Low-temperature Ar Matrix Research Articles

UV-Induced Photochemistry of 1,3-Benzoxazole, 2-Isocyanophenol, and 2-Cyanophenol Isolated in Low-Temperature Ar Matrixes.

The monomers of 1,3-benzoxazole isolated in a cryogenic argon matrix were characterized by infrared spectroscopy. The photochemistry of matrix-isolated 1,3-benzoxazole, induced by excitation with a frequency-tunable narrowband UV light, was investigated. Irradiation at 233 nm resulted in a nearly quantitative conversion of 1,3-benzoxazole into 2-isocyanophenol. The individual photochemical behavior of the in situ produced 2-isocyanophenol was studied upon excitations at 290 nm, where 1,3-benzoxazole does not react. The photochemistry of isomeric matrix-isolated 2-cyanophenol was also studied. The photoreactions of 2-substituted (cyano- or isocyano-) phenols were found to have many similarities: (i) OH bond cleavage, yielding a 2-substituted (cyano- or isocyano-) phenoxyl radical and an H-atom, (ii) recombination of the detached H-atom, resulting in an oxo tautomer, and (iii) decomposition leading to fulvenone, together with HCN and HNC. In another photoprocess, 2-cyanophenol undergoes a [1,5] H-shift from the hydroxyl group to the cyano group yielding isomeric ketenimine. The analogous [1,5] H-shift from the hydroxyl group to the isocyano group must have also occurred in 2-isocyanophenol; however, the resulting nitrile ylide isomer is kinetically unstable and collapses to benzoxazole. All photoproducts were characterized by comparing their observed infrared spectra with those computed at the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level. The mechanistic analysis of the photochemistry occurring in the family of the title compounds is presented.

Photochemical Generation of Benzoazetinone by UV Excitation of Matrix-Isolated Precursors: Isatin or Isatoic Anhydride.

Benzoazetinone was photochemically generated by UV irradiation of isatin isolated in low-temperature Ar matrixes. Upon UV (λ = 278 nm) excitation of isatin, monomers of the compound underwent decarbonylation and the remaining part of the molecule adopted the benzoazetinone structure or the structure of its open-ring isomer α-iminoketene. The same products (benzoazetinone and α-iminoketene) were generated by UV (λ = 278 nm) induced decarboxylation of matrix-isolated monomers of isatoic anhydride. Photoproduced α-iminoketene appeared in the low-temperature matrixes as a mixture of syn and anti isomers. Photoproducts generated upon λ = 278 nm irradiation of matrix-isolated isatin were subsequently exposed to λ = 532 nm light. That irradiation resulted in the shift of the α-iminoketene–benzoazetinone population ratio in favor of the latter closed-ring structure. The next irradiation at 305 nm caused the shift of the α-iminoketene–benzoazetinone population ratio in the opposite direction, that is, in favor of the open-ring isomer. Neither benzoazetinone nor its α-iminoketene open-ring isomer was generated upon UV (λ = 278 nm) irradiation of phthalimide isolated in Ar matrixes. Instead, the UV-excited monomers of this compound underwent such phototransformations as oxo → hydroxy phototautomerism or degradation of the five-membered ring with release of HNCO and CO. The efficiency of these photoconversions was low.

Infrared-Spectroscopic Study of (4-Methylpent-3-en-1-ynyl)methylthiocarbene, Its Photochemical Transformations, and Reactions in an Argon Matrix.

