2-Deoxy-beta-D-erythro-pentofuranose: hydroxymethyl group conformation and substituent effects on molecular structure, ring geometry, and NMR spin-spin coupling constants from quantum chemical calculations

Side Chain Conformation and Its Influence on Glycosylation Selectivity in Hexo- and Higher Carbon Furanosides

We describe the synthesis and side chain conformational analysis of a series of four 6-deoxy-2,3,5-tri-O-benzyl hexofuranosyl donors with the d-gluco, l-ido, d-altro, and l-galacto configurations. The conformation of the exocyclic bond of these compounds depends on the relative configuration of the point of attachment of the side chain to the ring and of the two flanking centers and can be predicted on that basis analogously to the heptopyranose analogs. Variable-temperature nuclear magnetic resonance (VT NMR) spectroscopy of the activated donors reveals complex, configuration-dependent mixtures of intermediates that we interpret in terms of fused and bridged oxonium ions arising from participation by the various benzyl ethers. The increased importance of ether participation in the furanoside series compared to the pyranosides is discussed in terms of the reduced stabilization afforded to furanosyl oxocarbenium ions by covalent triflate formation. The stereoselectivities of the four donors are discussed on the basis of the benzyl ether participation model.

Computational 1 H NMR: Part 3. Biochemical studies

This is the third and the last part of three closely interrelated reviews dealing with computation of ¹ H nuclear magnetic resonance chemical shifts and ¹ H-¹ H spin-spin coupling constants. Present review deals with the computation of these parameters in biologically active natural products, carbohydrates, and other molecules of biological origin focusing on stereochemical applications of computational ¹ H nuclear magnetic resonance to these objects.

Theoretical calculations of carbon-hydrogen spin-spin coupling constants

Structural applications of theoretical calculations of carbon-hydrogen spin-spin coupling constants are reviewed covering papers published mainly during the last 10-15 years with a special emphasis on the most notable studies of hybridization, substitution and stereoelectronic effects together with the investigation of hydrogen bonding and intermolecular interactions. The wide scope of different applications of calculated carbon-hydrogen couplings in the structural elucidation of particular classes of organic and bioorganic molecules is reviewed, concentrating mainly on saturated, unsaturated, aromatic and heteroaromatic compounds and their functional derivatives, as well as on natural compounds and carbohydrates. The review is dedicated to Professor Emeritus Michael Barfield in view of his invaluable pioneering contribution to this field.

Heteroleptic iridium(iii) complexes bearing a coumarin moiety: an experimental and theoretical investigation

Three mononuclear heteroleptic Ir(iii) complexes have been synthesized. The electronic structure and the spectral properties of the complexes were calculated applying the DFT-TDDFT method. The chemical shift was also computed by the GIAO-DFT method.

A reversible turn-off fluorescence probe (HNAPP) for Zn(ii) ion and inorganic phosphate ions (H2P and HP) at physiological pH

NOO coordinating tritadentate zinc sensor (λ_ex= 400 nm,λ_em= 492 nm,ϕ_F= 0.45) act as a highly selective sensor for inorganic phosphate (HP/H₂P) by ON–OFF signaling at physiological pH.

Theoretical and experimental investigations on mono-substituted and multi-substituted functional polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes

Theoretical and experimental investigations on substituted functional polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes.

Selective fluorometric detection of F− and Zn(ii) ions by a N, O coordinating sensor and naked eye detection of Cu(ii) ions in mixed-aqueous solution

A N, O coordinating sensor fluorogenically detects fluoride anions (λ_ex = 330 nm, λ_em = 450 nm) with blue emission and Zn(ii) ions with green emission (λ_ex = 405 nm, λ_em = 515 nm) as well as colorimetrically detecting copper ions.

Photophysical property vs. medium: mononuclear, dinuclear and trinuclear Zn(ii) complexes

Mononuclear, acetato bridged dinuclear and phenoxo bridged trinuclear Zn(ii) complexes have been synthesized. Their photophysical properties were characterized spectroscopically and with TDDFT and attributed to intra ligand (π → π*) charge transfer.

Synthesis, characterization and DFT study of oxorhenium(v) complexes incorporating quinoline based tridentate ligands

Two mononuclear Re(v) complexes were synthesized using two different O, N, N coordinating Schiff base ligands. The X-ray structure and catalytic properties of the complexes are investigated and the electronic structure and absorption spectra were also calculated.

