Fe–Fe distances than the other (S state), and that the L state is more stable for all cases studied. We also show that some DFT methods may only obtain the L state, while others may obtain both states. Our work provides new insights into the structural diversity and stability of [4Fe–4S] clusters in proteins, and highlights the importance of reliable DFT methods and geometry optimization. We recommend r2SCAN for optimizing [4Fe-4S] clusters in proteins, which gives the most accurate structures for the five proteins studied.

Homobimetallic Au(I)-Au(I) and Heterotrimetallic Au(I)-Fe(II)-Au(I) Complexes with Dialkyldithiophosphates and Phosphine Ligands: Structural Characterization, DFT Analysis, and Tyrosinase Inhibitory and Biological Effects.

The role of bridging and terminal ligand electronic and steric properties on the structure and antiproliferative activity of two-coordinated gold(I) complexes was investigated on seven novel binuclear and trinuclear gold(I) complexes synthesized by the reaction of either Au2(dppm)Cl2, Au2(dppe)Cl2, or Au2(dppf)Cl2 with potassium diisopropyldithiophosphate, K[(S-OiPr)2], potassium dicyclohexyldithiophosphate, K[(S-OCy)2], or sodium bis(methimazolyl)borate, Na(S-Mt)2, which afforded air-stable gold(I) complexes. In 1-7, the gold(I) centers adopt a two-coordinated linear geometry and are structurally similar. However, their structural features and antiproliferative properties highly depend upon subtle ligand substituent changes. All complexes were validated by 1H, 13C{1H}, 31P NMR, and IR spectroscopy. The solid-state structures of 1, 2, 3, 6, and 7 were confirmed using single-crystal X-ray diffraction. A density functional theory geometry optimization calculation was used to extract further structural and electronic information. To investigate the possible cytotoxicities of 2, 3, and 7, in vitro cellular tests were carried out on the human cancerous breast cell line MCF-7. 2 and 7 show promising cytotoxicity.

Binding profile of a mixed-ligand silver(I) complex with DNA and Topoisomerase I

A new mixed-ligand Ag(I) complex, [Ag(daf)(phen)]NO3 (daf = 4,5-diazafluoren-9-one and dian = N-(4,5-diazafluoren-9-ylidene)aniline), was synthesized. The elemental analysis, FTIR, 1HNMR, UV–Vis spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and DFT (Density Functional Theory) geometry optimization method were applied in order to predict the Ag(I) complex structure which concluded to a distorted tetrahedral N4 coordination around the Ag(I) center. A detailed in silico analysis of the bioaffinity of the complex to DNA and human DNA-Topoisomerase I was conducted using molecular docking simulations and ONIOM (Our own N-layered Integrated molecular Orbital and molecular Mechanics) techniques. In this overall scenario, the results suggest the dominance of π-π stacking interactions of the heteroaromatic ligands in the intercalating pocket of DNA and the active site of the enzyme and the rational correlation between being a good intercalator and a potent Topoisomerase I inhibitor. In vitro DNA-binding experiments by spectrophotometric, spectrofluorometric, Voltammetric, and viscometric techniques at physiological pH also confirmed the computational results. The complex inhibited MCF-7 cell growth in a dose-dependent manner while being nontoxic on HUVEC normal cells.

Importance of Precursor Adaptability in the Assembly of Molecular Organic Cages

For molecular architectures based on dynamic covalent chemistry (DCvC), strict preorganization is a paradigmatic concept and the generally accepted strategy for their rational design. This results in the creation of highly rigid building blocks which are expected to fulfill the ideal geometry of the assembly, coming at a price that small geometric mismatches result in unpredicted and/or unproductive reaction outcomes. In this study, we show that feet of a tripodal platform have a great influence on the assembly of tetrahedral organic cages based on boronate ester formation. The aryl benzyl ether-functionalized building blocks perform significantly better than their alkyl-functionalized equivalents. Experimentally and using density functional theory geometry optimization of the cage structures, we prove that unexpectedly, this is not due to solubility but because of the enhanced capability of the aryl benzyl ether-functionalized building blocks to fit the ideal geometry of the assembly. This introduces the concept of building block adaptability to overcome geometrical mismatches in DCvC systems.

On the Origin of the Blue Color in The Iodine/Iodide/Starch Supramolecular Complex.