The first representative of singlet carbenes bearing both ethynyl and methylthio groups at the carbene center, (4-methylpent-3-en-1-ynyl)methylthiocarbene, has been generated in a low-temperature Ar matrix upon UV photolysis of 3,3-dimethyl-5-methylthioethynyl-3H-pyrazole and detected by FTIR spectroscopy. The generation of the carbene proceeds via intermediate (3-diazo-5-methylhex-4-en-1-ynyl)methylsulfane. The comparison of FTIR spectroscopy data with the results of quantum chemical calculations (B3LYP/aug-cc-pVTZ) and NRT analysis shows that (4-methylpent-3-en-1-ynyl)methylthiocarbene has a singlet ground state with the localization of the unpaired spins on the carbon atom in the α-position to methylthio moiety. Two major pathways of further phototransformation of the studied carbene have been found. One of them produces photochemically stable thioketone (S═CMe-C≡C-CH═CMe2) as a result of methyl group migration from sulfur to the neighboring carbon atom, and the other one leads to the formation of labile thioketene (S═C═C(Me)-CH═CH-CMe═CH2). Ability of (4-methylpent-3-en-1-ynyl)methylthiocarbene to insert into the H-Cl bond was established, which additionally confirms the singlet nature of this intermediate.

Photochemical Formation of Diazenecarbaldehyde (HNNCHO) and Diazenecarbothialdehyde (HNNCHS) in Low-Temperature Matrices.

The photochemical decomposition of 1,2,4-oxadiazole-3,5-diamine and 1,2,4-thiadiazole-3,5-diamine was investigated in low-temperature Ar and Kr matrixes at different wavelengths. The analysis of matrix-isolation infrared (MI-IR) spectra aided by high-level quantum chemical computations showed not only that these photochemical reactions yield [NH2, C, N, X] (X = O, S) isomers but also that the bands of a novel, formerly unobserved species were observed. The comparison of computed IR spectra of potential products with the observed spectra suggests that these species are the diazenecarbaldehyde (HNNCHO) and diazenecarbothialdehyde (HNNCHS). Neither of the reactive HNNCHO and HNNCHS molecules was observed experimentally before. Both molecules are identified in the matrix as a complex with the other photoproduct, NH2CN. Comparison of the present experiments with former photochemical experiments on 1,2,5-oxadiazole-3,4-diamine and 1,2,5-thiadiazole-3,4-diamine and the analysis of the rate of formation of the different photoproducts indicate that HNNCHO and HNNCHS are formed in a different reaction path than H2NNCX and H2NC(NX) (X = O, S), and not by photoisomerization from these latter products.

Three conformers of 2-furoic acid: structure changes induced with near-IR laser light.

Conformers of 2-furoic acid were studied using the matrix-isolation technique combined with narrow-band near-IR excitations with tunable laser light. Two conformers of the compound were trapped from the gas phase into low-temperature Ar or Ne matrixes with the population ratio of nearly 1:1. The two forms differ from each other by 180° rotation of the carboxylic group with respect to the furan ring. In both structures, the OH group adopts the cis orientation, with its H atom directed toward the C═O bond of the O═C-O-H group. Narrow-band near-IR excitations of the OH stretching overtone vibrations resulted in transformation of one of the initially observed conformers into a third conformational structure. This near-IR-induced isomerization concerned rotation of the OH group from the initial cis orientation to the trans conformation with the hydrogen atom directed toward the oxygen atom of the furan ring. In the photoproduced conformer, the hydrogen-bond-like O-H···O interaction (between O-H and the oxygen atom of the furan ring) is rather weak. Nevertheless, this interaction stabilized the structure so that it was present in the matrix for several hours after the near-IR-induced generation. The spontaneous conversion of the photogenerated, higher-energy form back into the more stable conformer with the carboxylic group in cis orientation was monitored for 2-furoic acid isolated in Ar and Ne matrixes. The speed of this process was found to be dependent on temperature and on the matrix material. The experimentally determined half-life times of this conformational conversion occurring in the dark are t1/2 = 1390 min (Ar, 5.5 K); t1/2 = 630 min (Ar, 15 K); t1/2 = 240 min (Ne, 5.5 K). The three conformers of 2-furoic acid observed in the present work were identified by comparison of their infrared spectra with the spectra theoretically calculated for the candidate structures.

Infrared study of matrix-isolated ethyl cyanide: simulation of the photochemistry in the atmosphere of Titan.

