Synthetic Chemical Models of Ammonium Arene Interactions

这项研究计划专注于分子的设计和合成，这些分子将能够分析阳离子铵离子和芳香环之间的相互作用。将对将氨离子放置在芳环附近的合成化合物进行气相(质谱学)、溶液相(核磁共振)和固相(X-射线结晶学)分析的组合，以确定这种阳离子-pi类型相互作用所涉及的参数。这项来自有机和高分子化学计划的奖项支持华盛顿大学分子生物学和药理学系的George W.Gokel教授的研究。通过模型化合物的设计、合成和研究，Gokel教授正在探索一些氨基酸中发现的正电荷基团与其他氨基酸中发现的苯型环之间的潜在相互作用。这种相互作用虽然在本质上是单独的微妙的，但在决定多肽的结构、性质和功能方面可能共同发挥重要作用。

This research program focuses on the design and synthesis of molecules which will allow analysis of the interactions between cationic ammonium ions and arene rings. A combination of gas-phase (mass spectrometric), solution-phase (NMR), and solid-phase (x-ray crystallographic) analyses will be carried out on synthetic compounds placing ammonium ions in close proximity to arene rings in order to define the parameters involved in this cation-pi type interaction.This award from the Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry Program supports the research of Professor George W. Gokel, of the Department of Molecular Biology and Pharmacology at Washington University. Through the design, synthesis, and study of model compounds, Professor Gokel is exploring the potential interactions between the positively-charged groups found in some amino acids and the benzene-type rings found in other amino acids. Such interactions, while individually subtle in nature, may collectively play a significant role in determining the structure, properties, and function of polypeptides.