Comparison between DFT- and NMR-based conformational analysis of methyl galactofuranosides

Galactofuranose (Galf) residues are found in a number of microbial polysaccharides, and knowledge of their conformation is key for developing a molecular-level understanding of their biological roles. To this end, we studied 180 conformations of methyl α- and β-Galf in aqueous solution (COSMO solvation model) using density functional theory (DFT). We compare the calculated low energy conformations to those determined from the program PSEUROT using (1)H NMR data. The lowest energy ring conformation for methyl α-Galf is (2)E, and this conformer is also the major solution conformation obtained by NMR spectroscopy. For methyl β-Galf, (4)E is the lowest energy ring conformation; however, DFT results do not agree with the solution NMR spectroscopic results. Additionally, we developed Galf-specific Karplus-like equations from these conformations.

Stereochemical dependence of NMR geminal spin-spin coupling constants

In this work it was sought to explore the versatility of geminal spin-spin coupling constants, (2)J(XY) SSCCs, as probes for stereochemical studies. A set of compounds, where their experimental (2)J(XY) SSCCs through the X-C-Y molecular fragment are predicted to be sensitive to hyperconjugative interactions involving either bonding or antibonding orbitals containing the C carbon atom ('coupling pathway'), were analyzed. SSCC calculations were performed for some selected examples using the second order polarization propagator approximation (SOPPA) method or within the DFT-B3LYP framework. Hyperconjugative interactions were calculated within the Natural Bond Orbital (NBO) approach. Results are condensed in two qualitative rules: Rule I(M)-hyperconjugative interactions transferring charge into the coupling pathway yield a positive increase to the Fermi contact (FC), contribution to (2)K(XY) reduced spin-spin coupling constants (RSSCC), and Rule II(M)-hyperconjugative interactions transferring charge from the coupling pathway yield a negative increase to the FC contribution to (2)K(XY) RSSCC.

13C−13C NMR Spin−Spin Coupling Constants in Saccharides: Structural Correlations Involving All Carbons in Aldohexopyranosyl Rings

13C-13C Spin-spin coupling constants (JCC) have been measured in a group of aldohexopyranoses and methyl aldopyranosides singly labeled with 13C at different sites to confirm and extend prior correlations between JCC magnitude and sign and saccharide structure. Structural correlations for 2JC1,C3, 2JC2,C4, 2JC4,C6, and 2JC1,C5 have been confirmed using density functional theory calculations to test empirical predictions. These geminal couplings depend highly on the orientation of C-O bonds appended to the terminal coupled carbons, but new evidence suggests that 2JCCC values are also affected by intervening carbon structure and C-O bond rotation. 3JC1,C6 and 3JC3,C6 values show Karplus-like dependences but also are affected by in-plane terminal hydroxyl substituents. In both cases, rotation about the C5-C6 bond modulates the coupling due to the alternating in-plane and out-of-plane O6. 3JC3,C6 is also affected by C4 configuration. Both 3JC1,C6 and 3JC3,C6 are subject to remote effects involving the structure at C3 and C1, respectively. New structural correlations have been determined for 2JC3,C5, which, like 3JC3,C6, shows a remote dependence on anomeric configuration. Investigations of dual pathway 13C-13C couplings, 3+3JC1,C4 and 3+3JC2,C5, revealed an important additional internal electronegative substituent effect on 3JCC in saccharides, a structural factor undocumented previously and one of importance to the interpretation of trans-glycoside 3JCOCC in oligosaccharides.

DFT and NMR studies of 2JCOH, 3JHCOH, and 3JCCOH spin-couplings in saccharides: C-O torsional bias and H-bonding in aqueous solution

