The conformation of 1,6-anhydrolactose and its hexa-acetate in solution.

The conformation of 1,6-anhydrolactoase (1) has been investigated by n.m.r. spectroscopy and molecular mechanics calculations. For a solution in D2O, the 1,6-anhydroglucopyranoid ring has a 1C4 conformation, whereas there is a approximately 1:1 equilibrium between the 1C4 and the BO,3 conformations in (CD3)2SO. There is restricted flexibility with phi -80 +/- 20 degrees and psi -120 +/- 40 degrees. The hexa-acetate (2) of 1 shows a similar conformational behaviour.