1 H− 15 N HMBC spectra of norditerpenoid alkaloids and their synthetic azabicyclic analogues were obtained to investigate the impacts of the through-space effect of steric compression, protonation, and formation of intramolecular hydrogen bonding on the 15 N NMR spectroscopy of these natural products and their piperidine-containing analogues. A rare 15 N NMR effect of steric compression is demonstrated in half-cage A/E-rings of norditerpenoid alkaloid free bases and their synthetic azabicyclic analogues, in which the distribution of the lone pair of electrons of the tertiary amine N-atom is sterically restricted by bridged cycloalkanes, e.g., cyclopentane, cyclohexane, and cycloheptane rings. This results in significant changes in the 15 N chemical shift, typically by at least ∼10 ppm. The lone pair of electrons of the N-atom in the piperidine ring are sterically compressed whether the bridged cyclohexane ring adopts a chair or boat conformation. The 15 N chemical shifts of 1α-OMe norditerpenoid alkaloid free bases significantly increase (Δδ N ≥ 15.6 ppm) on alkaloid protonation and thence the formation of an intramolecular hydrogen bond between N + -H and 1α-OMe. The intramolecular hydrogen bonds between the N-atom and 1α-OH of 1α-OH norditerpenoid alkaloid free bases, karacoline, condelphine, and neoline stabilize their A-rings, adopting an unusual twisted-boat conformation, and they also significantly increase δ N of the tertiary amine N-atom.
The skeletal conformations of naturally occurring norditerpenoid alkaloids fix their substituent functional groups in space, thereby directing their bioactivities.
This highlight focuses on norditerpenoid alkaloids from Aconitum and Delphinium where their structural differences result in pharmacological diversity that ranges from poisons to drugs.
Conformational analyses are presented of several pharmacologically important norditerpenoid alkaloids (NDAs), in crystal and in solution states. Crystal data of 8 NDAs (4 free bases and 4 salts) were obtained, in which crassicauline A, aconitine HCl, and methyllycaconitine HClO 4 are reported for the first time. 1D/2D NMR spectroscopies of 7 NDAs (5 free bases and 2 salts) were recorded comprehensively. Crystal conformations of NDAs are described with a revised cyclohexane ring nomenclature. The A/E-rings of NDA-free bases exist in twisted-chair/twisted-chair conformations, leading to examples of the 1 H NMR effect of steric compression shown in the A-ring. The A/E-rings of NDA salts adopt boat/chair crystal conformations, as does the protonated synthetic [3.3.1]azabicycle in its crystal lattice. However, in aqueous solutions at physiological pH, this protonated analogue adopts a true chair/true chair conformation where the NDA salts retain their twisted boat/twisted chair conformations.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.