How the Generalized Anomeric Effect Influences the Conformational Preference

A True Reverse Anomeric Effect Does Exist After All: A Hydrogen Bonding Stereocontrolling Effect in 2-Iminoaldoses

The reverse anomeric effect is usually associated with the equatorial preference of nitrogen substituents at the anomeric center. Once postulated as another anomeric effect with explanations ranging from electrostatic interactions to delocalization effects, it is now firmly considered to be essentially steric in nature. Through an extensive research on aryl imines from 2-amino-2-deoxyaldoses, spanning nearly two decades, we realized that such substances often show an anomalous anomeric behavior that cannot easily be rationalized on the basis of purely steric grounds. The apparent preference, or stabilization, of the β-anomer takes place to an extent that not only neutralizes but also overcomes the normal anomeric effect. Calculations indicate that there is no stereoelectronic effect opposing the anomeric effect, resulting from the repulsion between electron lone pairs on the imine nitrogen and the endocyclic oxygen. Such data and compelling structural evidence unravel why the exoanomeric effect is largely inhibited. We are now confident, as witnessed by 2-iminoaldoses, that elimination of the exo-anomeric effect in the α-anomer is due to the formation of an intramolecular hydrogen bond between the anomeric hydroxyl and the iminic nitrogen, thereby accounting for a true electronic effect. In addition, discrete solvation may help justify the observed preference for the β-anomer.

Structural, Electronic, Reactivity, and Conformational Features of 2,5,5-Trimethyl-1,3,2-diheterophosphinane-2-sulfide, and Its Derivatives: DFT, MEP, and NBO Calculations

In this study, we used density functional theory (DFT) and natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis to determine the structural, electronic, reactivity, and conformational features of 2,5,5-trimethyl-1,3,2-di-heteroatom (X) phosphinane-2-sulfide derivatives (X = O (compound 1), S (compound 2), and Se (compound 3)). We discovered that the features improve dramatically at 6-31G** and B3LYP/6-311+G** levels. The level of theory for the molecular structure was optimized first, followed by the frontier molecular orbital theory development to assess molecular stability and reactivity. Molecular orbital calculations, such as the HOMO–LUMO energy gap and the mapping of molecular electrostatic potential surfaces (MEP), were performed similarly to DFT calculations. In addition, the electrostatic potential of the molecule was used to map the electron density on a surface. In addition to revealing molecules’ size and shape distribution, this study also shows the sites on the surface where molecules are most chemically reactive.

Nucleophilic and Radical Heptafluoroisopropoxylation with Redox-Active Reagents

The heptafluoroisopropyl group (CF(CF₃ )₂ ) is prevalent in pharmaceuticals and agrichemicals. However, heptafluoroisopropoxylated (OCF(CF₃ )₂ ) compounds remain largely underexplored, presumably due to the lack of efficient access to these compounds. Herein, we disclose the practical and efficient heptafluoroisopropoxylation reactions through the invention of a series of redox-active N-OCF(CF₃ )₂ reagents. These reagents were readily prepared from the oxidative heptafluoroisopropylation of hydroxylamines with AgCF(CF₃ )₂ . The substitutions on the nitrogen atom significantly affected the properties and reactivities of N-OCF(CF₃ )₂ reagents. Accordingly, two types of N-OCF(CF₃ )₂ reagents including N-OCF(CF₃ )₂ phthalimide A and N-OCF(CF₃ )₂ benzotriazolium salt O' were used as OCF(CF₃ )₂ anion and radical precursors, respectively. This protocol enables the direct heptafluoroisopropoxylation of a range of substrates, delivering the corresponding products in moderate to excellent yields.

