Terpenes in the gas phase: The structural conformation of S-(–)-perillaldehyde investigated by microwave spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations

A rotational spectroscopic and ab initio study of cis- and trans-(-)-carveol: further insights into conformational dynamics in monoterpenes and monoterpenoids

Broadband rotational spectra of cis- and trans-(-)-carveol were recorded using a chirped pulse Fourier transform microwave spectrometer in the 2-6 GHz region. To aid in spectroscopic assignments a theoretical conformational search was carried out using a combination of a two dimensional potential energy scan, scanning over the isopropenyl and hydroxyl groups torsional angles, and the Conformer-Rotamer Ensemble Sampling Tool. The theoretical results yielded a total of 23 conformers for the trans- and 19 for the cis-conformer. Utilizing these results, a total of five conformers could be assigned in the spectra, two for trans- and three for cis-(-)-carveol. In both conformers of trans-carveol, the isopropenyl group is in an equatorial position and adopts the gauche- conformation in one and the the antiperiplanar conformation in the other, with the hydroxyl group in the axial position and adopting the antiperiplanar conformation in both. For cis-carveol the analogous conformers were found but with the hydroxyl in a equatorial position, in addition to an axial isopropenyl conformer. To interpret the experimental intensity patterns and examine conformational cooling effects, transition states were identified using the Synchronous Transit Quasi-Newton method. We found that most of the higher energy conformers cool out to the five experimentally observed ones and the others are too high in energy to be sufficiently populated in the molecular expansion for an experimental observation. To investigate the interesting preference for the axial position of the isopropenyl group in cis-(-)-carveol, which has not been seen before in monoterpenoids, non-covalent interactions and quantum theory of atoms-in-molecules analyses were carried out. These analyses reveal a hydrogen bonding interaction between the hydroxyl group and the isopropenyl π-system. A natural bond orbital analysis of the hydrogen bond allowed us to decompose the interaction into its constituent natural bond orbitals, and to quantify its strength. Although relatively weak, the hydrogen bond tips the balance towards the axial position of the isopropenyl group.

Conformational sampling and large amplitude motion of methyl valerate

The microwave spectrum of the fruit ester methyl valerate was recorded using two molecular jet Fourier transform spectrometers covering the frequency range from 2 to 40 GHz. Quantum chemical calculations yielded 11 minima for the anti ester configuration, among them two were identified in the experimental spectrum. The methyl group in the methoxy moiety undergoes internal rotation, leading to torsional splittings of all rotational transitions into doublets. The barrier to internal rotation of the methoxy methyl group was deduced to be 417.724(70) cm-1 and 418.059(27) cm-1 for the C1 and the Cs conformer, respectively, essentially the same values as those in methyl alkanoates with shorter alkyl chains, which are methyl acetate, methyl propionate and methyl butyrate. Geometry parameters such as the rotational and centrifugal distortion constants could be determined with very high accuracy. Optimisations at different levels of theory were performed for a comparison with the experimental results. The MP2/6-311++G(d,p) level of theory failed to calculate reliable rotational constants to guide the assigment of the C1 conformer, while the MP2/cc-pVDZ level fully succeeded.

Gas-Phase Hydration of Perillaldehyde Investigated by Microwave Spectroscopy Assisted by Computational Chemistry

The microsolvated complexes of two equatorial conformers of perillaldehyde were experimentally investigated in a supersonic molecular jet coupled to a cavity-based Fourier transform microwave spectrometer, in the 2.3-8 GHz frequency range. The structures of hydrates C₁₀H₁₄O·(H₂O)_n (n = 1,2,3) were first optimized at the MP2/6-311++G(d,p) and B3LYP-D3BJ/def2-TZVP levels of theory. The spectral signatures of four monohydrates and of two dihydrates could then be obtained. Additional rotational constants from the analysis of the spectra of their ¹⁸O isotopologues allowed the calculation of the substitution coordinates of the water oxygen atoms of each hydrate. They were found to be in good agreement with those of the optimized structures. SAPT2 calculations and noncovalent interaction analysis highlight the role of dispersion and quasi-hydrogen bonds in the stabilization of the structures.

The rich conformational landscape of perillyl alcohol revealed by broadband rotational spectroscopy and theoretical modelling

We explore the conformational landscape of perillyl alcohol in order to properly account for the sources of the conformers observed.

The axial/equatorial conformational landscape and intramolecular dispersion: new insights from the rotational spectra of monoterpenoids

Using rotational spectroscopy and quantum chemistry calculations, we show that intramolecular dispersion stabilises the axial conformers of monoterpenoids, and that an accurate account of these interactions is challenging for theoretical methods.

Structure of fenchone by broadband rotational spectroscopy

The bicyclic terpenoid fenchone (C10H16O, 1,3,3-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one) has been investigated by chirped pulse Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy in the 2-8 GHz frequency region. The parent species and all heavy atom isotopologues have been observed in their natural abundance. The experimental rotational constants of all isotopic species observed have been determined and used to obtain the substitution (rs) and effective (r0) structures of fenchone. Calculations at the B3LYP, M06-2X, and MP2 levels of theory with different basis sets were carried out to check their performance against experimental results. The structure of fenchone has been compared with those of norbornane (bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane) and the norbornane derivatives camphor (1,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one) and camphene (3,3-dimethyl-2-methylenebicyclo[2.2.1]heptane), both with substituents at C2. The structure of fenchone is remarkably similar to those of camphor and camphene. Comparison with camphor allows identification of changes in ∠CCC angles due to the different position of the methyl groups. All norbornane derivatives display similar structural changes with respect to norbornane. These changes mainly affect the bond lengths and angles of the six-membered rings, indicating that the substituent at C2 drives structural adjustments to minimise ring strain after its introduction.

The broadband microwave spectra of the monoterpenoids thymol and carvacrol: conformational landscape and internal dynamics

The rotational spectra of the monoterpenoids thymol and carvacrol are reported in the frequency range 2-8.5 GHz, obtained with broadband Fourier-transform microwave spectroscopy. For carvacrol four different conformations were identified in the cold conditions of the molecular jet, whereas only three conformations were observed for thymol. The rotational constants and other molecular parameters are reported and compared with quantum chemical calculations. For both molecules, line splittings due to methyl group internal rotation were observed and the resulting barrier heights could be determined. The experimental barrier heights, 4.0863(25) kJ/mol for trans-carvacrol-A, 4.4024(16) kJ/mol for trans-carvacrol-B, and 0.3699(11) kJ/mol for trans-thymol-A, are compared with similar molecules.

Exploring the conformational landscape of menthol, menthone, and isomenthone: a microwave study

The rotational spectra of the monoterpenoids menthol, menthone, and isomenthone are reported in the frequency range of 2–8.5 GHz, obtained with broadband Fourier-transform microwave spectroscopy. For menthol only one conformation was identified under the cold conditions of the molecular jet, whereas three conformations were observed for menthone and one for isomenthone. The conformational space of the different molecules was extensively studied using quantum chemical calculations, and the results were compared with molecular parameters obtained by the measurements. Finally, a computer program is presented, which automatically identifies different species in a dense broadband microwave spectrum using calculated ab initio rotational constants as initial input parameters.