The nature of the blue color in the iodine-starch reaction is still a matter of debate. Some textbooks still invoke charge-transfer bands within a chain of neutral I2 molecules inside the hydrophobic channel defined by the interior of the amylose helical structure. However, the consensus is that the interior of the helix is not altogether hydrophobic-and that a mixture of I2 molecules and iodide anions reside there and are responsible for the intense charge-transfer bands that yield the blue color of the "iodine-starch complex". Indeed, iodide is a prerequisite of the reaction. However, some debate still exists regarding the nature of the iodine-iodine units inside the amylose helix. Species such as I3-, I5-, I7- etc. have been invoked. Here, we report UV-vis titration data and computational simulations using density functional theory (DFT) for the iodine/iodide chains as well as semiempirical (AM1, PM3) calculations of the amylose-iodine/iodide complexes, that (1) confirm that iodide is a pre-requisite for blue color formation in the iodine-starch system, (2) propose the nature of the complex to involve alternating sets of I2 and Ix- units, and (3) identify the nature of the charge-transfer bands as involving transfer from the Ix- σ* orbitals (HOMO) to I2 σ* LUMO orbitals. The best candidate for the "blue complex", based on DFT geometry optimizations and TD-DFT spectral simulations, is an I2-I5-I2 unit, which is expected to occur in a repetitive manner inside the amylose helix.

“On Water” Effect for Green Click Reaction: Spontaneous Polymerization of Activated Alkyne with “Inert” Aromatic Amine in Aqueous Media

“On Water” Effect for Green Click Reaction: Spontaneous Polymerization of Activated Alkyne with “Inert” Aromatic Amine in Aqueous Media

Photophysical and in vitro photoinactivation of Escherichia coli using cationic 5,10,15,20-tetra(pyridin-3-yl) porphyrin and Zn(II) derivative conjugated to graphene quantum dots

Pathogenic microorganisms may continue causing infection through the transfer of antibiotic resistance genes. As a result, the efficacy of pharmaceuticals in microbial inactivation is deteriorating. The present study was conducted to investigate the antimicrobial activity of neutral and quaternized free base and Zn 5,10,15,20-tetra(pyridin-3-yl) porphyrins on Escherichia coli (E. coli), a gram-negative bacterium that causes cholecystitis, pneumonia and urinary tract infections. Conjugation of the porphyrin to graphene quantum dots (GQDs) was implemented to enhance photocatalysis and reactive oxygen species generation. Density functional theory (DFT) geometry optimizations for free base and Zn porphyrin based on the B3LYP (Becke 3-Parameter (Exchange), Lee, Yang and Parr) functional of the Gaussian09 program package and Time-dependent density-functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations of the associated UV-visible absorption spectra are reported to analyse the electronic structure and optical properties of the porphyrins. The TD-DFT calculations showed that for both porphyrins the value of highest occupied molecular orbital (ΔHOMO) is greater than that of lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (ΔLUMO) which tells that there is no unusual splitting of (LUMO) orbitals which may be caused by systematic error in TD-DFT calculations. Due to the red shift in the spectrum of ZnT(3-Py)P and the ΔLUMO being higher, the HOMO-LUMO gap was expected to be lower than that of H2T(3-Py)P. The photophysical properties and Photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy activities of these nanoconjugates were investigated. The highest ΦΔ was that of Q-ZnT(3-Py)P- GDQs at 0.69 with the log reduction of 9.42.

Molecular insight into the simultaneous capture of sarin/soman by graphene incorporating dual metal sites

Competitive adsorption of two major Chemical Warfare agents (CWAs), soman and sarin, was explored on a multi-site embedded graphene model integrating transition metal atoms (Cr, V and Zn). Ab-initio Molecular Dynamics simulations were performed to determine the most probable configurations of these CWAs on the graphene substrate. Further Density Functional Theory geometry optimizations revealed that both soman and sarin adopt a single-adduct configuration on a metal site whatever the nature of metal pairs considered, a scenario similar to that encountered for graphene embedding only 1 metal site. This result strongly suggests that each metal site present in real activated carbons is effective for the capture of these CWAs. To understand the effect of humidity, which is a major shortcoming in the field of air protector devices, further calculations were carried out in the presence of water molecules. We demonstrated that water does not dramatically impact the strength of interactions between these CWAs and both Cr and V metals while there is a substantial drop in the case of Zn metals. This trend was explained in light of further electronic analysis. This conclusion suggests that the use of Cr or V metal enables to maintain an efficient capture of CWAs under humidity while for Zn it is far to be the case.

Microwave-assisted N-alkylation of amines with alcohols catalyzed by MnCl2 : Anticancer, docking, and DFT studies.

