Microscopic vibrational circular dichroism on the forewings of a European hornet: heterogenous sequences of protein domains with different secondary structures.

We developed a microscopic scanning for vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectroscopy in which a quantum cascade laser is equipped with a highly focused infrared light source to attain a spatial resolution of 100 µm. This system was applied to the forewing of a European hornet to reveal how the protein domains are organised. Two-dimensional patterns were obtained from the VCD signals with steps of 100 µm. We scanned the 1500-1740 cm-1 wavenumber range, which covers amide I and II absorptions. Zone sequenced α-helical and ß-sheet domains within an area of 200 µm2 in membranes close to where two veins cross. The sign of the VCD signal at 1650 cm-1 changed from positive to negative when probed along the zone axis, intermediated by the absence of VCD activity. The significance of this zone is discussed from the viewpoint of the mechanical properties required for flying motion. These features are unattainable using conventional FTIR (Fourier transform infrared) or FT-VCD methods with a spatial resolution of ∼10 mm2.

Multidimensional vibrational circular dichroism for insect wings: Comparison of species.

This study reports the microscopic measurements of vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) on four different insect wings using a quantum cascade laser VCD system equipped with microscopic scanning capabilities (named multi-dimensional VCD [MultiD-VCD]). Wing samples, including (i) beetle, Anomala albopilosa (female), (ii) European hornet, Verspa crabro flavofasciata Cameron, 1903 (female), (iii) tiny dragonfly, Nannophya pygmae Rambur, 1842 (male), and (iv) dragonfly, Symetrum gracile Oguma, 1915 (male), were used in this study. Two-dimensional patterns of VCD signals (~10 mm × 10 mm) were obtained at a spatial resolution of 100 µm. Measurements covered the absorption peaks assigned to amides I and II in the range of 1500-1740 cm-1 . The measurements were based on the enhancement of VCD signals for the stereoregular linkage of peptide groups. The patterns were remarkably dependent on the species. In samples (i) and (ii), the wings comprised segregated domains of protein aggregates of different secondary structures. The size of each microdomain was approximately 100 µm. In contrast, no clear VCD spectra were detected in samples (iii) and (iv). One possible reason was that the chain of stereoregular polypeptides was too short to achieve VCD enhancement in samples (iii) and (iv). Notably, the unique features were only observed in the VCD spectra because the IR spectra were nearly the same among the species. The VCD results hinted at the connection of protein microscopic structures with the wing flapping mechanisms of each species.

Thermo-/Mechano-Chromic Chiral Coordination Dimer: Formation of Switchable and Metastable Discrete Structure through Chiral Self-Sorting.

Although strong chiral self-sorting often emerges in extended covalent or supramolecular polymers, the phenomenon is generally weak in discrete assemblies (e.g., dimers and oligomers) of small molecules due to the lack of a cooperative growth mechanism. Consequently, chiral self-sorting has been overlooked in the design of switchable and metastable discrete supramolecular structures. Here, we report a butyl-benzo[h]quinoline-based iridium(III) complex (Bu-Ir) with helical chirality at its metal center, which forms preferentially a homochiral dimer and exhibits thermo-/mechano-chromism based on a monomer-dimer transformation. While a five-coordinate monomer is formed in a racemic or an enantiopure Bu-Ir solution at 25 °C, a six-coordinate homochiral dimer complex is formed almost exclusively at low temperatures, with a higher degree of dimerization in enantiopure Bu-Ir solution. Estimation of apparent dimerization binding constants (K) and thermodynamic parameters (ΔH and ΔS) based on variable temperature ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) and 1H NMR spectra reveals a strong preference for homochiral dimerization (largest known value for the coordination complex, Khomo/Khetero > 50). Notably, crystals of the homochiral dimer are metastable, undergoing a distinct color change upon grinding (from yellow to red) due to mechanical cleavage of coordination bonds (i.e., a dimer to monomer transformation). A comparison with control compounds having different substituents (proton, methyl, isopropyl, and phenyl groups) reveals that Bu-Ir dimerization involves both strong homochiral self-sorting preference and connected thermo-/mechano-chromic behavior, which is based on matched propeller-shaped chirality and subtle steric repulsion between alkyl substituents that render the homochiral dimer switchable and metastable. These findings provide substantial insights into the emergence of dynamic functionality based on the rational design of discrete chiral assemblies.