Density functional theory (DFT) has been used to investigate the structural dependencies of NMR spin-coupling constants (J-couplings) involving the exchangeable hydroxyl protons of saccharides. 3JHCOH, 3JCCOH, and 2JCOH values were calculated at different positions in model aldopyranosyl rings as a function of one or more torsion angles, and results support the use of a generalized Karplus equation to treat 3JHCOH involving the non-anomeric OH groups. The presence of O5 appended to the H1-C1-O1-H coupling pathway introduces asymmetry in 3JH1,O1H Karplus curves due to internal electronegative substituent effects on the gauche couplings, thus requiring separate equations to treat this coupling. 3JCCOH values depend not only on the C-C-O-H torsion angle but also on the orientation of terminal substituents on the coupled carbon, similar to 3JCOCC studied previously (Bose et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1998, 120, 11158-11173). "In-plane" oxygen increased 3JCCOH by approximately 3-4 Hz, whereas "in-plane" carbon gave more modest enhancements ( approximately 1 Hz). Three Karplus equations were derived for non-anomeric 3JCCOH based on the nature and orientation of substituents on the coupled carbon. Like 3JH1,O1H, 3JC2,O1H is also subject to internal electronegative substituent effects on the gauche couplings, thus necessitating separate equations to treat this coupling. 2JCOH values were found not to be useful probes of C-O torsions as a result of their nonsystematic dependence on these torsions. Experimental measurements of 3JHCOH and 3JCCOH in doubly 13C-labeled methyl beta-lactoside 20 and its constituent 13C-labeled methyl aldopyranosides in H2O/acetone-d6 at -20 degrees C showed that some C-O torsion angles are influenced by molecular context and do not experience complete rotational averaging in solution. A strong bias in the H3-C3-O3-H torsion angle in the Glc residue of 20 favoring a gauche conformation suggests the presence of inter-residue H-bonding between O3HGlc and O5Gal. Quantitative analysis of 3JHCOH and 3JCCOH values in 20 indicates that approximately 85% of the forms in solution have geometries consistent with H-bonding. These results suggest that H-bonding between adjacent and/or remote residues may play a role in dictating preferred glycosidic bond conformation in simple and complex oligosaccharides in aqueous solution.

Tailoring structure-function and targeting properties of ceramides by site-specific cationization

In the course of our studies on compartment-specific lipid-mediated cell regulation, we identified an intimate connection between ceramides (Cers) and the mitochondria-dependent death-signaling pathways. Here, we report on a new class of cationic Cer mimics, dubbed ceramidoids, designed to act as organelle-targeted sphingolipids (SPLs), based on conjugates of Cer and dihydroceramide (dhCer) with pyridinium salts (CCPS and dhCCPS, respectively). Ceramidoids having the pyridinium salt unit (PSU) placed internally (alpha and gamma- CCPS) or as a tether (omega-CCPS) in the N-acyl moiety were prepared by N-acylation of sphingoid bases with different omega-bromo acids or pyridine carboxylic acid chlorides following capping with respective pyridines or alkyl bromides. Consistent with their design, these analogs, showed a significantly improved solubility in water, well-resolved NMR spectra in D(2)O, broadly modified hydrophobicity, fast cellular uptake, and higher anticancer activities in cells in comparison to uncharged counterparts. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies in MCF-7 breast carcinoma cells revealed that the location of the PSU and its overall chain length affected markedly the cytotoxic effects of these ceramidoids. All omega-CCPSs were more potent (IC(50/48 h): 0.6-8.0 microM) than their alpha/gamma-CCPS (IC(50/48 h): 8-20 microM) or D-erythro-C6-Cer (IC(50/48 h): 15 microM) analogs. omega-DhCCPSs were also moderately potent (IC(50/48 h): 2.5-12.5 microM). Long-chain omega-dhCCPSs were rapidly and efficiently oxidized in cells to the corresponding omega-CCPSs, as established by LC-MS analysis. CCPS analogs also induced acute changes in the levels and composition of endogenous Cers (upregulation of C16-, C14-, and C18-Cers, and downregulation of C24:0- and C24:1-Cers). These novel ceramidoids illustrate the feasibility of compartment-targeted lipids, and they should be useful in cell-based studies as well as potential novel therapeutics.

Structural elucidation of type III group B Streptococcus capsular polysaccharide using molecular dynamics simulations: the role of sialic acid

The conformational properties of the capsular polysaccharide (CPS) from group B Streptococcus serotype III (GBS III) are derived from 50 ns explicitly solvated molecular dynamics simulations of a 25-residue fragment of the CPS. The results from the simulations are shown to be consistent with experimental NMR homo- and heteronuclear J-coupling and NOE data for both the sialylated native CPS and for the chemically desialylated polysaccharide. A helical structure is predicted with a diameter of 29.3 A and a pitch 89.5 A, in which the sialylated side chains are arrayed on the exterior surface of the helix. The results provide an explanation for the observation that CPS antigenicity varies with carbohydrate chain length up to approximately 4 pentasaccharide repeat units. The conformation of the immunodominant region is established and shown to be independent of the presence of sialic acid. The data provide an explanation for the observation that the specificity of the determinant, associated with the major population of antibodies raised upon immunization of rabbits with GBS III, is dependent on the presence of sialic acid. In the sialylated native CPS, the antibody response is largely directed against the immunodominant core of the helix. From simulations of the desialylated CPS, a model emerges which suggests that the minor population of antibodies, whose determinant is not sialic acid dependent, recognizes the same immunodominant region, but that in the disordered CPS this region is not presented in a regular repeating motif.

