NH Chemical Shifts Research Articles

Nuclear magnetic resonance studies on conformation and stability of mastoparan in methanol.

Mastoparan is a small peptide composed of 14 amino acid residues found in wasp venom. It penetrates into cytoplasm through the cell membranes and then binds to a G protein to stimulate the release of histamine. Conformation and its thermal stability of mastoparan from Vespula lewisi (MP) in methanol are investigated by using proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. On the basis of data on NOESY cross peaks, spin-spin coupling constants between an amide proton (NH) and an α-proton, NH chemical shift analyses, and temperature dependence of integrated intensity of NH resonance lines, we found that MP forms the helix between the 5th and 12th residues at low temperatures and the helix segment is maintained even at 54°C. This conformation is similar to that of MP bound to detergent micelles, and hence, methanol is considered to be appropriate as a membrane mimetic for MP. In connection with the function of the venom peptide, significance of high stability of the helical conformation is discussed.

A new method for detecting intramolecular H-bonds of aromatic amides based on the de-shielding effect of carbonyl groups on β-protons.

Aromatic amide foldamers with highly predictable conformations possess potential for application in the fields of stereoselective recognition, charge transport and catalysis, whose conformations are commonly limited by the intramolecular hydrogen bonding between amide groups and hydrogen-bonding receptors. Herein, on the basis of the de-shielding effect of carbonyl groups on β-protons, we develop a new method for detecting intramolecular hydrogen bonds of aromatic amide compounds. The solvent-related changes in the βH chemical shifts (Δ(δβH)) and NH chemical shifts (Δ(δNH)) of three kinds of amide compounds, which are frequently used as building blocks of aromatic amide foldamers, were recorded in chloroform, nitromethane, acetonitrile and DMSO. The Δ(δβH) method is found to be highly suitable for studying methoxy-benzamides and fluoro-benzamides in chloroform and DMSO. It is worth noting that a reference compound is not required for applying the Δ(δβH) method, which is an advantage over the Δ(δNH) method. In addition, we extend the Δ(δNH) method from methoxy-benzamides to pyridine-carboxamides and fluoro-benzamides in chloroform and DMSO, and propose that nitromethane and acetonitrile will be possible alternatives for the Δ(δNH) method if a test compound is not soluble in chloroform.

Accurate Backbone 13 C and 15 N Chemical Shift Tensors in Galectin-3 Determined by MAS NMR and QM/MM: Details of Structure and Environment Matter.

Chemical shift tensors obtained from solid-state NMR spectroscopy are very sensitive reporters of structure and dynamics in proteins. While accurate 13 C and 15 N chemical shift tensors are accessible by magic angle spinning (MAS) NMR, their quantum mechanical calculations remain challenging, particularly for 15 N atoms. Here we compare experimentally determined backbone 13 Cα and 15 NH chemical shift tensors by MAS NMR with hybrid quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics/molecular dynamics (MD-QM/MM) calculations for the carbohydrate-binding domain of galectin-3. Excellent agreement between experimental and computed 15 NH chemical shift anisotropy values was obtained using the Amber ff15ipq force field when solvent dynamics was taken into account in the calculation. Our results establish important benchmark conditions for improving the accuracy of chemical shift calculations in proteins and may aid in the validation of protein structure models derived by MAS NMR.

СИНТЕЗ 1,2,3-ТРИАЗОЛОВМІСНОГО МАКРОЦИКЛУ З ВИКОРИСТАННЯМ РЕАКЦІЇ КЛІК-ХІМІЇ Й АНАЛІЗ ЙОГО ПЛАНАРНОЇ ХІРАЛЬНОСТІ ЗА ДОПОМОГОЮ ЯМР І РОЗРАХУНКІВ DFT

