ISSN:
0018-019X
Keywords:
Chemistry
;
Organic Chemistry
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Chemistry and Pharmacology
Notes:
Cycloartenol (4), a natural plant sterol, was shown to be an effective membrane reinforcer; this was attributed to its conformation. We now present a conformational analysis of 4 by molecular modeling and NMR. Molecular modeling suggests that two conformations I and II coexist, differing mainly at the level of ring C, and of nearly equal energy, I and II each having ring A and B in a chair and half-chair conformation, respectively, with ring C 1,3-diplanar in I (solid-state structure as determined by X-ray crystallography) and in chair conformation in II. A complete assignment of the 1H- and 13C-NMR spectra of 4 and the entire coupling network in rings A and B is determined by various modern NMR techniques. The conformation of rings A and B thus determined is in agreement with conformations I and II. Low-temperature NMR experiments show a fast equilibrium between two conformations, presumably I and II. It is concluded, therefore, that the cyclopropane ring of 4 produces a flexibility at the level of ring C which may be important for the membrane properties.
Additional Material:
8 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/hlca.19890720102
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