Homochiral Compound Research Articles

3,4-Bis-O-propargyl-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-D-mannitol: a study of multiple weak hydrogen bonds in the solid state.

The title homochiral compound, C18H26O6, 1, was examined by single-crystal X-ray crystallography in order to understand its potential as a synthetic building block, particularly in inter- and intramolecular cyclocondensation reactions. It has also proven to be an excellent model for understanding multiple weak donor-acceptor D-H...A interactions involving terminal acetylenes as donors and as acceptors. The asymmetric unit of 1 comprises three almost identical independent molecules, each with the mannitol 2R,3R,4R,5R configuration and different conformations. Like independent molecules align in strands through acetylenic donor C-H...O contacts with equivalent dioxolanyl acceptor groups. Two of the strands are aligned unidirectionally, in parallel, while the third strand aligns perpendicular to the first two, to give interwoven layers in the supramolecular structure. A detailed study of the interdigitation of the second propargyl group from each independent molecule between strands, and of other short interstrand C-H...O contacts, provides new insight into the application of weak hydrogen-bond theory within the context of a conformationally flexible symmetrical molecule. Analyses of the Cambridge Structural Database using Crystal Packing Features and ConQuest search motifs support the importance of the D...A distance parameter, demonstrate the different influences of donor and acceptor types, and reveal the interplay between H...A and D...A contributions in different contact types.

Stereospecific Synthesis and Photophysical Properties of Propeller-Shaped C90 H48 PAH.

Herein, we have synthesized an enantiomerically pure propeller‐shaped PAH, C90H48, possessing three [7]helicene and three [5]helicene subunits. This compound can be obtained in gram quantities in a straightforward manner. The photophysical and chiroptical properties were investigated using UV/Vis absorption and emission, optical rotation and circular dichroism spectroscopy, supported by DFT calculations. The nonlinear optical properties were investigated by two‐photon absorption measurements using linearly and circularly polarized light. The extremely twisted structure and packing of the homochiral compound were investigated by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis.

1,4-Disubstituted 1H-1,2,3-Triazole Containing Peptidotriazolamers: A New Class of Peptidomimetics With Interesting Foldamer Properties.

Peptidotriazolamers are hybrid foldamers with features of peptides and triazolamers, containing alternation of amide bonds and 1,4-disubstituted 1H-1,2,3-triazoles with conservation of the amino acid side chains. We report on the synthesis of a new class of peptidomimetics, containing 1,4-disubstituted 1H-1,2,3-triazoles in alternation with amide bonds and the elucidation of their conformational properties in solution. Based on enantiomerically pure propargylamines bearing the stereogenic center in the propargylic position and α-azido esters, building blocks were obtained by copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition. With these building blocks the peptidotriazolamers were readily available by solution phase synthesis. A panel of homo- and heterochiral tetramers, hexamers, and heptamers was synthesized and the heptamer Boc-Ala-Val-Ψ[4Tz]Phe-LeuΨ[4Tz]Phe-LeuΨ[4Tz]Val-OAll as well as an heterochiral and a Gly-containing equivalent were structurally characterized by NMR-based molecular dynamics simulations using a specifically tailored force field to determine their conformational and solvation properties. All three variants adopt a compact folded conformation in DMSO as well as in water. In addition to the heptamers we predicted the conformational behavior of similar longer oligomers i.e., Boc-Ala-(AlaΨ[4Tz]Ala)6-OAll as well as Boc-Ala-(d-AlaΨ[4Tz]Ala)6-OAll and Boc-Ala-(GlyΨ[4Tz]Ala)6-OAll. Our calculations predict a clear secondary structure of the first two molecules in DMSO that collapses in water due to the hydrophobic character of the side chains. The homochiral compound folds into a regular helical structure and the heterochiral one shows a twisted “S”-shape, while the Gly variant exhibits no clear secondary structure.

Enantiospecific Synthesis of Heterocycles Linked to Purines: Different Apoptosis Modulation of Enantiomers in Breast Cancer Cells