Structural Fluctuation and Dynamics of Ribose Puckering in Aqueous Solution from First Principles

Using the method of ab initio molecular dynamics, we examine the structural fluctuation and the low-frequency dynamics of beta-ribofuranose puckering in aqueous solution. Our analysis suggests that the distance between the anomeric and hydroxymethyl oxygens is a simple relevant geometrical parameter that dynamically correlates with the phase angle in the north region. The time-frequency analysis using the Hilbert-Huang transform also confirms the correlation, and most of the instantaneous frequencies for the phase angle and the above distance are found to be concentrated on the region below about 100 cm(-1). Our analysis of ab initio molecular dynamics trajectories suggests that the molecular origin of the hydration effects on the low-frequency dynamics of beta-ribofuranose puckering is closely related to this correlation and thus primarily attributed to the relatively local interactions among the anomeric and hydroxymethyl oxygens and the surrounding water molecules near them. Additionally, we discuss the difference in the low-frequency dynamics of beta-ribofuranose puckering between two hydroxymethyl rotamers.

Circular Hydrogen Bond Networks on the Surface of β-Ribofuranose in Aqueous Solution

This paper examines the hydration structure on the surface of beta-ribofuranose in aqueous solution, using the ab initio molecular dynamics method. In particular, we focus on circular hydrogen bond networks involving two ribofuranose oxygens and three water molecules. In our simulations, the circular hydrogen bond networks near the ring oxygen of beta-ribofuranose are found to be significantly influenced by the orientation of the hydroxymethyl group. The arrangements of hydrogen bonds observed in the circular hydrogen bond networks are both homodromic and antidromic. To explain these observations, we analyze the electronic properties of the first-hydration-shell water molecules and the OH groups of beta-ribofuranose, using the centers of their maximally localized Wannier functions. The dipole moments of the proton-accepting first-hydration-shell water molecules in our well-defined circular hydrogen bond networks are found to increase by about 0.3 D compared with that of liquid water, indicating the relatively strong polarization effects created by the interactions between the OH groups of the solute and the surrounding water molecules. Our analysis also implies that circular H-bond networks cannot be fully explained from a simple geometrical point of view.

Correlated C-C and C-O bond conformations in saccharide hydroxymethyl groups: parametrization and application of redundant 1H-1H, 13C-1H, and 13C-13C NMR J-couplings

Methyl alpha- and beta-pyranosides of d-glucose and d-galactose 1-4 were prepared containing single sites of (13)C-enrichment at C4, C5, and C6 (12 compounds), and (1)H and (13)C[(1)H] NMR spectra were obtained to determine a complete set of J-couplings ((1)J, (2)J, and (3)J) involving the labeled carbon and nearby protons and carbons within the exocyclic hydroxymethyl group (CH(2)OH) of each compound. In parallel theoretical studies, the dependencies of (1)J, (2)J, and (3)J involving (1)H and (13)C on the C5-C6 (omega) and C6-O6 (theta;) torsion angles in aldohexopyranoside model compounds were computed using density functional theory (DFT) and a special basis set designed to reliably recover the Fermi contact contribution to the coupling. Complete hypersurfaces for (1)J(C5,C6), (2)J(C5,H6)(R), (2)J(C5,H6)(S), (2)J(C6,H5), (2)J(C4,C6), (3)J(C4,H6)(R), (3)J(C4,H6)(S), and (3)J(C6,H4), as well as (2)J(H6)(R)(,H6)(S), (3)J(H5,H6)(R), and (3)J(H5,H6)(S), were obtained and used to parametrize new equations correlating these couplings to omega and/or theta;. DFT-computed couplings were also tested for accuracy by measuring J-couplings in (13)C-labeled 4,6-O-ethylidene derivatives of d-glucose and d-galactose in which values of omega and theta; were constrained. Using a new computer program, Chymesa, designed to utilize multiple J-couplings sensitive to exocyclic CH(2)OH conformation, the ensemble of experimental couplings observed in 1-4 were analyzed to yield preferred rotamer populations about omega and theta;. Importantly, due to the sensitivity of some couplings, most notably (2)J(H6)(R)(,H6)(S), (2)J(C5,H6)(R), and (2)J(C5,H6)(S), to both omega and theta;, unique information on correlated conformation about both torsion angles was obtained. The latter treatment represents a means of evaluating correlated conformation in 1,6-linked oligosaccharides, since psi and theta; are redundant in these linkages. In the latter regard, multiple, redundant scalar couplings originating from both sides of the glycosidic linkage can be used collectively to evaluate conformational correlations between psi/theta; and C5-C6 bond rotamers.

