Theoretical calculations of chemical interactions. VII. SCF-MO conformational studies of substituted 2′-hydroxychalcones
INDO calculations have been performed on substituted 2′-hydroxychalcones. The results show that the intramolecularly hydrogen-bonded trans-s-cis conformation is the most stable. The calculations assist in assignment of NMR signals and interpretation of kinetic determinations. The calculated energy of the intramolecular hydrogen bond is compared with IR data when available and with experimentally determined heats of formation of the chalconates. Regarding the isomerization to flavanones, calculations of the ring A rotation in the chalconates show that it is exergonic; on the contrary, complete rotation of the styryl system encounters a strong barrier. MNDO calculations on this process show similar trends. These results indicate that this last rotation is involved in the slow step, which is consistent with kinetic determinations. Key words: chemical interactions, theoretical calculations, substituted hydroxychalcones, flavanones.