INVESTIGATION OF ACETYLCHOLINE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF DIFFERENT ELECTROSTATIC FIELDS BY FT-IR DIFFERENCE SPECTROSCOPY

In this study we analyse structural changes of the neurotransmitter ac etylcholine (ACh) under the influence of phenol and the electrolytes L i+, Na+, K+, Cl-, Br- and I-. By FT-IR difference spectroscopy, spectr al changes, especially in the region of the around 1250-1240 cm(-1) ar e investigated. Our data show a shift of the band envelope in this reg ion to lower wavenumber in the presence of phenol and I- and to higher wavenumber in the presence of the cations. From studies with ethyl ac etate we find shifts of the nu(c-o-c) to lower wavenumber under the in fluence of Li+ ions. We also find major changes of the band envelope i n the presence of phenol. No such changes are found if AChCl is compar ed to AChI.