Anomeric effect, hyperconjugation and electrostatics: lessons from complexity in a classic stereoelectronic phenomenon

Understanding the interplay of multiple components (steric, electrostatic, stereoelectronic, dispersive, etc.) that define the overall energy, structure, and reactivity of organic molecules can be a daunting task. The task becomes even more difficult when multiple approaches based on different physical premises disagree in their analysis of a multicomponent molecular system. Herein, we will use a classic conformational "oddity", the anomeric effect, to discuss the value of identifying the key contributors to reactivity that can guide chemical predictions. After providing the background related to the relevant types of hyperconjugation and a brief historic outline of the origins of the anomeric effect, we outline variations of its patterns and provide illustrative examples for the role of the anomeric effect in structure, stability, and spectroscopic properties. We show that the complete hyperconjugative model remains superior in explaining the interplay between structure and reactivity. We will use recent controversies regarding the origin of the anomeric effect to start a deeper discussion relevant to any electronic effect. Why are such questions inherently controversial? How to describe a complex quantum system using a model that is "as simple as possible, but no simpler"? What is a fair test for such a model? Perhaps, instead of asking "who is right and who is wrong?" one should ask "why do we disagree?". Stereoelectronic thinking can reconcile quantum complexity with chemical intuition and build the conceptual bridge between structure and reactivity. Even when many factors contribute to the observed structural and conformational trends, electron delocalization is a dominating force when the electronic demand is high (i.e., bonds are breaking as molecules distort from their equilibrium geometries). In these situations, the role of orbital interactions increases to the extent where they can define reactivity. For example, negative hyperconjugation can unleash the "underutilized" stereoelectronic power of unshared electrons (i.e., the lone pairs) to stabilize a developing positive charge at an anomeric carbon. This analysis paves the way for the broader discussion of the omnipresent importance of negative hyperconjugation in oxygen-containing functional groups. From that point of view, the stereoelectronic component of the anomeric effect plays a unique role in guiding reaction design.

Stereoelectronic power of oxygen in control of chemical reactivity: the anomeric effect is not alone

Although carbon is the central element of organic chemistry, oxygen is the central element of stereoelectronic control in organic chemistry. Generally, a molecule with a C-O bond has both a strong donor (a lone pair) and a strong acceptor (e.g., a σ*_C-O orbital), a combination that provides opportunities to influence chemical transformations at both ends of the electron demand spectrum. Oxygen is a stereoelectronic chameleon that adapts to the varying situations in radical, cationic, anionic, and metal-mediated transformations. Arguably, the most historically important stereoelectronic effect is the anomeric effect (AE), i.e., the axial preference of acceptor groups at the anomeric position of sugars. Although AE is generally attributed to hyperconjugative interactions of σ-acceptors with a lone pair at oxygen (negative hyperconjugation), recent literature reports suggested alternative explanations. In this context, it is timely to evaluate the fundamental connections between the AE and a broad variety of O-functional groups. Such connections illustrate the general role of hyperconjugation with oxygen lone pairs in reactivity. Lessons from the AE can be used as the conceptual framework for organizing disjointed observations into a logical body of knowledge. In contrast, neglect of hyperconjugation can be deeply misleading as it removes the stereoelectronic cornerstone on which, as we show in this review, the chemistry of organic oxygen functionalities is largely based. As negative hyperconjugation releases the "underutilized" stereoelectronic power of unshared electrons (the lone pairs) for the stabilization of a developing positive charge, the role of orbital interactions increases when the electronic demand is high and molecules distort from their equilibrium geometries. From this perspective, hyperconjugative anomeric interactions play a unique role in guiding reaction design. In this manuscript, we discuss the reactivity of organic O-functionalities, outline variations in the possible hyperconjugative patterns, and showcase the vast implications of AE for the structure and reactivity. On our journey through a variety of O-containing organic functional groups, from textbook to exotic, we will illustrate how this knowledge can predict chemical reactivity and unlock new useful synthetic transformations.

Fragmentation method reveals a wide spectrum of intramolecular hydrogen bond energies in antioxidant natural products

Very strong and weak IHBs in curcumin.