A new protocol for the N-alkylation of amines with alcohols for the synthesis of tertiary amines in the presence of MnCl2 as a catalyst, under microwave conditions, is described. The advantages of this protocol include stable reaction profiles, a wide substrate variety, excellent yields, low cost, high yields, and easy workup conditions. The anticancer efficacy of all the synthesized compounds was tested in vitro against various cancer cell lines, such as MCF-7, MDA-MB-231 (human breast), HT-29, HCT 116 (colon cancer), A549 (human lung carcinoma), and Vero cells. Among the screened compounds, 3e, 3h, and 3i demonstrated potent anticancer activity, with compound 3h surpassing the reference drug cisplatin against A549, MCF7, MDA-MB-231, and HCT116 cancer cells. The introduction of an electron-withdrawing group on the phenyl ring resulted in increased anticancer activity. The most potent compounds, 3e, 3h, and 3i, were tested against VEGFR-2, HER2, and EGFR in multikinase inhibition assays, with compounds 3h and 3i showing improved potency against the HER2 kinase. The compounds formed two H-bonds with amino acids, indicating that they had a high affinity for the target HER2 kinase (PDB ID: 3RCD), according to the docking analysis. The absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity properties of the optimized analogs were also assessed in vitro, enabling the discovery of promising anticancer agents. Finally, the B3LYP level was used to measure density functional theory geometry optimization and the related quantum parameters for the active compounds.

Exploring the Impacts of Conformer Selection Methods on Ion Mobility Collision Cross Section Predictions.

The prediction of structure dependent molecular properties, such as collision cross sections as measured using ion mobility spectrometry, are crucially dependent on the selection of the correct population of molecular conformers. Here, we report an in-depth evaluation of multiple conformation selection techniques, including simple averaging, Boltzmann weighting, lowest energy selection, low energy threshold reductions, and similarity reduction. Generating 50 000 conformers each for 18 molecules, we used the In Silico Chemical Library Engine (ISiCLE) to calculate the collision cross sections for the entire data set. First, we employed Monte Carlo simulations to understand the variability between conformer structures as generated using simulated annealing. Then we employed Monte Carlo simulations to the aforementioned conformer selection techniques applied on the simulated molecular property: the ion mobility collision cross section. Based on our analyses, we found Boltzmann weighting to be a good trade-off between precision and theoretical accuracy. Combining multiple techniques revealed that energy thresholds and root-mean-squared deviation-based similarity reductions can save considerable computational expense while maintaining property prediction accuracy. Molecular dynamic conformer generation tools like AMBER can continue to generate new lowest energy conformers even after tens of thousands of generations, decreasing precision between runs. This reduced precision can be ameliorated and theoretical accuracy increased by running density functional theory geometry optimization on carefully selected conformers.

(Invited) Theoretical Analysis of Microscopic Interface Ionics at Heterogeneous Solid-Solid Interfaces in Batteries

