Helquat dyes are the first helicene-like cationic styryl dyes obtained as separate enantiomers. Their remarkable chiroptical properties are due to the unique combination of a cationic hemicyanine chromophore and a helicene-like motif. The magnitude of the ECD response and the pH switching along with their positioning in the visible region are unprecedented among helicenoids.
Racemic [5]helquat as a triflate salt has been synthesized using a robust, three-step procedure. Subsequent exchange of triflate anions for inexpensive (R,R)-dibenzoyltartrate anions via an ion exchange resin afforded two diastereoisomeric salts. Crystallization led to the resolution of the helquat (ee 4 98%). This is the first time that a non-racemic helquat has been obtained; its helicity having been assigned and its racemization barrier determined. Capillary electrophoresis with a sulfated b-cyclodextrin chiral selector is introduced for the first time as a straightforward method to analyze the enantiocomposition of charged, helicene-like species.
A new CZE method has been developed for chiral analysis of an important anti-acquired immunodeficiency syndrome drug, 9-(R)-[2-(phosphonomethoxy)propyl]adenine ((R)-PMPA, tenofovir), and six related antiviral acyclic nucleoside phosphonates using beta-CD as a chiral selector. The influence of the composition, concentration and pH of the BGE and the type and concentration of chiral selector on enantiomer resolution was investigated. Complete separations of (R,S)-enantiomers of PMPA with very good resolution (R(s)=1.50-3.64) were achieved within a short time (4-15 min) in 20-50 mM sodium borate or sodium tetraborate BGEs, pH 10.0, at 20 mg/mL concentration of beta-CD. (R,S)-enantiomers of five similar PMPA analogs containing purine bases (adenine, diaminopurine or guanine) and hydroxyl or fluor substituents at C3 carbon atom of propyl chain were baseline separated within 10-17 min in 35 mM sodium tetraborate BGE, pH 10.0, at 20 mg/mL beta-CD concentration. Another important antiviral used by acquired immunodeficiency syndrome patients, derived from pyrimidine base cytosine, 1-(S)-[3-hydroxy-2-(phosphonomethoxy)propyl]cytosine (cidofovir), and the (R)-enantiomer of this drug were successfully separated in 50 mM sodium tetraborate BGE, pH 10.5, at 20 mg/mL beta-CD concentration within 45 min. Using the UV-absorption detection at 206 nm, the concentration detection limits of the analyzed acyclic nucleoside phosphonates were determined in the submicromolar to micromolar range (0.15-2.51 microg/mL level).
A dicationic [6]helicene congener captured on the racemization pathway in its saddle-shaped geometry is introduced. Synthesis, structure, resolution, and dynamic properties of this chiral [6]saddlequat in-between and its highly stereocontrolled transformation into enantiopure [6]helquat are discussed and demonstrated. The dynamic aspects established by experiment and supported by detailed DFT-D calculations are presented visually in the form of a movie (electronic table-of-contents and electronic supplementary information). The title [6]saddlequat was found to be an isolable chiral species on the entirely chiral enantiomerization pathway of a [6]helquat that is discussed as an example of Mislow's ''rubber glove'' molecule. Scheme 1 (a) Racemization of [6]helicene via achiral saddle-shaped transition state, (b) racemization of [9]helicene via saddle-shaped intermediate, and the corresponding energy profiles. r.c. ¼ reaction coordinate.
The bistriflate salt of racemic [5]helquat 1 was found to form a conglomerate. Based on this finding, the preferential crystallization of this chiral helicene–viologen hybrid was developed to deliver pure enantiomers on a 20 g scale (10.5 g of each enantiomer). To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest amount of nonracemic helicene‐like compound obtained by preferential crystallization to date. The absolute configuration of the P enantiomer was confirmed by X‐ray crystal structure analysis. The chromatography‐free synthesis of racemic 1 on a multigram scale (30 g) is also presented as an entry point to this resolution study.
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