Low-temperature Ar matrix isolation has been carried out to investigate the infrared spectrum of ethyl cyanide (CH3CH2CN), a molecule present in the atmosphere of Titan. The λ > 120 nm and λ > 230 nm photolysis reactions of ethyl cyanide in an Ar matrix were also performed in order to compare the behaviour of this compound when it is submitted to high and low energetic radiations. These different wavelengths have been used with the aim to reproduce the radiation reaching the various parts of the atmosphere. Several photoproducts have been identified during photolysis such as vinyl cyanide (CH2[double bond, length as m-dash]CHCN), cyanoacetylene (HC3N), and ethylene/hydrogen cyanide (C2H4/HCN), ethylene/hydrogen isocyanide (C2H4/HNC), acetylene/hydrogen cyanide (C2H2/HCN), acetylene/hydrogen isocyanide (C2H2/HNC), and acetylene:methylenimine (C2H2:HNCH2) complexes. Ethyl isocyanide (CH3CH2NC) and a ketenimine form (CH3CH[double bond, length as m-dash]C[double bond, length as m-dash]NH) have been identified as well. Photoproduct identification and spectral assignments were done using previous studies and density functional theory (DFT) calculations with the B3LYP/cc-pVTZ basis set.

Dimethoxymethane–Hydrogen Chloride Interaction: Gas Phase versus Low-Temperature Behavior Studied Using Matrix Isolation Infrared and Density Functional Theory Methods

Premixing of dimethoxy methane (DMM) and hydrogen chloride (HCl) with Ar/N2 in the gas phase resulted in a nucleophilic substitution reaction and yielded products, cis-chloromethyl methyl ether (cis-CMME) and methanol. On the contrary, when DMM and HCl were separately codeposited in a low-temperature Ar matrix produced hydrogen-bonded alkoxy adduct, probably the intermediate in the gas phase nucleophilic substitution reaction. The formation of the alkoxy adduct was evidenced by the shifts in the vibrational frequencies of the DMM and HCl submolecules. The structure and energy of the alkoxy adduct were computed at the B3LYP/6-311++G** level of theory. The computations indicated only one minimum for the DMM-HCl adduct. The nucleophilic substitution reaction between DMM and HCl is prevented in the low-temperature matrix probably due to the cage effect in the matrix.

Near-Infrared Laser Induced Conformational Change of Alanine in Low-Temperature Matrixes and the Tunneling Lifetime of Its Conformer VI

The near- and mid-IR spectra of α-alanine isolated in low-temperature Ar, Kr, and N2 matrixes were measured. Production of the short-lived conformer VI at the expense of the predominant conformer I was observed upon short irradiation with NIR laser light at the first O-H stretching overtone band of conformer I. Conformer VI decays by H-atom tunneling at 12 K with half-lives of 5.7 ± 1 s, 2.8 ± 1 s in Ar (two different sites), 7.0 ± 1 s in Kr, and 2.8 × 10(3) ± 1.2 × 10(3) s in N2. Upon prolonged irradiation, conformer I slowly transformed into conformer IIa. On the basis of these irradiation experiments, the unambiguous vibrational assignments of conformers I, IIa, and VI are given. In contrast to similar experiments for glycine, the irradiation experiments did not lead to the formation of conformer IIIb. This is explained by a very low IIIb → I barrier height computed for alanine, which results in a very fast depletion of conformer IIIb even in low-temperature matrixes.

1,5-(1,7)-Biradicals and Nitrenes Formed by Ring Opening of Hetarylnitrenes

Several aromatic and heteroaromatic nitrenes and carbenes undergo photochemical and sometimes also thermal ring opening. Depending on benz-annelation, the ring-opened species may have the character of either nitrenes (for α-annelation) or 1,5-(1,7-)-biradicals (for β-annelation). Both types have been observed, and they are clearly distinguished by their characteristic electron spin resonance spectra. In addition, ring opening of hetarylnitrenes to nitrile ylides can be observed whenever there is a meta-relationship between a ring nitrogen atom and the nitrene (or carbene) centre. The factors governing the two types of ring opening have been investigated. The nitrenes and carbenes are generated by either low temperature Ar matrix photolysis or flash vacuum thermolysis of azides, tetrazoles, triazoles, or diazo compounds with matrix isolation of the products.

