| Abstract: | Conformational features of α,β‐disubstituted β2,3‐dipeptide models have been studied with quantum mechanics method. Geometries were optimized with the HF/6‐31G** method, and energies were evaluated with the B3LYP/6‐31G** method. Solvent effect was evaluated with the SCIPCM method. For (2S,3S)‐β2,3‐dipeptide model 1 , a six‐membered‐ring hydrogen bonded structure is most stable. However, the conformation corresponding to the formation of the 14‐helix is only about 1.7 kcal/mol less stable in methanol solution, indicating that the 14‐helix is favored if a (2S,3S)‐β2,3‐polypeptide contains more than 5 residues. On the other hand, the conformation corresponding to the formation of β‐sheet is most stable for (2R,3S)‐β2,3‐dipeptide model 2 , suggesting that this type of β‐peptides is intrinsically favored for the formation of β‐sheet secondary structure. |