Macrocycles represent previously unexplored promising drug candidates, that can be useful for treating protein-protein interactions. Atropoisomerism is an inherent feature of the natural macrocyclic peptides that is significant for their activity and selectivity, and, therefore, should be introduced into newly synthesized macrocycles. Synthesis of the libraries of artificial macrocycles faces many challenges due to their structure and size. Herein we report on the preparation of a 16-membered macrocycle containing 1,2,3-triazole ring, spiro-piperidine, and phenyl moieties, as well as a chiral carbon atom. Our approach to the macrocycle was inspired by the "build/couple/pair" (B/C/P) strategy, a part of diversity-oriented synthesis methodology. We have employed readily accessible starting materials and robust synthetic procedures which allowed us to obtain the target macrocycle in a high yield. Standard methods of amide bond formation were used for the coupling of macrocycle building blocks. Click chemistry azide-alkyne cycloaddition was exploited at the final ring closure step. The assignment of signals in 1H and 13C NMR spectra of the macrocycle was performed using a series of 2D NMR techniques. The macrocycle displayed planar chirality, which, in a combination with a stereocenter with the known configuration, was sufficient to propose possible structures of diastereomers. The diastereomers could differ by the relative position of triazole ring. Their racemization could occur through a "rope skipping" motion involving the cyclic chain crossing the plane of 1,2,3-triazole ring. The supposed structures of diastereomers were corroborated by means of a various NMR spectroscopy techniques and DFT calculations. Analysis of the amide NH chemical shift temperature coefficients coupled with the data on optimized geometries obtained by DFT convincingly demonstrated that the intramolecular hydrogen bonds play a major role in stabilization of the diastereomer structures. According to the variable temperature NMR experiment, the interconversion of two diastereomers did not occur even at heating up to 70 °C.

NMR, MP2, and DFT study of thiophenoxyketenimines (o-thio-Schiff bases): Determination of the preferred form.

Five new thiophenoxyketinimines have been synthesized. 1 H and 13 C NMR spectra as well as deuterium isotope effects on 13 C chemical shifts are determined, and spectra are assigned. DFT and MP2 calculations of both structures, chemical shifts, and isotope effects on chemical shifts are done. The combined analysis reveals that the compounds are primarily on a zwitterionic form with an NH+ and a S- group and with a little of the neutral form mixed in. Very strong intramolecular hydrogen bonding is found and very high NH chemical shifts are observed. The theoretical calculations show that calculations at the MP2 level are best to obtain correct "C═S" chemical shifts.

Conformational properties and aggregation of homo-oligomeric β3 (R)-valine peptides in organic solvents.

The conformational characteristics of protected homo-oligomeric Boc-[β3 (R)Val]n -OMe, n = 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, and 12 have been investigated in organic solvents using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) absorption spectroscopy and circular dichroism (CD) methods. The detailed 1 H NMR analysis of Boc-[β3 (R)Val]12 -OMe reveals that the peptide aggregates extensively in CDCl3 , but is disaggregated in 20%, (v/v) dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in CDCl3 and in CD3 OH. Limited assignment of the N-terminus NH groups, together with solvent dependence of NH chemical shifts and temperature coefficients provides evidence for 14-helix conformation in the 12-residue peptide. FTIR analysis in CHCl3 establishes that the onset of folding and aggregation, as evidenced by NH stretching bands at 3375 cm-1 (intramolecular) and 3285 cm-1 (intermolecular), begins at the level of the tetrapeptide. The observed CD bands, 214 nm (negative) and 198 nm (positive), support 14-helix formation in the 9 and 12 residue sequences. The folding and aggregation tendencies of homo-oligomeric α-, β-, and γ- residues is compared in the model peptides Boc-[ωVal]n -NHMe, ω = α, β, and γ and n = 1, 2, and 3. Analysis of the FTIR spectra in CHCl3 , establish that the tendency to aggregate at the di and tripeptide level follows the order β > α∼γ, while the tendency to fold follows the order γ > β > α.

Corrigendum: Homochiral [2.2]Paracyclophane Self-Assembly Promoted by Transannular Hydrogen Bonding.

In Figure 1 of this Communication, the units on the vertical axis of the top right plot were incorrectly given as δ instead of Δδ. The corrected plot is given below. […] Top right: nonlinear curve fitting of concentration-dependent NH chemical shift data (CDCl3) fit to an isodesmic model. Additionally, the Communication incorrectly identifies the level of theory used as M06-2X/6-31+G*. The correct level of theory is M06-2X/6-31G* (without the addition of diffuse functions). The authors apologize for these oversights.

Fast Magic-Angle Spinning Three-Dimensional NMR Experiment for Simultaneously Probing H-H and N-H Proximities in Solids.

