Examples of Single Point Calculations

Ecample Suzuki et. al. used a reaction strategy to expand the Cgo molecule, buckminsterfullerene, by adding divalent carbon equivalents. Adding phenyl diazomethane to Cgo. (I) followed by the loss of molecular nitrogen, results in a Cgi compound. 

Suzuki, T. Li, Q. Khemani, KC. Wudl, F. Almarsson, O. Systematic Inflation of Buckminsterfullerene CgQi Synthesis of Diphenyl Fulleroids Cgj to Cgg Science, 254 1186-1188, 1991. 

By analogy to additions of divalent carbon to the Cio aromatic framework, the molecule Cgi was expected to have the norcaradi-ene (II) or the cycloheptatriene (III) structure. Although an X-ray structure was not available, the UV-visible spectrum, NMR spectrum, and cyclic voltammetry supported the cycloheptatriene (III) structure. The researchers then calculated the relative molecular mechanics energies of II and III and found the cycloheptatriene structure stabilized by 31 kcal/mol with respect to the norcaradi-ene structure. Although the calculations do not confirm the structures, they provide additional supporting evidence. 

Ecample Miller and Rich investigated the conformational consequences of substitutions on an amino acid in cyclosporin A, an important immunosuppressive drug. One of the amino acids in this cyclic undecapeptide is (2, 3r, 4r, 6e)-3-Hydroxy-4-methyl-2-(methylamino)-6-octenoic acid (MeBmt). It is essential for biological activity. 

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