Chiral Molecules (chiral + molecule)

Distribution by Scientific Domains
Distribution within Chemistry


Selected Abstracts


Chiral molecules with polyhedral T, O, or I symmetry: Theoretical solution to a difficult problem in stereochemistry

CHIRALITY, Issue 8 2008
Sri Kamesh Narasimhan
Abstract Ever since point groups of symmetry have been used to describe molecules after Van't Hoff and Le Bel proposed tetrahedral structures for carbon atoms in 1874, it remains difficult to design chiral molecules with polyhedral symmetry T, O, or I. Past theoretical and experimental studies have mainly accomplished molecular structures that have the conformations for satisfying the T symmetry. In this work, we present a general theoretical approach to construct rigid molecular structures that have permanently the symmetry of T, O, and I. This approach involves desymmetrizaton of the vertices or the edges of Platonic solid-shaped molecules with dissymmetric moieties. Using density functional theory (DFT) and assisted model building and energy refinement (AMBER) computational methods, the structure, the rigidity, and the symmetry of the molecule are confirmed by assessing the lowest energy conformation of the molecule, which is initially presented in a planar graph. This method successfully builds molecular structures that have the symmetry of T, O, and I. Interestingly, desymmetrization of the edges has a more stringent requirement of rigidity than desymmetrization of the vertices for affording the T, O, or I symmetry. Chirality, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Nonhanded chirality in octahedral metal complexes

CHIRALITY, Issue 8 2001
R.B. King
Abstract Chiral molecules can either be handed (i.e., "shoes") or nonhanded ("potatoes"). The only chiral ligand partition for tetrahedral metal complexes (or for a tetrahedral carbon atom such as that found in amino acids and other chiral biological molecules) is the fully unsymmetrical degree 6 partition (14), which leads to handed metal complexes of the type MABCD with a lowest-degree chirality polynomial consisting of the product of all six possible linear factors of the type (si,sj) where 1 , i,j , 4. The lowest-degree chiral ligand partitions for octahedral metal complexes are the degree 6 partitions (313) and (23) leading to handed chiral metal complexes of the types fac -MA3BCD and cis -MA2B2C2. The form of the lowest-degree chirality polynomial for the (313) chiral ligand partition of the octahedron resembles that of the (14) chiral ligand partition of the tetrahedron, likewise with four different ligands. However, the form of the lowest-degree chirality polynomial for the (23) chiral ligand partition of the octahedron corresponds to the square of the chirality polynomial of the (13) chiral ligand partition of the polarized triangle, which likewise has three different ligands. Ligand partitions for octahedral metal complexes such as (2212), (214), and (16), which are less symmetrical than the lowest-degree chiral ligand partitions (313) and (23), lead to chiral octahedral metal complexes which are nonhanded. In such complexes, pairs of enantiomers can be interconverted by simple ligand interchanges without ever going through an achiral intermediate. Chirality 13:465,473, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Pharmacokinetics of Levetiracetam and Its Enantiomer (R)-,-ethyl-2-oxo-pyrrolidine acetamide in Dogs

EPILEPSIA, Issue 7 2001
Nina Isoherranen
Summary: ,Purpose: The new antiepileptic drug, levetiracetam (LEV, ucb LO59), is a chiral molecule with one asymmetric carbon atom whose anticonvulsant activity is highly enantioselective. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the pharmacokinetics (PK) of LEV [(S)-,-ethyl-2-oxo-pyrrolidine acetamide] and its enantiomer (R)-,-ethyl-2-oxo-pyrrolidine acetamide (REV) after i.v. administration to dogs. This is the first time that the pharmacokinetics of both enantiomers has been evaluated. Methods: Optically pure LEV and REV were synthesized, and 20 mg/kg of individual enantiomers was administered intravenously to six dogs. Plasma and urine samples were collected until 24 h, and the concentrations of LEV and REV were determined by an enantioselective assay. The levels of 2-pyrrolidone- N -butyric acid, an acid metabolite of LEV and REV, were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The data were used for PK analysis of LEV and REV. Results: LEV and REV had similar mean ± SD values for clearance; 1.5 ± 0.3 ml/min/kg and volume of distribution; 0.5 ± 0.1 L/kg. The half-life (t1/2) and mean residence time (MRT) of REV (t1/2, 4.3 ± 0.8 h, and MRT, 6.0 ± 1.1 h) were, however, significantly longer than those of LEV (t1/2, 3.6 ± 0.8 h, and MRT, 5.0 ± 1.2 h). The renal clearance and fraction excreted unchanged for LEV and REV were significantly different. Conclusions: In addition to the enantioselective pharmacodynamics, ,-ethyl-2-oxo-pyrrolidine acetamide has enantioselective PK. The enantioselectivity was observed in renal clearance. Because REV has more favorable PK in dogs than LEV, the higher antiepileptic potency of LEV is more likely due to intrinsic pharmacodynamic activity rather than to enantioselective PK. [source]


