Informing saccharide structural NMR studies with density functional theory calculations

Abstract

Density functional theory (DFT) is a powerful computational tool to enable structural interpretations of NMR spin-spin coupling constants (J-couplings) in saccharides, including the abundant1H-1H (JHH),13C-1H (JCH), and13C-13C (JCC) values that exist for coupling pathways comprised of 1-4 bonds. The multiple hydroxyl groups in saccharides, with their attendant lone-pair orbitals, exert significant effects on J-couplings that can be difficult to decipher and quantify without input from theory. Oxygen substituent effects are configurational and conformational in origin (e.g., axial/equatorial orientation of an OH group in an aldopyranosyl ring; C-O bond conformation involving an exocyclic OH group). DFT studies shed light on these effects, and if conducted properly, yield quantitative relationships between a specific J-coupling and one or more conformational elements in the target molecule. These relationships assist studies of saccharide structure and conformation in solution, which are often challenged by the presence of conformational averaging. Redundant J-couplings, defined as an ensemble of J-couplings sensitive to the same conformational element, are particularly helpful when the element is flexible in solution (i.e., samples multiple conformational states on the NMR time scale), provided that algorithms are available to convert redundant J-values into meaningful conformational models. If the latter conversion is achievable, the data can serve as a means of testing, validating, and refining theoretical methods like molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, which are currently relied upon heavily to assign conformational models of saccharides in solution despite a paucity of experimental data needed to independently validate the method.