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Fluorine, the tiny robust atom, with its unique features has captured the attention of scientists in recent times, especially in drug discovery with its integration in small molecules, peptides, and proteins. However, studies to understand the 'fluorine effects' on the conformation of molecules that follow 'beyond the rule of 5' are in the infancy yet significant in molecular design and function. For the first time, using short hybrid peptide sequence as an appropriate model, we examined the substitution effect (size, stereoelectronic effect, and hydrogen bonding) using X‐ray diffraction, 2D‐NMR, and CD studies. The comparative study on their folding patterns with hydrogen‐substituted analogs can provide valuable insights into fluorinated substrates' design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The anomeric effect, one of the classic stereoelectronic effects in organic chemistry, describes the preference of an electronegative substituent at the anomeric carbon of glycosides to adopt the axial configuration. Herein, we briefly survey the history and broad applications of the anomeric effect in organic synthesis. Particularly, we highlight the recent investigations on the related metallo-anomeric effect in carbohydrate chemistry and the possible strategies for its easy regulation via the alteration of the metal, oxidation state, ligand, and structure of the substrate. A positive interplay between scientific research and organic chemistry teaching would profoundly help students to understand the basic concepts and advanced applications of the metallo-anomeric effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gas-phase electron diffraction (GED) study of tri-tert-butyl methane (TTBM) published in 1972 by Bürgi and Bartell inspired the author to investigate the nature of the intramolecular interactions that are operative in this crowded hydrocarbon. Using the quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM), a topological analysis of the theoretical charge density of TTBM is carried out. Nine bond paths corresponding to the presence of noncovalent, intramolecular interactions operating at the interfaces that separate the three t-Bu groups do emerge from the QTAIM analysis. This result supports the existence of a network of intramolecular interactions predicted by Bürgi and Bartell in their landmark GED study of TTBM. In addition, the not yet synthesized halogen analogues (t-Bu)3 CX (X=F to I) are also investigated herein. Some information about the remarkable contributions of the pioneers is provided throughout the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The STM-BJ method is used to monitor single-molecule conductance states. • Single-molecule conductance tests reveal conjugation regulation mechanisms. • An external electric field regulates the stereoelectronic effect and lateral effect. Conjugated molecules have diverse applications across electronics, optoelectronics, and sensors. Their conjugated characteristics determine the molecular electronic and photonic properties, which are crucial for the design of functional materials. This study investigates the conjugation-regulated molecular transport properties by a combination of scanning tunneling microscopy break junction technologies and theoretical simulations. Two conductance states, which originate from π-contact and σ-contact, respectively, are found and can be further regulated by conjugation. With increasing conjugation, the high conductance state of π-contact can be enhanced through the lateral effect between the molecular conjugated backbones and gold substrates, while the low conductance state of σ-contact, which varies with the molecular torsion angle, is mainly affected through the stereoelectronic effect. Moreover, the high electric field increases the lateral interaction of the π-contacts while decreasing the conductance of the σ-contacts. These conjugation-regulated lateral and stereoelectronic effects provide valuable insights into functionalization and optimization of molecular materials and devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dialkylglycine decarboxylase (DGD) is an unusual pyridoxal phosphate dependent enzyme that catalyzes decarboxylation in the first and transamination in the second half-reaction of its ping-pong catalytic cycle. Directed evolution was employed to alter the substrate specificity of DGD from 2-aminoisobutyrate (AIB) to 1-aminocyclohexane-1-carboxylate (AC6C). Four rounds of directed evolution led to the identification of several mutants, with clones in the final rounds containing five persistent mutations. The best clones show ~2.5-fold decrease in KM and ~2-fold increase in kcat, giving a modest ~5-fold increase in catalytic efficiency for AC6C. Additional rounds of directed evolution did not improve catalytic activity toward AC6C. Only one (S306F) of the five persistent mutations is close to the active site. S306F was observed in all 33 clones except one, and the mutation is shown to stabilize the enzyme toward denaturation. The other four persistent mutations are near the surface of the enzyme. The S306F mutation and the distal mutations all have significant effects on the kinetic parameters for AIB and AC6C. Molecular dynamics simulations suggest that the mutations alter the conformational landscape of the enzyme, favoring a more open active site conformation that facilitates the reactivity of the larger substrate. We speculate that the small increases in kcat/KM for AC6C are due to two constraints. The first is the mechanistic requirement for catalyzing oxidative decarboxylation via a concerted decarboxylation/proton transfer transition state. The second is that DGD must catalyze transamination at the same active site in the second half-reaction of the ping-pong catalytic cycle.