A fast magic-angle spinning (MAS, 70 kHz) solid-state NMR experiment is presented that combines 1H Double-Quantum (DQ) and 14N-1H HMQC (Heteronuclear Multiple-Quantum Coherence) pulse-sequence elements, so as to simultaneously probe H-H and N-H proximities in molecular solids. The proposed experiment can be employed in both two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) versions: first, a 2D 14N HMQC-filtered 1H-DQ experiment provides specific DQ-SQ correlation peaks for proton pairs that are in close proximities to the nitrogen sites, thereby achieving spectral filtration. Second, a proton-detected three-dimensional (3D) 1H(DQ)-14N(SQ)-1H(SQ) experiment correlates 1H(DQ)-1H(SQ) chemical shifts with 14N shifts such that longer range N···H-H correlations are observed between protons and nitrogen atoms with internuclear NH distances exceeding 3 Å. Both 2D and 3D versions of the proposed experiment are demonstrated for an amino acid hydrochloride salt, l-histidine·HCl·H2O, and a DNA nucleoside, guanosine·2H2O. In the latter case, the achieved spectral filtration ensures that DQ cross peaks are only observed for guanine NH and CH8 1H resonances and not ribose and water 1H resonances, thus providing insight into the changes in the solid-state structure of this hydrate that occur over time; significant changes are observed in the NH and NH21H chemical shifts as compared to the freshly recrystallized sample previously studied by Reddy et al., Cryst. Growth Des. 2015, 15, 5945.

Synthesis of the cyclic prenylguanidine nitensidine E using a palladium-catalyzed carbenylative amination

We demonstrate the utility of carbenylative aminations in the synthesis of the cyclic alkaloid nitensidine E involving both protected and un-protected guanidine moieties. The alkylguanidine substrate is generated using a Mitsunobu reaction and we show that NH chemical shifts correlate with the regiochemistry and tautomeric structure of N-alkyl-bis-N,N′-Boc-guanidines. When the doubly-protected guanidine is used as a substrate in the palladium reaction, the catalyst assembles the heterocyclic ring and quaternary center of nitensidine E but with concomitant loss of one of the Boc groups. The reaction also works with an un-protected guanidine leading directly to nitensidine E.

A Designed Three-Stranded β-Sheet in an α/β Hybrid Peptide

The incorporation of β-amino acid residues into the antiparallel β-strand segments of a multi-stranded β-sheet peptide is demonstrated for a 19-residue peptide, Boc-LV(β)FV(D)PGL(β)FVVL(D)PGLVL(β)FVV-OMe (BBH19). Two centrally positioned (D)Pro-Gly segments facilitate formation of a stable three-stranded β-sheet, in which β-phenylalanine ((β)Phe) residues occur at facing positions 3, 8 and 17. Structure determination in methanol solution is accomplished by using NMR-derived restraints obtained from NOEs, temperature dependence of amide NH chemical shifts, rates of H/D exchange of amide protons and vicinal coupling constants. The data are consistent with a conformationally well-defined three-stranded β-sheet structure in solution. Cross-strand interactions between (β)Phe3/(β)Phe17 and (β)Phe3/Val15 residues define orientations of these side-chains. The observation of close contact distances between the side-chains on the N- and C-terminal strands of the three-stranded β-sheet provides strong support for the designed structure. Evidence is presented for multiple side-chain conformations from an analysis of NOE data. An unusual observation of the disappearance of the Gly NH resonances upon prolonged storage in methanol is rationalised on the basis of a slow aggregation step, resulting in stacking of three-stranded β-sheet structures, which in turn influences the conformational interconversion between type I' and type II' β-turns at the two (D)Pro-Gly segments. Experimental evidence for these processes is presented. The decapeptide fragment Boc-LV(β)FV(D)PGL(β)FVV-OMe (BBH10), which has been previously characterized as a type I' β-turn nucleated hairpin, is shown to favour a type II' β-turn conformation in solution, supporting the occurrence of conformational interconversion at the turn segments in these hairpin and sheet structures.