Recent Developments in Synthetic Chemistry, Chiral Separations, and Applications of Tröger's Base Analogues

HELVETICA CHIMICA ACTA, Issue 3 2009
Sergey Sergeyev
Abstract Tröger's base is a well-known chiral molecule with a few unusual structural features. The chemistry of Tröger's base analogues has been greatly developed over the last 20 years, and numerous interesting applications in supramolecular chemistry and in molecular recognition have emerged. This Review gives a short overview of the chemistry of Tröger's base and its analogues, with particular focus on recent achievements in synthesis, enantiomer separations, and applications. [source]


Electrochemical polymerization of pyrrole in cholesteric liquid crystals: Morphology and optical properties

JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE (IN TWO SECTIONS), Issue 8 2007
Hiromasa Goto
Abstract Electrochemical polymerization in a cholesteric liquid-crystal electrolyte was carried out. Polypyrrole thus synthesized in a cholesteric liquid-crystal electrolyte could be clearly seen to form a specific morphology. The polypyrrole films exhibited chiroptical properties and formed various surface structures such as Schlieren, Nazca-line, sea-anemone, and wire-loop structures. These structures that developed during polymerization were preserved even after washing. Moreover, no chiral molecule reacted chemically with the monomer during polymerization, and the electrolyte functioned only as a matrix chiral continuum. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 1377,1387, 2007. [source]


Chiral interaction in Gly-capped N-terminal motif of 310 -helix and domino-type induction in helix sense

BIOPOLYMERS, Issue 4 2006
Naoki Ousaka
Abstract Chiral interaction of helical peptide with chiral molecule, and concomitant induction in its helix sense have been demonstrated in optically inactive nonapeptide (1) possessing Gly at its N-terminus: H,Gly,(,ZPhe,Aib)4,OCH3 (1: ,ZPhe = Z-dehydrophenylalanine; Aib = ,-aminoisobutyric acid). Spectroscopic measurements [mainly nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and circular diochroism (CD)] as well as theoretical simulation have been carried out for that purpose. Peptide 1 in the 310 -helix tends to adopt preferentially a right-handed screw sense by chiral Boc- L -amino acid (Boc: t -butoxycarbonyl). Induction in the helix sense through the noncovalent chiral domino effect should be derived primarily from the complex supported by the three-point coordination on the N-terminal sequence. Thus the 310 -helical terminus consisting of only ,-amino acid residues enables chiral recognition of the Boc-amino acid molecule, leading to modulation of the original chain asymmetry. Dynamics in the helix-sense induction also have been discussed on the basis of a low-temperature NMR study. Furthermore, the inversion of induced helix sense has been achieved through solvent effects. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 83:337,351, 2006 This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The "Published Online" date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com [source]


A VCD robust mode analysis of induced chirality: The case of pulegone in chloroform,

CHIRALITY, Issue 1E 2009
Valentin Paul Nicu
Abstract Vibrational modes in an achiral molecule may acquire rotational strength by complexation to a chiral molecule, as happens for achiral solvent molecules complexed to a chiral solute. We investigate this transfer of chirality in vibrational circular dichroism for the pulegone molecule in CDCl3 solvent from the point of view of the robustness concept introduced recently. It turns out that the transfer of chirality yields nonrobust modes, which means that, although they are observed in vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) experiments, the sign of these modes cannot be predicted reliably with standard (Density Functional Theory) VCD calculations. This limits the usefulness of the induced chirality phenomenon for obtaining information on the intermolecular interactions that give rise to it. Chirality 21:E287,E297, 2009. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Ab initio prediction of optical rotation: Comparison of density functional theory and Hartree-Fock methods for three 2,7,8-trioxabicyclo[3.2.1]octanes

