# Structure Characterization of [N-Phenylamino(2-boronphenyl)-R-methyl]phosphonic Acid by Vibrational Spectroscopy and Density Functional Theory Calculations

Authors: Natalia Piergies; Edyta Proniewicz
Journal: Journal of Spectroscopy
 (2014)

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## Abstract

We present the first Fourier-transform infrared absorption (FT-IR) and Fourier-transform Raman (FT-Raman) analysis of vibrational structure of [N-phenylamino(2-boronphenyl)-R-methyl]phosphonic acid ([PhN-(2-PhB(OH)2)-R-Me]PO3H2). Assignments of experimental wavenumbers are based on performed theoretical calculations using density functional theory (DFT). Theoretical calculations show that the most stable structure of the investigated molecule is dimer in cis-trans conformation created by a pair of intermolecular hydrogen bonds between the boron hydroxyl groups of two monomers.


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## Body

## 1. Introduction

In recent years aminophosphonic acids gain the attention and interest of the researchers because of their diverse and interesting biological activities [1–4]. These compounds are defined as amino acid derivatives, in which the carboxylic acid group [–C(=O)OH] is replaced by the phosphonic acid moiety [–P(=O)(OH)2] [5]. Such modification inhibits the activity of certain enzymes by effective competition for the active site of the enzyme and by forming strong electrostatic binding [6]. Thus, the aminophosphonic acids found application as enzyme inhibitors [6–8] and medical [9, 10] and herbicidal agents [5]. α-Amino boronic acids also demonstrate high potential in medical chemistry [11, 12], especially as anticancer therapy agents [13], antibiotics [14], and enzymes inhibitors [15]. This is due to the boronic acid moiety ability to create hydrogen bonds and stable covalent bonds in the enzyme active side [12, 16].The unique properties of the phosphonic and boronic acid groups cause that the amino acids analogues containing these functional groups become very attractive molecular systems. Therefore, we present the first vibrational characteristic of [N-phenylamino(2-boronphenyl)-R-methyl]phosphonic acid ([PhN-(2-PhB(OH)2)-R-Me]PO3H2)  (see Figure 1 for molecular structure) considered as potential protease and kinase inhibitor. We used Fourier-transform Raman spectroscopy to investigate the vibrations and structure of the abovementioned compound. Because the absorption infrared method gives complementary information to the Raman method, supports the Raman analysis, and helps to solve ambiguities during this analysis, the absorption infrared spectra are also examined. Both these methods are commonly employed in both experimental investigations [17–20] and theoretical calculations [21–23] to analyze and compare structures for a large number of conformers of the investigated compounds. Interpreting the Raman and absorption infrared spectra involves explaining spectral regions and wavenumbers based on likely vibrational modes. Such an understanding of a molecule’s vibrational spectrum is essential for explaining the relation between the molecular structure and spectral response. To provide the definitive band assignments needed to generate vibrational spectra useful for structural analysis, we performed vibrational analysis using Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations at the B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) level of theory. Our aim is to produce an extensive look-up table of infrared and Raman spectra that can make structure determination a fast and accurate process.Figure 1
The molecular structure of [PhN-(2-PhB(OH)2)-R-Me]PO3H2 monomer (a) and dimer structure (b) (where CL denotes carbon atom of the aromatic ring connected to the aliphatic chain).


## 2. Materials and Methods

### 2.1. [N-phenylamino(2-boronphenyl)-R-methyl]phosphonic Acid Synthesis

The investigated compound was synthesized according to the previous published procedure [24]. Its purity and chemical structure were checked using 1H, 13C, 31P, and 11B NMR spectroscopy (Bruker Avance DRX 300 MHz spectrometer, Bruker Polska, Poznań) and ESI-MS (Bruker MicrOTOF-Q spectrometer, Bruker Polska, Poznań).


### 2.2. FT-Raman Measurements

A Nicolet spectrometer (model NXR 9650) equipped with a liquid-nitrogen-cooled germanium detector was used for the FT-Raman measurements of [PhN-(2-PhB(OH)2)-R-Me]PO3H2 on a glass plate. The 1064 nm line from a continuous-wave Nd3+:YAG laser was used as an excitation source with a power output of 500 mW. During the measurements, 1000 scans were collected with  a resolution of 4 cm−1.


### 2.3. FT-IR Measurements

FT-IR spectra were obtained for thin pellets containing about 1 mg of [PhN-(2-PhB(OH)2)-R-Me]PO3H2 dispersed in 200 mg KBr at room temperature. These measurements were carried out using a Bruker spectrometer (EQUINOX 55) equipped with a DT-GS detector in the range of 400–4000 cm−1 with a Nernst rod as an excitation source.