Monitoring the structural transitions of individual molecules is of great significance because it helps to in depth explore the properties of molecules and provide diverse possibilities for molecular applications in the fields of chemistry, biology and material science. This review summarizes the strategy of using single‐molecule electrical approaches to study molecular structure transitions at the single‐molecule level in real time. Specifically, through the use of stable single‐molecule devices for real‐time electrical monitoring, the process of molecular structure transitions of a single molecule can be investigated, which helps to explore the nature of molecules in chemical and biological systems. In particular, the detection methods have been extended to the investigation of biological macromolecules for monitoring the conformational changes of nucleotide chains in different systems, such as double helix DNA, aptamer and DNA enzyme. In the end, we discuss the future challenges of probing structural transitions of single molecules, and provide prospects for further breakthroughs in this field. What is the most favorite and original chemistry developed in your research group? Single‐molecule device fabrication and detection. How do you get into this specific field? Could you please share some experiences with our readers? I started to pursue this field during my PhD period. The promise of molecular electronics that might breakthrough the development bottleneck of current microelectronics inspired my great interest. This interest drives me to persist in the pursuit of practical molecular electronic devices as perfect as possible. What is the most important personality for scientific research? Three aspects: interest, persistence and industriousness. The first key to the success should be diligence. How do you keep balance between research and family? It is hard to balance the time. It is very important to have understanding and support from the family. I love them. What's your hobbies? Driving and watching movies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A general method for chemo- and diastereoselective modification of anticancer natural product arglabin with nitrogen- and carbon-centered pronucleophiles under the influence of nucleophilic phosphine catalysts was developed. The locked s-cis-geometry of α-methylene-γ-butyrolactone moiety of arglabin favors for the additional stabilization of the zwitterionic intermediate by electrostatic interaction between phosphonium and enolate oxygen centers, leading to the unprecedentedly high efficiency of the phosphine-catalyzed Michael additions to this sesquiterpene lactone. Using n-Bu 3 P as the catalyst, pyrazole, phthalimide, 2-oxazolidinone, 4-quinazolinone, uracil, thymine, cytosine, and adenine adducts of arglabin were obtained. The n-Bu 3 P-catalyzed reaction of arglabin with active methylene compounds resulted in the predominant formation of bisadducts bearing a new quaternary carbon center. All synthesized Michael adducts and previously obtained phosphorylated arglabin derivatives were evaluated in vitro against eleven cancer and two normal cell lines, and the results were compared to those of natural arglabin and its dimethylamino hydrochloride salt currently used as anticancer drugs. 2-Oxazolidinone, uracil, diethyl malonate, dibenzyl phosphonate, and diethyl cyanomethylphosphonate derivatives of arglabin exhibited more potent antiproliferative activity towards several cancer cell lines and lower cytotoxicity towards normal cell lines in comparison to the reference compounds, indicating the feasibility of the developed methodology for the design of novel anticancer drugs with better therapeutic potential., (© 2024 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Theoretical and analytical thermal and electrical properties are studied through the 2,7-Di([1,1′-biphenyl]-4-yl)-9H-fluorene aromatic system as a prototype of a molecular switch. Variations of the dihedral angles between the two Benzene rings at each end of the molecule have been considered, thus determining the dependence on the structural variation of the molecule when the aromatic system is connected between metal contacts. The molecule is modeled through a Tight-Binding Hamiltonian where—from the analytical process of decimation and using Green’s functions—the probability of transmission (T) is calculated by using the Fisher–Lee relationship. Consequently, the thermal and electrical transport properties such as I − V curves, quantum noise (S), Fano factor (F), electrical conductance (G), thermal conductance ( κ ), Seebeck coefficient (Q), and merit number ( Z T ) are calculated. The available results offer the possibility of designing molecular devices, where the change in conductance or current induced by a stereoelectronic effect on the molecular junctions (within the aromatic system) can produce changes on the insulating–conductive states.

