Conformational analysis of some alpha-phenylpropionic acids with anti-inflammatory activity.

CNDO/2 quantum mechanical conformational calculations, as well as 13C and 1H NMR measurements, have been carried out for the propionic acid residues of 2-(p-isobutylphenyl)propionic acid (ibuprofen) and 2-methyl-2-(p-isobutylphenyl)propionic acid. A relationship between the conformational angle of the propionic acid residue and the anti-inflammatory activity appears to exist. The more open the Ph--C alpha--COOH dihedral angle, the larger the anti-inflammatory activity.