### 2.4. Theoretical Analysis

To optimize the ground-state geometry of [PhN-(2-PhB(OH)2)-R-Me]PO3H2 and to calculate their FT-Raman and FT-IR spectra, the Gaussian 03 suite was used [25]. Our earlier analysis of various types of N-benzylamino(boronphenyl) methylphosphonic acids [26] and a literature study for similar compounds [27, 28] noted that the most stable structure of the boronic acid derivatives is a cyclic dimer formed by a pair of intermolecular hydrogen bonds between the boron hydroxyl groups of two monomers. Based on previous experience, here we present the theoretical calculations for the most stable structure of the substituted phenylboronic acid dimer (Figure 1). We also performed calculations for the monomer (not shown) and compare its energy with the energy of the corresponding dimer. The calculated stabilization of the energy indicates that dimer is more stable than monomer (Edimer=-1634029 kcal/mol, Emonomer=-817006 kcal/mol).A DFT method with the B3LYP level of theory was employed to optimize the molecular structure of [PhN-(2-PhB(OH)2)-R-Me]PO3H2. The triple-split valence basis with a polarization function on heavy atoms and hydrogens (6-311G(d,p)) was applied as the basis set [29]. This type of basis was applied for the calculations of similar phenylboronic acid derivatives and provides reliable results [27, 28]. No imaginary wavenumbers were observed during optimization, which demonstrates that the calculated structure correspond to energy minima on the potential energy surface for nuclear motion.Theoretical Raman intensities were calculated by the Raint program, which uses the following relationship [30]:
(1)IiR=10-12(ν0-νi)4νi-1Si
in which Ii is given in arbitrary units, ν0 is the laser excitation wavenumber [cm−1] (9398.5 cm−1 for a Nd:YAG laser), νi is the frequency of the normal mode obtained from the DFT calculation, and Si is the Raman scattering activity of the normal mode.The theoretical vibrational spectra were generated by the free GaussSum 0.8 software package [31]. The calculated wavenumbers were scaled by a scaling factor of 0.987, and the theoretical spectra were plotted by setting the full width at half maximum (FWHM) at 11 cm−1 (the average value of a typical FWHM for these compounds in the condensed phase with a 50%/50% Gaussian/Lorentzian band shape). This scaling factor and FWHM were fitted based on the comparison between the wavenumbers and shape of bands of theoretical and experimental spectra. This procedure was used in order to better reproduce the experimental results.To obtain normal mode assignments for the calculated vibrational bands, the potential energy distribution (PED) for the optimized structures was determined with the freeware Gar2ped program [32] in conjunction with a visualization script.


## 2.1. [N-phenylamino(2-boronphenyl)-R-methyl]phosphonic Acid Synthesis

The investigated compound was synthesized according to the previous published procedure [24]. Its purity and chemical structure were checked using 1H, 13C, 31P, and 11B NMR spectroscopy (Bruker Avance DRX 300 MHz spectrometer, Bruker Polska, Poznań) and ESI-MS (Bruker MicrOTOF-Q spectrometer, Bruker Polska, Poznań).


## 2.2. FT-Raman Measurements

A Nicolet spectrometer (model NXR 9650) equipped with a liquid-nitrogen-cooled germanium detector was used for the FT-Raman measurements of [PhN-(2-PhB(OH)2)-R-Me]PO3H2 on a glass plate. The 1064 nm line from a continuous-wave Nd3+:YAG laser was used as an excitation source with a power output of 500 mW. During the measurements, 1000 scans were collected with  a resolution of 4 cm−1.


## 2.3. FT-IR Measurements

FT-IR spectra were obtained for thin pellets containing about 1 mg of [PhN-(2-PhB(OH)2)-R-Me]PO3H2 dispersed in 200 mg KBr at room temperature. These measurements were carried out using a Bruker spectrometer (EQUINOX 55) equipped with a DT-GS detector in the range of 400–4000 cm−1 with a Nernst rod as an excitation source.


## 2.4. Theoretical Analysis

To optimize the ground-state geometry of [PhN-(2-PhB(OH)2)-R-Me]PO3H2 and to calculate their FT-Raman and FT-IR spectra, the Gaussian 03 suite was used [25]. Our earlier analysis of various types of N-benzylamino(boronphenyl) methylphosphonic acids [26] and a literature study for similar compounds [27, 28] noted that the most stable structure of the boronic acid derivatives is a cyclic dimer formed by a pair of intermolecular hydrogen bonds between the boron hydroxyl groups of two monomers. Based on previous experience, here we present the theoretical calculations for the most stable structure of the substituted phenylboronic acid dimer (Figure 1). We also performed calculations for the monomer (not shown) and compare its energy with the energy of the corresponding dimer. The calculated stabilization of the energy indicates that dimer is more stable than monomer (Edimer=-1634029 kcal/mol, Emonomer=-817006 kcal/mol).A DFT method with the B3LYP level of theory was employed to optimize the molecular structure of [PhN-(2-PhB(OH)2)-R-Me]PO3H2. The triple-split valence basis with a polarization function on heavy atoms and hydrogens (6-311G(d,p)) was applied as the basis set [29]. This type of basis was applied for the calculations of similar phenylboronic acid derivatives and provides reliable results [27, 28]. No imaginary wavenumbers were observed during optimization, which demonstrates that the calculated structure correspond to energy minima on the potential energy surface for nuclear motion.Theoretical Raman intensities were calculated by the Raint program, which uses the following relationship [30]:
(1)IiR=10-12(ν0-νi)4νi-1Si
in which Ii is given in arbitrary units, ν0 is the laser excitation wavenumber [cm−1] (9398.5 cm−1 for a Nd:YAG laser), νi is the frequency of the normal mode obtained from the DFT calculation, and Si is the Raman scattering activity of the normal mode.The theoretical vibrational spectra were generated by the free GaussSum 0.8 software package [31]. The calculated wavenumbers were scaled by a scaling factor of 0.987, and the theoretical spectra were plotted by setting the full width at half maximum (FWHM) at 11 cm−1 (the average value of a typical FWHM for these compounds in the condensed phase with a 50%/50% Gaussian/Lorentzian band shape). This scaling factor and FWHM were fitted based on the comparison between the wavenumbers and shape of bands of theoretical and experimental spectra. This procedure was used in order to better reproduce the experimental results.To obtain normal mode assignments for the calculated vibrational bands, the potential energy distribution (PED) for the optimized structures was determined with the freeware Gar2ped program [32] in conjunction with a visualization script.