Photochemical Isomerizations of Thiosemicarbazide, a Matrix Isolation Study

Two thione conformers of monomeric thiosemicarbazide were trapped from the gas phase into a low-temperature Ar matrix. A phototransformation converting the less stable form of the compound into the most stable conformer was induced by irradiation with near-IR (λ = 1462 nm) or UV (λ > 320 nm) light. This photoeffect allowed separation of the IR spectra of the observed thione forms. The structures of both observed isomers were identified by comparison of the separated experimental IR spectra with the spectra theoretically predicted for two most stable forms of the compound. The population ratio of the two conformers in an Ar matrix, prior to any irradiation, was estimated to be equal ≈2:1. Irradiation of matrix-isolated thiosemicarbazide with shorter-wavelength UV (λ > 270 nm) light induced a phototautomeric reaction generating thiol forms of the compound.

Near-Infrared Radiation Induced Conformational Change and Hydrogen Atom Tunneling of 2-Chloropropionic Acid in Low-Temperature Ar Matrix

Former assignments of the matrix-isolation infrared (MI-IR) spectrum of 2-chloropropionic acid are revised with the help of near-infrared (NIR) laser irradiation induced change in conformer ratios. This method allows not only the unambiguous assignment of each band in the MI-IR spectrum to the two trans (Z) and the cis (E) conformers but also the assignment of the spectral bands to different matrix sites. The tunneling decay of the higher-energy cis conformer prepared from both trans conformers in different sites is also investigated. It is shown that the tunneling decay time is very sensitive to the matrix site, especially if the in situ prepared high-energy conformer has a strained geometry in the matrix cage. The analysis shows that the kinetics of some cis → trans back conversion processes cannot be fitted by a single exponential decay. The possible reasons of this observation are examined and discussed. The present and former results clearly show that, in addition to tunneling processes, the decay rates strongly depend on solid-state effects. Therefore, simple theoretical predictions of decay rates, which do not take into account the solid-state effects, can only be compared to experimental observations only if experimentally proven that these effects do not significantly affect the experimentally measured tunneling rates.

UV-Induced Hydrogen-Atom Transfer in 3,6-Dithiopyridazine and in Model Compounds 2-Thiopyridine and 3-Thiopyridazine

Monomeric 3,6-dithiopyridazine (3-mercapto- 6(1H)-pyridazinethione) was studied using the matrix-isolation method combined with quantum chemical calculations. The monomers of 3,6-dithiopyridazine, trapped from the gas phase into a low-temperature Ar matrix, were found to adopt the thione-thiol structure. In agreement with this experimental observation, the thione-thiol form was predicted (at the QCISD level) to be more stable by 13.5 kJ mol(-1) and by 39.6 kJ mol(-1) than the dithiol and the dithione tautomers, respectively. Monomers of 3,6-dithiopyridazine isolated in Ar matrixes were then irradiated with broadband UV (λ > 335 nm) light. Upon such irradiation, the thione-thiol form of the compound converted into the dithiol tautomer. The same phototransformation was observed when monochromatic λ = 385 nm laser light was used for irradiation. This allowed a first observation and spectral characterization of the dithiol form of 3,6-dithiopyridazine. Subsequent irradiation of the UV-generated dithiol tautomer with shorter-wavelength UV (λ > 275 nm) light led to partial repopulation of the thione-thiol form. Spectral signatures of the analogous photoreversibility were also found for the phototautomeric transformation in the model compound 3-thiopyridazine. The reliability of the QCISD predictions of relative energies of thiol and thione tautomeric forms was tested on the archetype example of 2-thiopyridine. For this compound, the comparison of the computed relative energy 10.9 kJ mol(-1) with the experimental estimate 10.0 ± 1.5 kJ mol(-1) (both in favor of the thiol form) was more than satisfactory.