This paper reports the synthesis of a series of piperidones 1–8 by the Mannich reaction and analysis of their structures and conformations in solution by NMR and mass spectrometry. The six-membered rings in 2,4,6,8-tetraphenyl-3,7-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-9-ones, compounds 1 and 2, adopt a chair–boat conformation, while those in 2,4-diphenyl-3-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-9-ones, compounds 3–8, adopt a chair–chair conformation because of stereoelectronic effects. These stereoelectronic effects were analyzed by the 1JC–H coupling constants, which were measured in the 13C satellites of the 1H NMR spectra obtained with the hetero-dqf pulse sequence. In the solid state, these stereoelectronic effects were investigated by measurement of X-ray diffraction data, the molecular geometry (torsional bond angles and bond distances), and inter- and intramolecular interactions, and by natural bond orbital analysis, which was performed using density functional theory at the ωB97XD/6311++G(d,p) level. We found that one of the main factors influencing the conformational stability of 3–8 is the interaction between the lone-pair electrons of nitrogen and the antibonding sigma orbital of C(7)–Heq (nN→σ*C–H(7)eq), a type of hyperconjugative interaction.

Cyclometalated complexes are an important class of (pre)catalysts in many reactions including hydride transfer. The ring size of such complexes could therefore be a relevant aspect to consider while modulating their catalytic activity. However, any correlation between the cyclometalating ring size and the catalytic activity should be drawn by careful assessment of the pertinent geometrical parameters, and overall electronic effects thereof. In this study, we investigated the vital role of key stereoelectronic functions of two classes of iridacyclic complexes-five-membered and six-membered cycles-in manupulating the catalytic efficiency in a model hydride-transfer reaction. Our investigation revealed that there exists an interesting multidimensional synergy among all the relevant stereoelectronic factors-yaw angle, bite angle, and the electronic properties of both the ligand and the metal center-that governs the hydride donor ability (hydricity) of the complexes during catalysis. Thus the six-membered chelate complexes with small yaw and large bite angles, strong donor ligand, and electron-rich metal were found to be better catalysts than their five-membered analogues. A frontier molecular orbital analysis supported the significant role of the above stereoelectronic synergistic effect associated with the chelate ring to control the hydride donor ability of the complexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biphenyl, as the elementary unit of organic functional materials, has been widely used in electronic and optoelectronic devices. However, over decades little has been fundamentally understood regarding how the intramolecular conformation of biphenyl dynamically affects its transport properties at the single-molecule level. Here, we establish the stereoelectronic effect of biphenyl on its electrical conductance based on the platform of graphene-molecule single-molecule junctions, where a specifically designed hexaphenyl aromatic chain molecule is covalently sandwiched between nanogapped graphene point contacts to create stable single-molecule junctions. Both theoretical and temperature-dependent experimental results consistently demonstrate that phenyl twisting in the aromatic chain molecule produces different microstates with different degrees of conjugation, thus leading to stochastic switching between high- and low-conductance states. These investigations offer new molecular design insights into building functional single-molecule electrical devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experiments will be presented and reviewed to support the hypothesis that the intrinsic reactivity of formaldehyde may lead to the formation of a rather comprehensive set of defined biomolecules, including D-glucose, thus fostering concepts of evolution considering the existence of a premetabolic system as a primordial step in the generation of life.

