AMHB: (Anti)aromaticity-Modulated Hydrogen Bonding

Aromatic Ring-Fused Amidine Based Allosteric Receptors Activated by Guest-Induced π-Conjugation Switching

Amidine-substituted allosteric receptors 2 a and 2 b for benzenediols were synthesized. Receptor 2 a with five-membered amidines exhibited greater allostericity than the amide-substituted receptor 1, while 2 b with six-membered amidines exhibited less allostericity. NMR titration experiments revealed that a significant enthalpic factor was involved in the allostericity of these receptors. X-ray and DFT optimized structures of 2 a and 2 b revealed that 2 a adopted a coplanar conformation with π-conjugation between the amidines and the phenylene ring of the hydrindacene framework, resulting in high allostericity due to inactivation of the initial binding.

Variations on the Bergman Cyclization Theme: Electrocyclizations of Ionic Penta-, Hepta-, and Octadiynes

The Bergman cyclization of (Z)-hexa-3-ene-1,5-diyne to form the aromatic diradical p-benzyne has garnered attention as a potential antitumor agent due to its relatively low cyclization barrier and the stability of the resulting diradical. Here, we present a theoretical investigation of several ionic extensions of the fundamental Bergman cyclization: electrocyclizations of the penta-1,4-diyne anion, hepta-1,6-diyne cation, and octa-1,7-diyne dication, leveraging the spin-flip formulation of the equation-of-motion coupled cluster theory with single and double substitutions (EOM-SF-CCSD). Though the penta-1,4-diyne anion exhibits a large cyclization barrier of +66 kcal mol-1, cyclization of both the hepta-1,6-diyne cation and octa-1,7-diyne dication along a previously unreported triplet pathway requires relatively low energy. We also identified the presence of significant aromaticity in the triplet diradical products of these two cationic cyclizations.

Revealing the Reasons for Degeneration of Resonance-Assisted Hydrogen Bond on the Aromatic Platform: Calculations of Ortho-, Meta-, Para-Disubstituted Benzenes, and (Z)-(E)-Olefins

The energies of the O-H∙∙∙O=C intramolecular hydrogen bonds were compared quantitatively for the series of ortho-disubstituted benzenes and Z-isomers of olefins via a molecular tailoring approach. It was established that the hydrogen bond energy in the former series is significantly less than that in the latter one. The reason for lowering the hydrogen bond energy in the ortho-disubstituted benzenes compared to the Z-isomers of olefins is the decrease in the π-contribution to the total energy of the complex interaction, in which the hydrogen bond per se is enhanced by the resonance effect. By the example of the para- and meta-disubstituted benzenes, as well as E-isomers of olefins, it was explicitly shown that the aromatic ring is a much poorer conductor of the resonance effect compared to the double bond. The hydrogen bond in the ortho-disubstituted benzenes has a lower energy than a typical resonance-assisted hydrogen bond because the aromatic moiety cannot properly assist the hydrogen bond with a resonance effect. Thus, a hydrogen bond on an aromatic platform should fall into a special category, namely an aromaticity-assisted hydrogen bond, which is closer by nature to a simple hydrogen bond rather than to a resonance-assisted one.

A QCT View of the Interplay between Hydrogen Bonds and Aromaticity in Small CHON Derivatives

The somewhat elusive concept of aromaticity plays an undeniable role in the chemical narrative, often being considered the principal cause of the unusual properties and stability exhibited by certain π skeletons. More recently, the concept of aromaticity has also been utilised to explain the modulation of the strength of non-covalent interactions (NCIs), such as hydrogen bonding (HB), paving the way towards the in silico prediction and design of tailor-made interacting systems. In this work, we try to shed light on this area by exploiting real space techniques, such as the Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules (QTAIM), the Interacting Quantum Atoms (IQA) approaches along with the electron delocalisation indicators Aromatic Fluctuation (FLU) and Multicenter (MCI) indices. The QTAIM and IQA methods have been proven capable of providing an unbiased and rigorous picture of NCIs in a wide variety of scenarios, whereas the FLU and MCI descriptors have been successfully exploited in the study of diverse aromatic and antiaromatic systems. We used a collection of simple archetypal examples of aromatic, non-aromatic and antiaromatic moieties within organic molecules to examine the changes in π delocalisation and aromaticity induced by the Aromaticity and Antiaromaticity Modulated Hydrogen Bonds (AMHB). We observed fundamental differences in the behaviour of systems containing the HB acceptor within and outside the ring, e.g., a destabilisation of the rings in the former as opposed to a stabilisation of the latter upon the formation of the corresponding molecular clusters. The results of this work provide a physically sound basis to rationalise the strengthening and weakening of AMHBs with respect to suitable non-cyclic non-aromatic references. We also found significant differences in the chemical bonding scenarios of aromatic and antiaromatic systems in the formation of AMHB. Altogether, our investigation provide novel, valuable insights about the complex mutual influence between hydrogen bonds and π systems.