Effects of strong and weak hydrogen bond formation on VCD spectra: a case study of 2-chloropropionic acid

The vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectrum of S-(-) and R-(+)-2-chloropropionic acid is thoroughly analyzed. Besides the VCD spectrum of the monomer, the dimers (stabilized by strong hydrogen bonds) and the 2-chloropropionic acid-CHCl(3) complexes (stabilized by a weak hydrogen bond) are studied both experimentally (in solution and in low-temperature Ar matrix) and by quantum chemical computations. It is shown that dimer formation drastically changes, and even weak complex formation can also substantially affect the overall shape of the VCD spectrum. The present and previous results can be generalized for the practice of absolute configuration determination of carboxylic acids by VCD spectroscopy. For these measurements, if bulky groups do not block dimer formation, comparison of the computed spectra of the dimers with the experimental spectra recorded in relatively concentrated (∼0.1 mol dm(-3)) solutions is suggested. Our study also shows that due to the stabilization of monomers and/or the formation of weak complexes, the VCD spectrum recorded in CHCl(3) is more complex and, like in the present case, can have a lower intensity than that of the spectrum recorded in CCl(4). Therefore, if solubility allows, CCl(4) is a much preferred solvent over CHCl(3).

Computational study of the equilibrium geometry and anharmonic vibrational spectra of PbX2 ··· NO and PbX2 ··· ON (X = F, Cl, Br, I) complexes

Equilibrium geometry parameters of the open shell PbX2 ··· NO and PbX2 ··· ON (X = F, Cl, Br, I) complexes have been computed by second-order Z-averaged perturbation theory (ZAPT2) with Stevens–Basch–Krauss–Jasien–Cundari (SBKJC) scalar-relativistic effective core potentials (RECP) and basis sets on all atoms. Equilibrium geometries of both PbX2 ··· NO and PbX2 ··· ON bonding isomers conform to Cs symmetry structure with end-on ligand coordination, and are characterized by Pb-N bond length within 266.6–271.7 pm range, Pb–O distance of 267.8–275.8 pm, Pb–N–O angle within 109.2–120.7° range, and Pb–O–N angle of 117.1–127.8°. Anharmonic vibrational spectra of the PbX2 ··· NO and PbX2 ··· ON complexes have been calculated by direct correlation-corrected vibrational self-consistent field (CC-VSCF) method enhanced with second-order perturbative correction using potential energy surfaces (PESs) determined at ZAPT2/SBKJC+(d) level in curvilinear (internal) coordinates. Fundamental ν(Pb–N) stretching mode has been computed at 232.8 to 209.0 cm−1 within PbX2 ··· NO series. whereas ν(Pb–O) stretching mode fundamental evaluation in PbX2 ··· ON series afforded wavenumbers within 183.2–150.7 cm−1 range. Blue shift of the ν(N=O) stretching mode wavenumber upon PbX2 ··· NO complex formation, computed in anharmonic approximation, 15.8–14.6 cm−1, correctly reproduces the effect observed in the low-temperature Ar matrix spectra of PbX2 ··· NO compounds. Influence of complex formation on the νs(Pb–X) and νas(Pb–X) fundamentals of PbX2 halides has also been discussed. Two-dimensional mapping of the (Qi , Qj ) mode-mode coupling potential has been used to rationalize the origin of mode coupling related anharmonic corrections.

Positive Identification of UV-Generated, Non-Hydrogen-Bonded Isomers of o-Hydroxybenzaldehyde and o-Hydroxyacetophenone