Synthesis and Reactivity of α-Haloglycine Esters: Hyperconjugation in Action

A general and efficient synthesis of α-haloglycine esters from commercially available feedstock chemicals, in a single step, is reported. The reactivity of these α-haloglycine esters with various nucleophiles was studied as surrogates of α-iminoesters upon activation with hydrogen-bond donor catalysts. DFT calculations on the α-haloglycine structures (X = F, Cl, Br) accompanied by an X-ray characterization of the α-bromoglycine ester support the existence of a "generalized" anomeric effect created by hyperconjugation. This peculiar hyperconjugative effect is proposed to be responsible for the enhanced halogen nucleofugality leading to a facile halogen abstraction by hydrogen-bond donor catalysts. This reactivity was exploited with thiourea catalysts on several catalytic transformations (aza-Friedel-Crafts and Mannich reactions) for the synthesis of several types of non-proteinogenic α-amino esters.

Agostic Interactions in Early Transition-Metal Complexes: Roles of Hyperconjugation, Dispersion, and Steric Effect

The agostic interaction is a ubiquitous phenomenon in catalytic processes and transition-metal complexes, and hyperconjugation has been well recognized as its origin. Yet, recent studies showed that either short-range London dispersion or structural constraints could be the driving force, although proper evaluation of the role of hyperconjugation therein is needed. Herein, a simple variant of valence bond theory was employed to study a few exemplary Ti complexes with α- or β-agostic interactions and interpret the agostic effect in terms of the steric effect, hyperconjugation, and dispersion. For the complexes [MeTiCl₃ (dmpe)] and [MeTiCl₃ (dhpe)] with α-agostic interactions, hyperconjugation plays the dominant role with comparable magnitudes in both systems, but dispersion is solely responsible for the stronger agostic interaction in the former compared with the latter. For the complexes [EtTiCl₃ (dmpe)] and [EtTiCl₃ (dhpe)] with β-agostic interactions, however, hyperconjugation and dispersion play comparable roles, and the weaker steric repulsion leads to a stronger agostic effect in the former than in the latter. Thus, the present study clarifies the variable and sensitive roles of steric, hyperconjugative, and dispersion interactions in the agostic interaction.

Exploring the Origin of the Generalized Anomeric Effects in the Acyclic Nonplanar Systems

Contrary to the published conclusions in the literature concerning the origin of the generalized anomeric relationships in open-chain nonplanar systems, its origin has remained an open question. In order to explore the origin of the generalized anomeric relationships in open-chain nonplanar systems, we assessed the roles and contributions of the effective factors on the conformational properties of methyl propargyl ether (1), methyl propargyl sulfide (2), and methyl propargyl selenide (3) by means of the G3MP2, CCSD(T), MP2, LC-ωPBE, and B3LYP methods and natural bond orbital (NBO) interpretations. We examined the contributions of the hyperconjugative interactions on the conformational preferences of compounds 1-3 by the deletions of the orbitals overlapping from the Fock matrices of the gauche- and anti-conformations. The trend observed for energy changes in the Fock matrices justify the variations of the gauche-conformations preferences going from compound 1 to compound 3, revealing that the hyperconjugative interactions are solely responsible for the generalized anomeric relationships in compounds 1-3. Accordingly, the conclusions published in the literature concerning the origin of the generalized anomeric effect in the acyclic nonplanar compounds should be revised by these findings. The Pauli exchange type repulsions (PETR) are in favors of the gauche-conformations and the variations of the PETR differences between the gauche- and anti-conformations of compounds 1-3 correlate well with their gauche-conformations preferences, revealing that the generalized anomeric relationships in compounds 1-3 have also the Pauli exchange-type repulsions origin. The resemblance between the preorthogonal natural bond orbitals (that are involved in the hyperconjugative interactions) and their corresponding molecular orbitals have been investigated.