Multidimensional Vibrational Circular Dichroism Apparatus Equipped with Quantum Cascade Laser and Its Use for Investigating Some Peptide Systems Containing d-Amino Acids.

We developed a multidimensional vibrational circular dichroism system with a positional coordinate, making it possible to move in both x- and y-directions using an automatic stage. Quantum cascade laser (QCL) was used as a light source to achieve high intensity and narrow focusing. The QCL emitted light in the wavenumber range of 1500-1740 cm-1, which encompassed absorption bands assigned to the stretching vibrations of amides I and II. The operation of the instrument was analyzed for samples containing amide groups. An aqueous solution of Gly-l-Leu or Gly-d-Leu was measured under the background absorbance as high as 3.5 due to the water medium. The spectra were recorded by scanning at 1.0 cm-1 steps. The time required for performing measurement at each wavenumber was less than 1 s. The mirror-image relation was maintained between the optical antipodes. A peak assigned to amide II appeared clearly at around 1580 cm-1. In the case of KBr pellets containing the same compounds, peaks assigned to amide I and II were observed. For two-dimensional pattering, a KBr pellet comprising two domains of amino acids (or l-Ala and d-Ser) was investigated. The distribution of each component within the pellet was obtained under the two-dimensional alignment at the spatial interval of 2.5 mm.

Vibrational circular dichroism of d-amino acid-containing peptide NdWFamide in the crystal form.

Microcrystals of l-Asn-d-Trp-l-Phe-NH2 (NdWFamide), a tripeptide derived from Aplysia kurodai that exhibits invertebrate cardiac activity, were evaluated by vibrational circular dichroism (VCD). The chirality of the tryptophan residue at the second position in NdWFamide was associated with the conformation and biological characteristics. The VCD spectrum of NdWFamide was a mirror image of its enantiomer; however, it was significantly different from that of its diastereomer, NWFamide, which is its precursor. The obtained VCD signals of NdWFamide were in good agreement with the VCD signals that were calculated based on the optimized aggregates of NdWFamide, which formed a helical-like backbone conformation. The evaluation of the VCD results revealed the conformation of NdWFamide in the crystalline state and succeeded in distinguishing its stereoisomers. Therefore, this study demonstrates VCD as a useful method for the structural analysis of naturally occurring d-amino acid-containing peptides.

A new horizon for vibrational circular dichroism spectroscopy: a challenge for supramolecular chirality.

Vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectroscopy is an extension of circular dichroism spectroscopy into the infrared and near-infrared regions where vibrational transitions occur in the ground electronic state of a molecule. The method offers the advantage of studying the chiroptical properties of a wide range of molecules in non-crystalline states. However, because of the smallness of the signals, one measurement requires several hours to yield reliable results. Accordingly, its targets were limited to a stable molecule in a solution. To overcome this difficulty, our group applied the VCD method to supramolecular systems. The work was launched based on the finding that the VCD signal remarkably enhances when low-molecular mass gelators form gels. By analysing a number of well-resolved VCD peaks, the detailed conformation of a component molecule was deduced. This provided a clue to elucidating the molecular organization in supramolecular architectures. Our final goal was to clarify the route from microscopic molecular chirality to supramolecular chirality. For this purpose, a time-step VCD measurement method was developed for the in situ monitoring of the progress of chirality amplification.

Vibrational circular dichroism towards asymmetric catalysis: chiral induction in substrates coordinated with copper(II) ions.

