HEAT-CAPACITY AND NORMAL-MODES OF POLY(L-VALINE) IN RELATION TO SPECTRA OF OLIGOVALINES

Poly(L-valine) (PLV) belongs to the class of polyamino acids having a bulky side chain. It preferably adopts the beta-sheet conformation, al though high molecular weight PL may form an alpha-helix as well. In th e present article we report a detailed study of the phonons and their dispersion for beta-PLV and the spectra of oligovalines in relation to its polymeric form. The N-deuterated analogue of beta-PLV has also be en studied to check the correctness of assignments and force field. De nsity of states and heat capacity have been obtained. The heat capacit y is in very good agreement with the experimental measurements of Role s et al. (C) 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.