The issue of chiral drug is now a major theme in the design, discovery and development of new drugs. It has been shown for many pharmaceuticals that only one enantiomer contains the desired activity, and the synthesis of such drug molecules in their optically pure form is becoming increasingly important. Mitsunobu reaction was carried out between (R)- and (S)-3,4-dihydro-2H-1,5-benzoxathiepin-3-ol and purines under microwave irradiation. A contraction into a six-membered ring takes place with concomitant inversion at the stereocentre with excellent enatiomeric excesses giving rise to the homochiral 9-(2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzoxathiin-3-ylmethyl)-9H-purines. The anti-tumour activity of all enantiomers is reported against the caspase-3-deficient MCF-7 and the wild type SKBR-3 human breast cancer cells. The most active homochiral compound displays an IC50 of 1.85 μM and induces inhibition of the translation initiation factor eIF2α. All homochiral compounds included in this study show different apoptotic effects between both enantiomers with levels up to 99%. We have analyzed caspase-mediated apoptotic pathways on enantiomers and racemates. We have found a homochiral derivative that activates the canonical intrinsic caspase-8/caspase-3 apoptotic pathway on the MCF-7 cells, and a racemic compound that induces caspase-2 activation. Moreover, we demonstrate the involvement of caspase activation during cell death induced by these compounds in SKBR-3 cells.

Chiral Coordination Polymers with SHG-Active and Luminescence: An Unusual Homochiral 3D MOF Constructed from Achiral Components

Six new coordination polymers, namely, [Cd(SO4)(4-abpt)(H2O)]n·3nH2O (1), [Cu3(CN)3(4-abpt)2]n (2), [Cd(D-cam)(2-PyBIm)(H2O)]n (3), [Co(D-Hcam)(cptpy)]n (4), [Cd(D-cam)(btmb)]n (5), and [Cd2(D-cam)(L-cam)(btmbb)]n (6) (4-abpt = 4-amino-3,5-bis(4-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazole, D-H2cam = d-camphoric acid, 2-PyBIm = 2-(2-pyridyl)benzimidazole, Hcptpy = 4′-(4-carboxyphenyl)-3,2′:6′,3″-terpyridine, btmb = 1,4-bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene, btmbb = 4,4′-bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,1′-biphenyl), have been synthesized under hydro(solvo)thermal conditions. Their structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and further characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectra, powder X-ray diffraction, circular dichroism, and thermogravimetric analysis. Complex 1 features a 3D porous metal–organic framework, which is a rare example to obtain a homochiral compound from achiral components. Complex 2 exhibits a 2D polymeric network constructed from μ2-cyanide, μ2-4-abpt, and monodentate 4-a...

Experimental investigation of anisometric chiral phase xerogel

The microstructure of a cured state (xerogel) of homochiral and achiral compounds belonging to a series of trifluoro acetylated amino alcohols has been investigated. It is shown that the substance of the cured homochiral compound consists of anisometric structures with an observed rigidity (strings) which are crystalline monophase. The xerogel of an achiral compound is represented by isometric microstructures. It is suggested that intermolecular hydrogen bonds comprising the molecular strings are apparently packed within the phase.

The first homochiral compound with temperature-independence of piezoelectric properties

Two homochiral compounds (H2-MPA)(CCl3COO)2 (1) and (H2-quinine)2(BiCl6)·Cl·H2O (2) [MPA = (R)-2-methylpiperazine] that exhibit good piezoelectric properties with a temperature-independent feature are obtained. Our novel findings on temperature-independent piezoelectric properties will provide a new impetus in this field of materials science

Imitating prebiotic homochirality on Earth.

We show how the amino acids needed on prebiotic earth in their homochiral L form can be produced by a reaction of L-alpha-methyl amino acids-that have been identified in the Murchison meteorite-with alpha-keto acids under credible prebiotic conditions. When they are simply heated together they perform a process of decarboxylative transamination but with almost no chiral transfer, and that in the wrong direction, producing D-amino acids from the L-alpha-methyl amino acids. With copper ion a square planar complex with two of the reaction intermediates is formed, and now there is the desired L to L transformation, producing small enantioexcesses of the normal L-amino acids. We also show how these can be amplified, not by making more of the L form but by increasing its concentration in water solution. The process can start with a miniscule excess and in one step generate water solutions with L/D ratios in the over 90% region. Kinetic processes can exceed the results from equilibria. We have also examined such amplifications with ribonucleosides, and have shown that initial modest excesses of the D-nucleosides can be amplified to afford water solutions with D to L ratios in the high 90's. We have shown that the homochiral compound has two effects on the solubility of the racemate. On one hand it decreases the solubility of the racemate by its role in the solubility product, as a theoretical equation predicts. On the other hand, it increases the solubility of the racemate by changing the nature of the solvent, acting as a cosolvent with the water. This explains why the amplification, while large, is not as large as the simple theoretical equation predicts. Thus when credible examples are produced where small enantioexcesses of D-ribose are created under credible prebiotic conditions, the prerequisites for the RNA world will have been exemplified.