Agata Suszczyńska

Distinguishing between polymorphic forms of linezolid by solid-phase electronic and vibrational circular dichroism

For the first time two crystalline forms of the same compound (linezolid polymorphs) were investigated by means of the solid-phase ECD and VCD spectra. The ECD spectra show distinct differences and the band at 221 nm serves as a diagnostic one because it is present in form II but absent in form III. The VCD spectra strongly differ in the diagnostic carbonyl absorption range exhibiting two relatively strong bands of opposite signs.

Double Asymmetric Induction in 1,3‐Dipolar Cycloaddition of Nitrones to 2,3‐Unsaturated Sugar 1,5‐Lactones

1,3‐Dipolar cycloaddition of nitrones 1–3 to the α,β‐unsaturated δ‐lactones, non‐chiral 4, d‐glycero 5, dl‐glycero 5/5ent, d‐erythro 6, and d‐threo 7, provides an interesting example of a double asymmetric induction. In all cases, only the exo approach of reactants was observed. The high preference of anti addition of the nitrones to the terminal acetoxymethyl group in the lactones 5–7 is consistent with previous observations, and can be explained in terms of the axial approach of the nitrone oxygen atom. The 3‐t‐butoxy group of the nitrone plays a similar role. In the case of mismatched pairs, the location of the 4‐acetoxy substituent in the lactone and that of the 4‐t‐butoxy one in the nitrone become decisive for the outcome of the addition. CD‐spectroscopy proved to be an attractive tool to determine the absolute configuration of the cycloadducts. †This paper is dedicated to Professor Gérard Descotes on the occasion of his 70th birthday.

Dimolybdenum Tetracarboxylates as Auxiliary Chromophores in Chiroptical Studies of vic-Diols

The aim of the present work was to check the suitability of dimolybdenum carboxylates, other than commonly used [Mo2(OAc)4], as auxiliary chromophores for determining the absolute configuration of optically active vic-diols by means of electronic circular dichroism (ECD). To this end, a set of dimolybdenum tetracarboxylates was synthesized, and subsequently, the two most promising compounds were selected, namely dimolybdenum tetrakis(μ-pivalate) and tetrakis(μ-isovalerate). The selection was based on their solubility in commonly used solvents, their stability in solution, their tolerance to air exposure, as well as their utility for dichroic studies. The stability of the obtained in situ chiral complexes was verified by measuring the dependence of ECD, UV-vis, and NMR spectra on time, temperature, and concentration. We have shown that the ECD spectra of diverse vic-diols with these complexes are suitable for configurational assignment based on the correlation between signs of Cotton effects (CEs) arising in the spectra and the stereostructure of the ligand. Furthermore, to aid in the interpretation of experimental results, a separate set of DFT calculations has been incorporated to provide additional insight into the structure of the chiral complexes involved. In contrast to the earlier assumptions, experiments showed that the chelating mode of ligation is preferred for the studied complexes.

The utility of dimolybdenum tetrakis (μ-isovalerate) and tetrakis (μ-pivalate) in the stereochemical studies of various transparent compounds

The aim of the present work was to verify the usefulness of dimolybdenum tetrakis(μ-pivalate) and tetrakis(μ-isovalerate) as auxiliary chromophores for determining the absolute configuration of optically active vic-diamines, vic-amino alcohols, α-amino and α-hydroxy acids by means of electronic circular dichroism (ECD). To this end, a series of measurements designed to check the dependence of ECD and UV-Vis spectra on time and concentration was carried out. The experimental results were supported by a separate set of detailed DFT calculations. The results obtained allowed us to determine the most probable structure of dominating chiral complexes formed in situ in solution for all ligands studied.

Dimolybdenum Tetraacetate as an Auxiliary Chromophore in Absolute Configuration Determination of Amino Acids from their Circular Dichroism Spectra - Foundations and Developments

A straightforward and versatile method for the determination of the absolute configuration of amino acids is presented. The proposed method involves the in situ formation of chiral complexes of optically active amino acids with the achiral dimolybdenum tetraacetate (Mo2(OAc)4) acting as an auxiliary chromophore. Optically active amino acids in reaction with (Mo2(OAc)4) in DMSO exchange in situ its acetate ligand to form chiral Mo-complexes. These complexes display several CD bands in the spectral range from 600 to 250 nm. The resulting CD spectra are suitable for the assignment of absolute configuration, since the observed sign of Cotton effects arising within the d−d absorption bands of the metal core depends solely upon the chirality of the amino acid ligands. It is shown that two Cotton effects at around 300 nm and 400 nm are especially useful for the correlation between their sign and the stereostructure of amino acids by means of the hexadecant rule. The present study demonstrates that the hexadecant rule can be extended to differently N-protected amino acids. The dimolybdenum method can also be applied for determination of the absolute configuration of cyclic β-amino acids representing precursors of peptidomimetics.