Temperature- and length-dependent energetics of formation for polyalanine helices in water: assignment of w(Ala)(n,T) and temperature-dependent CD ellipticity standards.

Length-dependent helical propensities w(Ala)(n,T) at T = 10, 25, and 60 degrees C are assigned from t/c values and NMR 13C chemical shifts for series 1 peptides TrpLys(m)Inp2(t)Leu-Ala(n)(t)LeuInp2Lys(m)NH2, n = 15, 19, and 25, m = 5, in water. Van't Hoff analysis of w(Ala)(n,T) show that alpha-helix formation is primarily enthalpy-driven. For series 2 peptides Ac-Trp Lys5Inp2(t)Leu-(beta)AspHel-Ala(n)-beta-(t)LeuInp2Lys5NH2, n = 12 and 22, which contain exceptionally helical Ala(n) cores, protection factor-derived fractional helicities FH are assigned in the range 10-30 degrees C in water and used to calibrate temperature-dependent CD ellipticities [theta](lambda,H,n,T).

Water-solubilized, cap-stabilized, helical polyalanines: calibration standards for NMR and CD analyses.

NMR and CD studies are reported for two length series of solubilized, spaced, highly helical polyalanines that are N-capped by the optimal helix stabilizer (beta)Asp-Hel and C-capped by beta-aminoalanine beta and that are studied in water at 2 degrees C, pH 1-8. NMR analysis yields a structural characterization of the peptide Ac(beta)AspHelAla(8)betaNH(2) and selected members of one (beta)AspHelAla(n)beta series. At pH > 4.

The effects of aromatic substituents on the chromatographic enantioseparation of diarylmethyl esters with the whelk-O1 chiral stationary phase.

Members of a series of diarylmethanols, diarylmethyl pivalates, and diarylmethyl acetates (analyte sets 1-26) were enantioresolved with the (S,S)-Whelk-O1 chiral stationary phase (CSP). An analogue of the (S,S)-Whelk-O1 selector was combined with enantioenriched samples of the various diarylmethyl pivalates and thereby used as a chiral solvating agent (CSA) for high field 1H NMR studies. The absolute configurations of a number of chiral diarylmethyl pivalates were assigned using this approach, and hydrolysis of the pivalates allowed assignment of the absolute configurations of the corresponding diarylmethanols.

Copper-catalyzed coupling of amides and carbamates with vinyl halides.

[reaction: see text] A general and efficient copper-catalyzed method for the amidation of vinyl bromides and iodides has been developed. This protocol uses a combination of 5 mol % copper iodide and 20 mol % N,N'-dimethyl ethylenediamine. Substrates bearing ester, silyl ether, and amino groups were successfully coupled under the reaction conditions.

Enantioresolution and absolute configurations of chiral meta-substituted diphenylmethanols as determined by X-ray crystallographic and 1H NMR anisotropy methods.

meta-Substituted diphenylmethanols were enantioresolved by the method of chiral phthalic acid yielding enantiopure alcohols. Their absolute configurations were unambiguously determined by X-ray crystallography of chiral phthalate esters and/or by the (1)H NMR anisotropy method using 2-methoxy-2-(1-naphthyl)propionic acid.

Copper-catalyzed arylation of beta-amino alcohols.

[reaction: see text] Methods for synthesizing N-aryl beta-amino alcohols and O-aryl beta-amino alcohols are described. The presence of a neighboring hydroxyl or amino group, respectively, is thought to activate beta-amino alcohols toward these transformations. These protocols significantly increase access to a variety of arylated beta-amino alcohols.

Comparison of CD spectra of (2-methylphenyl)- and (2,6-dimethylphenyl)-phenylmethanols leads to erroneous absolute configurations.

Enantiopure (2,6-dimethylphenyl)phenylmethanol (+)-(3) and analog (+)-(4) were prepared and their CD spectra were found opposite to that of (2-methylphenyl)phenylmethanol (R)-(-)-(2), the absolute configuration of which was previously established by X-ray crystallography. Therefore the S absolute configuration was once assigned to (+)-3 and (+)-4. After that we have succeeded in the X-ray analyses of chiral dichlorophthalate esters of (+)-3 and (+)4, which clearly indicated R absolute configuration.

Copper-catalyzed coupling of aryl iodides with aliphatic alcohols.

[reaction: see text] A simple and mild method for the coupling of aryl iodides and aliphatic alcohols that does not require the use of alkoxide bases is described. The reactions can be performed in neat alcohol. For more precious alcohols, the etherification was carried out in toluene as solvent using 2 equiv of alcohol.