Vibrational spectra and stereochemistry of mono- and polysaccharides. III. β-methyl-d-glucoside, α-methyl-d-glucoside,and β-methyl-d-xyloside

The IR and Raman spectra of β- and α-methyl-D-glucosides and β-methyl-D-xyloside are compared. Experimental data are correlated with theoretical calculations of the frequencies of normal vibrations. Predominant contributions (20% and more) of particular CiOi and CiC(i+1) bonds to the potential energy distribution of normal vibrations (i.e., localization of vibrations on these bonds, which form skeletons of monosaccharide molecules) are estimated. This approach is used to interpret the main distinctions between the IR and Raman spectra of the test compounds. The use of vibrational spectra in selective analysis of certain functional groups is discussed. It is shown that replacing the hydroxyl group at C1 has a specific effect on the predominant localization of vibrational modes in particular skeletal bonds (mainly in C1O1) of the monosaccharide molecules. B. I. Stepanov Institute of Physics, Belarus Academy of Sciences. V. Tshebyatovski Institute of Low Temperatures and Structural Studies, Polish Academy of Sciences. Translated fromZhurmal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol. 36, No. 3, pp. 443–455. May–June, 1995. Translated by I. Izvekova.