1H-NMR studies on cis-trans isomers of spheroidenes

All-trans spheroidene was extracted from the cells of Rhodobacer sphaeroides 2.4.1 and a set of cis-trans isomers were isolated from an isomeric mixture obtained by iodine-sensitized photo-isomerization of the all-trans isomer by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). On the basis of assignment of the 1H-NMR spectra (COSY, long-range COSY, rekyed COSY, ROESY and NOESY) of the all-trans isomer, the configurations of cis isomers were determined by the isomerization shifts of the olefinic 1H signals. The peaks of HPLC could be assigned as follows: A: 9,13’-cis, B1: 5,13-cis, B2: 13,9’-cis, C: 13-cis, E: 9-cis, F: 13’-cis, G: 5,9’-cis, H: 9’-cis, I: all-trans.