NH chemical shift assignments for free AbpSH3 bound to WT Ark1p peptide

NH chemical shift assignments for free AbpSH3 bound to WT Ark1p peptide

Helix and hairpin nucleation in short peptides using centrally positioned conformationally constrained dipeptide segments

The effect of incorporation of a centrally positioned Ac(6)c-Xxx segment where Xxx = (L)Val/(D)Val into a host oligopeptide composed of l-amino acid residues has been investigated. Studies of four designed octapeptides Boc-Leu-Phe-Val-Ac(6)c-Xxx-Leu-Phe-Val-OMe (Xxx = (D)Val 1, (L)Val 2) Boc-Leu-Val-Val-Ac(6)c-Xxx-Leu-Val-Val-OMe (Xxx = (D)Val 3, (L)Val 4) are reported. Diagnostic nuclear Overhouse effects characteristic of hairpin conformations are observed for Xxx = (D)Val peptides (1 and 3) while continuous helical conformation characterized by sequential N(i)H ↔ N(i+1)H NOEs are favored for Xxx = (L)Val peptides (2 and 4) in methanol solutions. Temperature co-efficient of NH chemical shifts are in agreement with distinctly different conformational preferences upon changing the configuration of the residue at position 5. Crystal structures of peptides 2 and 4 (Xxx = (L)Val) establish helical conformations in the solid state, in agreement with the structures deduced from NMR data. The results support the design principle that centrally positioned type I β-turns may be used to nucleate helices in short peptides, while type I'β-turns can facilitate folding into β-hairpins.

Identifying Guanosine Self Assembly at Natural Isotopic Abundance by High-Resolution 1H and 13C Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy

By means of the (1)H chemical shifts and the proton-proton proximities as identified in (1)H double-quantum (DQ) combined rotation and multiple-pulse spectroscopy (CRAMPS) solid-state NMR correlation spectra, ribbon-like and quartet-like self-assembly can be identified for guanosine derivatives without isotopic labeling for which it was not possible to obtain single crystals suitable for diffraction. Specifically, characteristic spectral fingerprints are observed for dG(C10)(2) and dG(C3)(2) derivatives, for which quartet-like and ribbon-like self-assembly has been unambiguously identified by (15)N refocused INADEQUATE spectra in a previous study of (15)N-labeled derivatives (Pham, T. N.; et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc.2005, 127, 16018). The NH (1)H chemical shift is observed to be higher (13-15 ppm) for ribbon-like self-assembly as compared to 10-11 ppm for a quartet-like arrangement, corresponding to a change from NH···N to NH···O intermolecular hydrogen bonding. The order of the two NH(2)(1)H chemical shifts is also inverted, with the NH(2) proton closest in space to the NH proton having a higher or lower (1)H chemical shift than that of the other NH(2) proton for ribbon-like as opposed to quartet-like self-assembly. For the dG(C3)(2) derivative for which a single-crystal diffraction structure is available, the distinct resonances and DQ peaks are assigned by means of gauge-including projector-augmented wave (GIPAW) chemical shift calculations. In addition, (14)N-(1)H correlation spectra obtained at 850 MHz under fast (60 kHz) magic-angle spinning (MAS) confirm the assignment of the NH and NH(2) chemical shifts for the dG(C3)(2) derivative and allow longer range through-space N···H proximities to be identified, notably to the N7 nitrogens on the opposite hydrogen-bonding face.

Transient hydrogen bonding in uniformly 13C,15N‐Labeled Carbohydrates in Water

We report NMR studies of transient hydrogen bonding in a polysaccharide (PS) dissolved in water without cosolvent at ambient temperature. The PS portion of the Escherichia coli O142 lipopolysaccharide is comprised of repeating pentasaccharide units of GalNAc (N-acetyl galactosamine), GlcNAc (N-acetyl glucosamine), and rhamnose in a 3:1:1 ratio, respectively. A 105-ns molecular dynamics (MD) simulation on one pentasaccharide repeat unit predicts transient inter-residue hydrogen bonds from the GalNAc NH groups in the PS. To investigate these predictions experimentally, the PS was uniformly ¹³C,¹⁵N enriched and the NH, carbonyl, C2, C4, and methyl resonances of the GalNAc and GlcNAc residues assigned using through-bond triple-resonance NMR experiments. Temperature dependence of amide NH chemical shifts and one-bond NH J couplings support that NH groups on two of the GalNAc residues are donors in transient hydrogen bonds. The remaining GalNAc and GlcNAc NHs do not appear to be donors from either temperature-dependent chemical shifts or one-bond NH J couplings. These results substantiate the presence of weak or partial hydrogen bonds in carbohydrates, and that MD simulations of repeating units in PSs provide insight into overall PS structure and dynamics.

