Exciton Coupling Mechanism Research Articles

ECD exciton chirality method today: a modern tool for determining absolute configurations.

The application of the exciton chirality method (ECM) to interpret electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra is a well‐established and still popular approach to assign the absolute configuration (AC) of natural products, chiral organic compounds, and organometallic species. The method applies to compounds containing at least two chromophores with electric dipole allowed transitions (e.g., π–π* transitions). The exciton chirality rule correlates the sign of an exciton couplet (two ECD bands with opposite sign and similar intensity) with the overall molecular stereochemistry, including the AC. A correct application of the ECM requires three main prerequisites: (a) the knowledge of the molecular conformation, (b) the knowledge of the directions of the electric transition moments (TDMs), and (c) the assumption that the exciton coupling mechanism must be the major source of the observed ECD signals. All these prerequisites can be easily verified by means of quantum‐mechanical (QM) calculations. In the present review, we shortly introduce the general principles that underpin the use of the ECM for configurational assignments and survey its applications, both classic ones and some reported in the recent literature. Based on these examples, we will stress the advantages of the ECM but also the key requisites for its correct application. Additionally, we will discuss the dependence of the couplet sign on geometrical parameters (angles α,β,γ between TDMs), which can be helpful for discerning the sign of exciton chirality in ambiguous situations. Finally, we will present a molecular orbital (MO) description of the exciton coupling phenomenon.

For a Correct Application of the CD Exciton Chirality Method: The Case of Laucysteinamide A.

The circular dichroism (CD) exciton chirality method (ECM) is a very popular approach for assigning the absolute configuration (AC) of natural products, thanks to its immediacy and ease of application. The sign of an exciton couplet (two electronic CD bands with opposite sign and similar intensity) can be directly correlated with the molecular stereochemistry, including the AC. However, a correct application of the ECM necessitates several prerequisites: knowledge of the molecular conformation; knowledge of transition moment direction; and preeminence of the exciton coupling mechanism with respect to other sources of CD signals. In recent years, by using quantum-chemical CD calculations, we have demonstrated that some previous applications of ECM were wrong or based on incorrect assumptions. In a recent publication of this journal (Mar. Drugs, 2017, 15(4), 121), the ECM was employed to assign the AC of a marine metabolite, laucysteinamide A. This is a further case of incorrect application of the method, where none of the aforementioned prerequisites is fully met. Using this example, we will discuss the criteria required for a correct application of the ECM.

H/D isotopic recognition and temperature effects in IR spectra of hydrogen-bonded cyclic dimers in crystals: 3-Methylcinnamic acid and 4-phenylbutyric acid

In the present work, the experimental and theoretical study of the nature of the inter-hydrogen bond interactions in two different carboxylic acids, 3-methylcinnamic acid (3MCA) and 4-phenylbutyric acid (4PBA), were reported. The polarized IR spectra of 3MCA and 4PBA crystals were recorded at the frequency ranges of the νOH and νOD bands. The spectral properties of 3MCA and 4PBA interpreted with the aid of the calculations based on the “strong-coupling” model. The differences in the spectral properties of the two different dimeric systems in the crystals provide a valuable information about the existence of a direct relationship between the crystal spectral properties in IR and the electronic structure of the molecular systems. In 3MCA crystals strong vibrational exciton interactions favor a “tail-to-head” (TH)-type Davydov coupling widespread via the π-electrons, whereas in 4PBA crystals a weak “through-space” (SS) exciton coupling is responsible for a “side-to-side”-type coupling. The relative contribution of each individual exciton coupling mechanism in IR spectra generation strongly depends on temperature and molecular electronic structure. The H/D isotopic recognition effect, depending on a non-random distribution of protons and deuterons in the crystal hydrogen bridges, was also analyzed.

