(2S,4R)-4-hydroxyproline(4-nitrobenzoate): strong induction of stereoelectronic effects via a readily synthesized proline derivative. Crystallographic observation of a correlation between torsion angle and bond length in a hyperconjugative interaction

4,4-Difluoroproline as a Unique 19F NMR Probe of Proline Conformation

Despite the importance of proline conformational equilibria (trans versus cis amide and exo versus endo ring pucker) on protein structure and function, there is a lack of convenient ways to probe proline conformation. 4,4-Difluoroproline (Dfp) was identified to be a sensitive 19F NMR-based probe of proline conformational biases and cis-trans isomerism. Within model compounds and disordered peptides, the diastereotopic fluorines of Dfp exhibit similar chemical shifts (ΔδFF = 0-3 ppm) when a trans X-Dfp amide bond is present. In contrast, the diastereotopic fluorines exhibit a large (ΔδFF = 5-12 ppm) difference in chemical shift in a cis X-Dfp prolyl amide bond. DFT calculations, X-ray crystallography, and solid-state NMR spectroscopy indicated that ΔδFF directly reports on the relative preference of one proline ring pucker over the other: a fluorine which is pseudo-axial (i.e., the pro-4R-F in an exo ring pucker, or the pro-4S-F in an endo ring pucker) is downfield, while a fluorine which is pseudo-equatorial (i.e., pro-4S-F when exo, or pro-4R-F when endo) is upfield. Thus, when a proline is disordered (a mixture of exo and endo ring puckers, as at trans-Pro in peptides in water), it exhibits a small Δδ. In contrast, when the Pro is ordered (i.e., when one ring pucker is strongly preferred, as in cis-Pro amide bonds, where the endo ring pucker is strongly favored), a large Δδ is observed. Dfp can be used to identify inherent induced order in peptides and to quantify proline cis-trans isomerism. Using Dfp, we discovered that the stable polyproline II helix (PPII) formed in the denatured state (8 M urea) exhibits essentially equal populations of the exo and endo proline ring puckers. In addition, the data with Dfp suggested the specific stabilization of PPII by water over other polar solvents. These data strongly support the importance of carbonyl solvation and n → π* interactions for the stabilization of PPII. Dfp was also employed to quantify proline cis-trans isomerism as a function of phosphorylation and the R406W mutation in peptides derived from the intrinsically disordered protein tau. Dfp is minimally sterically disruptive and can be incorporated in expressed proteins, suggesting its broad application in understanding proline cis-trans isomerization, protein folding, and local order in intrinsically disordered proteins.

Proline C-H Bonds as Loci for Proline Assembly via C-H/O Interactions

Proline residues within proteins lack a traditional hydrogen bond donor. However, the hydrogens of the proline ring are all sterically accessible, with polarized C-H bonds at Hα and Hδ that exhibit greater partial positive character and can be utilized as alternative sites for molecular recognition. C-H/O interactions, between proline C-H bonds and oxygen lone pairs, have been previously identified as modes of recognition within protein structures and for higher-order assembly of protein structures. In order to better understand intermolecular recognition of proline residues, a series of proline derivatives was synthesized, including 4R-hydroxyproline nitrobenzoate methyl ester, acylated on the proline nitrogen with bromoacetyl and glycolyl groups, and Boc-4S-(4-iodophenyl)hydroxyproline methyl amide. All three derivatives exhibited multiple close intermolecular C-H/O interactions in the crystallographic state, with H⋅⋅⋅O distances as close as 2.3 Å. These observed distances are well below the 2.72 Å sum of the van der Waals radii of H and O, and suggest that these interactions are particularly favorable. In order to generalize these results, we further analyzed the role of C-H/O interactions in all previously crystallized derivatives of these amino acids, and found that all 26 structures exhibited close intermolecular C-H/O interactions. Finally, we analyzed all proline residues in the Cambridge Structural Database of small-molecule crystal structures. We found that the majority of these structures exhibited intermolecular C-H/O interactions at proline C-H bonds, suggesting that C-H/O interactions are an inherent and important mode for recognition of and higher-order assembly at proline residues. Due to steric accessibility and multiple polarized C-H bonds, proline residues are uniquely positioned as sites for binding and recognition via C-H/O interactions.

Conformational landscape of substituted prolines

The cyclic side chain of the amino acid proline confers unique conformational restraints on its backbone and side chain dihedral angles. This affects two equilibria-one at the backbone (cis/trans) and the other at the side chain (endo/exo). Substitutions on the proline ring impose additional steric and stereoelectronic effects that can further modulate both these equilibria, which in turn can also affect the backbone dihedral angle (ϕ, ψ) preferences. In this review, we have explored the conformational landscape of several termini capped mono-(2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-) substituted proline derivatives in the Cambridge Structural Database, correlating observed conformations with the nature of substituents and deciphering the underlying interactions for the observed structural biases. The impact of incorporating these derivatives within model peptides and proteins are also discussed for selected cases. Several of these substituents have been used to introduce bioorthogonal functionality and modulate structure-specific ligand recognition or used as spectroscopic probes. The incorporation of these diversely applicable functional groups, coupled with their ability to define an amino acid conformation via stereoelectronic effects, have a broad appeal among chemical biologists, molecular biophysicists, and medicinal chemists.

