The predominant role of van der Waal interactions in determining the helical conformations of a simple synthetic linear polymer, as well as helical polypeptides, was pointed out in systematic studies by Liquori et al.1,2. In the case of homopolypeptides the conformational analysis carried out on the basis of a simple semiempirical function describing the van der Waal pairwise interactions between the non directly bonded atoms lead to the conclusion that only five helices are allowed (Rα, β, γ, δ, Lα).2,3

In view of the close similarities with poly-L-alanine, we have investigated by x-ray and conformational analysis the molecular conformation of poly(S-lactic acid) which has recently been described by Kleine and Kleine4 and Schuls and Schwaab5 and studied in solution by Goodman and D'Alagni.6 In fact, this polymer may be related to the polypeptide by the interchange of a peptide bond with ester bond along the main chain. This operation is expected to involve only a relatively small change in the steric interaction within the possible helical conformation, but obviously rules out any possibility of hydrogen bonding.

Molecular conformation of poly(S‐lactic acid)

The double-helical molecular structure of crystalline b-amylose☆

The molecular configuration of deoxyribonucleic acid

This paper describes a possible structure for the paracrystalline form of the sodium salt of deoxyribonucleic acid. The structure consists of two DNA chains wound helically round a common axis, and held together by hydrogen bonds between specific pairs of bases. The assumptions made in deriving the structure are described, and co-ordinates are given for the principal atoms. The structure of the crystalline form is discussed briefly.

The Complementary Structure of Deoxyribonucleic Acid

The molecular configuration of deoxyribonucleic acid: IV. X-ray diffraction study of the A form

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R.G. Gosling

Papers

The structure of sodium thymonucleate fibres. II. The cylindrically symmetrical Patterson function