Inter-hydrogen bond coupling in crystals with molecular chains in their lattices investigated by polarized IR spectroscopy: 4-Bromo-3,5-dimethylpyrazole and 3,4-dimethoxyphenylacetic acid

We report the results of the experimental and theoretical studies of the polarized IR crystalline spectra of 4-bromo-3,5-dimethylpyrazole (4Br35DMPz) and 3,4-dimethoxyphenylacetic acid (34DMPAA) as well as the spectra of their deuterium-bonded analogues. The results of model calculations of the temperature impact exerted on to the band shapes measured in the X–H- and X–D bond stretching vibration regions, performed on the basis of the “strong-coupling” model, are also shown. These studies confirm a direct relationship between the spectral properties in IR and the electronic structure of the associating molecules in the crystals. Two different competing exciton coupling mechanisms involving hydrogen bonds, the “tail-to-head” (TH) in 4Br35DMPz and the “side-to-side” coupling in 34DMPAA, were recognized. The molecular electronic structure determines the relative contribution of each individual vibrational exciton coupling mechanism in the spectra generation. It also strongly influences the temperature-induced evolution of the Davydov-splitting effects in the crystalline spectra. Dynamical co-operative interactions responsible for a non-random distribution of protons and deuterons in the crystal hydrogen bonds can also be identified in the investigated systems.

Inter-hydrogen bond coupling in crystals of 3-phenylpyrazole polymorphs investigated by polarized IR spectroscopy

The remarkably strong differences in the fine structure patterns of the νN–H and νN–D bands, temperature and H/D isotopic effects in crystals of two 3-phenylpyrazole (3PhPz) polymorphs, with tetrameric and hexameric hydrogen bond aggregates, were examined by polarized IR spectroscopy, aided by the calculations utilizing the “strong-coupling” model. Experimental and theoretical approaches have suggested that the anti-co-operativity of hydrogen bonds is the main factor responsible for the differences in the spectral properties of both polymorphs. This interaction affects hydrogen-bond geometry of the associates constituting the lattices and in consequence decides about the relative contribution of two different exciton coupling mechanism, “through-space” (SS) and “tail-to-head” (TH), in the spectra generation. The relative contribution of each individual exciton coupling mechanism in the spectra generation is temperature-dependent. In tetramers the TH coupling mechanism dominates at low temperatures, whereas the role of the SS mechanism increases at higher temperatures. For the hexamers the SS mechanism dominates in the wide temperature range. The two types of 3PhPz associates exhibit two different ways of occurring of the H/D isotopic recognition in the crystal hydrogen bonds. In the tetrameric polymorph identical hydrogen isotope atoms exist in entire hydrogen-bonded cycle of 3PhPz. In the case of 3PhPz hexamers, the H/D isotopic recognition mechanism involves pairs of the closely-spaced hydrogen bonds in a cycle.

Temperature, H/D isotopic and Davydov-splitting effects in the polarized IR spectra of hydrogen bond chain systems: 1,2,4-Triazole and 3-methyl-2-oxindole crystals

The spectral properties of two different hydrogen-bonded crystalline systems, 1,2,4-triazole and 3-methyl-2-oxindole, containing molecular chains in their lattices, were examined by polarized IR spectroscopy, aided by the calculations utilizing the “strong-coupling” model. The experimental and theoretical approaches have shown that the individual crystal spectral properties in IR remain in a close relation with the electronic structure of the individual molecular systems. A vibronic coupling mechanism involving the hydrogen bond protons and the electrons occupying the π-electronic orbitals in the molecules determines the way in which the vibrational exciton coupling between the hydrogen bonds in the crystals occurs. For the associating systems, which molecules contain large delocalized π-electronic systems coupled directly with H-bonds, strong exciton interactions involving the vibrationally excited hydrogen bonds in the chains prefer a “tail-to-head”–type Davydov-coupling widespread via the π-electrons. A weak through-space exciton coupling involves two closely-spaced hydrogen bonds belonging to two different adjacent chains in the case, when large π-electronic systems in the molecules are absent. The relative contribution of each exciton coupling mechanism in the chain system spectra generation is temperature-dependent. The two competing individual Davydov-coupling mechanism are responsible for the appearance in the polarized spectra of temperature-dependent Davydov-splitting effects differentiating the spectral properties of the two crystalline systems. The H/D isotopic ‘‘self-organization’’ phenomenon, depending on a non-random distribution of protons and deuterons in the crystal hydrogen bridges was also analyzed.