## 3. Results and Discussion

### 3.1. Geometric Structures

The most stable structure of [PhN-(2-PhB(OH)2)-R-Me]PO3H2 is a cyclic dimer formed by a pair of intermolecular hydrogen bonds between the boron hydroxyl groups of two monomers. Thus, the theoretical spectra presented are calculated for dimer. For this dimer specie, there are two possible conformers (cis-transand trans-cis) depending on the positions of the hydrogen atoms bonded to the oxygen atom of the boronic group, whether they are directed away from (trans) or toward (cis) the phenylboronic ring. Our calculations show that the cis-trans conformation has the lowest energy; thus, it is the most stable. The molecular structure and numbering scheme of the atoms of the investigated compounds are given in Figure 1, while Table 1 lists some geometric parameters for this molecule.Table 1
Select calculated bond lengths and angles of the [PhN-(2-PhB(OH)2)-R-Me]PO3H2 dimer.
Bond
Bond length [Å]
Bond
Bond length [Å]
Angle
[°]
C1–C2
1.406
P18–O19
1.485
C1–B7–O8
117.1
C2–C3
1.394
P18–O20
1.613
B7–O8–H9
116.5
C3–C4
1.392
P18–O21
1.605
O8–B7–O10
117.2
C4–C5
1.391
O20–H22
0.964
C1–B7–O10
124.9
C5–C6
1.393
O21–H23
0.982
B7–O10–H11
112.7
C6–C1
1.401
C16–N24
1.458
B
7
–
O
10
–
H
9
′
114.4
C1–B7
1.575
N24–H25
1.020
B
7
′
–
O
10
′
–
H
9
114.4
B7–O8
1.371
N24–C26
1.410
O8–H9
0.979
C26–C27
1.407
H
9
–
O
10
′
1.826
C27–C28
1.387
B7–O10
1.382
C28–C29
1.396
O10–H11
0.963
C29–C30
1.389
O
10
–
H
9
′
1.826
C30–C31
1.395
C2–C16
1.524
C31–C26
1.402
C16–P18
1.863The O8–B7–O10 and O8′–B7′–O10′ moieties in the presented dimer are almost perpendicular to the ring. This structure is promoted by possible interaction between nitrogen  and boron atoms [33]. The hydrogen atoms of both boronic groups in the dimers (H9, H10, H9′, and H10′) lie in the O–B–O plane (Figure 1). This could be explained on the basis of the oxygen lone-electron pairs having a resonance interaction with the empty p-orbital of the boron atom, forcing the hydrogen atoms to be in the O–B–O plane [34]. The calculated B–O and C–B bond lengths (Table 1) for [PhN-(2-PhB(OH)2)-R-Me]PO3H2 are in good agreement with those present in the X-ray structure of phenylboronic (B–O: 1.362 Å—cis H (atom H directed toward the phenylboronic ring), 1.378 Å—transH (atom H directed toward the phenylboronic ring); C–B: 1.568 Å) [33] and pentafluorophenylboronic (B–O: 1.362 Å—cisH, 1.355 Å—transH; C–B: 1.579 Å) acids [34]. The calculated B7–O8 and B7–O10 (Table 1) bonds distance (~1.371 Å) for the investigated compound indicates typical B–O length of phenylboronic acid derivatives which lie in the range of 1.35–1.38 Å [33].