The structures and energies of 1,2,7-thiadiazepane 1,1-dioxide and the axial and equatorial conformers of 1,2,7-thiadiazepane 1-oxide were calculated using the hybrid density functional B3LYP with the cc-pVDZ basis set. The results obtained explain the lower stabilities of equatorial conformers compared to the axial analogs and the lower stabilities of sulfones compared to sulfoxides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achieving acyclic conformational control over several bonds has been realized by the strategic installation of a vicinal difluoroethane bridge in a generic proline-derived organocatalyst. The torsion angle ϕFCCF is governed by stabilizing hyperconjugative interactions (σ→σ*), thus ensuring a 60° relationship. This effect has been telescoped by positioning a stereogenic fluorine center proximal to the nucleophilic amine. Upon iminium formation, this center is rendered electron deficient, thus triggering a dynamic fluorine iminium ion gauche effect. Consequently, conformational control over five atoms and four bonds can be achieved by reversible formation of an iminium π-bond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diastereoselective control in the sulfa-Michael addition of nitroalkenes and lithium thiolates followed by protonation was investigated. Lithium thiolates first added to nitroalkenes to afford cyclic lithium-chelated nitronates. The subsequent kinetic protonation of nitronates was proved to be the stereochemical determinant through the chelate-controlled six-membered half-chair transition state bearing two approximately 1,2-diaxial substituents due to stereoelectronic effect control. The stereoelectronic effect in the cyclic chelated transition state was probed and verified by tuning the steric bulkiness of the corresponding substituents. The reaction involving 1-nitrocyclohexene provided perfect support for the proposed diastereoselective control model. The current investigation provided not only comprehensive insights into the diastereoselective control in the sulfa-Michael addition of nitroalkenes and thiolates, but also an important role of the stereoelectronic effect in certain organic reactions involving cyclic chelate transition states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, the experimental and computational chemists have been attracted widely to the click synthesis of 1,2,3 triazoles and their derivatives, mainly due to the fact that they are interesting from structural and mechanistic points of view. Moreover, catalyzed click have been well established as a successful strategy showing high regioselectivity and high yield for the synthesis of 1,2,3-triazoles. In this review, we try to highlight the recently reported computational assessments on the origins and predection of regioselectivity in the catalyzed click synthesis of triazoles from the mechanistic and thermodynamical points of view. In this light, density functional theory (DFT) calculations on the free energy profiles of azide-alkyne cycloaddition reactions have been underscored. The stereoelectronic features for the role of copper, ruthenium, and iridium as catalyst on regioselectivity of click reactions have also be discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The normal and reverse Perlin effect is usually explained by the redistribution of electron density produced by hyperconjugative mechanisms, which increases the electron population within axial or equatorial proton in normal or reverse effect, respectively. Here an alternative explanation for the Perlin effect is presented on the basis of the topology of the induced current density, which directly determines the nuclear magnetic shielding. Current densities around the CAH bond critical point and intra-atomic and interatomic contributions to the magnetic shielding explain the observed Perlin effect. The balance between intra-atomic and interatomic contributions determines the difference in the total atomic shielding. Normal Perlin effect is dominated by intra-atomic part, whereas reverse effect is dominated by interatomic contribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dialkylglycine decarboxylase (DGD) is an unusual pyridoxal phosphate dependent enzyme that catalyzes decarboxylation in the first and transamination in the second half-reaction of its ping-pong catalytic cycle. Directed evolution was employed to alter the substrate specificity of DGD from 2-aminoisobutyrate (AIB) to 1-aminocyclohexane-1-carboxylate (AC6C). Four rounds of directed evolution led to the identification of several mutants, with clones in the final rounds containing five persistent mutations. The best clones show ~ 2.5-fold decrease in K M and ~ 2-fold increase in k cat , giving a modest ~ 5-fold increase in catalytic efficiency for AC6C. Additional rounds of directed evolution did not improve catalytic activity toward AC6C. Only one (S306F) of the five persistent mutations is close to the