Exciton Coupling Mechanisms Analyzed with Subsystem TDDFT: Direct vs Pseudo Exchange Effects

The dominant effect in exciton coupling is usually the so-called Coulomb coupling contribution, that is the Coulomb interaction between transition densities of localized excitations. At short distances, Dexter-type exchange effects are discussed to play a role, which are not well described by (semi)local functionals in time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) calculations. Overall, a large effect of the percentage of exact exchange on the resulting exciton splittings is known. Subsystem TDDFT allows one to analyze the exciton coupling mechanism by distinguishing direct from indirect effects, that is, changes in the actual coupling mechanism from modifications in the underlying local excitations. Our analysis shows that the strong influence of exact exchange is not due to a direct Dexter-type (exchange) coupling, but rather to an increased Coulomb (or pseudo-exchange) coupling triggered by a change in transition densities. This is demonstrated in calculations for 2-pyridone and chlorophyll dimers. We finally propose a route to efficient calculations of excited states of large pigment aggregates with hybrid functionals, which so far has been out of reach for quantum chemical methods.

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.

Temperature and H/D Isotopic Effects in the IR Spectra of the Hydrogen Bond in Solid-State 2-Furanacetic Acid and 2-Furanacrylic Acid

Polarized IR spectra of 2-furanacetic acid and of 2-furanacrylic acid crystals were measured at 293 K and 77 K in the vO−H and vO−H band frequency ranges. The corresponding spectra of the two individual systems strongly differ, one from the other, by the corresponding band shapes as well as by the temperature effect characterizing the bands. The 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 carboxylic acid dimers occurs. A strong coupling in 2-furanacrylic acid dimers prefers a “tail-to-head-” type Davydov coupling widespread by the π-electrons. A weak through-space coupling in 2-furanacetic acid dimers is responsible for a “side-to-side-” type coupling. The relative contribution of each exciton coupling mechanism in the dimer spectra generation is temperature and the molecular electronic structure dependent. This explains the observed difference in the temperature-induced evolution of the compared spectra.

Temperature and H/D Isotopic “Self-Organization” Effects in the IR Spectra of the Hydrogen Bond Tetramer Systems in 3,5-Diphenylpyrazole and 4-Methyl-1,2,4-triazolethione Crystals

Polarized IR spectra of hydrogen-bonded 3,5-diphenylpyrazole and of 4-methyl-1,2,4-triazolethione crystals were measured at 293 and 77 K in the νN-H and νN-D band frequency ranges. These crystals contain molecular tetramers in their lattices. The individual crystal spectral properties remain in 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 tetramers occurs. A strong coupling in 3,5-diphenylpyrazole tetramers prefers a "tail-to-head"-type Davydov coupling widespread via the π-electrons. A weak through-space exciton coupling in 4-methyl-1,2,4-triazolethione tetramers involves two opposite hydrogen bonds in the cycles. The relative contributions of each exciton coupling mechanism in the tetramer spectra generation are temperature and the molecular electronic structure dependence. 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 hydrogen bond tetramers differ by the way in which the processes occur. In 3,5-diphenylpyrazole tetramers, identical hydrogen isotope atoms exist in the entire hydrogen bond system, whereas in the case of 4-methyl-1,2,4-triazolethione crystals, the H/D isotopic self-organization mechanism involves the opposite hydrogen bonds in a tetramer.

Polarized IR Spectra of the Hydrogen Bond in 2-Thiopheneacetic Acid and 2-Thiopheneacrylic Acid Crystals: H/D Isotopic and Temperature Effects

Polarized IR spectra of 2-thiopheneacetic acid and of 2-thiopheneacrylic acid crystals were measured at 293 and 77 K in the υ(O-H) and υ(O-D) band frequency ranges. The corresponding spectra of the two individual systems strongly differ, one from the other, by the corresponding band shapes as well as by the temperature effect characterizing the bands. The crystal spectral properties remain in 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 carboxylic acid dimers occurs. Strong coupling in 2-thiopheneacrylic acid dimers prefers a "tail-to-head"-type Davydov coupling widespread by the π- electrons. A weak through-space coupling in 2-thiopheneacetic acid dimers, of a van der Waals type, is responsible for a "side-to-side"-type coupling. The relative contribution of each exciton coupling mechanism in the dimer spectra generation is temperature and the molecular electronic structure dependent. This explains the observed difference in the temperature- induced evolution of the compared spectra.

