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Interactions of l-cysteine ethyl ester hydrochloride (CE), a bioactive cysteine derivative, with dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) were investigated. To gain a deeper insight into analyzing l-cysteine ethyl ester HCl interaction with liposomes of DPPC in anhydrous and hydrated states, we performed experimental studies by infrared (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) and Raman spectroscopies. The results revealed that the interaction of CE with the phospholipid head groups was the same in absence or presence of water. In both states, the wavenumber of the PO2− group and CN bond of the choline group decreased. This behavior can be ascribed to the replacement of hydration water and binding to the phosphate group. In the Raman spectrum results for the anhydrous and gel states, the SH stretching band of the CE shifted to lower frequencies with a decrease in its force constant. Biologically active lipophilic molecules such as CE should be studied in terms of their interaction with lipid bilayers prior to the development of advanced lipid carrier systems such as liposomes. The results of these studies provide information on membrane integrity and physicochemical properties that are essential for the rational design of lipidic drug delivery systems. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The molecular structure and conformational properties of ethyl trifluoroacetate, CF3CO2CH2CH3, were determined in the gas phase by electron diffraction, and vibrational spectroscopy (IR and Raman). The experimental investigations were supplemented by ab initio (MP2) and DFT quantum chemical calculations at different levels of theory. Experimental and theoretical methods result in two structures with Cs (anti–anti) and C1 (anti–gauche) symmetries, the former being slightly more stable than the latter. The electron-diffraction data are best fitted with a mixture of 56% anti–gauche and 44% anti–anti conformers. The conformational preference was also studied using the total energy scheme, and the natural bond orbital scheme. Also, the infrared spectra of CF3CO2CH2CH3 are reported for the gas, liquid and solid states, as is the Raman spectrum of the liquid. The comparison of experimental averaged IR spectra of Cs and C1 conformers provides evidence for the predicted conformations in the IR spectra. Harmonic vibrational wavenumbers and scaled force fields have been calculated for both conformers. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The molecular structure of methyl trifluoroacetate (CF3C(O)OCH3) has been determined in the gas phase from electron-diffraction data supplemented by ab initio (MP2) and DFT calculations using different basis sets. Experimental data revealed an anti conformation with a dihedral angle θ (CCOC) = 180°. Quantum mechanical calculations indicate the possible existence of two conformers, differing by a rotation about the C(O)O bond. The global minimum represents a Cs-symmetric structure in which the CF3 group has the anti orientation with respect to the CH3 group, but there is another potential minimum, much higher in energy, representing a Cs-symmetric structure with a cis conformation. The preference for the anti conformation was studied using the total energy scheme and the natural bond orbital (NBO) partition scheme. Additionally, the total potential energy has been deconvoluted using a six-fold decomposition in terms of a Fourier-type expansion, showing that the electrostatic and steric contributions are dominant in stabilizing the anti conformer. Infrared spectra of CF3C(O)OCH3 were obtained for the gaseous and liquid phases, while the Raman spectrum was recorded for the liquid phase. Harmonic vibrational frequencies and a scaled force field have been calculated, leading to a final root mean-square deviation of 9 cm−1 when comparing experimental and calculated frequencies. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The infrared spectra of CF3SO2OCH2CH3 in the gaseous and liquid states and the Raman spectrum of the liquid were obtained. Quantum chemistry calculations using density functional theory were used to predict the most stable geometry and conformation of the studied molecule. Subsequently, the harmonic vibrational wavenumbers and force field were calculated. An assignment of the observed spectral features made after comparison with related molecules and with the predicted wavenumbers was used as the basis of a scaling of the original force field in order to reproduce as well as possible the experimental wavenumbers. With this purpose, a set of scale factors was calculated by a least-squares procedure, leading to a final root mean square deviation of 12.0 cm−1. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.