Timolol derivatives. I. X-ray, NMR and theoretical studies of the crystallization of (S)-timolol O,O-diacetyl-l-tartaric acid monoester

Abstract The absolute configurations of (S)-timolol hemihydrate and (S)-timolol O,O-diacetyl-(R,R)-tartaric acid monoester were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. An NMR analysis based on the temperature dependence of vicinal coupling constants was carried out to characterize the conformational behaviour of the S,R,R- and R,R,R-forms in solution. The same conformation as in crystalline state was also found in solution, although with a rather low preference over some other conformations. Results of theoretical calculations using MNDO and AMBER force field methods are reported. An infinite chain of hydrogen bonds, along with other favourable inter- and intramolecular forces that …