All-solid-state battery (ASSB) has attracted considerable attention for decades, and the developments of many new materials appropriate for ASSB have been made. In contrast, less is known about the interfacial processes, especially at the solid electrolyte (SE)-electrode interfaces. The microscopic origins of interfacial resistance and degradation are still crucial issues for the efficient ASSBs, which are closely related to the interface chemistry and electrochemistry on the ionic and electronic scales. Therefore, understanding of the microscopic interface ionics and electronics is indispensable for the cutting-edge ASSB development.We have addressed establishing a universal calculation framework based on density functional theory (DFT) for heterogeneous solid-solid interfaces. Typical DFT geometry optimization or molecular dynamics does not work well for the atomistic structure search due to the coexistence of collective and local geometry relaxations inherent to the solid-solid interfaces. The methods with empirical force field are also insufficient because their parameters are usually fitted to bulk properties, not interfacial ones.To overcome these issues, we have developed a novel computational technique, “Heterogeneous Interface (HI)-CALYPSO method” [1], for systematic sampling of heterogeneous solid-solid interface structures. The breakthrough was achieved by applying CALYPSO structure prediction method for all types of interfacial geometry relaxations, allowing to explore a variety of interfacial disordered structures [1]. This approach is compatible to massive parallel calculations on the supercomputers like Fugaku.Then, the method was applied to a variety of solid-solid interfaces in ASSBs. As a representative model, we investigated the system with LiCoO2 (LCO), β-Li3PS4 (LPS), and LiNbO3 (LNO) acting as a cathode, a sulfide electrolyte, and a buffer layer, respectively [1-3]. For the LCO/LPS interfaces, we sampled over 20000 configurations and found several stable disordered structures involving mixing cations and anions, leading to the formation of a reaction layer. On the other hand, Li-ion sites that can be preferentially depleted upon charging always exist around the cathode-SE interfaces irrespective of the interfacial order/disorder. Therefore, we conclude that the dynamic Li-ion depletion is related to suppression of successive Li-ion transport, leading to the interfacial resistance. Through the electronic states analysis, we also deduced a probable origin for the interfacial Li-ion depletion and a mean to suppress this problematic behavior. Finally, we provided ionic potential surface across the interfaces, governing ion dynamics across the interfaces. In consequences, sampling probable interface structures enabled to analyze statistically probable characteristics of the ionics and electronics at the solid-solid interfaces and provide a possibility of space-charge layer as well as electric double layer.We have also applied the method to the interface between Li metal anode and Li7La3Zr2O12 electrolyte [4]. Again, we succeeded in sampling of the probable interface structures, which have many interfacial Li-O bonds and unsaturated (i.e. coordination number < 6) Zr sites. These undercoordinated Zr sites are reduced once the LLZO surface is in contact with the Li metal, leading to chemical instability of the LLZO/Li interface.Recently, the interfaces between the Li1.17Al0.17Ti1.83(PO4)3 SE and LCO cathode as well as Li metal anode have been investigated as well. Though it’s not related to ASSB, we examined the heterogeneous interfaces between the graphite anode and Li2CO3 model SEI layer [5]. All of these studies suggest a unified insight into the interfacial ionic transport in ASSBs. In this talk, I’ll introduce our recent methodological and application studies on the ASSB interfaces and discuss the unified insight obtained.Acknowledgements: These works were done in collaboration with Dr. Bo Gao, Dr. Hong-Kang Tian, and Dr. Randy Jalem in NIMS. The works were partly supported by MEXT as “Program for Promoting Researches on the Supercomputer Fugaku” (Fugaku Battery & Fuel Cell Project) and JSPS KAKENHI “Interface IONICS” Grant Number JP19H05815.

Structural Characterization of the Solution Chemistry of Zirconium(IV) Desferrioxamine: A Coordination Sphere Completed by Hydroxides.

Positron emission tomography (PET) using radiolabeled, monoclonal antibodies has become an effective, noninvasive method for tumor detection and is a critical component of targeted radionuclide therapy. Metal ion chelator and bacterial siderophore desferrioxamine (DFO) is the gold standard compound for incorporation of zirconium-89 in radiotracers for PET imaging because it is thought to form a stable chelate with [89Zr]Zr4+. However, DFO may not bind zirconium-89 tightly in vivo, with free zirconium-89 reportedly liberated into the bones of experimental mouse models. Although high bone uptake has not been observed to date in humans, this potential instability has been proposed to be related to the unsaturated coordination sphere of [89Zr]Zr-DFO, which is thought to consist of the 3 hydroxamate groups of DFO and 1 or 2 water molecules. In this study, we have used a combination of X-ray absorption spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT) geometry optimization calculations to further probe the coordination chemistry of this complex in solution. We find the extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) curve fitting of an aqueous solution of Zr(IV)-DFO to be consistent with an 8-coordinate Zr with oxygen ligands. DFT calculations suggest that the most energetically favorable Zr(IV) coordination environment in DFO likely consists of the 3 hydroxamate ligands from DFO, each with bidentate coordination, and 2 hydroxide ligands. Further EXAFS curve fitting provides additional support for this model. Therefore, we propose that the coordination sphere of Zr(IV)-DFO is most likely completed by 2 hydroxide ligands rather than 2 water molecules, forming Zr(DFO)(OH)2.

Theoretical and experimental study of small potassium-bromide K Br(0,1+) (n = 2–6) and K Br(0,1+) (n = 3–5) clusters

Abstract In the present paper, the results of combined theoretical and experimental investigation of small non-stoichiometric bromine-doped potassium clusters are reported. Potassium-bromide clusters were obtained by the Knudsen cell combined with surface ionization in the temperature range of 1000–1600 K, and selected by a magnetic sector mass spectrometer. Positive ions of KnBr (n = 3–6) and KnBrn-1 (n = 3–5) clusters were detected for the first time in one set measurement. In order to reveal the geometrical structure of each type of detected cluster, the randomized search algorithm was employed to survey the (Born-Oppenheimer) potential energy surface of both the neutral and cationic KnBr(0,1+) (n = 1–6) and KnBrn-1(0,1+) (n=3–5) clusters, followed by Density functional theory geometry optimizations, and many lowest-energy conformational isomers are presented. From the total electronic energies of clusters computed by the ab initio RCCSD(T)/ECP10MDF(K),cc-pVTZ-PP(Br) method at obtained equilibrium nuclear geometries, the following stability parameters of clusters were computed: their relative energies, the adiabatic and vertical ionization energies, binding energies per atom, and dissociation energies. Both experimental and theoretical results have shown that the title clusters belong to the group of “superalkali” clusters.

