Lone pairs in organic molecules: Energetic and orientational non-equivalence

Probing long-range spin-spin coupling constants in 2-halo-substituted cyclohexanones and cyclohexanethiones: The role of solvent and stereoelectronic effects

Earlier studies with 2-bromocyclohexanone demonstrated a measurable long-range coupling constant (⁴ J_H2,H6 ) for the equatorial conformer, although ⁴ J_H2,H4 and ⁴ J_H4,H6 were not observed; as a consequence, it is inferred that the carbonyl group plays an important role particularly due to hyperconjugative interactions σ_C2H2 →π*_C═O and σ_C6H6 →π*_C═O. In the present study, NBO analysis and coupling constant calculations were performed to cyclohexanone and cyclohexanethione alpha substituted with F, Cl, and Br, aiming to evaluate the halogen effect and acceptor character of the π* orbital on the long-range coupling pathway. The σ_C2H2 →π*_C1═Y and σ_C6H6 →π*_C1═Y (Y═O and S) hyperconjugative interactions for the equatorial conformer indeed contribute for the ⁴ J_H2,H6 transmission mechanism_. Surprisingly, the ⁴ J_H2,H6 value is higher for the carbonyl compounds, although the interactions σ_C2H2 →π*_C═Y and σ_C6H6 →π*_C═Y are more efficient for the thiocarbonyl compounds. Accordingly, the Fermi contact (FC) contribution for the thiocarbonyl compounds decays deeper than in ketones, thus reducing more the ⁴ J_H2,H6 values. Moreover, both π_C═S →σ*_C─X and π_C═S →σ*_C─H interactions seem to be stronger in thiocarbonyl than in carbonylic compounds. The implicit solvent effect (DMSO and water) on the coupling constant values was negligible when compared with the gas phase. On the other hand, an explicit solvent effect was found and ⁴ J_H2,H6 for the thiocarbonyl compounds appeared to be more sensitive than for the cyclohexanones.

NMR spectroscopy and theoretical calculations in the conformational analysis of 1-methylpyrrolidin-2-one 3-halo-derivatives

This study reports the results of ab initio and density functional theory (DFT) electronic structure calculations as well as (3)J(HH) experimental and calculated coupling constant data obtained in the investigation of the conformational equilibrium of 3-halo-derivatives of 1-methylpyrrolidin-2-one. The five-membered ring assumes an envelope conformation owing to the plane of formation of the O═C-N-R bond, with C4 forming the "envelope lid". When the conformation changes, the "lid" alternates between positions above and below the amide plane. The α-carbonyl halogen assumes two positions: a pseudo-axial and a pseudo-equatorial. In the gaseous phase, the calculations indicate that the pseudo-axial conformer is more stable and preferable going down the halogen family. Natural bond orbital analysis showed that electronic delocalization is significant only for the iodo derivative. In the other derivatives, the electrostatic repulsion between oxygen and the halogen determines the conformational equilibrium. When the solvated molecule was taken into account, the pseudo-equatorial conformer population increased with the relative permittivity of the solvent. This variation was strong in the fluoro derivative, and the preference was inverted. In the chlorine derivative, the two populations became closer in methanol and acetonitrile. In the bromine and iodine derivatives, the percentage of pseudo-equatorial conformer increased only slightly owing to the dipole moment of the conformation: the pseudo-equatorial conformation has a greater dipole moment and thus is stable in media with high relative permittivity.

Spectroscopic and theoretical studies of some 3-(4'-substituted phenylsulfanyl)-1-methyl-2-piperidones

The analysis of the IR carbonyl bands of some 3-(4′-substituted phenylsulfanyl)-1-methyl-2-piperidones 1–6 bearing substituents: NO₂ (compound 1), Br (compound 2), Cl (compound 3), H (compound 4) Me (compound 5) and OMe (compound 6) supported by B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) and PCM calculations along with NBO analysis (for compound 4) and X-ray diffraction (for 2) indicated the existence of two stable conformations, i.e., axial (ax) and equatorial (eq), the former corresponding to the most stable and the least polar one in the gas phase calculations. The sum of the energy contributions of the orbital interactions (NBO analysis) and the electrostatic interactions correlate well with the populations and the ν_CO frequencies of the ax and eq conformers found in the gas phase. Unusually, in solution of the non-polar solvents n-C₆H₁₄ and CCl₄, the more intense higher IR carbonyl frequency can be ascribed to the ax conformer, while the less intense lower IR doublet component to the eq one. The same ν_CO frequency trend also holds in polar solvents, that is ν_{CO (eq)} < ν_{CO (ax)}. However, a reversal of the ax/eq intensity ratio occurs going from non-polar to polar solvents, with the ax conformer component that progressively decreases with respect to the eq one in CHCl₃ and CH₂Cl₂, and is no longer detectable in the most polar solvent CH₃CN. The PCM method applied to compound 4 supports these findings. In fact, it predicts the progressive increase of the eq/ax population ratio as the relative permittivity of the solvent increases. Moreover, it indicates that the computed ν_CO frequencies of the ax and eq conformers do not change in the non–polar solvents n-C₆H₁₄ and CCl₄, while the ν_CO frequencies of the eq conformer become progressively lower than that of the ax one going from CHCl₃ to CH₂Cl₂ and to CH₃CN, in agreement with the experimental IR values. The analysis of the geometries of the ax and eq conformers shows that the carbonyl oxygen atom of the eq conformer is free for solvation, while the O_[CO]^…H_[o-Ph] hydrogen bond that takes place in the ax conformer partially hinders the approach of the solvent molecules to the carbonyl oxygen atom. Therefore, the larger solvation that occurs in the carbonyl oxygen atom of the eq conformer is responsible for the observed and calculated decrease of the corresponding frequency. The X-ray single crystal analysis of 2 indicates that this compound adopts the most polar eq geometry in the solid. In fact, in order to obtain the largest energy gain, the molecules are arranged in the crystal in a helical fashion due to dipole moment coupling along with C-H^…O and C-H^…π_Ph hydrogen bonds.

