The electronic circular dichroism (ECD) and vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectra of both enantiomers of naringenin (4',5,7-trihydroxyflavanone) in acetonitrile solution have been measured. The enantiomers were obtained by chiral HPLC separation of the racemic sample. DFT calculations have been performed for relevant conformers and subsequent evaluations of VCD spectra are compared with VCD experiments: safe assignment of the absolute configuration is provided, based in particular on the VCD data. The relevance of the rotational conformers of the hydroxyl groups and of the mobility of phenol moiety is studied: based on this, we provide a first interpretation of the observed intense and broad couplet at 1325/1350 cm(-1). Four conformers contribute to this pattern with different sign and amplitude as shown by DFT calculations. Time dependent DFT calculations have been performed and compared with ECD experimental data, under the same assumption of conformational properties and mobilities investigated by VCD.

The absorption spectra and vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectra in the mid-IR range 1600-950 cm(-1) of 10 camphor-related compounds have been recorded and compared to DFT calculated spectra at the B3PW91/TZ2P level and have been examined together with the corresponding data of the parent molecules. The rigidity of the bridged structure common to all compounds investigated permits (a) identification of three spectroscopic regions in the mid-IR range that can be "used" separately by the interested stereochemist for structural diagnosis and assignment of some major characteristics of the VCD spectra in these regions to what we call "skeletal chiral sense" and (b) recognition of possible conformers for flexible substituent groups, when present. VCD spectra of the 10 molecules have been recorded and analyzed also in the CH-stretching region, 3100-2800 cm(-1). Here, we have been able to identify and characterize features of vibrational excitons by comparison of data within the 10-molecule class. To find a theoretical justification of result (a), we have examined the potential energy distribution of the normal modes in the mid-IR range, the partitioning of the calculated rotational strengths in terms of contributions from all couples of internal coordinates, the angle formed by the two vectors, the electric dipole transition moment and the magnetic dipole transition moment, and finally the overlap of normal modes of different molecules. A discussion is provided as to the usability of the introduced algorithms.

The protecting effect of the osmolyte molecule taurine against thermal denaturation of the protein Chimotripsin Inhibitor 2 was modelled using Molecular Dynamics simulations. The protein was simulated in denaturing conditions at different taurine concentrations. Analysis of the molecular details of its behaviour shows that the protective effect of the osmolyte is concentration dependent. Moreover