Absolute configuration of a cyclic dipeptide reflected in vibrational optical activity: ab initio and experimental investigation

J Phys Chem A. 2012 Mar 15;116(10):2554-63. doi: 10.1021/jp211454v. Epub 2012 Mar 6.

Abstract

The ability of Raman optical activity (ROA) and vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) experiments to determine the absolute configuration of chiral molecules with multiple stereogenic centers was explored for four diastereoisomers of a conformationally flexible cyclic dipeptide, cyclo(Arg-Tyr(OMe)). The reliability of the interpretation depended on the correct description of the molecular conformation, which was found to be strongly affected by intramolecular interactions. In particular, when dispersion corrections were included in the density functional theory calculations, the simulated spectra matched the experimental observations well. Experimental and theoretical ROA and VCD spectra were well correlated for all the absolute configurations (RS, SR, SS, and RR) of protonated cyclo(Arg-Tyr(OMe)). These spectroscopies thus appear useful not only for reliable determination of the absolute configuration and conformation but also in revealing the role of hydrogen bonds and C-H···π interactions in the structure stabilization, which can potentially be used when designing enzyme inhibitors and supramolecular architectures.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Circular Dichroism
  • Molecular Structure
  • Peptides, Cyclic / chemistry*
  • Quantum Theory*
  • Spectrum Analysis, Raman
  • Vibration

Substances

  • Peptides, Cyclic