Inducing anti-Conformers of Biliverdin Chromophores by Reducing Sterical Hindrance

Summary.

Two different types of conformational changes of the biliverdin chromophore were accomplished by the concept of reducing sterical hindrance. On one hand, model compounds unsubstituted at position 7 and/or 13 adopt the semi-extended geometry with anti-conformation of the dipyrrinone moiety. On the other hand, stretching of the chromophore with anti-conformation of the dipyrrin substructure was achieved with a model compound unsubstituted at position 12. Both kinds of anti-conformations have been proved by 2D NMR and UV-Vis spectroscopy.