Aromatic side‐chain cluster of biotin binding site of avidin allows circular dichroism spectroscopic investigation of its ligand binding properties

Promiscuous ligand binding by hen egg-white avidin has been demonstrated and studied by using circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy complemented by molecular docking calculations. It has been shown that the biotin-binding pocket of avidin is able to accommodate a wide variety of chemical compounds including therapeutic drugs (e.g., thalidomide, NSAIDs, antihistamines), natural compounds (bilirubin, myristic acid), and synthetic agents (xanthenone dyes). The cluster of aromatic residues located at the biotin-binding pocket renders the intrinsic CD spectrum of avidin sensitive to ligand binding that results in the increase of the vibronic components of the (1) L(b) transition of the Trp residues. Extrinsic (induced) CD bands measured with chemically diverse avidin ligands are generated by intramolecular coupled oscillator (e.g., bilirubin) or by intermolecular ligand-Trp exciton coupling mechanism [e.g., 2-(4'-hydroxyazobenzene)-benzoic acid (HABA)]. Among the compounds of which avidin-binding affinity constants have been calculated, two novel high-affinity ligands, flufenamic acid and an enzyme inhibitor thiazole derivative have been identified (K(d) ≈ 1 μM). Avidin binding mode of the ligand molecules has been discussed in the light of docking results. The induced CD profile of the thiazole derivative has been correlated with the stereochemistry of its docked conformation. The important role in the ligand binding of a polar side-chain cluster at the bottom of the biotin-binding cavity as well as the analogous avidin-binding mode of HABA and fenamic acid type NSAIDs have been proposed.

Unusual CD couplet pattern observed for the π*←n transition of enantiopure (Z)‐8‐methoxy‐4‐cyclooctenone: An experimental and theoretical study by electronic and vibrational circular dichroism spectroscopy and density functional theory calculation

Ultraviolet absorption (UV) and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra of enantiopure (Z)-8-methoxy-4-cyclooctenone (MCO) were measured in hexane to give a normal single UV absorption band at 298 nm, which is assigned to the carbonyl's pi*<--n transition. Unexpectedly, the ECD spectrum exhibited an apparent couplet pattern with vibrational fine structures. Obviously, the conventional CD exciton coupling mechanism cannot be applied to this bisignate CD signal observed for single-chromophoric MCO. Variable temperature-ECD and vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectral measurements, simultaneous UV and ECD spectral band resolution, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations of energy and structure revealed that this apparent CD couplet originates from a rather complicated spectral overlap of more than three conformers of MCO, two of which exhibit mirror-imaged ECD spectra at appreciably deviated wavelengths. In the simultaneous band-resolution analysis, the observed UV and ECD spectra were best fitted to four overlapping bands. Two major conformers were identified by comparing the experimental IR and VCD spectra with the simulated ones, and the other two by comparing the observed UV and ECD spectra with the theoretical ones obtained by time-dependent DFT calculations. It was shown that the combined use of experimental ECD and VCD spectra and theoretical DFT calculations can give a reasonable interpretation for the Cotton effects of the conformationally flexible molecule MCO.

The first nonempirical circular dichroism determination of the absolute configuration of N-phthalimidosulfoximines based on exciton coupling mechanism and a correlation with the absolute configuration of chiral sulfoxides.

A simple nonempirical method for the assignment of absolute configuration of N-phthalimidosulfoximines and related S-chiral sulfoxides, based on exciton-coupled circular dichroism, is presented.

Circular Dichroism Measurements of Thiophenophanes and Binaphthyl-Descendants in the VUV-Region with a Recent Facility at HASYLAB

For the first time solutions of binaphthyl-derivatives, menthylesters of a helical skeleton of the cyclophane type and combinations of these structure units have been measured in an absorption type CD experiment between 200 nm and 160 nm using synchrotron radiation as a continuum light source. Assignments of exciton chirality were made according to the CD exciton coupling mechanism. In the case of the well known 1Bb transition the combined units neither do change their chirality nor do they develop strong exciton coupling between themselves. Below 200 nm two new transitions had been accessed: CD data allow to distinguish between the X → C and the X → D transition which strongly overlap in the absorption spectra. By comparison of acetonitril and hexafluoro-iso-propanol solution data they could be determined as a Rydberg transition and a molecular valence transition, the latter showing a bisignate CD Cotton effect.