Substituent Effects on the Basicity of Patriscabrin A and Lettucenin A: Evolution Favors the Aromatic?

Basicities for derivatives of patriscabrin A and lettucenin A were calculated with density functional theory. A significant correlation is observed between the basicity and Hammett σ parameters. Protonation increases the aromatic character of the cyclic moieties of each natural product. The naturally occurring structures are predicted to be the most aromatic.

Aromaticity in catalysis: metal ligand cooperation via ligand dearomatization and rearomatization

Unlike the conventional model of transition metal catalysis, ligands in metal-ligand cooperative (or bifunctional) catalysis are involved in the substrate activations. Such processes have offered unique mechanistic understandings and led to new concepts for the catalyst design. In particular, unprecedented activities were discovered when the ligand could undergo dearomatization-rearomatization reactions during the catalytic cycle. Aromatization can provide an extra driving force to thermodynamics; consequently, it brings a new perspective to ligand platform design for catalysis. While numerous applications were demonstrated, the influences of changing ligand aromatic properties were often overlooked. In this article, representative ligand systems will be highlighted and a comparison between the Milstein and the Huang pincer systems will be discussed to provide theoretical and conceptual insights.

Thiosquaramide-Based Supramolecular Polymers: Aromaticity Gain in a Switched Mode of Self-Assembly

Despite a growing understanding of factors that drive monomer self-assembly to form supramolecular polymers, the effects of aromaticity gain have been largely ignored. Herein, we document the aromaticity gain in two different self-assembly modes of squaramide-based bolaamphiphiles. Importantly, O → S substitution in squaramide synthons resulted in supramolecular polymers with increased fiber flexibility and lower degrees of polymerization. Computations and spectroscopic experiments suggest that the oxo- and thiosquaramide bolaamphiphiles self-assemble into "head-to-tail" versus "stacked" arrangements, respectively. Computed energetic and magnetic criteria of aromaticity reveal that both modes of self-assembly increase the aromatic character of the squaramide synthons, giving rise to stronger intermolecular interactions in the resultant supramolecular polymer structures. These examples suggest that both hydrogen-bonding and stacking interactions can result in increased aromaticity upon self-assembly, highlighting its relevance in monomer design.

Non-conventional Hydrogen Bonding and Aromaticity: A Systematic Study on Model Nucleobases and Their Solvated Clusters

The conceptual development of aromaticity is essential to rationalize and understand the structure and behavior of aromatic heterocycles. This work addresses for the first time, the interconnection between aromaticity and sulfur/selenium centered hydrogen bonds (S/SeCHBs) involved in representative heterocycle models of canonical nucleobases (2-Pyridone; 2PY) and its sulfur (2-Thiopyridone; 2TPY) and selenium (2-Selenopyridone; 2SePY) analogs. The nucleus-independent chemical shift (NICS) and gauge induced magnetic current density (GIMIC) values suggested significant reduction of aromaticity upon replacement of exocyclic carbonyl oxygen with sulfur and selenium. However, we observed two-fold (57 %) and three-fold (80 %) enhancement in the aromaticity for 2TPY dimer, and 2SePY dimer, respectively which are connected through S/SeCHBs. Aromaticity enhancement was also noticed in 1 : 1 H-bonded complexes (heterodimers), micro hydrated clusters and for bulk hydration. It is expected that exocyclic S and Se incorporation into heterocycles without compromising aromatic loss would definitely reinforce to design new supramolecular building blocks via S/SeCH-bonded complexes.

On the reciprocal relationship between σ-hole bonding and (anti)aromaticity gain in ketocyclopolyenes

σ-Hole bonding interactions (e.g., tetrel, pnictogen, chalcogen, and halogen bonding) can polarize π-electrons to enhance cyclic [4n] π-electron delocalization (i.e., antiaromaticity gain) or cyclic [4n + 2] π-electron delocalization (i.e., aromaticity gain). Examples based on the ketocyclopolyenes: cyclopentadienone, tropone, and planar cyclononatetraenone are presented. Recognizing this relationship has implications, for example, for tuning the electronic properties of fulvene-based π-conjugated systems such as 9-fluorenone.