Non-hydrogen-bonded isomers were photogenerated by UV (lambda > 335 nm) irradiation of o-hydroxybenzaldehyde (salicylaldehyde) and o-hydroxyacetophenone monomers isolated in low-temperature Ar matrixes. These photoisomerizations were found to be photoreversible. Upon shorter wavelength (lambda > 235 nm or lambda > 270 nm) UV irradiation, the initial forms of the compounds (with intramolecular hydrogen bonds) were partially repopulated. The structures of the photogenerated non-hydrogen-bonded isomers of both compounds were positively identified by comparison of their IR spectra with the spectra theoretically calculated [at the DFT(B3LYP)/6-311++G(2d,p) level] for all possible non-hydrogen-bonded isomers of the studied compounds. The experimental IR spectra of the photoproducts generated from o-hydroxybenzaldehyde and o-hydroxyacetophenone are very well reproduced only by the theoretical spectra predicted for the isomers with both OH and formyl (or acetyl) groups rotated by 180 degrees, with respect to the initial, most stable hydrogen-bonded conformer. Excellent agreement between experiment and theoretical prediction provides a basis for a very reliable identification of the photoproduced isomers of o-hydroxybenzaldehyde and o-hydroxyacetophenone.

NIR-laser-induced selective rotamerization of hydroxy conformers of cytosine

The relative populations of two amino-hydroxy conformers of cytosine, differing in rotation of the OH group by approximately 180 degrees , were selectively and repeatedly manipulated with narrowband, near-infrared laser light. For cytosine monomers isolated in a low-temperature Ar matrix, laser irradiations at 7013 cm(-1) and at 7034 cm(-1) were found to induce effective transformations of the two conformers into each other.

IR low-temperature matrix, X-ray and ab initio study on l-isoserine conformations

The IR low-temperature Ar and Kr matrix spectra of l-isoserine were registered for the first time and interpreted by means of the anharmonic DFT frequencies calculated at the B3LYP/aug-cc-pVTZ and B3LYP/aug-cc-pVDZ levels. 54 l-isoserine conformers were predicted to be stable at the B3LYP/aug-cc-pVDZ level. Population of the 8 most stable conformers was based on the QCISD/aug-cc-pVDZ energies, corrected for thermal anharmonic factors obtained at the B3LYP/aug-cc-pVDZ level. We found several conformers to be present in the measured matrices and conformer 1 to be dominating. Presence of the conformer 2 is well confirmed by the nu(C=O) band at 1790 cm(-1) and two bands at 1380 and 1350 cm(-1). Presence of the conformer 4 is quite well confirmed by the nu(C-O) bands at 1120 and 1095 cm(-1). Slightly weaker arguments are found for the observation of conformers 6 and 3. Calculations on 54 neutral and 5 zwitterionic conformers in water at the IEF-PCM/B3LYP/aug-cc-pVDZ level suggest that one neutral and one zwitterionic conformer co-exist in the aqueous environment. The crystal structure of l-isoserine was solved by X-ray diffraction analysis. The compound crystallizes without solvent in the chiral P2(1)2(1)2 space group. The asymmetric unit contains a single molecule. The molecule is in its zwitterionic form with the CH(2)-NH(3) side chain in the gauche conformation with respect to the hydroxyl group and in the anti conformation with respect to the carboxylate group. The structure of l-isoserine is dominated by a set of intermolecular hydrogen bonds. The strongest one appears between the OH and COOH groups of two neighbouring molecules: the O...H contact is of 1.66(2) A, which is amongst the shortest H-bonds of this kind observed in amino acid crystal structures.

A Highly Delocalized Triplet Carbene, 5-Methylhexa-1,2,4-triene-1,3-diyl: Matrix IR Identification, Structure, and Reactions