### 3.2. FT-Raman, FT-IR, and DFT Studies

Figure2 shows the experimental (black traces) and theoretical (red traces) FT-Raman and FT-IR spectra of [PhN-(2-PhB(OH)2)-R-Me]PO3H2 in the spectral range between 3650 and 400 cm−1, whereas Table 2 summarizes the experimental and theoretical band wavenumbers with the calculated (DFT, B3LYP/6-311 G(d,p)) potential energy distribution (PED, in %) (the whole PED information is provided in Table S1 in Supplementary Material available online at http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/247237). The given vibrational analysis is also based on our earlier investigations of [N-benzylamino(boronphenyl)methyl] [26], fluoro- and formyl [35], and phenyl [36–38] analogues of phosphonic acids.Table 2
The calculated wavenumbers and potential energy distribution (PED, %) for the FT-Raman and FT-IR spectra of [PhN-(2-PhB(OH)2)-R-Me]PO3H2a.
Calc.
Wavenumbers/cm−1
Assignment
Exp.
FT-Raman
FT-IR
B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) (PED %; >5%)
449
432
430
γ
as
(
ϕ
)
B
(
31
), δoop(CCL(Cα)C)ϕB, δs(CαPO3), δp(bridge)
451
474
γ
as
(
ϕ
)
B
(
29
), δoop(CCL(Cα)C)ϕB, δs(CαPO3), γas(bridge)
499
490
491
δ
p
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
,
γ
s
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
,
γ
a
s
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
,
δ
o
o
p
(
C
C
L
(
C
α
)
C
)
ϕ
B
531
533
δ
p
(
bridge
), γs(bridge), γas(bridge)
553
543
δ
p
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
(48),
γ
s
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
,
γ
a
s
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
581
591
591
δ
p
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
(36),
γ
s
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
,
γ
a
s
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
627
617
617
δ
as
(
ϕ
)(34),
δ
o
o
p
(
C
B
O
2
),
γ
a
s
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
,
γ
s
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
659
635
636
δ
p
(
bridge
)(25), γas(bridge), γs(bridge)
696
688
δ
p
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
(46),
γ
s
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
,  γas(bridge)
717
710
γ
a
s
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
(32),
γ
s
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
,  δp(bridge)
720
722
δ
p
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
(49),
γ
s
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
,  γas(bridge)
746
745
742
δ
p
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
(18),
δ
p
(
ϕ
)
B
,  γs(bridge)
793
775
777
δ
oop
(
CC
L
(
C
α
)
C
)
ϕ
B(36), δp(ϕ)B, δoop(CLCB(OH)2(B)C)ϕB
822
808
809
δ
p
(
bridge
)(43), γs(bridge), γas(bridge)
823
826
827
ν(PO)(12), γas(bridge)
886
884
882
δ
p
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
(35),
γ
s
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
,
γ
a
s
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
919
899
903
ν
(PO)(30),
δ
o
o
p
(
C
C
L
(
C
α
)
C
)
ϕ
B
924
924
ν
(PO)(22),
δ
p
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
952
934
δ
oop
(
C
B
(OH)
2
C(H)C
)
ϕ
B(27), δoop(CLC(H)C)ϕB, δoop(CC(H)C)ϕB, γas(ϕ)B
987
999
983
δ
oop
(CC(H)C)
ϕ
B(48), δp(ϕ)B
999
1008
998
δ
t
r
i
g
(
ϕ
)
(40),
δ
p
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
,
ρ
b
(POH),
γ
s
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
1036
1031
1021
ν
(
C
C
)
ϕ
(51)
1045
1042
δ
p
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
(31),
ν
(
C
C
)
ϕ
B
,
γ
s
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
,
γ
a
s
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
1084
1074
1073
ν(CαN)(14), δp(bridge)
1106
1090
γ
as
(
bridge
)(48), γs(bridge), δp(bridge)
1165
1161
1162
ρ
r
(
C
C
(
H
)
C
)
ϕ
(58),
δ
p
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
,
γ
s
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
1171
1181
1177
ρ
r
(
C
C
(
H
)
C
)
ϕ
B
(60),
ρ
r
(
C
L
C
(
H
)
C
)
ϕ
B
1194
1188
1189
ρ
r
(
C
L
C
(
H
)
C
)
ϕ
(34),
ρ
r
(
C
C
(
H
)
C
)
ϕ
1216
1206
ν
(P=O)(16),
ρ
r
(
C
L
C
α
(H)P),
ρ
r
(
C
α
(H,P)N),
ρ
r
(
C
L
C
α
(H,P)N)
1234
1227
ν
(P=O)(46),
ρ
r
(
C
L
C
α
(H)P),
ρ
r
(
C
α
(H,P)N),
ρ
r
(
C
L
C
α
(H,P)N)
1244
1242
δ
p
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
(36),
γ
s
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
,
ν
(P=O),
γ
a
s
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
1271
1264
δ
p
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
(42),
γ
s
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
,
γ
a
s
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
1286
1285
δ
p
(
bridge
)(39), γs(bridge), γas(bridge)
1346
1330
1330
δ
p
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
(26),
γ
s
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
,
ρ
r
(
C
L
C
(
H
)
C
)
ϕ
,
γ
a
s
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
1349
1363
γ
as
(
bridge
)(38), γs(bridge), ν(BO), δp(bridge)
1446
1428
1428
ρ
r
(
C
C
(
H
)
C
)
ϕ
(36),
ν
(
C
C
)
ϕ
,
ρ
r
(
C
α
N(H)
C
L
)
1450
1450
ρ
r
(CC(H)C)
ϕ
B(43), ν(CC)ϕB, ν(CLC)ϕB
1510
1495
ρ
r
(
C
C
(
H
)
C
)
ϕ
(
28),
ρ
r
(
C
L
C
(
H
)
C
)
ϕ
,
ν
(CC)
ϕ
1519
1509
ρ
r
(
C
α
N(H)
C
L
)(50)
1587
1588
1590
ν
(
C
C
)
ϕ
B
(40),
ν
(
C
L
C
B
(
O
H
)
2
)
ϕ
B
,
ρ
r
(
C
C
(
H
)
C
)
ϕ
B
1620
1606
1604
ν
(
C
C
)
ϕ
B
(30),
ν
(
C
L
C
)
ϕ
B
1625
1635
ν
(
C
C
)
ϕ
(
42),
δ
a
s
(
ϕ
)
2938
2922
2924
ν
(
C
α
H)(99)