Chemical shift assignment and conformational analysis of monoalkylated acylguanidines

Monoalkylated acylguanidines are important functional groups in many biologically active compounds and additionally applied in coordination chemistry. Yet a straightforward assignment of the individual NH chemical shifts and the acylguanidine conformations is still missing. Therefore, in this study, NMR spectroscopic approaches for the chemical and especially the conformational assignment of protonated monoalkylated acylguanidines are presented. While NOESY and (3)J(H, H) scalar couplings cannot be applied successfully for the assignment of acylguanidines, (4)J(H, H) scalar couplings in (1)H,(1)H COSY spectra allow for an unambiguous chemical shift and conformational assignment. It is shown that these (4)J(H, H) long-range couplings between individual acylguanidinium NH resonances are observed solely across all-trans (w) pathways. Already one cis orientation in the magnetisation transfer pathway leads to signal intensities below the actual detection limit and significantly lower than cross-peaks from (2)J(NH, NH) couplings or chemical exchange. However, it should be noted that also in the case of conformational exchange being fast on the NMR time scale, averaged cross-peaks from all-trans (4)J(H, H) scalar couplings are detected, which may lead at first glance to an incomplete or even wrong conformational analysis.

Chiral η6‐Arene/N‐Tosylethylenediamine–Ruthenium(II) Complexes: Solution Behavior and Catalytic Activity for Asymmetric Hydrogenation

Aromatic ketones are enantioseletively hydrogenated in alcohols containing [RuX{(S,S)-Tsdpen}(eta(6)-p-cymene)] (Tsdpen=TsNCH(C(6)H(5))CH(C(6)H(5))NH(2); X=TfO, Cl) as precatalysts. The corresponding Ru hydride (X=H) acts as a reducing species. The solution structures and complete spectral assignment of these complexes have been determined using 2D NMR ((1)H-(1)H DQF-COSY, (1)H-(13)C HMQC, (1)H-(15)N HSQC, and (1)H-(19)F HOESY). Depending on the nature of the solvents and conditions, the precatalysts exist as a covalently bound complex, tight ion pair of [Ru(+)(Tsdpen)(cymene)] and X(-), solvent-separated ion pair, or discrete free ions. Solvent effects on the NH(2) chemical shifts of the Ru complexes and the hydrodynamic radius and volume of the Ru(+) and TfO(-) ions elucidate the process of precatalyst activation for hydrogenation. Most notably, the Ru triflate possessing a high ionizability, substantiated by cyclic voltammetry, exists in alcoholic solvents largely as a solvent-separated ion pair and/or free ions. Accordingly, its diffusion-derived data in CD(3)OD reflect the independent motion of [Ru(+)(Tsdpen)(cymene)] and TfO(-). In CDCl(3), the complex largely retains the covalent structure showing similar diffusion data for the cation and anion. The Ru triflate and chloride show similar but distinct solution behavior in various solvents. Conductivity measurements and catalytic behavior demonstrate that both complexes ionize in CH(3)OH to generate a common [Ru(+)(Tsdpen)(cymene)] and X(-), although the extent is significantly greater for X=TfO(-). The activation of [RuX(Tsdpen)(cymene)] during catalytic hydrogenation in alcoholic solvent occurs by simple ionization to generate [Ru(+)(Tsdpen)(cymene)]. The catalytic activity is thus significantly influenced by the reaction conditions.

Deuterium isotope effects on 13C and 15N chemical shifts of intramolecularly hydrogen-bonded enaminocarbonyl derivatives of Meldrum’s and Tetronic acid

Secondary deuterium isotope effects on 13C and 15N nuclear shieldings in a series of cyclic enamino-diesters and enamino-esters and acyclic enaminones and enamino-esters have been examined and analysed using NMR and DFT (B3LYP/6-31G(d,p)) methods. One-dimensional and two-dimensional NMR spectra of enaminocarbonyl and their deuterated analogues were recorded in CDCl 3 and CD 2Cl 2 at variable temperatures and assigned. 1 J NH coupling constants for the derivatives of Meldrum’s and tetronic acids reveal that they exist at the NH-form. It was demonstrated that deuterium isotope effects, for the hydrogen bonded compounds, due to the deuterium substitution at the nitrogen nucleus lead to large one-bond isotope effects at nitrogen, 1Δ 15N(D), and two-bond isotope effects on carbon nuclei, 2ΔC(ND), respectively. A linear correlations exist between 2ΔC(ND) and 1Δ 15N(D) whereas the correlation with δNH is divided into two. A good agreement between the experimentally observed 2ΔC(ND) and calculated dσ 13C/dR NH was obtained. A very good correlation between calculated NH bond lengths and observed NH chemical shifts is found. The observed isotope effects are shown to depend strongly on Resonance Assisted Hydrogen bonding.

