The nonplanar peptide unit. Quantum chemical calculations for related compounds and experimental X-ray diffraction data

Abstract

The possible nonplanar distortions of the amide group in formamide, acetamide, N-methylacetamide, and N-ethylacetamide have been examined using CNDO/2 and INDO methods. The predictions from these methods are compared with the results obtained from X-ray and neutron diffraction studies on crystals of small open peptides, cyclic peptides, and amides. It is shown that the INDO results are in good agreement with observations, and that the dihedral angles θ_N and Δω defining the nonplanarity of the amide unit are correlated approximately by the relation θ_N=−2Δω, while θ_C is small and uncorrelated with Δω. The present study indicates that the nonplanar distortions at the nitrogen atom of the peptide unit may have to be taken into consideration, in addition to the variation in the dihedral angles (φ,ψ), in working out polypeptide and protein structures.