2938
2957
ν
(
C
α
H)(99)
3107
3059
3058
ν
(
C
H
)
ϕ
B
(91)
3145
3069
ν
(
C
H
)
ϕ
(67),
ν
(
C
H
)
ϕ
B
3405
3482
ν(NH)(96)
3500
3503
ν(OH)BOHbrigde(83), ν(OH)POH
aAbbreviations: ν: stretching; ρr: rocking; δ: deformation; γ: torsion; p: puckering; δtrig: trigonal deformation; s: symmetric; as: antisymmetric; oop: out-of-plane vibrations; ϕ: aromatic ring; ϕB: phenylboronic acid ring; bridge: hydrogen bonds [(HOBO)2]; CL: carbon atom of the aromatic ring connected to the aliphatic chain; Cα: tetrahedral carbon atom; bold: vibrations related to band with Raman Intensity > 0.4 (%).Figure 2
The experimental and theoretical FT-Raman and FT-IR spectra of [PhN-(2-PhB(OH)2)-R-Me]PO3H2 in the spectral range of 3650–400 cm−1.Aromatic Vibrations.The 3069/3056, 1606, 1588, 1188, 1161, 1031, 1008/999, 775, 617, and 490 cm−1 spectral features due to the characteristic phenyl ring vibrations (see Table 2 for precise bands assignment) dominate the [PhN-(2-PhB(OH)2)-R-Me]PO3H2 Raman spectrum (Figure 2, the top black trace). The noticeable spectral shift to lower wavenumbers for the ν2, ν8a, and ν12 modes of the phenylboronic ring compared to that of phenyl reflects some redistribution of the π-electrons caused by the electron donor character of the boronic acid group (acceptor). Some of the ring bands are also observed in the corresponding FT-IR spectrum (at 3058, 1604, 1590, 1177, 998/983, and 777 cm−1). These bands are associated with the ν2, ν8a, ν8b, ν9a/ν15, ν12, and ν11 modes (according to the Wilson numbering scheme) [39], respectively. The other ring vibrations appear in the FT-IR spectrum as two medium absorbencies at 1495 [ν19a] and 1450 cm−1 [ν19b].Boronic Acid Group Vibrations. In the [PhN-(2-PhB(OH)2)-R-Me]PO3H2 vibrational spectra, several moderate and weak bands due to the boronic acid group vibrations appear. From these, according to Erdogdu and Coworkers [40] and Ayyappan and Coworkers [41], the B–O stretching vibrations [ν(BO)] are expected to be enhanced near 1453–1450, 1384, and 1369–1361 cm−1. Our calculations for dimer placed these vibrations at 1363–1349 cm−1. The bands allocated to the –BOH deformation vibrations [δ(BOH)] appear in the spectral range of 1100–1000 cm−1 [40, 41]. Our calculations indicated that bands observed in these ranges are due to the deformation and torsion vibrations of the HOBO⋯H bridge coupled with the ν(CαN) mode [δ/γ(bridge)] + ν(NC/CαN). Ayyappan and coworkers also suggested that bands assignable to the coupling of the B–C and B–O stretching vibrations [ν(BC/BO)] are seen at 809–797 cm−1. However, the calculations performed for the [PhN-(2-PhB(OH)2)-R-Me]PO3H2 dimer indicate that this band can be assigned to the δ/γ(bridge) modes. Erdogdu and coworkers indicated that the γ(OBCC) and γ(HOBC/OBCC) vibrations appear in the range 740–580 cm−1. Our theoretical calculations provide evidence that the bands occurring in this spectral ranges are connected with torsion and deformation vibrations of the HOBO⋯H fragment. Additionally, the 540 cm−1 band may be assigned to the torsion of the –HOBC–, –HOBH–, and –HOBO– fragments [γ(HOBC)/(HOBH)/(HOBO)] [37, 38], whereas our calculations pointed out that the 543 cm−1 bands are due to the to the torsion vibrations of HOBO⋯H [δ(bridge)] and the deformation of HOBO⋯H [γ(bridge)]. The above discrepancies in the band assignments may be due to the fact that Erdogdu and coworkers and Ayyappan and coworkers presented results for phenylboronic acid derivative monomer, while we performed theoretical calculations for dimer.Bearing in mind that the most stable structure of [PhN-(2-PhB(OH)2)-R-Me]PO3H2 is a dimer formed by two hydrogen bonds between the boron hydroxyl groups of two monomers, the deformation and torsion vibrations of the HOBO⋯H bridge are expected in the vibrational spectra. These vibrations are manifested by the 1363–1330, 1286–1242, 1106–1090, 1074–1042, 886–882, 822–808, 746–732, 722–710, 659–635, 574–543, 533–522, and 499–490 cm−1 spectral features.Phosphonate Group Vibrations. The –PO3H2 group gives rise to several vibrational bands. These appear in the 1242–1206, 1008–998, 924–903, 827–823, and 496–430 cm−1 spectral ranges. The 1242 and 1206 cm−1 spectral features are primarily due to the P=O stretching vibrations [ν(P=O)], whereas the 924–903 and 827–823 cm−1 bands are assigned to the  P–O stretching mode [ν(P–O)]. The two other bands mentioned above, located at 1010–990 and 496–430 cm−1, are mainly due to the ρb(POH) and δs(CαPO3) vibrations, respectively.Imine and Methine Groups Vibrations.In the [PhN-(2-PhB(OH)2)-R-Me]PO3H2 FT-IR spectrum, the broad, strong band due to the imine group vibrations is observed at 3482 cm−1 [31]. This band is associated with the N–H stretching mode [ν(NH)]. The broadness of this spectral feature can be explained by the formation of intermolecular and/or intramolecular hydrogen bonds between the –PO3H2, –NH–, and –BOH groups. The C–N stretching vibrations [ν(CαN)] are observed at around 1074 cm−1. The deformation modes of the CαN(H)C fragment are enhanced at 1519–1509 and 1446–1428 cm−1. In contrast, the rocking vibrations of the Cα(H,P)NH fragment contribute to the bands at 1509, 1428, and 1227–1206 cm−1. The >CH– group’s stretching vibrations exhibit also moderate spectral features in the high wavenumber range of the vibrational spectra (Table 2).