The Importance of the Pauli Exchange-Type Repulsions and Hyperconjugative Interactions on the Conformational Properties of Halocarbonyl Isocyanates and Halocarbonyl Azides

To gain further insight into the origin of the anomeric relationships in planar open-chain (acyclic) compounds, we examined the effects of the hyperconjugative generalized anomeric effect (HC-GAE), Pauli exchange-type repulsion (PETR), the electrostatic model associated with the dipole–dipole interactions (EM-DDI), and the attractive electrostatic interactions (AEI) between the natural atomic charges (NACs) on the conformational properties of halocarbonyl isocyanates [halogen = F (1), Cl (2), Br (3)] and halocarbonyl azides [halogen = F (4), Cl (5), Br (6)] by means of G3MP2, CCSD, MP2, and B3LYP methods with the 6–311+G** basis set on all atoms and natural bond orbital interpretation. Importantly, the deletions of the through bond LPN3→σ*C2–X6 hyperconjugative interactions from the Fock matrices of the cis- and trans-conformations lead to the increase of the cis-conformations’ stability compared with their corresponding trans-conformations going from compound 1 to 3 and from compound 4 to 6, revealing the determining effects on the conformational preferences in compounds 1–3 and 4–6. Essentially, the effects of the through space (LPN3→σ*C4–O5 and LPNα→π*Nβ=Nω, respectively) hyperconjugative interactions on the conformational preferences in the isocyanate (1–3) and azide compounds (4–6) are negligible. The EM-DDI fails to account for the conformational preferences in compounds 2, 3, 5, and 6. Therefore, the generalized anomeric relationships in compounds 1–3 and 4–6 result from the cooperative effects of the HC-GAE and PETR. The variations of the AEIs revealed their opposite effects on the trend observed for the conformational preferences in compounds 1–3 and 4–6. Contrary to the usual assumption, the much larger barrier heights of the rotation around the C2–N3 bonds in the azide compounds (4–6) compared with those in the isocyanate compounds (1–3) result from the exchange components and have no hyperconjugative origin.

Adjacent Lone Pair (ALP) Effect: A Computational Approach for Its Origin

The adjacent lone pair (ALP) effect is an experimental phenomenon in certain nitrogenous heterocyclic systems exhibiting the preference of the products with lone pairs separated over other isomers with lone pairs adjacent. A theoretical elucidation of the ALP effect requires the decomposition of intramolecular energy terms and the isolation of lone pair-lone pair interactions. Here we used the block-localized wavefunction (BLW) method within the ab initio valence bond (VB) theory to derive the strictly localized orbitals which are used to accommodate one-atom centered lone pairs and two-atom centered σ or π bonds. As such, interactions among electron pairs can be directly derived. Two-electron integrals between adjacent lone pairs do not support the view that the lone pair-lone pair repulsion is responsible for the ALP effect. Instead, the disabling of π conjugation greatly diminishes the ALP effect, indicating that the reduction of π conjugation in deprotonated forms with two σ lone pairs adjacent is one of the major causes for the ALP effect. Further electrostatic potential analysis and intramolecular energy decomposition confirm that the other key factor is the favorable electrostatic attraction within the isomers with lone pairs separated.

Modeling the tyrosine–sugar interactions in supersonic expansions: glucopyranose–phenol clusters

We present here the structure of glucopyranoe–phenol complexes, as revealed by mass-resolved laser spectroscopy and DFT calculations.

Stereoelectronic source of the anomalous stability of bis-peroxides

The unusual stability of bis- and tris-peroxides contradicts the conventional wisdom - some of them can melt without decomposition at temperatures exceeding 100 °C. In this work, we disclose a stabilizing stereoelectronic effect that two peroxide groups can exert on each other. This stabilization originates from strong anomeric nO → σ*CO interactions that are absent in mono-peroxides but reintroduced in molecules where two peroxide moieties are separated by a CH2 group. Furthermore, such effects can be induced by other σ-acceptors and amplified by structural constraints imposed by cyclic and bicyclic frameworks.