active site. S306F was observed in all 33 clones except one, and the mutation is shown to stabilize the enzyme toward denaturation. The other four persistent mutations are near the surface of the enzyme. The S306F mutation and the distal mutations all have significant effects on the kinetic parameters for AIB and AC6C. Molecular dynamics simulations suggest that the mutations alter the conformational landscape of the enzyme, favoring a more open active site conformation that facilitates the reactivity of the larger substrate. We speculate that the small increases in k cat /K M for AC6C are due to two constraints. The first is the mechanistic requirement for catalyzing oxidative decarboxylation via a concerted decarboxylation/proton transfer transition state. The second is that DGD must catalyze transamination at the same active site in the second half-reaction of the ping-pong catalytic cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many interests have been focused on prolyl cis- trans isomerization which is related to protein folding and isomer-specific biochemical recognition. Since polyproline can adopt either type I (PPI) helices with all cis amide bonds or type II (PPII) helices with all trans amide bonds, it has been a valuable model to study the prolyl isomerization. Recent studies have shown that stereoelectronic effects govern the stability of PPII structure and the rate of PPII → PPI conversion. To further explore the terminal stereoelectronic effects on polyproline conformation, herein we synthesized a series of host-guest peptides in which (2 S,4 S)-4-fluoroproline (flp) or (2 S,4 R)-4-fluoroproline (Flp) residues are incorporated into the C- or N-terminal end of a peptide and studied the thermodynamic and kinetic consequences on polyproline conformation. Circular dichroism measurements revealed that inserting 4-fluoroproline residues into the C terminus of a polyproline peptide induces a great stereoelectronic effect on PPII stability and PPII → PPI conversion rates. From the C terminus, a (Flp) triplet stabilizes PPII structure and increases the transition barrier of PPII → PPI conversion by 1.53 kJ mol while a (flp) triplet destabilizes PPII conformation and reduce the PPII → PPI transition barrier by 4.61 kJ mol. In contrast, the 4-fluoroproline substitutions at the N terminus do not exhibit distinct stereoelectronic effects on PPII stability and PPII → PPI conversion rates. Our data demonstrate that the C-terminal stereoelectronic effects have a more dramatic impact on PPII stability and PPII → PPI conversion kinetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A computational investigation of anomeric effects in piperidine rings bearing fluoro and trifluoromethyl substituents shows for both compounds the most pronounced evidence of the anomeric effect, as expressed as hyperconjugative delocalization of the nitrogen lone pair, in structures with the substituent in the axial position and the N-H bond in the equatorial position. This structure is the lowest-energy structure in the fluoro case but not in the trifluoromethyl case where there is an increased axial penalty associated with the CF group. The anomeric effect is characterized via geometrical evidence, natural bond orbital analysis, electrostatic effects, and energetic criteria. Computational results from a variety of levels of theory are presented including CCSD(T) with complete basis set extrapolation, B2PLYP-D, ωB97XD, B97-D, M06-2X, B3LYP, and MP2 allowing for a comparison of performance. The CCSD(T)/CBS results are very well represented by either B2PLYP-D or ωB97XD with moderate to large basis sets (aug-cc-pVTZ or aug-cc-pVDZ). Hyperconjugation, electrostatic effects, and steric effects play a role in the relative energetic ordering of the isomers considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The folding of proteins is directed by a variety of interactions, including hydrogen bonding, electrostatics, van der Waals' interactions, and the hydrophobic effect. We have argued previously that an n→π* interaction between carbonyl groups be added to this list. In an n→π* interaction, the lone pair ( n) of one carbonyl oxygen overlaps with the π* antibonding orbital of another carbonyl group. The tendency of backbone carbonyl groups in proteins to engage in this interaction has consequences for the structures of folded proteins that we unveil herein. First, we employ density functional theory to demonstrate that the n→π* interaction causes the carbonyl carbon to deviate from planarity. Then, we detect this signature of the n→π* interaction in high-resolution structures of proteins. Finally, we demonstrate through natural population analysis that the n→π* interaction causes polarization of the electron density in carbonyl groups and detect that polarization in the electron density map of cholesterol oxidase, further validating the existence of n→π* interactions. We conclude that the