Explanation of Ionic Sequences in Various Phenomena. IV. General Method for Determination of the Type of Bonding in Polymers; Bonds in Ovalbumin,Ribonuclease, Collagen,Hemoglobin, and Starch Determined

Abstract

The salting-out or -in of hydrocarbons, uncharged nitrogen bases, and acids containing polarized hydroxyl groups give different cationic sequences. Also various ionic groups have different solubility sequences. Such neutral or electrostatically charged groups are attached to polymers and are involved as forces which hold together aggregates or helicies in inter- or intramolecular interactions. In aqueous solutions, the addition of various salts can destroy or produce these inter- or intramolecular interactions. Consequently, by applying the ionic solubility sequences, the observed salting-in and -out sequences of low molecular weight molecules, and other solubility criteria to the destruction or formation of such polymer interactions, it is possible to determine the major force or forces which are involved in holding the aggregate or helix together. Such forces involve hydrophobic bonds, hydrogen bonds between neutral bases, hydrogen bonds involving polarized hydroxyl groups, ionic bonds, and/or repulsive forces between electrostatically charged groups. The method is applied to the salting-out of ovalbumin, the destruction of the α-helix of ribonuclease, the collagen-gelatin transformation, the dissociation of hemoglobin, and the retrogradation and solubilization of starch. These five examples involve all the secondary forces considered. The method should find wide applicability because it can be applied to any method of physical measurement involving ionic solutions.