Topically resolved intramolecular CH-π interactions in phenylalanine derivatives

NMR spectra of imines and nitrones derived from benzophenone and phenylalanine or tyrosine show clear evidence of an aromatic edge-to-face interaction in solution. At low temperatures the two ortho protons of the edge interacting phenyl ring become topically resolved with the ortho proton NMR signal involved in the CH-π interactions shifted well upfield (δ 5.4–5.8 at −88 °C) of the other ortho signal. Introduction of a para substituent into the phenylalanine ring has a modest effect on the upfield shift. The edge-to-face arrangement also manifests in the X-ray crystal structures of two of these compounds. Barriers to rotation around the syn phenyl-imino bond are also reported (10.5–11.1 kcal mol⁻¹).