The first representative of highly delocalized triplet carbenes bearing both vinyl and ethynyl groups at the formal carbene center, 5-methylhexa-1,2,4-triene-1,3-diyl, has been generated in a low-temperature Ar matrix upon UV photolysis of 5-ethynyl-3,3-dimethyl-3H-pyrazole and detected by FTIR spectroscopy. The transformation of 3H-pyrazole into the carbene proceeds in two stages via intermediate 3-diazo-5-methylhex-4-en-1-yne. According to DFT PBE/TZ2P calculations, 5-methylhexa-1,2,4-triene-1,3-diyl possesses an effective conjugation along the five-carbon chain and shows the same type of the bond length alternation as the HC(4m+1)H-type polyacetylenic carbenes. The carbene readily reacts with molecular oxygen, producing carbonyl oxides, which undergo further transformations typical of this type of compound upon irradiation in the UV-visible region. Two major photolytic rearrangements of 5-methylhexa-1,2,4-triene-1,3-diyl represent reactions characteristic of vinyl carbenes and resulting in the formation of 1-ethynyl-3,3-dimethylcyclopropene and 3E-2-methylhexa-1,3-dien-5-yne. A minor reaction is that typical of ethynylcarbenes; this leads to the formation of singlet 2-(2-methylpropenyl)cyclopropenylidene. Fragments of singlet and triplet potential energy surfaces of the C(7)H(8) system have been explored in DFT PBE/TZ2P calculations.

Chiral and Achiral Fundamental Conformational Building Units of β-Peptides: A Matrix Isolation Conformational Study on Ac-β-HGly-NHMe and Ac-β-HAla-NHMe

The infrared spectra of two model beta-peptides, N-acetyl-3-aminopropionic acid-N'-methylamide (Ac-beta-HGly-NHMe) and N-acetyl-3-aminobutanoic acid-N'-methylamide (Ac-beta-HAla-NHMe), have been recorded in low-temperature Ar and Kr matrixes. The spectra were assigned by the help of electronic structure calculations. The analysis of spectra, in line with the theoretical predictions, revealed that both biocompatible peptide building blocks have a single dominant backbone conformer. Besides this prevalent conformer, which has a six-membered H-bonded pseudoring, conformers with eight-membered H-bonded rings are also observed but in a significantly smaller amount. The calculated conformer distribution is consistent with the experimental findings. The present work along with other recent results supports the concept that the backbone conformation of longer biopolymers, such as alpha- and beta-peptides, can be deciphered using the conformers of their structural building blocks. In this respect, our conformational study on the simplest models for beta-peptides both by IR spectroscopic experiments and quantum chemical studies has significance for the better design and understanding of the backbone conformations of larger beta-peptides with biomedical potential. The present conformational analysis suggests that although beta-peptides, having an "extra" backbone torsion and hence more conformational freedom, should be more flexible than alpha-peptides, fewer backbone conformers are viable based on their relative energies. Thus, from a larger conformational arsenal, only a lower number of backbone conformers can emerge, which possibly had a fundamental effect on their applicability during prebiotic evolution.

Thioperoxy Derivative Generated by UV-Induced Transformation of N-Hydroxypyridine-2(1H)-thione Isolated in Low-Temperature Matrixes

Photochemical transformations of N-hydroxypyridine-2(1H)-thione and its deuterated isotopologue were studied using the matrix-isolation technique. Low-temperature Ar and N2 matrixes containing monomers of this compound were irradiated with continuous-wave near-UV light. Photogeneration of two products was observed in these experiments. The relative population of these photogenerated species was found to be dependent on the wavelength of the UV light used for irradiation. By comparison of the IR spectra of the photoproducts with the spectra simulated theoretically at the DFT(B3LYP)/6-311++G(d, p) level, the final and the intermediate products were identified as rotameric forms of 2-hydroxysulfanyl-pyridine. This is the first report on generation of this thioperoxy derivative of pyridine. The mechanism of photogeneration of 2-hydroxysulfanyl-pyridine involves a photoinduced cleavage of the N-O bond in N-hydroxypyridine-2(1H)-thione, generation of the .OH radical weakly bound with the remaining pyridylthiyl radical, and recombination of these two radicals by formation of the new -S-O- bond. A theoretical model supporting this interpretation was constructed on the basis of approximate coupled cluster (CC2) calculations of the potential energy surfaces of the ground and first excited singlet electronic states of the system. After electronic excitation of the monomeric N-hydroxypyridine-2(1H)-thione, the molecule evolves to the conical intersection with the potential energy surface of the ground state and then to the global minimum corresponding to 2-hydroxysulfanyl-pyridine.