Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 19, 2026

Isolation and Biophysical Study of Fruit Cuticles
Published on: March 30, 2012
Nanomechanical control of glucopyranose rotamers
Gwangrog Lee1, Wiesław Nowak, Justyna Jaroniec
1Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science and Center for Biologically Inspired Materials and Materials Systems, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA.
Abstract:
Single molecules of beta-1 --> 6-linked d-glucose polysaccharides, when stretched in an atomic force microscope, display a hookean-like elasticity unusual for polymers. High-level ab initio calculations and microsecond-scale molecular dynamics simulations reveal that this elasticity is governed by force-induced rotations of the exocyclic group on the glucopyranose rings from their short and less energetic gt and gg conformations to the extended and high-energy tg state. These observations indicate that a simple stretching of 1 --> 6-linked glucose polysaccharides provide a unique means to control glucopyranose rotamer populations.
Related Concept Videos
Prochirality
SN2 Reaction: Stereochemistry
If the substrate is an achiral molecule at the α-carbon, the inversion of configuration is not observed.
¹H NMR of Conformationally Flexible Molecules: Temporal Resolution
ortho–para-Directing Activators: –CH3, –OH, –⁠NH2, –OCH3
Keto–Enol Tautomerism: Mechanism
Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization (ROMP)

