Solution conformation of methyl β-xylobioside from optical rotation

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0008-6215(93)84199-G

A recently developed semiempirical model of saccharide optical activity is used to calculate the Na(D) rotation of methyl β-xylobioside in solution as a function of its conformation. Combining the results with published conformational-energy calculations leads to a picture in which folded conformations, with either Φ or Ψ greater than 120°, make up no less than 40% of the total, in aqueous solution. This conclusion is consistent with an earlier analysis of the optical rotation of cellobiose in which folded forms were found to account for < 10% of the total. A recently developed semiempirical model of saccharide optical activity is used to calculate the Na_D rotation of methyl β-xylobioside in solution as a function of its conformation. Combining the results with published conformational-energy calculations leads to a picture in which folded conformations, with either φ or Ψ greater than 120°, make up no less 40% of the total, in aqueous solution. This conclusion is consistent with an earlier analysis of the optical rotation of cellobiose in which folded forms were found < 10% of the total.