Structure and conformation of 5-methoxymethyl-1-(2′-deoxy-β-D-lyxofuranosyl)uracil
The structure of the nucleoside 5-methoxymethyl-1-(2′-deoxy-β-D-lyxofuranosyl)uracil (MMdLU) was deduced by X-ray crystallographic analysis. MMdLU crystallized in space group P21 with a = 8.719(4), b = 13.188(3), c = 5.701(3) Å, β = 109.56(2)° and Z = 2; R = 0.040 for 1208 unique reflections with net I > 2σ(I). The furanose ring adopts the rare C(4′)—exo envelope conformation (4E). The glycosyl linkage is anti (χ = 243.5°) and the C(5′) side chain has the t conformation. The conformation was also determined in solution by nmr analysis. The sugar ring exists in the N-conformation (97 ± 5%), the populations of the three rotamers about the exocyclic C(4′)—C(5′) bond were estimated to be g+:t:g− = 23%:59%:18% and the glycosidic conformation is predominantly anti.