Issue 43, 2023

Modelling solute–solvent interactions in VCD spectra analysis with the micro-solvation approach

Abstract

Vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectroscopy has become an important part of the (stereo-)chemists’ toolbox as a reliable method for the determination of absolute configurations. Being the chiroptical version of infrared spectroscopy, it has also been recognized as being very sensitive to conformational changes and intermolecular interactions. This sensitivity originates from the fact that the VCD spectra of individual conformers are often more different than their IR spectra, so that changes in conformational distributions or band positions and intensities become more pronounced. What is an advantage for studies focussing on intermolecular interactions can, however, quickly turn into a major obstacle during AC determinations: solute–solvent interactions can have a strong influence on spectral signatures and they must be accurately treated when simulating VCD and IR spectra. In this perspective, we showcase selected examples which exhibit particularly pronounced solvent effects. It is demonstrated that it is typically sufficient to model solute–solvent interactions by placing single solvent molecules near hydrogen bonding sites of the solute and subsequently use the optimized structures for spectra simulations. This micro-solvation approach works reasonably well for medium-sized, not too conformationally flexible molecules. We thus also discuss its limitations and outline the next steps that method development needs to take in order to further improve the workflows for VCD spectra predictions.

Graphical abstract: Modelling solute–solvent interactions in VCD spectra analysis with the micro-solvation approach

Article information

Article type
Perspective
Submitted
18 Upu 2023
Accepted
16 Mph 2023
First published
26 Mph 2023

Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2023,25, 29404-29414

Modelling solute–solvent interactions in VCD spectra analysis with the micro-solvation approach

C. Merten, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2023, 25, 29404 DOI: 10.1039/D3CP03408A

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements