M. Ramek, C.-H. Yu, and L. Schäfer,
Ab initio conformational analysis of the model tripeptide
N-formyl-L-alanyl-L-alanine amide,
Can. J. Chem. 76, 566-575 (1998).
RHF/6-31G* Structures of Low-Energy Conformers of
For-L-Ala-L-Ala-NH2
Global Minimum
two O···H-N hydrogen bonds form two -turns
(7-membered rings closed by H-bond)Extended Structure
second lowest in energy (Erel = 0.09 kJ/mol)
no hydrogen bonds, but two favourable electrostatic interactions
with parallel arrangement of the groups C=O and N-H (the so-called
C-orientation)Half Extended Form
third in energy (Erel = 0.33 kJ/mol)
one -turn,
one C-orientation
3-Loop
fourth in energy (Erel = 1.60 kJ/mol)
one -turn
(10-membered ring, closed by a O···H-N hydrogen bond)
repetition of this loop produces a 3-helix