Redox potential tuning in bio-relevant heterocycles via (anti)aromaticity modulated H-bonding (AMHB)

Hydrogen bonds are arguably the most important non-covalent interactions in chemistry and biology, and their strength and directionality have been elegantly exploited in the rational design of complex structures. We recently noted that the variable responses of cyclic π-systems upon H-bond formation reciprocally lead to modulations of the H-bonds’ strengths, a phenomenon that we dubbed (anti)aromaticity-modulated hydrogen bonding (AMHB) [J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2016, 138, 3427–3432]. Species that switch from aromatic to antiaromatic or vice versa upon changing π-electron counts should be oppositely stabilized by the AMHB effects, so their redox potentials should be significantly “tuned” by H-bond formation. Herein, using quantum chemical simulations, we explore the effects of these H-bond induced π-electron polarizations on the redox potentials of (anti)aromatic heterocycles. The systems chosen for this study have embedded amide groups and amidine moieties capable of forming two-point H-bonds in their cyclic π-systems. Thus, as the 4-electron and 6-electron π-systems in redox-capable monocycles (e.g., quinones) can be differentially stabilized, their redox potentials can be modulated by H-bond formation by as much as 6 kcal/mol (258 mV for one electron transfer). In fused rings, the connectivity patterns are as important as the π-electron counts. Extending these ideas to flavin, a biologically relevant case, we find that H-bonding patterns like those found in its crystals can vary its redox potential by up to 1.3 kcal/mol.

Hydrogen bond design principles

Hydrogen bonding principles are at the core of supramolecular design. This overview features a discussion relating molecular structure to hydrogen bond strengths, highlighting the following electronic effects on hydrogen bonding: electronegativity, steric effects, electrostatic effects, π-conjugation, and network cooperativity. Historical developments, along with experimental and computational efforts, leading up to the birth of the hydrogen bond concept, the discovery of nonclassical hydrogen bonds (C-H…O, O-H…π, dihydrogen bonding), and the proposal of hydrogen bond design principles (e.g., secondary electrostatic interactions, resonance-assisted hydrogen bonding, and aromaticity effects) are outlined. Applications of hydrogen bond design principles are presented.

Dealing with Hydrogen Bonding on the Conformational Preference of 1,3-Aminopropanols: Experimental and Molecular Dynamics Approaches

This study expands the knowledge on the conformational preference of 1,3-amino alcohols in the gas phase and in solution. By employing Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, density functional theory (DFT) calculations, quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM), natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis, and molecular dynamics (MD), the compounds 3-aminopropan-1-ol (1), 3-methylaminopropan-1-ol (2), and 3-dimethylaminopropan-1-ol (3) are evaluated. The results show that the most stable conformation of each compound in the gas phase and in nonpolar solvents exhibited an O-H···N intramolecular hydrogen bond (IHB). Based on the experimental and theoretical OH-stretching frequencies, the IHB becomes stronger from 1 to 3. In addition, from the experimental NMR J-couplings, the IHB conformers are predominant in nonbasic solvents, representing 70-80% of the conformational equilibrium, while in basic solvents, such conformers only represent 10%. DFT calculations and QTAIM analysis in the gas phase support the occurrence of IHBs in these compounds. The MD simulation indicates that the non-hydrogen-bonded conformers are the lowest energy conformations in the solution because of molecular interactions with the solvent, while they are absent in the implicit solvation model based on density. NBO analysis suggests that methyl groups attached on the nitrogen atom affect the charge transfer energy involved in the IHB. This effect occurs mostly because of a decrease in the s-character of the LPN orbital along with weakening of the charge transfer from LPN to σ*OH, which is caused by an increase in the C-C-N bond angle.

Ground State Destabilization in Uracil DNA Glycosylase: Let's Not Forget "Tautomeric Strain" in Substrates

Enzymes like uracil DNA glycosylase (UDG) can achieve ground state destabilization, by polarizing substrates to mimic rare tautomers. On the basis of computed nucleus independent chemical shifts, NICS(1)_zz, and harmonic oscillator model of electron delocalization (HOMED) analyses, of quantum mechanics (QM) and quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) models of the UDG active site, uracil is strongly polarized when bound to UDG and resembles a tautomer >12 kcal/mol higher in energy. Natural resonance theory (NRT) analyses identified a dominant O2 imidate resonance form for residue bound 1-methyl-uracil. This "tautomeric strain" raises the energy of uracil, making uracilate a better than expected leaving group. Computed gas-phase S_N2 reactions of free and hydrogen bonded 1-methyl-uracil demonstrate the relationship between the degree of polarization in uracil and the leaving group ability of uracilate.