The Distinct Conformational Landscapes of 4S-Substituted Prolines That Promote an endo Ring Pucker

4-Substitution on proline directly impacts protein main chain conformational preferences. The structural effects of N-acyl substitution and of 4-substitution were examined by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography on minimal molecules with a proline 4S-nitrobenzoate. The effects of N-acyl substitution on conformation were attenuated in the 4S-nitrobenzoate context, due to the minimal role of the n→π* interaction in stabilizing extended conformations. By X-ray crystallography, an extended conformation was observed for most molecules. The formyl derivative adopted a δ conformation that is observed at the i+2 position of β-turns. Computational analysis indicated that the structures observed crystallographically represent the inherent conformational preferences of 4S-substituted prolines with electron-withdrawing 4-position substituents. The divergent conformational preferences of 4R- and 4S-substituted prolines suggest their wider structure-specific application in molecular design. In particular, the proline endo ring pucker favored by 4S-substituted prolines uniquely promotes the δ conformation [(ϕ, ψ) ≈(-80°, 0°)] found in β-turns. In contrast to other acyl capping groups, the pivaloyl group strongly promoted trans amide bond and polyproline II helix conformation, with a close n→π* interaction in the crystalline state, despite the endo ring pucker, suggesting its special capabilities in promoting compact conformations in ϕ due to its strongly electron-donating character.

Electronic and Steric Control of n→π* Interactions: Stabilization of the α-Helix Conformation without a Hydrogen Bond

The preferred conformations of peptides and proteins are dependent on local interactions that bias the conformational ensemble. The n→π* interaction between consecutive carbonyls promotes compact conformations, including the α-helix and polyproline II helix. In order to further understand the n→π* interaction and to develop methods to promote defined conformational preferences through acyl N-capping motifs, a series of peptides was synthesized in which the electronic and steric properties of the acyl group were modified. Using NMR spectroscopy, van't Hoff analysis of enthalpies, X-ray crystallography, and computational investigations, we observed that more electron-rich donor carbonyls (pivaloyl, iso-butyryl, propionyl) promote stronger n→π* interactions and more compact conformations than acetyl or less electron-rich donor carbonyls (methoxyacetyl, fluoroacetyl, formyl). X-ray crystallography indicates a strong, electronically tunable preference for the α-helix conformation, as observed directly on the φ and ψ torsion angles. Electron-donating acyl groups promote the α-helical conformation, even in the absence of the hydrogen bonding that stabilizes the α-helix. In contrast, electron-withdrawing acyl groups led to more extended conformations. More sterically demanding groups can promote trans amide bonds independent of the electronic effect on n→π* interactions. Chloroacetyl groups additionally promote n→π* interactions through the interaction of the chlorine lone pair with the proximal carbonyl π*. These data provide additional support for an important role of n→π* interactions in the conformational ensemble of disordered or unfolded proteins. Moreover, this work suggests that readily incorporated acyl N-capping motifs that modulate n→π* interactions may be employed rationally to promote conformational biases in peptides, with potential applications in molecular design and medicinal chemistry.

Pd-Catalyzed directedCH-(hetero)arylation of cyclic α-amino acids: effects of substituents and the ring size

A systematic study on the directed Pd-catalyzed (hetero)arylation of 26 substituted cyclic α-amino acids at the C(3)-atom was performed. For the first time, the 7- and 8-membered cyclic amino acids were introduced to C–H activation. 8–Aminoquinoline was used as a directing group.

Orbital Control of Photochemical Rearrangement of 4-Aryl-1,1-dicyano-1-butenes through the Hyperconjugative Substitution on the Linker Chain

Hyperconjugative interaction was demonstrated to play a vital role in the photochemistry of 4-aryl-1,1-dicyano-1-butenes. Thus a simple substituent on the benzylic position effectively induced a new photoreactivity to afford an allylic rearrangement product that is not obtained for the parent substrate. The natural bond orbital analysis was employed to reveal the enhanced relative contributions of hyperconjugation in the excited state, which dramatically alter the photochemical outcomes not only by reducing the strength of the allylic/benzylic bond but more crucially by affecting the conformer distribution.

Investigation of the role of stereoelectronic effects in the conformation of piperidones by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction

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 (1) J C-H coupling constants, which were measured in the (13)C satellites of the (1)H 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.