Carbohydrate-protein interactions: molecular modeling insights

The article reviews the significant contributions to, and the present status of, applications of computational methods for the characterization and prediction of protein-carbohydrate interactions. After a presentation of the specific features of carbohydrate modeling, along with a brief description of the experimental data and general features of carbohydrate-protein interactions, the survey provides a thorough coverage of the available computational methods and tools. At the quantum-mechanical level, the use of both molecular orbitals and density-functional theory is critically assessed. These are followed by a presentation and critical evaluation of the applications of semiempirical and empirical methods: QM/MM, molecular dynamics, free-energy calculations, metadynamics, molecular robotics, and others. The usefulness of molecular docking in structural glycobiology is evaluated by considering recent docking- validation studies on a range of protein targets. The range of applications of these theoretical methods provides insights into the structural, energetic, and mechanistic facets that occur in the course of the recognition processes. Selected examples are provided to exemplify the usefulness and the present limitations of these computational methods in their ability to assist in elucidation of the structural basis underlying the diverse function and biological roles of carbohydrates in their dialogue with proteins. These test cases cover the field of both carbohydrate biosynthesis and glycosyltransferases, as well as glycoside hydrolases. The phenomenon of (macro)molecular recognition is illustrated for the interactions of carbohydrates with such proteins as lectins, monoclonal antibodies, GAG-binding proteins, porins, and viruses.

Stability of conformationally locked free fructose: theoretical and computational insights

Total stabilization is governed by three predominant factors viz. the sum of energy of all H-bonds, ring strain and anomeric stabilization.

Ab initio modelling of the anomeric and exo anomeric effects in 2-methoxytetrahydropyran and 2-methoxythiane corrected for intramolecular BSSE

Oxygen substitution in 2-methoxytetrahydropyran by sulphur in 2-methoxythiane approximately doubles the anomeric effect, which slows down enzymatic processing of 2-methoxythiane.

How solvent influences the anomeric effect: roles of hyperconjugative versus steric interactions on the conformational preference

The block-localized wave function (BLW) method, which can derive optimal electron-localized state with intramolecular electron delocalization completely deactivated, has been combined with the polarizable continuum model (PCM) to probe the variation of the anomeric effect in solution. Currently both the hyperconjugation and electrostatic models have been called to interpret the anomeric effect in carbohydrate molecules. Here we employed the BLW-PCM scheme to analyze the energy differences between α and β anomers of substituted tetrahydropyran C5OH9Y (Y = F, Cl, OH, NH2, and CH3) and tetrahydrothiopyran C5SH9Y (Y = F, Cl, OH, and CH3) in solvents including chloroform, acetone, and water. In accord with literature, our computations show that for anomeric systems the conformational preference is reduced in solution and the magnitude of reduction increases as the solvent polarity increases. Significantly, on one hand the solute-solvent interaction diminishes the intramolecular electron delocalization in β anomers more than in α anomers, thus destabilizing β anomers relatively. But on the other hand, it reduces the steric effect in β anomers much more than α anomers and thus stabilizes β anomers relatively more, leading to the overall reduction of the anomeric effect in anomeric systems in solutions.

Probing stereoelectronic interactions in an O-N-O unit by the atomic energies: experimental and theoretical electron density study

Stereoelectronic interaction lp(O1) → σ*(N1-O2) in a O-N-O unit was analyzed by means of R. Bader's Atoms in Molecule theory on the basis of X-ray diffraction data for dimethyl-(2R,4aR,5S,7R)-2,5,7-triphenylhexahydro-4H-[1,2]oxazino[2,3-b][1,2]oxazine-4,4-dicarboxylate. Atomic energies obtained by applying this approach to both the experimental and theoretical electron densities were used to probe the energy of this strong stereoelectronic interaction, giving consistent results with the NBO analysis, although showing its destabilizing character.