CHIRALITY, Issue 4 2002
P.J. Stephens
Abstract We report ab initio calculations of the frequency-dependent electric dipole-magnetic dipole polarizabilities, ,(,), at the sodium D line frequency and, thence, of the specific rotations, [,]D, of 2,7,8-trioxabicyclo[3.2.1]octane, 1, and its 1-methyl derivative, 2, using the Density Functional Theory (DFT) and Hartree-Fock/Self-Consistent Field (HF/SCF) methodologies. Gauge-invariant (including) atomic orbitals (GIAOs) are used to ensure origin-independent [,]D values. Using large basis sets which include diffuse functions DFT [,]D values are in good agreement with experimental values (175.8° and 139.2° for (1S,5R)- 1 and - 2, respectively); errors are in the range 25,35°. HF/SCF [,]D values, in contrast, are much less accurate; errors are in the range 75,95°. The use of small basis sets which do not include diffuse functions substantially lowers the accuracy of predicted [,]D values, as does the use of the static limit approximation: ,(,) , ,(o). The use of magnetic-field-independent atomic orbitals, FIAOs, instead of GIAOs, leads to origin-dependent, and therefore nonphysical, [,]D values. We also report DFT calculations of [,]D for the 1-phenyl derivative of 1, 3. DFT calculations find two stable conformations, differing in the orientation of the phenyl group, of very similar energy, and separated by low barriers. Values of [,]D predicted using two different algorithms for averaging over phenyl group orientations are in good agreement with experiment. In principle, the absolute configuration (AC) of a chiral molecule can be assigned by comparison of the optical rotation predicted ab initio to the experimental value. Our results demonstrate the critical importance of the choice of ab initio methodology in obtaining reliable optical rotations and, hence, ACs, and show that, at the present time, DFT constitutes the method of choice. Chirality 14:288,296, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Determination of the absolute configuration of bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-2,7-dione by circular dichroism spectroscopy and chemical correlation

CHIRALITY, Issue 10 2001
Eugenius Butkus
Abstract A study of the enantiomers of bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-2,7-dione, a chiral molecule containing two carbonyl chromophores, was performed. Enantiomers of this structure were obtained by HPLC resolution and the (+)-(1R,5S)-enantiomer by enantiospecific synthesis from(+)-(1S,5S)-bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-2,6-dione. The title structure is an interesting molecule to demonstrate the validity of the octant rule. The location of the major chair,chair conformer into octants placing each chromophore into the origin of the octants led to the opposite configuration assignments. In order to prove unequivocally absolute configuration, enantiospecific synthesis of the title compound was carried out. The kinetic resolution of racemic bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-2,6-dione using baker's yeast afforded (+)-(1S,5S)-2,6-dione. Employing a reaction sequence analogous to one developed earlier by us with racemic substrates led to carbonyl group shift giving enantiomerically pure (+)-(1R,5S)-bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-2,7-dione. The absolute configuration of the investigated compound was established by combined use of the octant rule and chemical correlation. Chirality 13:694,698, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Chiral discrimination in hydrogen-bonded complexes of 2-methylol oxirane with hydrogen peroxide

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF QUANTUM CHEMISTRY, Issue 5 2009
Guiqiu Zhang
Abstract A systematic quantum chemical study reveals the effects of chirality on the intermolecular interactions between two chiral molecules bound by hydrogen bonds. The methods used are second-order Mřller,Plesset perturbation theory (MP2) with the 6-311++g(d,p) basis set. Complexes via the OH···O hydrogen bond formed between the chiral 2-methylol oxirane (S) and chiral HOOH (P and M) molecules have been investigated, which lead to four diastereomeric complexes. The nomenclature of the complexes used in this article is enantiomeric configuration sign corresponding to English letters. Such as: sm, sp. The relative positions of the methylol group and the hydrogen peroxide are designated as syn (same side) and anti (opposite side). The largest chirodiastaltic energy was ,Echir = ,1.329 kcal mol,1 [9% of the counterpoise correct average binding energy De(corr)] between the sm-syn and sp-anti in favor of sm-syn. The largest diastereofacial energy was ,1.428 kcal mol,1 between sm-syn and sm-anti in favor of sm-syn. To take into account solvents effect, the polarizable continuum model (PCM) method has been used to evaluate the chirodiastaltic energies, and diastereofacial energies of the 2-methylol oxirane···HOOH complexes. The chiral 2,3-dimethylol oxirane (S, S) is C2 symmetry which offers two identical faces. Hence, the chirodiastaltic energy is identical to the diastereomeric energy, and is ,Echir = 0.563 kcal mol,1 or 5.3% of the De(corr) in favor of s,s-p. The optimized structures, interaction energies, and chirodiastaltic energies for various isomers were estimated. The harmonic frequencies, IR intensities, rotational constants, and dipole moments were also reported. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009 [source]