Cu(ii) complexes containing RR- or SS-2,2'-isopropylidene-bis(4-phenyl-2-oxazoline) (denoted as [Cu(RR- or SS-oxa)]2+) are known to catalyse many asymmetric organic reactions. Herein, the source of enantioselectivity was investigated by vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectroscopy. An achiral ß-diketonato ligand (denoted as LH), such as 1-phenyl-1,3-butanedione and dibenzoylmethane, was added to form [Cu(RR- or SS-oxa)L]+. Clear VCD peaks were obtained from a CDCl3 solution of [Cu(RR- or SS-oxa)]2+ or [Cu(RR- or SS-oxa)L]+ at 1000-1800 cm-1. It is to be noted that when LH was coordinated, a new VCD peak appeared at ∼1380 cm-1, which was assigned to the C-O asymmetric stretching vibration of L-. Theoretical simulation helped rationalise the results in terms of the transformation of coordinated L- into a twisted chiral form. The extent of steric control within the coordination sphere was demonstrated, revealing the first step for enantioselectivity during catalysis.

Solid-state vibrational circular dichroism studies of L- and D-serine.

d-Serine is considered a key endogenous substance involved in several enzymatic reactions in the human body. In this study, solid-state vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) measurements of enantiomeric serine were performed for spectroscopic distinction between d- and l-serine. The mirror-image VCD signals of the isomers in the KBr pellets were observed in the mid-infrared range of 1800-1250 cm-1. The calculated infrared (IR) and VCD spectra for the optimized serine structures were in good agreement with the corresponding observed spectra. In addition, the chemical shift values estimated from the shielding constants of the optimized structure of serine corresponded with the observed values in 13C and 15N solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectra, supporting the VCD assignments. Our results suggest the need for further study of VCD to develop a sensitive and high-resolution spectroscopic technique for the detection of d-amino acids.

Self-assembly of tripeptides into γ-turn nanostructures.

Self-assembling phenylalanine-based peptides have garnered interest owing to their potential for creating new functional materials. Here, we designed four diastereomers, l-Phe-l-Phe-l-Phe (FFF), d-Phe-l-Phe-l-Phe (fFF), l-Phe-d-Phe-l-Phe (FfF) and l-Phe-l-Phe-d-Phe (FFf), to analyze the effect of the d-isomer on the self-assembly. Using SEM, TG, VCD, and solid-state NMR measurements, we found that only FFf forms a γ-turn conformation and self-assembles into a nanoplate with higher thermal stability. The supramolecular structure of FFf consists of intra- and intermolecular hydrogen bonds and π-π stackings. From our results, we have discovered that FFf forms a new type of self-assembling γ-turn conformation, clarifying the structural role of a d-amino acid residue in supramolecular formation.

The role of d-allo-isoleucine in the deposition of the anti-Leishmania peptide bombinin H4 as revealed by 31P solid-state NMR, VCD spectroscopy, and MD simulation.

Bombinin H4 is an antimicrobial peptide that was isolated from the toad Bombina variegata. Bombinin H family peptides are active against gram-positive, gram-negative bacteria, and fungi as well as the parasite Leishmania. Among them, bombinin H4 (H4), which contains d-allo-isoleucine (d-allo-Ile) as the second residue in its sequence, is the most active, and its l-isomer is bombinin H2 (H2). H4 has a significantly lower LC50 than H2 against Leishmania. However, the atomic-level mechanism of the membrane interaction and higher activity of H4 has not been clarified. In this work, we investigated the behavior of the conformations and interactions of H2 and H4 with the Leishmania membrane using 31P solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectroscopy, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The generation of isotropic 31P NMR signals depending on the peptide concentration indicated the abilities of H2 and H4 to exert antimicrobial activity via membrane disruption. The VCD experiment and density functional theory calculation confirmed the different stability and conformations of the N-termini of H2 and H4. MD simulations revealed that the N-terminus of H4 is more stable than that of H2 in the membrane, in line with the VCD experiment data. VCD and MD analyses demonstrated that the first l-Ile and second d-allo-Ile of H4 tend to take a cis conformation. These residues function as an anchor and facilitate the easy winding of the helical conformation of H4 in the membrane. It may assist to quickly reach to the threshold concentration of H4 on the Leishmania membrane. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: d-Amino acids: biology in the mirror, edited by Dr. Loredano Pollegioni, Dr. Jean-Pierre Mothet and Dr. Molla Gianluca.