Modeling NMR parameters by DFT methods as an aid to the conformational analysis of cis-fused 7a(8a)-methyl octa(hexa)hydrocyclopenta[d][1,3]oxazines and [3,1]benzoxazines

The energies of the preferred conformations of four 7a-methyl octa(or hexa)hydrocyclopenta[d][1,3]oxazines, five 8a-methyl octa(or hexa)hydro[3,1]benzoxazines, and 8a-methyl hexahydro[1,3]benzoxazinone, all cis-fused, were investigated by DFT methods. Following geometry optimization at the B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level, both the proton chemical shifts and the vicinal coupling constants between H-4a and the H-4 and H-5 protons were calculated at the B3LYP/cc-pVTZ level and compared to the previously experimentally measured values. The agreement between the calculated and the experimental chemical shifts was found to be good. Similarly, the agreement between the calculated and the experimental vicinal coupling constants was also found to be good, thus providing a methodology for determining the conformational equilibria of such systems that is comparable in many respects to experimental approaches such as variable-temperature NMR or to the use of model coupling constant values, when available, from analogous compounds.

DFT analysis of NMR scalar interactions across the glycosidic bond in DNA

The relationship between the glycosidic torsion angle chi, the three-bond couplings (3)J(C2/4-H1') and (3)J(C6/8-H1'), and the one-bond coupling (1)J(C1'-H1') in deoxyribonucleosides and a number of uracil cyclo-nucleosides has been analyzed using density functional theory. The influence of the sugar pucker and the hydroxymethyl conformation has also been considered. The parameters of the Karplus relationships between the three-bond couplings and chi depend strongly on the aromatic base. (3)J(C2/4-H1') reveals different behavior for deoxyadenosine, deoxyguanosine, and deoxycytidine as compared to deoxythymidine and deoxyuridine. In the case of (3)J(C6/8-H1'), an opposite trans to cis ratio of couplings is obtained for pyrimidine nucleosides in contrast to purine nucleosides. The extremes of the Karplus curves are shifted by ca. 10 degrees with respect to syn and anti-periplanar orientations of the coupled nuclei. The change in the sugar pucker from S to N decreases (3)J(C2/4-H1') and (3)J(C6/8-H1'), while increasing (1)J(C1'-H1') for the syn rotamers, whereas all of the trends are reversed for the anti rotamers. The influence of the sugar pucker on (1)J(C1'-H1') is interpreted in terms of interactions between the n(O4'), sigma*(C1'-H1') orbitals. The (1)J(C1'-H1') are related to chi through a generalized Karplus relationship, which combines cos(chi) and cos(2)(chi) functions with mutually different phase shifts that implicitly accounts for a significant portion of the related sugar pucker effects. Most of theoretical (3)J(C2/4-H1') and (3)J(C6/8-H1') for uracil cyclo-nucleosides compare well with available experimental data. (3)J(C6/8-H1') couplings for all C2-bridged nucleosides are up to 3 Hz smaller than in the genuine nucleosides with the corresponding chi, revealing a nonlocal aspect of the spin-spin interactions across the glycosidic bond. Theoretical (1)J(C1'-H1') are underestimated with respect to the experiment by ca. 10% but reproduce the trends in (1)J(C1'-H1') vs chi.

Synthesis and conformational investigation of methyl 4a-carba-D-arabinofuranosides

The synthesis of carbasugar analogues of methyl alpha-D-arabinofuranoside and methyl beta-D-arabinofuranoside (3 and 4) is reported. The route developed involves the conversion of D-mannose into a suitably protected diene (13), which is then cyclized via olefin metathesis. The resulting cyclopentene (14) is stereoselectively hydrogenated to provide an intermediate that can be used for the synthesis of both targets. Through the use of NMR spectroscopy, we have probed the ring conformation of 3 and 4, as well as the rotamer populations about the C(4)-C(5) and C(1)-O(1) bonds. These studies have demonstrated that there are differences in ring conformation between these carbasugars and their glycoside parents (1 and 2). However, only minor differences are seen in the rotameric equilibrium about the C(4)-C(5) bond in 3 and 4 relative to 1 and 2. In regard to the C(1)-O(1) bond, NOE data from 3 and 4 suggest that the favored position about this bond is similar to that in the glycosides; that is, the methyl group is anti to C(2). However, confirmation of this preference through measurement of (3)J(C,C) between the methyl group and C(2) or C(4a) was not successful.