Circular dichroism, self interaction and side chain conformation of riboflavin and riboflavin analogues.

The CD-spectra of riboflavin and riboflavin analogues in aqueous solutions differ very little depending on pH and ionic strength, but are extremely sensitive upon solvent changes. The two bands in the region of 300 —500 nm seen in aqueous solutions are split into seven bands in less polar solvents, which can be assigned to seven vibronic transitions. The spectra may be interpreted by “through space” and “through chain” interactions of the sidechain centers of chirality with the flavin chromophore, which influence the two first π —π* transitions in different manner.