The infra-red spectrum and molecular configuration of sodium deoxyribonucleate

Abstract

The infra-red spectra of oriented films of sodium deoxyribonucleate have been investigated between 700 and 4000 cm$^{-1}$ using polarized radiation and under varying degrees of relative humidity. Similar spectra have been obtained when the films have been deuterated by vapour-phase exchange with heavy water. It is found that the infra-red dichroism of nearly every band increases with the relative humidity. Many of the principal absorption bands can be assigned to separable modes of vibration in the bases, the phosphate groups or the absorbed water. Measurement of the dichroic ratios of certain of these bands indicates that at high relative himidity the bases must be nearly perpendicular to the orientation direction. The configuration deduced for the phosphate groups is unlike that proposed in the Crick-Watson model, but is in essential agreement with that recently proposed by Wilkins and his co-workers. Some observations are also reported on the corresponding spectra of sodium ribonucleate. Since no dichroism was observed, no conclusions can be drawn regarding the molecular configuration of this polymer.