Intermediate length-scale chirality related to the vibrational circular dichroism intensity enhancement upon fibril formation in a gelation process.

Chiro-optical spectroscopic methods, such as vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectroscopy, are regarded as useful measures that provide us information on the structural properties of chiral species, but for correct interpretation of the measured spectra, appropriate modeling that can be compared with the observed spectra is essential. In the present study, the origin of the VCD intensity enhancement observed upon fibril formation in a gelation process is examined theoretically. Comparing with the observed spectroscopic feature and also with the observed scanning electron microscope (SEM) image, it is derived that there are at least three hierarchical tiers of chirality in the gel. The VCD intensity enhancement originates from one of them on the ∼50 nm length scale, which consists of a co-axial antiparallel right-handed double helical structure that persistently continues over ∼100 molecules, indicating that the intermediate length-scale fibril formation plays a crucial role in the VCD intensity enhancement, in a way similar to some fibril-forming peptides examined previously. The time course of the gelation process observed by the time dependence of the VCD intensity is also shown and discussed.

Stereochemical effects on dynamics in two-component systems of gelators with perfluoroalkyl and alkyl chains as revealed by vibrational circular dichroism.

A mixture of chiral low-molecular weight gelators, (1R,2R)- or (1S,2S)-N,N'-diperfluoroheptanoyl-1,2-diaminocyclohexane (denoted as RR- or SS-CF7, respectively) and (1R,2R)- or (1S,2S)-N,N'-diheptanoyl-1,2-diaminocyclohexane (denoted as RR- or SS-CH7, respectively), was used as a two-component gelator in acetonitrile solvent. The process of gelation was investigated by time-step vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectroscopy. The method enabled us to study the dynamical behavior of CF7 and CH7 molecules independent of their characteristic vibrational bands. We focused on the effects of the chirality relation between the two gelators. In the case of the enantiomeric mixtures (RR-CF7/RR-CH7 or SS-CF7/SS-CH7), the two components exhibited different time-courses in their VCD spectra. As for CF7, the couplet peak intensities assigned to C[double bond, length as m-dash]O stretching increased with time, while those for CH7 remained low. In the case of the racemic mixture (RR-CF7/SS-CH7 or SS-CF7/RR-CH7), the intensities of the peaks assigned to the C[double bond, length as m-dash]O stretching vibration for both CF7 and CH7 molecules maintained a constant level with time. The VCD results were compared with the SEM images of the freeze-dried gel samples taken at various time intervals. Furthermore, the mechanisms for the gelation of two-component systems are discussed.

Stereoselective interactions as manifested by vibrational circular dichroism spectra: the interplay between chiral metal complexes co-adsorbed in a montmorillonite clay.

Vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectroscopy was applied to study intermolecular interactions on the surface of a clay mineral. A montmorillonite clay loaded with two kinds of chiral molecules was prepared. Firstly a cationic ruthenium(ii) complex, Δ- or Λ-[Ru(phen)3]2+ (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline), was ion-exchanged into sodium montmorillonite (denoted as [Ru(phen)3]2+/mont). Thereafter a neutral metal(iii) complex, Δ- or Λ-[M(acac)3] (acac = acetylacetonato; M = Co and Cr), was adsorbed spontaneously, when the complex was added to an aqueous dispersion of [Ru(phen)3]2+/mont (denoted as [M(acac)3]/[Ru(phen)3]2+/mont). VCD measurements were performed on a KBr disk containing ca. 1 wt% of solid [M(acac)3]/[Ru(phen)3]2+/mont. Both of the chiral components gave clear VCD peaks in the wavelength region of 1200-1800 cm-1. Attention was focussed on the spectral differences between the following two samples: the one containing a pair of co-adsorbed chelates with the same chirality (i.e. Λ-[M(acac)3]/Λ-[Ru(phen)3]2+/mont or Δ-[M(acac)3]/Δ-[Ru(phen)3]2+/mont) and the other containing a pair of co-adsorbed chelates with the opposite chirality (i.e. Δ-[M(acac)3]/Λ-[Ru(phen)3]2+/mont or Λ-[M(acac)3]/Δ-[Ru(phen)3]2+/mont). Notably a new peak shoulder appeared and the relative peak intensity of the couplet peaks varied, depending on the chirality relation between the co-existing complexes. With the help of theoretical calculations, these results were rationalized in terms of the stereoselective intermolecular interactions.

Solid state vibrational circular dichroism towards molecular recognition: chiral metal complexes intercalated in a clay mineral.

Vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectroscopy was applied to study chirality recognition in the interlayer space of a clay mineral. Clay intercalation compounds including two kinds of chiral molecules were prepared. Firstly a cationic metal complex, Δ- or Λ-[Ru(phen)3]2+ (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline), was ion-exchanged into sodium montmorillonite. Thereafter a neutral organic molecule, R- or S-1,1'-bi-2-naphthol (denoted as R- or S-BINOL), was co-adsorbed. The solid state VCD spectra were recorded on the hybrid compounds thus prepared. The intensity of VCD peaks in the region of 1300-1400 cm-1, which were assigned to the bending vibrations of OH groups in BINOL, was remarkably dependent on the chirality relation between the two intercalated species. This implied that BINOL took a different conformation in response to the chirality of co-existing [Ru(phen)3]2+.

Chiral-Linkage-Induced Hierarchical Ordering of Colloidal Achiral Nanotubes in their Thixotropic Gel.

Macroscopic continuous hierarchical ordering of achiral nanotube "imogolite" was achieved by thixotropic gelation of imogolite with chiral hydroxy acid and their flow-orienting/subsequent standing for uniaxial alignments of imogolite. The chirality change of the hydroxy acids resulted in an inversion of the helical ordering. The study presented here first exhibits the millimeter-scale supramolecular chirality induced by angstrom-scale molecular handedness in the architecture of nanotubes.

Structural changes of layered alkylsiloxanes during the reversible melting-solidification process.

Through various in situ analyses, we have revealed the structural changes that occur during the reversible melting-solidification process of layered alkylsiloxanes (CnLSiloxanes) with carbon numbers (n) of 18 and 16. In situ high-resolution solid-state (13)C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis at controlled temperatures indicates drastic conformational changes of the long alkyl chains during the melting-solidification process. A (13)C NMR signal at 33 ppm, which shows the highest intensity at room temperature (RT), is assigned to an inner methylene group with an all-trans conformation. As the temperature increases, the 33-ppm signal intensity decreases while the signal intensity at 30.5 ppm simultaneously increases. The 30.5 ppm signal is assigned to an inner methylene group with a trans-gauche conformation. Subsequently, upon cooling, the signal at 33 ppm recovers, even after CnLSiloxanes have melted. In situ X-ray diffraction measurements at controlled temperatures reveal that the ordered arrangement of the long alkyl chains becomes disordered with elevating temperatures and reordered upon cooling to RT. In situ high-resolution solid-state (29)Si NMR analysis shows that the melting-solidification process progresses without any structural change in siloxane sheets of the CnLSiloxanes. Thus, the in situ analyses show that disordering of the long alkyl chains causes the CnLSiloxanes to melt. Because the majority of long alkyl chains are packed again in the ordered arrangement with the all-trans conformation upon cooling, the CnLSiloxanes are reversibly solidified and the CnLSiloxane structure is recovered.

