2-Isoxazolidineethanols: an NMR study of the effect of intramolecular H-bonding on the population of nitrogen invertomers and inversion process

Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc. 2008 Aug;70(3):482-90. doi: 10.1016/j.saa.2007.07.032. Epub 2007 Jul 31.

Abstract

A series of (betaR,5R)- and (betaR,5S)-2,5-disubstituted isoxazolidines: 5-(substituent)-beta-phenyl-2-isoxazolidineethanols, have been prepared by asymmetric nitrone cycloaddition reactions and their NMR spectra recorded over a wide range of temperatures. The spectra at low temperatures indicate the presence of the (betaR,5S) diasteromer almost exclusively as a single invertomer having trans disposition of the substituents at N(2) and C(5), while the (betaR,5R) diasteromer remained as a mixture of two interconverting invertomers in deuterated chloroform. The effect of H-bonding - intramolecular in CDCl(3) and intermolecular in CD(3)OD - on the population ratio of the invertomers and nitrogen inversion process has been investigated. The nitrogen inversion barriers are determined using complete line-shape analysis, and their dependence on solvent is discussed. Due to steric factor the trans-invertomers are found to be more stable than their cis counterparts.

MeSH terms

  • Ethanol / chemistry*
  • Hydrogen Bonding
  • Isomerism
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Models, Molecular
  • Nitrogen / chemistry*
  • Oxazoles / chemistry*
  • Thermodynamics

Substances

  • Oxazoles
  • Ethanol
  • Nitrogen