A Holistic Approach to Determining Stereochemistry of Potential Pharmaceuticals by Circular Dichroism with β-Lactams as Test Cases

This paper's main objective is to show that many different factors must be considered when solving stereochemical problems to avoid misleading conclusions and obtain conclusive results from the analysis of spectroscopic properties. Particularly in determining the absolute configuration, the use of chiroptical methods is crucial, especially when other techniques, including X-ray crystallography, fail, are not applicable, or give inconclusive results. Based on various β-lactam derivatives as models, we show how to reliably determine their absolute configuration (AC) and preferred conformation from circular dichroism (CD) spectra. Comprehensive CD analysis, employing both approaches, i.e., traditional with their sector and helicity rules, and state-of-the-art supported by quantum chemistry (QC) calculations along with solvation models for both electronic (ECD) and vibrational (VCD) circular dichroism ranges, allows confident defining stereochemistry of the β-lactams studied. Based on an in-depth analysis of the results, we have shown that choosing a proper chiroptical method/s strictly depends on the specific case and certain structural features.

Amino-Functionalized Lead Phthalocyanine-Modified Benzoxazine Resin: Curing Kinetics, Thermal, and Mechanical Properties

Phenol-diaminodiphenylmethane-based benzoxazine (P-ddm)/phthalocyanine copolymer was prepared by using P-ddm resin as matrix and 3,10,17,24-tetra-aminoethoxy lead phthalocyanine (APbPc) as additive. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were used to investigate the curing behavior, curing kinetics, dynamic mechanical properties, thermal stability, and impact strength of the prepared copolymers. The kinetic parameters for the P-ddm/APbPc blend curing processes were examined by utilizing the iso-conversional, Flynn–Wall–Ozawa, and Málek methods. The P-ddm/APbPc blends exhibit two typical curing processes, and DSC results confirmed that the blending of APbPc monomer can effectively reduce the curing temperature of P-ddm resin. The autocatalytic models also described the non-isothermal curing reaction rate well, and the appropriate kinetic parameters of the curing process were obtained. The DMA and impact strength experiments proved that the blending of APbPc monomer can significantly improve the toughness and stiffness of P-ddm resin, the highest enhancements were observed on 25 wt.% addition of APbPc, the recorded values for the storage modulus and impact strength were 1003 MPa and 3.60 kJ/m² higher, respectively, while a decline of 24.6 °C was observed in the glass transition temperature values. TGA curves indicated that the cured copolymers also exhibit excellent thermal stabilities.