We studied the relatively complex polar systems 6-substituted-1,4-dioxospiro[4.5]decanes and 7-substituted-1,5-dioxospiro[5.5]undecanes with substituents X = CH3, F, Cl, CN, OH, OCH3, and NO2. Solvent effects on the equilibrium have been analysed by means of a Self-Consistent-Reaction-Field model and the PM3 method. Complete geometry optimizations have been carried out for all the structures in the gas phase and in solution. For some substituents, a set of rotamers have been separately optimized. The discussion of the results is focussed on the effects arising from structural aspects and from steric and electrostatic interactions on the axial/equatorial relative stability. The role played by multipole moment is considered. In general, good agreement with available experimental data and with previous theoretical studies has been obtained. Though the use of semiempirical methods and simple solvent models prevents us from reaching definitive conclusions, this approach seems to be very useful in predicting the main role of solute–solvent interactions in conformational equilibria of complex systems for which ab initio calculations cannot be performed. Keywords: conformational equilibria, spiro decanes and undecanes, cavity model, SCRF, solvent effect, PM3 calculations.
Electrostatic interactions in cytochrome c. The role of interactions between residues 13 and 90 and residues 79 and 47 in stabilizing the heme crevice structure.