Regioselective Reactions on a Chiral Substrate Controlled by the Configuration of a Chiral Catalyst

ADVANCED SYNTHESIS & CATALYSIS (PREVIOUSLY: JOURNAL FUER PRAKTISCHE CHEMIE), Issue 2-3 2010
Raju Ranjith Kumar
Abstract A racemic mixture may be partially transformed in the presence of a chiral catalyst by kinetic resolution and formation of products with new structural features. If the starting material is fully consumed the products may still be enantiomerically enriched. The situation is summarized in the Introduction. A brief discussion on the regioselective transformations occurring on a racemic mixture under the influence of a chiral catalyst is presented in Section 2. Often stereo-differences occur, each enantiomer of the starting material resulting in a different product. It allows one to predict what the behaviour of some enantiopure substrates should be in presence of each of the enantiomers of a chiral catalyst. Many examples are presented in Section 3. The chiral substrates under consideration have two different reacting sites, usually of the same nature (OH, CC, allylic positions, CH for carbene insertion, epoxide fragment, etc.). In some cases the absolute configuration of the catalyst allows an excellent control of the regioselectivity. This approach is promising for the selective transformation of chiral molecules. [source]


Study of conformational and optical rotation for the alaninamide

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF QUANTUM CHEMISTRY, Issue 4 2007
Shulei Zhao
Abstract Six stationary points of alaninamide have been located on the potential surface energy (PES) at the B3LYP/6-311++G(2d,2p) level of theory both in the gas phase and in aqueous solution. In the aqueous solution, to take the water solvent effect into account, the polarizable continuum model (PCM) method has been used. Accurate geometric structures and their relative stabilities have been investigated. The results show that the intramolecular hydrogen bond plays a very important role in stabilizing the global minimum of the alaninamide. Moreover, the consistent result in relative energy using high-level computations, including the MP2 and MP3 methods with the same basis set [6-311++G(2d,2p)], indicates that the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level may be applied to the analogue system. More importantly, the optical rotation of the optimized conformers (both in the gas phase and in aqueous solution) of alaninamide have been calculated using the density functional theory (DFT) and Hartree,Fock (HF) method at various basis sets (6-31+G*, 6-311++G(d,p), 6-311++G(2d,2p) and aug-cc-pvdz). The results show that the selection of the computation method and the basis set in calculation has great influence on the results of the optical rotations. The reliability of the HF method is less than that of DFT, and selecting the basis set of 6-311++G(2d,2p) and aug-cc-pvDZ produces relative reliable results. Analysis of the computational results of the structure parameters and the optical rotations yields the conclusion that just the helixes in molecules caused the chiral molecules to be optical active. The Boltzmann equilibrium distributions for the six conformers (both in the gas phase and in the aqueous solution) are also carried out. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007 [source]


Polarized basis sets for accurate calculations of static and dynamic electric properties of molecules

JOURNAL OF COMPUTATIONAL CHEMISTRY, Issue 3 2010
Angelika Baranowska
Abstract We report on the development and testing of large polarized basis sets (LPolX, where X is the element symbol) for accurate calculations of linear and nonlinear electric properties of molecules. The method used to generate LPolX sets is based on our studies of the analytic dependence of Gaussian functions on external time-independent and time-dependent electric fields. At variance with the earlier investigations of small, highly compact (ZPolX) basis sets for moderately accurate calculations of electric properties of large molecules, the present goal is to obtain basis sets that are nearly saturated with respect to the selected class of electric properties and can be used for accurate studies of interaction-induced properties. This saturation makes the LPolX sets also useful in calculations of optical properties for chiral molecules. In this article, the LPolX sets are generated for X = H, C, N, O, and F, and examined in calculations of linear and nonlinear electric properties of four standard test systems: HF, N2, CO, and HCN. The study of the performance of LPolX basis sets has been carried out at different levels of approximation ranging from the SCF HF method to highly correlated CCSD(T) approach. The results obtained in this study compare favorably with accurate reference data and show a high level of saturation of LPolX basis sets with respect to the polarization effect due to external electric fields. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2010 [source]