Helical conformations of hexapeptides containing N‐terminus diproline segments

The role of N-terminus diproline segments in facilitating helical folding in short peptides has been investigated in a set of model hexapeptides of the type Piv-Xxx-Yyy-Aib-Leu-Aib-Phe-OMe (Piv, pivaloyl). Nine sequences have been investigated with the following N-terminus dipeptide segments: (D)Pro-Ala (4) and Pro-PsiPro (5, Psi, pseudoproline), Ala-Ala (6), Ala-Pro (7), Pro-Ala (8), Aib-Ala (9), Ala-Aib (10). The analog sequences Piv-Pro-Pro-Ala-Leu-Aib-Phe-OMe (2) and Piv-Pro-Pro-Ala-Aib-Ala-Aib-OMe (3) have also been studied. Solid state conformations have been determined by X-ray crystallography for peptides 4, 6, and 8 and compared with the previously determined crystal structure of peptide 1 (Boc-Pro-Pro-Aib-Leu-Aib-Val-OMe); (Rai et al., JACS 2006, 128, 7916-7928). Peptides 1 and 6 adopt almost identical helical conformations with unfolding of the helix at the N-terminus Pro (1) residue. Peptide 4 reveals the anticipated (D)Pro-Ala type II' beta-turn, followed by a stretch of 3(10)-helix. Peptide 8 adopts a folded conformation stabilized by four successive 4-->1 intramolecular hydrogen bonds. Ala (2) adopts an alpha(L) conformation, resulting in a type II beta-turn conformation followed by a stretch of 3(10)-helix. Conformational properties in solution were probed using solvent perturbation of NH chemical shifts which permit delineation of hydrogen bonded NH groups and nuclear Overhauser effects (NOEs) between backbone protons, which are diagnostic of local residue conformations. The results suggest that, continuous helical conformations are indeed significantly populated for peptides 2 and 3. Comparison of the results for peptides 1 and 2, suggest that there is a significant influence of the residue that follows diproline segments in influencing backbone folding.

Aza-β 3 -cyclopeptides: A New Way of Controlling Nitrogen Chirality

Sixteen and 24 membered aza-beta(3)-peptidic macrocycles containing a alpha-hydrazinoacid or a beta(3)-aminoacid were synthesized. The conformation of these pseudopeptides was determined by using NH chemical shift analysis, NH extinction, VT-NMR experiments, and X-ray diffraction. The study shows that a stable conformation is retained between 223 and 413 K. The latter is characterized by an uninterrupted internal H-bond network and a syndiotactic arrangement of the asymmetric centers. It means that the presence of the optically pure residue acts as a conformational lock to select a single enantiomer through the cyclization by controlling the absolute configuration of all the nitrogen atoms. To our knowledge, this represents the first example of a dynamic enantioselection process involving several centers prone to pyramidal inversion. These results give a new impulsion to the control of nitrogen chirality, which remained limited to small cycles for 60 years.

Amphiphilic dipyrrinones: methoxylated [6]-semirubins

Replacing the typical β-alkyl substituents of [6]-semirubin and [6]-oxosemirubin, two intramolecularly hydrogen-bonded bilirubin analogs, with methoxy groups produces amphiphilic dipyrrinones. Synthesized from the respective 9 H-dipyrrinones prepared by base-catalyzed condensation of 3,4-dimethoxypyrrolin-2-one with the appropriate pyrrole α-aldehyde, the 2,3-dimethoxy and 2,3,7,8-tetramethoxy analogs of [6]-semirubin are yellow-colored dipyrrinones that form intramolecularly hydrogen-bonded monomers in CDCl 3, as deduced from 1H NMR NH chemical shifts. They are monomeric in CHCl 3, as determined by vapor pressure osmometry. In contrast, in the solid, X-ray crystallography reveals supramolecular ribbons of intermolecularly hydrogen-bonded (dipyrrinone to dipyrrinone and acid to acid) 2,3,7,8-tetramethoxy-[6]-semirubin. The latter is approximately 20 times more soluble in water than the parent [6]-semirubin with four β-methyl groups.