Molecular orbital studies on nucleoside antibiotics V. Conformation of pyrazofurins

Abstract

Conformational properties of pyrazofurins, which were previously designated as pyrazomycins in both β- and α-anomeric forms, have been investigated by the PCILO method. The results indicate that the most preferred conformation for β anomer is anti-gg, while that for α anomer is syn-gg when intramolecular hydrogen bonding between sugar and the base is allowed. However, in the absence such hydrogen bonding, which mimicks the situation in aqueous solution, both β and α pyrazofurins show exactly similar preference for anti-gg conformation. The biological significance of this result has been discussed. Further the β anomer is energetically more favorable than the α anomer. This result is in agreement with the experimental observations, which indicate that β pyrazofurin is more populated than a pyrazofurin in aqueous solution at room temperature.