Non-planar distortions in a peptide unit as studied by NMR in liquid crystal solvents

Abstract

A brief account of the results on non-planar distortions around the nitrogen atom in a peptide unit as studied by NMR in liquid crystal solvents is given. The studies are confined to simple model compounds namely, formamide, N-methyl formamide and its 13C and 15N isotopically enriched analogues and N-methyl acetamide. Under the assumption of reasonable geometry and the neglect of the influences of molecular vibrations, it is observed that the non-planar distortions around the nitrogen atom are nearly 10 degree +/- 5 degree.