Density functional calculations on cyclodextrins

Conformations of α-, β-, and γ-CDs under anhydrous conditions in the gas phase were investigated by a density functional method, B3LYP/6-31G(d,p). These calculations resulted in several symmetric conformations with different energies. The lowest energy conformations contain two rings of homodromic hydrogen bonds and are referred to “one-gate-closed” conformations. Different orientations of hydrogen bonds lead to four minima. Other conformational minima were found for “open” conformations which correspond to some extent to experimentally determined structures.