## 3.1. Geometric Structures

The most stable structure of [PhN-(2-PhB(OH)2)-R-Me]PO3H2 is a cyclic dimer formed by a pair of intermolecular hydrogen bonds between the boron hydroxyl groups of two monomers. Thus, the theoretical spectra presented are calculated for dimer. For this dimer specie, there are two possible conformers (cis-transand trans-cis) depending on the positions of the hydrogen atoms bonded to the oxygen atom of the boronic group, whether they are directed away from (trans) or toward (cis) the phenylboronic ring. Our calculations show that the cis-trans conformation has the lowest energy; thus, it is the most stable. The molecular structure and numbering scheme of the atoms of the investigated compounds are given in Figure 1, while Table 1 lists some geometric parameters for this molecule.Table 1
Select calculated bond lengths and angles of the [PhN-(2-PhB(OH)2)-R-Me]PO3H2 dimer.
Bond
Bond length [Å]
Bond
Bond length [Å]
Angle
[°]
C1–C2
1.406
P18–O19
1.485
C1–B7–O8
117.1
C2–C3
1.394
P18–O20
1.613
B7–O8–H9
116.5
C3–C4
1.392
P18–O21
1.605
O8–B7–O10
117.2
C4–C5
1.391
O20–H22
0.964
C1–B7–O10
124.9
C5–C6
1.393
O21–H23
0.982
B7–O10–H11
112.7
C6–C1
1.401
C16–N24
1.458
B
7
–
O
10
–
H
9
′
114.4
C1–B7
1.575
N24–H25
1.020
B
7
′
–
O
10
′
–
H
9
114.4
B7–O8
1.371
N24–C26
1.410
O8–H9
0.979
C26–C27
1.407
H
9
–
O
10
′
1.826
C27–C28
1.387
B7–O10
1.382
C28–C29
1.396
O10–H11
0.963
C29–C30
1.389
O
10
–
H
9
′
1.826
C30–C31
1.395
C2–C16
1.524
C31–C26
1.402
C16–P18
1.863The O8–B7–O10 and O8′–B7′–O10′ moieties in the presented dimer are almost perpendicular to the ring. This structure is promoted by possible interaction between nitrogen  and boron atoms [33]. The hydrogen atoms of both boronic groups in the dimers (H9, H10, H9′, and H10′) lie in the O–B–O plane (Figure 1). This could be explained on the basis of the oxygen lone-electron pairs having a resonance interaction with the empty p-orbital of the boron atom, forcing the hydrogen atoms to be in the O–B–O plane [34]. The calculated B–O and C–B bond lengths (Table 1) for [PhN-(2-PhB(OH)2)-R-Me]PO3H2 are in good agreement with those present in the X-ray structure of phenylboronic (B–O: 1.362 Å—cis H (atom H directed toward the phenylboronic ring), 1.378 Å—transH (atom H directed toward the phenylboronic ring); C–B: 1.568 Å) [33] and pentafluorophenylboronic (B–O: 1.362 Å—cisH, 1.355 Å—transH; C–B: 1.579 Å) acids [34]. The calculated B7–O8 and B7–O10 (Table 1) bonds distance (~1.371 Å) for the investigated compound indicates typical B–O length of phenylboronic acid derivatives which lie in the range of 1.35–1.38 Å [33].