Spontaneous segregation on a hybrid chiral surface

JOURNAL OF COMPUTATIONAL CHEMISTRY, Issue 10 2008
Szabelski
Abstract Segregation of enantiomers in two-dimensional adsorbed layers is a process that is usually controlled by anisotropic directional interactions between adsorbed molecules. In this contribution, we propose a simple theoretical model in which the chiral segregation occurs even though the lateral interactions are neglected. In particular, we consider a solid surface composed of two domains with different patterns of active sites being mirror images of each other. The domains of opposite handedness represent crystal facets of a composite chiral material which are adjoined to form a heterochiral adsorbing surface. To explore equilibrium properties of the system, we use Canonical Ensemble Monte Carlo method for a square lattice. The influence of factors such as energetic properties of the surface and density of the adsorbed layer on the extent of separation is examined. The obtained results indicate that effective two-dimensional separation on the hybrid chiral surface assumed in our model can be achieved only at sufficiently low adsorbate densities. The results also suggest that the segregation on the hybrid surface would be a promising method of enantiodiscrimination for those chiral molecules which do not exhibit strong lateral interactions. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 2008 [source]


Raman optical activity of an achiral element in a chiral environment

JOURNAL OF RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY, Issue 9 2009
Andrew M. Smith
Abstract Raman optical activity (ROA) is a relatively new technique used to determine the structure of chiral molecules and is proving useful in the study of biological molecules such as proteins and DNA/RNA. Here, for the first time, we demonstrate the applicability of ROA as a technique to study achiral groups in chiral environments, detecting the induced chirality of N -(fluorenyl-9-methoxycarbonyl) (Fmoc) in a chiral self-assembled structure of Fmoc-dipeptides. This technique is therefore of interest to those studying self-assembled systems that adopt a chiral structure. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Renaissance in chiroptical spectroscopic methods for molecular structure determination

THE CHEMICAL RECORD, Issue 2 2007
Prasad L. Polavarapu
Abstract Two of the chiroptical spectroscopic methods, namely optical rotatory dispersion (ORD) and electronic circular dichroism (ECD), have been around for several decades. But their use in determining the absolute configuration and predominant conformation is gaining renewed interest with the availability of quantum mechanical methods for predicting ORD and ECD. Two other methods, namely vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) and vibrational Raman optical activity (VROA), are relatively new and offer convenient approaches for deducing the structural information in chiral molecules. With the availability of quantum mechanical programs for predicting VCD and VROA, these methods have attracted numerous new researchers to this area. This review summarizes the latest developments in these four areas and provides examples where more than one method has been used to confirm the information obtained from individual methods. © 2007 The Japan Chemical Journal Forum and Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Chem Rec 7: 125,136; 2007: Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com) DOI 10.1002/tcr.20117 [source]


Basic forms of supramolecular self-assembly ­organized by parallel and antiparallel hydrogen bonds in the racemic crystal structures of six disubstituted and trisubstituted cyclopentane ­derivatives

ACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION B, Issue 4 2001
Alajos Kálmán
A selection of stereoisomeric 2-hydroxy-1-cyclopentanecarboxamides, a 4- tert -butyl derivative and three tert -butyl derivatives of the respective carboxylic acid were subjected to X-ray crystallography. The optically active molecules (I),(VI) form racemic crystals. Each racemic structure is basically determined by two intermolecular hydrogen bonds of O,H,O=C,XH and O=C,X,H,OH types (X = O, NH). The partially similar patterns of close packing observed reflect five basic forms of supramolecular self-assembly. In the racemic crystals of chiral molecules, there are homo- and heterochiral chains of molecules formed by the principal (O,H,O=C) hydrogen bonds. These chains assemble either in a parallel or antiparallel mode. The parallel homochiral chains (hop) observed in structure (II), (1R*,2R*)-2-hydroxy-1-cyclopentanecarboxamide, demand the polar space group Pca21, while the parallel heterochiral chains (hep) are organized in antiparallel layers with space group P21/n in structure (VI), (1R*,2S*,5R*-5- tert -butyl-2-hydroxy-1-cyclopentanecarboxylic acid). Heterochiral chains in an antiparallel array (hea) are found in (I), (1R*,2S*)-2-hydroxy-1-cyclopentanecarboxamide, and (V) [(1R*,2S*4S*)-4- tert -butyl-2-hydroxy-1-cyclopentanecarboxylic acid, space group P21/c]. Structures (IV), (1R*,2S*,4R*)-4- tert -butyl-2-hydroxy-1-cyclopentanecarboxylic acid, and (III), (1R*,2R*,4S*)-4- tert -butyl-2-hydroxy-1-cyclopentanecarboxamide, reveal that homochiral chains in an antiparallel array (hoa; cross-linked by heterochiral dimers held together by the second hydrogen bonds) can be formed by either translation (space group P) or a screw axis (space group P21/c). These alternatives are denoted hoa1 and hoa2. Similarly, within each pattern (hea, hep and hop) two slightly different alternatives can be expected. The partial similarities in the identified five patterns of hydrogen bonding are described by graph-set notations. Structures (I), (IV) and (V) can be characterized by a common supramolecular synthon, while the highest degree of similarity is shown by the isostructurality of (I) and (V). [source]


Diphenyldipyridinezinc(II): partial spontaneous resolution of an organometallic reagent

ACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION C, Issue 5 2009
Anders Lennartson
The title compound, [Zn(C6H5)2(C5H5N)2], (I), forms conformationally chiral molecules residing on a twofold axis. The molecules are stacked along c, and these stacks are associated by edge-to-face ,,, interactions. Crystals of (I) belong to the Sohncke space group P21212 and the crystal lattice of (I) is chiral. The crystal batch that was examined consisted of a mixture of enantiomerically pure crystals and crystals twinned by inversion. [source]


Understanding High-Resolution Spectra of Nonrigid Molecules Using Group Theory

CHEMPHYSCHEM, Issue 4 2010
Melanie Schnell Dr.
Abstract Permutation-inversion group theory has developed to become an important tool in the high-resolution spectroscopy of nonrigid molecules. This large class of molecules is very intriguing to study. Small molecules such as ammonia or Na3 are known to be nonrigid. With increasing size, however, several large-amplitude motions are possible in a molecule, and can even interact with each other. The high-resolution spectra of nonrigid molecules are known to be quite complicated and very rich in information. Details about the molecule and its internal dynamics can be extracted, such as the molecular structure, the character of the chemical bonds, and the barrier heights to internal rotation and their dependence on the chemical bonds. However, due to the nonrigidity of the molecule and the complexity of such spectra, their analysis is usually quite challenging. Theoretical methods are needed for their prediction and analysis. This Review concentrates on permutation-inversion group theory and its usefulness for the analysis of high-resolution spectra of nonrigid molecules, which is examined in more detail using different examples. In a separate section, a special aspect of molecular symmetry is discussed: the breakdown of symmetry principles. Special emphasis is placed on the breakdown of space inversion symmetry (parity violation) in chiral molecules and its possible implications in high-resolution spectroscopy. [source]


Silica Hybrid Containing (R)-2,2,-Binaphtho-20-crown-6 Moieties via the Sol-Gel Process

CHINESE JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY, Issue 8 2003
Cheng, Yi-Xiang
(R) -6,6,-Bis (triethoxysilylethen-2-yl)-2,2,-binaphtho-20-crown6 (precursor, R -2) derived from (R)-2,2,-BINOL derivative was synthesized by Pd-catalyzed Heck reaction of (R)-6,6,-dibromo-2, 2,-binaphtho-20-crown-6 (R -1) intermediate with vinyltriethoxysilane. The hydrolysis and polycondensation of the precursor gave rise to the corresponding xerogel. Both precursor and xerogel were analysed by NMR, FT. IR, UV, CD spectra, fluorescent spectroscopy, polarimetry and elemental analysis. The precursor and xerogel can emit strong blue fluorescence and are expected to have the potential application in the separation of chiral molecules as fluorescent sensor. The precursor exhibits strong Cotton effect in its circular dichroism (CD) spectrum indicating that it is a highly rigid structure. [source]


Chiral molecules with polyhedral T, O, or I symmetry: Theoretical solution to a difficult problem in stereochemistry