Infrared and theoretical calculations in 2-halocycloheptanones conformational analysis

2-Halocycloheptanones (Halo=F, Cl, Br and I) were synthesized and their conformational analysis was performed through infrared spectroscopy data. The corresponding conformers geometries and energies were obtained by theoretical calculations at B3LYP/aug-cc-pVDZ level of theory in the isolated state and in solution. It was observed, by both approaches, that the conformational preferences were very sensitive to the solvent polarity, since its increase led to an increase in the population of the more polar conformer. An analysis of these conformational equilibria showed they suffer also the influence of stereoelectronic effects, like hyperconjugation and steric effects. These results were interpreted using natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis, which indicated that the electronic delocalization to the orbital π*(C=O) is directly involved in the stability increase of conformers I and II. The relative effect of the period of the halogen can also be noted, with changes in the conformational preferences and in the energies involved in the interactions of NBO.

Infrared spectroscopy and theoretical calculations as tools for the conformational analysis of 2-methoxycyclohexanone

The conformational equilibrium of 2-methoxycyclohexanone has been analyzed through infrared spectroscopy and theoretical calculations. These calculations indicate that six conformations may be present in the vapor phase, due to the rotation of the methoxy group around the O-C(2) bond, leading to axial (g(+), g(-) and anti) and equatorial (g(+), g(-) and anti) conformers. However, the infrared spectrum in CCl(4) solution shows just three carbonyl stretching bands, corresponding to the conformers of lower energies. An additional band is observed for the CH(3)CN solution, attributed to a fourth conformer stabilized by a dipole-dipole interaction between this conformer, having a high dipole moment, and the very polar solvent. An interpretation of the governing factors of 2-methoxycyclohexanone equilibria is also given.

Solvent effect on the conformational behavior of substituted spiro[4.5]decanes and spiro[5.5]undecanes

We studied the relatively complex polar systems 6-substituted-1,4-dioxospiro[4.5]decanes and 7-substituted-1,5-dioxospiro[5.5]undecanes with substituents X = CH3, F, Cl, CN, OH, OCH3, and NO2. Solvent effects on the equilibrium have been analysed by means of a Self-Consistent-Reaction-Field model and the PM3 method. Complete geometry optimizations have been carried out for all the structures in the gas phase and in solution. For some substituents, a set of rotamers have been separately optimized. The discussion of the results is focussed on the effects arising from structural aspects and from steric and electrostatic interactions on the axial/equatorial relative stability. The role played by multipole moment is considered. In general, good agreement with available experimental data and with previous theoretical studies has been obtained. Though the use of semiempirical methods and simple solvent models prevents us from reaching definitive conclusions, this approach seems to be very useful in predicting the main role of solute–solvent interactions in conformational equilibria of complex systems for which ab initio calculations cannot be performed. Keywords: conformational equilibria, spiro decanes and undecanes, cavity model, SCRF, solvent effect, PM3 calculations.

On the purported axial preference in 2-methylthio and 2-methoxycyclohex-anones: steric effects versus orbital interactions

The value for the equilibrium constant representing the ratio of equatorial to axial conformers for 2-methylthio- and 2-methoxycyclohexanone has been measured in five solvents using 500 MHz 1H nuclear magnetic resonance. In cyclohexane solvent, the methylthio group is found to have a large axial preference while that for the methoxy is negligible. For both compounds the equilibrium shows a strong solvent dependence. Comparison of these results with those known for the halo derivatives shows the amount of axial to increase in the order: fluoro, methoxy, chloro, bromo, and methylthio. With the aid of molecular mechanics calculations it is concluded that the order of conformational preference can be attributed to a variation in the van der Waals interaction between the substituent and the carbonyl group in the equatorial conformer. Keywords: α-substituted cyclohexanones, conformation, MMX calculations, steric and dipolar effects.