## 3.2. FT-Raman, FT-IR, and DFT Studies

Figure2 shows the experimental (black traces) and theoretical (red traces) FT-Raman and FT-IR spectra of [PhN-(2-PhB(OH)2)-R-Me]PO3H2 in the spectral range between 3650 and 400 cm−1, whereas Table 2 summarizes the experimental and theoretical band wavenumbers with the calculated (DFT, B3LYP/6-311 G(d,p)) potential energy distribution (PED, in %) (the whole PED information is provided in Table S1 in Supplementary Material available online at http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/247237). The given vibrational analysis is also based on our earlier investigations of [N-benzylamino(boronphenyl)methyl] [26], fluoro- and formyl [35], and phenyl [36–38] analogues of phosphonic acids.Table 2
The calculated wavenumbers and potential energy distribution (PED, %) for the FT-Raman and FT-IR spectra of [PhN-(2-PhB(OH)2)-R-Me]PO3H2a.
Calc.
Wavenumbers/cm−1
Assignment
Exp.
FT-Raman
FT-IR
B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) (PED %; >5%)
449
432
430
γ
as
(
ϕ
)
B
(
31
), δoop(CCL(Cα)C)ϕB, δs(CαPO3), δp(bridge)
451
474
γ
as
(
ϕ
)
B
(
29
), δoop(CCL(Cα)C)ϕB, δs(CαPO3), γas(bridge)
499
490
491
δ
p
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
,
γ
s
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
,
γ
a
s
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
,
δ
o
o
p
(
C
C
L
(
C
α
)
C
)
ϕ
B
531
533
δ
p
(
bridge
), γs(bridge), γas(bridge)
553
543
δ
p
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
(48),
γ
s
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
,
γ
a
s
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
581
591
591
δ
p
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
(36),
γ
s
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
,
γ
a
s
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
627
617
617
δ
as
(
ϕ
)(34),
δ
o
o
p
(
C
B
O
2
),
γ
a
s
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
,
γ
s
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
659
635
636
δ
p
(
bridge
)(25), γas(bridge), γs(bridge)
696
688
δ
p
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
(46),
γ
s
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
,  γas(bridge)
717
710
γ
a
s
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
(32),
γ
s
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
,  δp(bridge)
720
722
δ
p
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
(49),
γ
s
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
,  γas(bridge)
746
745
742
δ
p
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
(18),
δ
p
(
ϕ
)
B
,  γs(bridge)
793
775
777
δ
oop
(
CC
L
(
C
α
)
C
)
ϕ
B(36), δp(ϕ)B, δoop(CLCB(OH)2(B)C)ϕB
822
808
809
δ
p
(
bridge
)(43), γs(bridge), γas(bridge)
823
826
827
ν(PO)(12), γas(bridge)
886
884
882
δ
p
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
(35),
γ
s
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
,
γ
a
s
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
919
899
903
ν
(PO)(30),
δ
o
o
p
(
C
C
L
(
C
α
)
C
)
ϕ
B
924
924
ν
(PO)(22),
δ
p
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
952
934
δ
oop
(
C
B
(OH)
2
C(H)C
)
ϕ
B(27), δoop(CLC(H)C)ϕB, δoop(CC(H)C)ϕB, γas(ϕ)B
987
999
983
δ
oop
(CC(H)C)
ϕ
B(48), δp(ϕ)B
999
1008
998
δ
t
r
i
g
(
ϕ
)
(40),
δ
p
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
,
ρ
b
(POH),
γ
s
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
1036
1031
1021
ν
(
C
C
)
ϕ
(51)
1045
1042
δ
p
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
(31),
ν
(
C
C
)
ϕ
B
,
γ
s
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
,
γ
a
s
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
1084
1074
1073
ν(CαN)(14), δp(bridge)
1106
1090
γ
as
(
bridge
)(48), γs(bridge), δp(bridge)
1165
1161
1162
ρ
r
(
C
C
(
H
)
C
)
ϕ
(58),
δ
p
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
,
γ
s
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
1171
1181
1177
ρ
r
(
C
C
(
H
)
C
)
ϕ
B
(60),
ρ
r
(
C
L
C
(
H
)
C
)
ϕ
B
1194
1188
1189
ρ
r
(
C
L
C
(
H
)
C
)
ϕ
(34),
ρ
r
(
C
C
(
H
)
C
)
ϕ
1216
1206
ν
(P=O)(16),
ρ
r
(
C
L
C
α
(H)P),
ρ
r
(
C
α
(H,P)N),
ρ
r
(
C
L
C
α
(H,P)N)
1234
1227
ν
(P=O)(46),
ρ
r
(
C
L
C
α
(H)P),
ρ
r
(
C
α
(H,P)N),
ρ
r
(
C
L
C
α
(H,P)N)
1244
1242
δ
p
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
(36),
γ
s
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
,
ν
(P=O),
γ
a
s
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
1271
1264
δ
p
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
(42),
γ
s
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
,
γ
a
s
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
1286
1285
δ
p
(
bridge
)(39), γs(bridge), γas(bridge)
1346
1330
1330
δ
p
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
(26),
γ
s
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
,
ρ
r
(
C
L
C
(
H
)
C
)
ϕ
,
γ
a
s
(
b
r
i
d
g
e
)
1349
1363
γ
as
(
bridge
)(38), γs(bridge), ν(BO), δp(bridge)
1446
1428
1428
ρ
r
(
C
C
(
H
)
C
)
ϕ
(36),
ν
(
C
C
)
ϕ
,
ρ
r
(
C
α
N(H)
C
L
)
1450
1450
ρ
r
(CC(H)C)
ϕ
B(43), ν(CC)ϕB, ν(CLC)ϕB
1510
1495
ρ
r
(
C
C
(
H
)
C
)
ϕ
(
28),
ρ
r
(
C
L
C
(
H
)
C
)
ϕ
,
ν
(CC)
ϕ
1519
1509
ρ
r
(
C
α
N(H)
C
L
)(50)
1587
1588
1590
ν
(
C
C
)
ϕ
B
(40),
ν
(
C
L
C
B
(
O
H
)
2
)
ϕ
B
,
ρ
r
(
C
C
(
H
)
C
)
ϕ
B
1620
1606
1604
ν
(
C
C
)
ϕ
B
(30),
ν
(
C
L
C
)
ϕ
B
1625
1635
ν
(
C
C
)
ϕ
(
42),
δ
a
s
(
ϕ
)
2938
2922
2924
ν
(
C
α
H)(99)
2938
2957
ν
(
C
α
H)(99)
3107
3059
3058
ν
(
C
H
)
ϕ
B
(91)
3145
3069
ν
(
C
H
)
ϕ
(67),
ν
(
C
H
)
ϕ
B
3405
3482
ν(NH)(96)
3500
3503
ν(OH)BOHbrigde(83), ν(OH)POH
aAbbreviations: ν: stretching; ρr: rocking; δ: deformation; γ: torsion; p: puckering; δtrig: trigonal deformation; s: symmetric; as: antisymmetric; oop: out-of-plane vibrations; ϕ: aromatic ring; ϕB: phenylboronic acid ring; bridge: hydrogen bonds [(HOBO)2]; CL: carbon atom of the aromatic ring connected to the aliphatic chain; Cα: tetrahedral carbon atom; bold: vibrations related to band with Raman Intensity > 0.4 (%).Figure 2