CHIRALITY, Issue 8 2008
Sri Kamesh Narasimhan
Abstract Ever since point groups of symmetry have been used to describe molecules after Van't Hoff and Le Bel proposed tetrahedral structures for carbon atoms in 1874, it remains difficult to design chiral molecules with polyhedral symmetry T, O, or I. Past theoretical and experimental studies have mainly accomplished molecular structures that have the conformations for satisfying the T symmetry. In this work, we present a general theoretical approach to construct rigid molecular structures that have permanently the symmetry of T, O, and I. This approach involves desymmetrizaton of the vertices or the edges of Platonic solid-shaped molecules with dissymmetric moieties. Using density functional theory (DFT) and assisted model building and energy refinement (AMBER) computational methods, the structure, the rigidity, and the symmetry of the molecule are confirmed by assessing the lowest energy conformation of the molecule, which is initially presented in a planar graph. This method successfully builds molecular structures that have the symmetry of T, O, and I. Interestingly, desymmetrization of the edges has a more stringent requirement of rigidity than desymmetrization of the vertices for affording the T, O, or I symmetry. Chirality, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Determination of absolute configuration,An overview related to this Special Issue

CHIRALITY, Issue 5 2008
Stig Allenmark
Abstract Rapid progress in asymmetric synthesis stimulated a further development of methods and techniques for the determination of absolute configuration of chiral molecules. In recent years the direct methods, i.e. X-ray diffraction analysis, circular dichroism (vibrational and electronic), Raman optical activity, optical rotation measurements, as well as indirect methods for relative configuration assignment with the use of NMR spectroscopy or enzymatic transformations, are receiving increasing attention not only by specialists in the field but also by synthetic and structural chemists alike. This paper provides a short overview of the methods currently used, as well as references to contributions collected in this Thematic Issue of Chirality. Chirality, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Photo-ionization spectroscopy and mass spectrometry of some molecular and supramolecular asymmetric systems in the isolated state

CHIRALITY, Issue 7 2006
Anna Giardini
Abstract Asymmetric molecular and supramolecular systems are characterized by: i. the circular dicroism in the angular distribution of valence photoelectrons emitted from randomly oriented chiral molecules by their interaction with circularly polarized VUV light; ii. the different stability and reactivity of diastereomeric aggregates. Both these aspects may have some relationship with the "chiral enrichment mechanism" of chirogenesis, based on the preferential destruction of one enantiomer of a racemate by interaction with a chiral agent, whether a massive species or a circularly polarized photon. The most recent spectroscopic and mass spectrometric studies on this topic are reported in the present mini-review. Chirality 18:562,568, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


A novel spectroscopic probe for molecular chirality

CHIRALITY, Issue 3 2006
Na Ji
Abstract Recent advances in developing sum frequency generation (SFG) as a novel spectroscopic probe for molecular chirality are reviewed. The basic principle underlying the technique is briefly described, in comparison with circular dichroism (CD). The significantly better sensitivity of the technique than CD is pointed out, and the reason is discussed. Bi-naphthol (BN) and amino acids are used as representatives for two different types of chiral molecules; the measured chirality in their electronic transitions can be understood by two different molecular models, respectively, that are extensions of models developed earlier for CD. Optically active or chiral SFG from vibrational transitions are weaker, but with the help of electronic-vibrational double resonance, the vibrational spectrum of a monolayer of BN has been obtained. Generally, optically active SFG is sufficiently sensitive to be employed to probe in-situ chirality of chiral monolayers and thin films. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. Chirality [source]


Absolute configuration determination of chiral molecules in the solution state using vibrational circular dichroism

CHIRALITY, Issue 9 2003
Teresa B. Freedman
Abstract Advances in the measurement, calculation, and application of vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) for the determination of absolute configuration are described. The purpose of the review is to provide an up-to-date perspective on the capability of VCD to solve problems of absolute stereochemistry for chiral molecules primarily in the solution state. The scope of the article covers the experimental methods needed for the accurate measurement of VCD spectra and the theoretical steps required to systematically deduce absolute configuration. Determination of absolute configuration of a molecule by VCD requires knowledge of its conformation or conformational distribution, and hence VCD analysis necessarily provides solution-state conformation information, in many cases available by no other method, as an additional benefit. Comparisons of the advantages and limitations of VCD relative to other available chiroptical methods of analysis are also presented. Chirality 15:743,758, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]