Helical Inversion of Gel Fibrils by Elongation of Perfluoroalkyl Chains as Studied by Vibrational Circular Dichroism.

Vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectroscopy was applied to gelation by a chiral low-molecular mass weight gelator, N,N'-diperfluoroalkanoyl-1,2-trans-diaminocyclohexane. Attention was focused on the winding effects of (-CF2 )n chains on the gelating ability. For this purpose, a series of gelators were synthesized with perfluoroalkyl chains of different length (n = 6-8). When gelation was studied using acetonitrile as a solvent, the fibrils took different morphologies, depending on the chain length: twisted saddle-like ribbon or helical ribbon from fibril (n = 6) and a helical ribbon from platelet (n = 8). The signs of VCD peaks assigned to the couplet of C=O stretching and to the C-F stretching were also dependent on n, indicating that a gelator molecule changed conformation on elongating perfluoroalkyl chains. A model is proposed for the aggregation modes in fibrils. Chirality 28:361-364, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Harvesting light energy by iridium(III) complexes on a clay surface.

Energy transfer was investigated between two types of iridium(III) complexes, [Ir(dfppy)2(Cn-bpy)](+) (dfppyH = 2-(2',4'-difluorophenyl)pyridine; Cn-bpy = 4,4'-dialkyl-2,2'-bipyridine; dialkyl = dimethyl (C1), didodecyl (C12), and dinonyldecyl (C19)) and [Ir(piq)2(Cn-bpy)](+) (piqH = 1-phenylisoquinoline) as a donor and an acceptor, respectively. The complexes were co-adsorbed by colloidally dispersed synthetic saponite. The efficiency of energy transfer (η(ET)) was obtained from emission spectra at various donor-to-acceptor ratios (D/A) on the basis of the Förster-type energy transfer mechanism. For C1-bpy, η(ET) was as high as 0.5 with a D/A of ca. 20. The results implied that the photon energy captured by several donor molecules was collected by a single acceptor molecule (i.e. the harvesting of light energy). Enantioselectivity was observed, which indicates the participation of a contact pair of donor and acceptor molecules. For C12-bpy and C19-bpy, η(ET) was low and exhibited no enantioselectivity, because their long alkyl chains inhibited close contact between the donor and acceptor molecules.

Chiroptical studies on supramolecular chirality of molecular aggregates.

The attempts of applying chiroptical spectroscopy to supramolecular chirality are reviewed with a focus on vibrational circular dichroism (VCD). Examples were taken from gels, solids, and monolayers formed by low-molecular mass weight chiral gelators. Particular attention was paid to a group of gelators with perfluoroalkyl chains. The effects of the helical conformation of the perfluoroalkyl chains on the formation of chiral architectures are reported. It is described how the conformation of a chiral gelator was determined by comparing the experimental and theoretical VCD spectra together with a model proposed for the molecular aggregation in fibrils. The results demonstrate the potential utility of the chiroptical method in analyzing organized chiral aggregates.

A novel correlation of vibrational circular dichroism spectra with the electronic ground state for Δ-SAPR-8-cesium-tetrakis((+)-heptafluorobutyryl-camphorato)lanthanide(III) complexes.

For Δ-SAPR-8-Cs[Ln((+)-hfbc)4]((+)-hfbc = (+)-heptafluoro-butyrylcamphorate; Cs-Ln), the vibrational circular dichroism pattern and intensity of Cs-La, Cs-Nd, Cs-Gd, Cs-Ho, Cs-Er, Cs-Lu and Cs-Sm, Cs-Eu, Cs-Tb, Cs-Dy, Cs-Tm, Cs-Yb, respectively, are correlated with the even and the odd parity of total orbital angular momentum in the ground state terms.