The experimental and theoretical FT-Raman and FT-IR spectra of [PhN-(2-PhB(OH)2)-R-Me]PO3H2 in the spectral range of 3650–400 cm−1.Aromatic Vibrations.The 3069/3056, 1606, 1588, 1188, 1161, 1031, 1008/999, 775, 617, and 490 cm−1 spectral features due to the characteristic phenyl ring vibrations (see Table 2 for precise bands assignment) dominate the [PhN-(2-PhB(OH)2)-R-Me]PO3H2 Raman spectrum (Figure 2, the top black trace). The noticeable spectral shift to lower wavenumbers for the ν2, ν8a, and ν12 modes of the phenylboronic ring compared to that of phenyl reflects some redistribution of the π-electrons caused by the electron donor character of the boronic acid group (acceptor). Some of the ring bands are also observed in the corresponding FT-IR spectrum (at 3058, 1604, 1590, 1177, 998/983, and 777 cm−1). These bands are associated with the ν2, ν8a, ν8b, ν9a/ν15, ν12, and ν11 modes (according to the Wilson numbering scheme) [39], respectively. The other ring vibrations appear in the FT-IR spectrum as two medium absorbencies at 1495 [ν19a] and 1450 cm−1 [ν19b].Boronic Acid Group Vibrations. In the [PhN-(2-PhB(OH)2)-R-Me]PO3H2 vibrational spectra, several moderate and weak bands due to the boronic acid group vibrations appear. From these, according to Erdogdu and Coworkers [40] and Ayyappan and Coworkers [41], the B–O stretching vibrations [ν(BO)] are expected to be enhanced near 1453–1450, 1384, and 1369–1361 cm−1. Our calculations for dimer placed these vibrations at 1363–1349 cm−1. The bands allocated to the –BOH deformation vibrations [δ(BOH)] appear in the spectral range of 1100–1000 cm−1 [40, 41]. Our calculations indicated that bands observed in these ranges are due to the deformation and torsion vibrations of the HOBO⋯H bridge coupled with the ν(CαN) mode [δ/γ(bridge)] + ν(NC/CαN). Ayyappan and coworkers also suggested that bands assignable to the coupling of the B–C and B–O stretching vibrations [ν(BC/BO)] are seen at 809–797 cm−1. However, the calculations performed for the [PhN-(2-PhB(OH)2)-R-Me]PO3H2 dimer indicate that this band can be assigned to the δ/γ(bridge) modes. Erdogdu and coworkers indicated that the γ(OBCC) and γ(HOBC/OBCC) vibrations appear in the range 740–580 cm−1. Our theoretical calculations provide evidence that the bands occurring in this spectral ranges are connected with torsion and deformation vibrations of the HOBO⋯H fragment. Additionally, the 540 cm−1 band may be assigned to the torsion of the –HOBC–, –HOBH–, and –HOBO– fragments [γ(HOBC)/(HOBH)/(HOBO)] [37, 38], whereas our calculations pointed out that the 543 cm−1 bands are due to the to the torsion vibrations of HOBO⋯H [δ(bridge)] and the deformation of HOBO⋯H [γ(bridge)]. The above discrepancies in the band assignments may be due to the fact that Erdogdu and coworkers and Ayyappan and coworkers presented results for phenylboronic acid derivative monomer, while we performed theoretical calculations for dimer.Bearing in mind that the most stable structure of [PhN-(2-PhB(OH)2)-R-Me]PO3H2 is a dimer formed by two hydrogen bonds between the boron hydroxyl groups of two monomers, the deformation and torsion vibrations of the HOBO⋯H bridge are expected in the vibrational spectra. These vibrations are manifested by the 1363–1330, 1286–1242, 1106–1090, 1074–1042, 886–882, 822–808, 746–732, 722–710, 659–635, 574–543, 533–522, and 499–490 cm−1 spectral features.Phosphonate Group Vibrations. The –PO3H2 group gives rise to several vibrational bands. These appear in the 1242–1206, 1008–998, 924–903, 827–823, and 496–430 cm−1 spectral ranges. The 1242 and 1206 cm−1 spectral features are primarily due to the P=O stretching vibrations [ν(P=O)], whereas the 924–903 and 827–823 cm−1 bands are assigned to the  P–O stretching mode [ν(P–O)]. The two other bands mentioned above, located at 1010–990 and 496–430 cm−1, are mainly due to the ρb(POH) and δs(CαPO3) vibrations, respectively.Imine and Methine Groups Vibrations.In the [PhN-(2-PhB(OH)2)-R-Me]PO3H2 FT-IR spectrum, the broad, strong band due to the imine group vibrations is observed at 3482 cm−1 [31]. This band is associated with the N–H stretching mode [ν(NH)]. The broadness of this spectral feature can be explained by the formation of intermolecular and/or intramolecular hydrogen bonds between the –PO3H2, –NH–, and –BOH groups. The C–N stretching vibrations [ν(CαN)] are observed at around 1074 cm−1. The deformation modes of the CαN(H)C fragment are enhanced at 1519–1509 and 1446–1428 cm−1. In contrast, the rocking vibrations of the Cα(H,P)NH fragment contribute to the bands at 1509, 1428, and 1227–1206 cm−1. The >CH– group’s stretching vibrations exhibit also moderate spectral features in the high wavenumber range of the vibrational spectra (Table 2).


## 4. Conclusions

In this work, the [N-phenylamino(2-boronphenyl)-R-methyl]phosphonic acid ([PhN-(2-PhB(OH)2)-R-Me]PO3H2) was investigated using Fourier-transform infrared and Fourier-transform Raman methods. We briefly discussed the characteristic FT-Raman and absorption infrared bands that are crucial for understanding vibrational structures of the tilted compound.In order to better understand the correlation between obtained spectral feature and the vibrational structure, the DFT calculations at the B3LYP; 6-311G(d,p) level using Gaussian’03, GaussSum 0.8, and GAR2PED softwares were performed.Our theoretical and experimental considerations provide the description of the most stable structure of the investigated molecules which is  a cyclic dimer, in thecis-trans conformation, formed by a pair of intermolecular hydrogen bonds between the boron hydroxyl groups of two monomers. Moreover, the spectral range of FT-IR and FT-Raman bands associated with the aromatic and aliphatic functional group vibrations of the molecule was characterized.



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*Source: 247237-2014-01-23.xml*