Crystal structure of 1-propanethiol–Co2(dobdc) from laboratory X-ray powder diffraction data

Laboratory X-ray powder diffraction was used to solve and refine the crystal structures of appended guest molecules within the pores of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). Herein, we report the crystal structure of 1-propanethiol adsorbed in the pores of Co2(dobdc) (dobdc4– = 2,5-dioxido-1,4-benzenedicarboxylate, MOF-74). Soaking the activated MOF in neat 1-propanethiol resulted in the formation of 1-propanethiol–Co2(dobdc). The thiol appendant MOF maintained the crystal symmetry, with a rhombohedral space group R-3 and unit-cell parameters a = 25.9597(9) Å, c = 6.8623(5) Å, and V = 4005.0(4) Å3. As expected, the thiol sulfur formed a bond with the open cobalt metal site. The alkane chain was directed toward the center of the pore, participating in numerous van der Waals weak interactions with neighboring molecules. For the final Rietveld refinement, soft restrains were applied using bond distances obtained by periodic density functional theory (DFT) geometry optimization.

Synthesis, Characterization, and Crystal Structure of N-(3-nitrophenyl)cinnamamide

N-(3-nitrophenyl)cinnamamide 1 with formula C15H12N2O3 was synthesized, and its crystal structure was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Compound 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/n with unit cell dimensions: a = 6.7810 (5) Å, b = 23.0913 (15) Å, c = 8.2079 (5) Å, V = 1282.76 (15) Å3, Z = 4, determined at 150 K with MoKα radiation. The experimental structure refined against atomic scattering factors is compared with the structure obtained using a Hirshfeld Atom Refinement (HAR) approach and Density Functional Theory (DFT) geometry optimizations.

Absolute configuration of phomactatriene diterpenoids obtained by Wagner-Meerwein rearrangement of epimeric verticillols.

The epimeric diterpenes (+)-(1S,3E,7E,11S,12S)-verticilla-3,7-dien-12-ol (1), isolated from Bursera suntui, and (+)-(1S,3E,7E,11S,12R)-verticilla-3,7-dien-12-ol (2), isolated from Bursera kerberi, gave the same Wagner-Meerwein rearrangement product (-)-(1E,4Z,8Z,11S,12R)-phomacta-1,(15)4,8-triene (3). The Et2 O:BF3 -induced transformations evidence that verticillenes and phomactanes, both containing the bicyclo[9.3.1]pentadecane skeleton, are biogenetically related through the verticillen-12-yl cation (A+ ), which also is a key intermediate in the biosynthetic pathways to generate antitumor taxanes. Molecular modeling using the Monte Carlo protocol, followed by density functional theory (DFT) geometry optimization employing the hybrid functionals B3LYP and B3PW91, both with the DGDZVP basis set, secured the configuration of 3 as followed from the good agreement between the calculated and experimental vibrational circular dichroism spectra. Similar DFT calculations allowed determining the absolute configuration of (+)-(1R,4R,5R,8S,9S,11S,12R,15R)-1,15:4,5:8,9-triepoxyphomactane (9), which surprisingly derives from epoxidation of the second minimum energy conformer of 3.

NMR and Theoretical Studies on the Conformational Preferences of Some Non-metal Coordinated N-Enoyl Systems Attached to Common Chiral Auxilaries

We report a systematic study of a series of N-enoyl systems attached to common oxazolidin-2-ones, oxazolidine-2-thiones and thiazolidine-2-thiones chiral auxiliaries in order to determine the most stable conformation of these compounds. 1H NMR studies show an anti-s-cis structure as the most stable conformation for these series of compounds. Density Functional Theory geometry optimizations and vibrational analysis using the b3lyp exchange-correlation functional with the standard 6-31g** basis sets were done, including solvent effects (chloroform and toluene). Gibbs free energy differences show that the anti-s-cis structures are the most stable conformers lying, on average, ca. 6 kcal/mol lower in energy than the syn-s-cis conformers, widely used to explain the structure and reactivity of N-enoyl systems.