DFT, solution, and crystal conformation of eremophilanolides

Abstract

Abstract The minimum energy conformation of five eremophilanolides (1–5) from the tubercles of Psacalium paucicapitatum was calculated using density functional theory (DFT) at the B3LYP/6-31G∗ level. Comparison of the experimental 1H–1H coupling constant values of 1–5 with those generated employing a generalized Karplus-type relationship using dihedral angles extracted from the DFT calculation and from the crystal structures for 1 and 3–5 shows good agreement. The A ring of 1–5 adopts an almost perfect chair conformation with the Me-14 group in an axial position and the Me-15 in an equatorial position.