Stability of doubly and triply H-bonded complexes governed by acidity-basicity relationships

We used our recently proposed acidity-basicity interplay (ABI) model (Chem. Sci., 2018, 9, 4402) and the Jorgensen secondary interactions hypothesis (JSIH) to rationalise the experimentally observed trends in the formation constants of doubly and triply H-bonded systems with -NHO[double bond, length as m-dash]C- and -NHN- interactions. Unlike the JSIH, the ABI interpretation can explain the trends in the complexation of amide/imide homo- and heterodimers as well as ADA-DAD clusters. We found that the strongest H-bonds play a very important role, a condition which offers an alternative to the well established JSIH to modulate the stability of these relevant systems.

Why do A·T and G·C self-sort? Hückel aromaticity as a driving force for electronic complementarity in base pairing

Computations reveal that the potential for aromaticity gain and loss in nucleobases play key roles in modulating base pairing strengths.

Aromaticity gain increases the inherent association strengths of multipoint hydrogen-bonded arrays

Besides the textbook checklist for ways to control the association strengths of multipoint hydrogen-bonded arrays, “aromaticity” also makes the list!

NMR Study of Solvation Effect on the Geometry of Proton-Bound Homodimers of Increasing Size

Hydrogen bond geometries in the proton-bound homodimers of quinoline and acridine derivatives in an aprotic polar solution have been experimentally studied using ¹H NMR at 120 K. The reported results show that an increase of the dielectric permittivity of the medium results in contraction of the N···N distance. The degree of contraction depends on the homodimer's size and its substituent-specific solvation features. Neither of these effects can be reproduced using conventional implicit solvent models employed in computational studies. In general, the N···N distance in the homodimers of pyridine, quinoline, and acridine derivatives decreases in the sequence gas phase > solid state > polar solvent.

Hydrogen-Bond Weakening through π Systems: Resonance-Impaired Hydrogen Bonds (RIHB)

Redefining interactions: The concept of the resonance-impaired hydrogen bond (RIHB) as an interaction in which a conjugated π system strongly impairs the formation of a hydrogen bond (HB) is introduced. A typical HB involving charged species can have a formation energy of tens of kcal mol^-1 , whereas the corresponding value for the examined RIHB is only 2.6 kcal mol^-1 . Quantum chemical topology tools are used to analyse the low formation energy of the studied RIHBs.

Enormous Hydrogen Bond Strength Enhancement through π-Conjugation Gain: Implications for Enzyme Catalysis

Surprisingly large resonance-assistance effects may explain how some enzymes form extremely short, strong hydrogen bonds to stabilize reactive oxyanion intermediates and facilitate catalysis. Computational models for several enzymic residue-substrate interactions reveal that when a π-conjugated, hydrogen bond donor (XH) forms a hydrogen bond to a charged substrate (Y^-), XH can become significantly more π-electron delocalized, and this "extra" stabilization may boost the [XH···Y^-] hydrogen bond strength by ≥15 kcal/mol. This reciprocal relationship departs from the widespread pK_a concept (i.e., the idea that short, strong hydrogen bonds form when the interacting moieties have matching pK_a values), which has been the rationale for enzymic acid-base reactions. The findings presented here provide new insight into how short, strong hydrogen bonds could form in enzymes.

Strong Short-Range Cooperativity in Hydrogen-Bond Chains

Chains of hydrogen bonds such as those found in water and proteins are often presumed to be more stable than the sum of the individual H bonds. However, the energetics of cooperativity are complicated by solvent effects and the dynamics of intermolecular interactions, meaning that information on cooperativity typically is derived from theory or indirect structural data. Herein, we present direct measurements of energetic cooperativity in an experimental system in which the geometry and the number of H bonds in a chain were systematically controlled. Strikingly, we found that adding a second H-bond donor to form a chain can almost double the strength of the terminal H bond, while further extensions have little effect. The experimental observations add weight to computations which have suggested that strong, but short-range cooperative effects may occur in H-bond chains.

Less stable tautomers form stronger hydrogen bonds: the case of water complexes

Hydrogen bonding in cyclic complexes of water with tautomeric pairs of molecules M⁰ and M¹ is calculated to be stronger by more than 25% for the less stable tautomer M¹ in all cases where the energy gap between the two tautomers is large (ΔE(M⁰ − M¹) > 10 kcal mol⁻¹).