Probing the Electronic Structure of Peptide Bonds Using Methyl Groups

The observed V3 torsional barriers measured by microwave spectroscopy for nine methyl groups attached alpha to peptide bond linkages in five gas-phase biomimetics have been found to differ considerably from one molecule to the next and even depend on the position of substitution, being sensitive to structural changes at the other end of the peptide bond. In the search for an explanation for these results, ab initio calculations have been performed at the HF/6-311++G(d,p) level of theory and interpreted in terms of the natural bond orbitals and resonance structures of the peptide bond. These calculations reveal that resonance delocalization in peptide bonds is influenced by methyl conformation through the coupling of vicinal sigma to sigma* orbital interactions with the n to pi*. Thus, CN double-bond character increases (and CO double-bond character decreases) as the methyl group is rotated from the syn to the anti position. A quasilinear correlation exists between the barriers to internal rotation of attached methyl groups and the relative importance of the two principal resonance structures that contribute to the peptide bond.

Neutron scattering study of the H-bond network in amorphous N-methylformamide

Original investigations of structural properties in noncrystalline solid N-methylformamide (HCONHCH(3)) are presented in this paper. After description of the sample preparation, the elastic neutron scattering formalism is applied to deduce the coherent scattering cross section for amorphous N-methylformamide. The contribution of each possible monomer (cis or trans) is computed and the corresponding distinct structure factor is deduced. Our measurements clearly show that the hydrogen-bond network occurs in amorphous N-methylformamide between C=O and N-H groups. The experimental spectra are consistent with an open-chain structure similar to the one existing in the crystalline form. The more probable clusters that have been identified in the liquid are also examined.

H-bonding in liquid N-methylformamide as studied by X-ray scattering

A structural investigation of liquid N-methylformamide, C(2)H(5)NO, was performed at room temperature and atmospheric pressure using X-ray scattering. Experimental data are analysed to yield the molecular structure factor and the distinct pair correlation function. The more dominant form (cis or trans) is considered and the H-bonding parameters are deduced. In order to describe the local arrangement in the liquid, different models are examined.