n→π* interaction is operative in folded proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experiments will be presented and reviewed to support the hypothesis that the intrinsic reactivity of formaldehyde may lead to the formation of a rather comprehensive set of defined biomolecules, including D-glucose, thus fostering concepts of evolution considering the existence of a premetabolic system as a primordial step in the generation of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The regioselectivity of the Baeyer–Villiger oxidation of α-chlorocyclobutanone derivatives is markedly affected by substituents in position γ to the carbonyl group. The reaction of steroidal α-chlorocyclobutanones with m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid results in the formation of γ-chloro-γ-lactones and/or α-chloro-γ-lactones depending on the substitution pattern of the four-membered ring. In the reactions of γ-unsubstituted α-chlorocyclobutanones, the exclusive formation of γ-chloro-γ-lactone results from the migration of the chlorinated substituent (CHCl) versus the alkyl group (CH2), contrary to the expected migratory aptitude. In explaining the unusual regioselectivity observed in these reactions, steric effects and dipole interactions in the formation of the reactive Criegee intermediates are considered and the stereoelectronic effect is postulated to be more important than the intrinsic migratory aptitude. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The effect of the nitrogen nonbonding electron pair on the 1 J C,H values of 1,3-diazaheterocycles was analyzed and compared to 1,5-diazabiciclo[3.2.1]octanes, which have a restricted conformation. The 1 J C,H values were measured by observing the 13C satellites in the 1H NMR spectra and then determining the 1H-coupled 13C NMR spectra. The 1 J C,H values are 10Hz larger when the α-hydrogen is synperiplanar rather than antiperiplanar to the nonbonding electron pair on the nitrogen, which serves as experimental evidence of the orbital n N→σ∗ C,H ap interactions. In addition, the homoanomeric effect from the interactions of the nitrogen lone pair with the antibonding orbital of the equatorial hydrogen, which was in the β position, was discussed (n N→σ∗ C(β),H eq ). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Complete basis set CBS-QB3, hybrid-density functional theory (B3LYP/Def2-TZVPP) based methods and NBO interpretation were used to investigate the impacts of the stereoelectronic effects and electrostatic and steric interactions on the conformational properties of halocarbonyl isocyanates (halo = F ( 1), Cl (2), and Br ( 3)), halothiocarbonyl isocyanates (halo = F ( 4), Cl ( 5), and Br ( 6)), and haloselenocarbonyl isocyanates(halo = F ( 7), Cl ( 8), and Br ( 9)). Both methods showed that the Z-conformations of compounds 1, 4, and 7 are more stable than their corresponding E conformations, but the stability of the E conformations, when compared with the corresponding Z conformations, increases from compound 1 to compound 3, compound 4 to compound 6, and also from compound 7 to compound 9. The NBO analysis showed that the generalized anomeric effect (GAE) is in favor of the Z conformations of compounds 1, 4, and 7. The GAE values calculated (i.e., GAEE-GAEZ) increase from compound 1 to compound 3, compound 4 to compound 6, and also from compound 7 to compound 9. On the other hand, there are none of the same trends between the calculated total dipole moment and the Gibbs free energy difference values between the E and Z conformations (i.e., Δ μE-Z and Δ GE-Z) of compounds 1- 3, 4- 6, and 7- 9. Accordingly, the GAE succeeds in accounting for the increase of the E conformation stability from compound 1 to compound 3, compound 4 to compound 6, and also from compound 7 to compound 9. Therefore, the GAE associated with the electron delocalization, not the total dipole moment changes (i.e., Δ μE-Z), is a reasonable indicator of the total energy difference in compounds 1- 3, 4- 6, and 7- 9. There is a direct correlation between the calculated GAE and Δ[ r2-6( E) - r2-6( Z)] parameters. Importantly, there are interesting through-space electron delocalizations (LP2X6→π*C4-O5) that justify the increase of the E conformation stability from compound 1 to compound 3, compound 4 to compound 6, and also from compound 7 to compound 9, when compared with their corresponding Z conformations. The correlations between the GAE, bond orders, total steric exchange energies (TSEE), Δ GZ-E, Δ μE-Z, structural parameters, and conformational behaviors of compounds 1- 9 were investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Pyridoxal 5′-phosphate enzymes are ubiquitous in the nitrogen metabolism of all organisms. They catalyze a wide variety of reactions including racemization, transamination, decarboxylation, elimination, retro-aldol cleavage, Claisen condensation, and others on substrates containing an amino group, most commonly α-amino acids. The wide variety of reactions catalyzed by PLP enzymes is enabled by the ability of the covalent aldimine intermediate formed between substrate and PLP to stabilize carbanionic intermediates at Cα of the substrate. This review attempts to summarize the mechanisms by which reaction specificity can be achieved in PLP enzymes by focusing on three aspects of these reactions: stereoelectronic effects, protonation state of the external aldimine intermediate, and interaction of the carbanionic intermediate with the protein side chains present in the active site. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Pyridoxal Phosphate Enzymology. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The saturated ring and secondary amine of proline spawn equilibria between pyrrolidine ring puckers as well as peptide bond isomers. These conformational equilibria can be modulated by alterations to the chemical architecture of proline. For example, C in the pyrrolidine ring can be replaced with sulfur, which can be oxidized either stereoselectively to yield diastereomeric S-oxides or completely to yield a sulfone. Here, the thiazolidine ring and peptide bond conformations of 4-thiaproline and its S-oxides were analyzed in an Ac-Xaa-OMe system using NMR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, and hybrid density functional theory. The results indicate that the ring pucker of the S-oxides is governed by the gauche effect, and the prolyl peptide bond conformation is determined by the strength of the n → π * interaction between the amide oxygen and the ester carbonyl group. These findings, which are consistent with those of isologous 4-hydroxyprolines and 4-fluoroprolines, substantiate the importance of electron delocalization in amino acid conformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Noncovalent interactions play an essential role in biological and chemical processes. In the main chain of common protein secondary structures, the lone pair (n) of a carbonyl oxygen is delocalized into the antibonding orbital (π*) of the subsequent carbonyl group. Herein, experimental and computational data reveal that this n→π* interaction can be attenuated by the inductive electron withdrawal of one or two α-fluoro groups in the donor. The steric effect of three α-fluoro groups, however, overcomes the inductive withdrawal. These data evoke a means to modulate the n→π* interaction in peptides, proteins, and other systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been growing interest in polyproline type II (PPII) helices since PPII helices have been found in folded and unfolded proteins and involved in a variety of biological activities. Polyproline can also form type I helices (PPI) which are very different from PPII conformation and only exist in certain organic solvents. Recent studies have shown that stereoelectronic effects play a critical role in stabilizing a PPI or PPII helix. Here, we have synthesized a series of host-guest peptides with an electron-withdrawing substituent at the 4 R or 4 S position of proline and used a kinetic approach to further explore stereoelectronic effects on the transition barrier of the interconversion between PPI and PPII conformations. Time-dependent circular dichroism measurements revealed that the rates of PPII → PPI conversion were reduced upon incorporating the hydroxyl-, fluoro-, and methoxy-groups at the 4 R position while the rates would be increased if these substituents were at the 4 S position. We quantified the changes in transition free energy by comparing their rate constants. (4 R,2 S)-4-Fluoroproline and (4 S,2 S)-4-fluoroproline have the largest effect on the transition energy barrier for PPII → PPI conversion. Our results provide important insights into the role of stereoelectronic effects on the PPII → PPI transition state barrier, which has not been reported in past thermodynamic studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: According to a prevailing theory, (2S,4R)-4-hydroxyproline (Hyp) residues stabilize the collagen triple helix via a stereoelectronic effect that preorganizes appropriate backbone torsion angles for triple-helix formation. This theory is consistent with the marked stability that results from replacing the hydroxyl group with the more electron-withdrawing fluoro group, as in (2S,4R)-4-fluoroproline (Flp). Nonetheless, the hyperstability of triple helices containing Flp has been attributed by others to the hydrophobic effect rather than a stereoelectronic effect. We tested this hypothesis by replacing Hyp with 4,4-difluoroproline (Dfp) in collagen-related peptides. Dfp retains the hydrophobicity of Flp, but lacks the ability of Flp to preorganize backbone torsion angles. Unlike Flp, Dfp does not endow triple helices with elevated stability, indicating that the hyperstability conferred by Flp is not due to the hydrophobic effect. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]