Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 21, 2026

Time-resolved ElectroSpray Ionization Hydrogen-deuterium Exchange Mass Spectrometry for Studying Protein Structure and Dynamics
Published on: April 17, 2017
Conformational study of taurine in the gas phase
Vanessa Cortijo1, M Eugenia Sanz, Juan C López
1Grupo de Espectroscopia Molecular, Departamento de Química Física, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valladolid, 47005 Valladolid, Spain.
Abstract:
The conformational preferences of the amino sulfonic acid taurine (NH(2)-CH(2)-CH(2)-SO(3)H) have been investigated in the gas phase by laser ablation molecular beam Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy (LA-MB-FTMW) in the 6-14 GHz frequency range. One conformer has been observed, and its rotational, centrifugal distortion, and hyperfine quadrupole coupling constants have been determined from the analysis of its rotational spectrum. Comparison of the experimental constants with those calculated theoretically identifies the detected conformer unambiguously. The observed conformer of taurine is stabilized by an intramolecular hydrogen bond O-H...N between the hydrogen of the sulfonic acid group and the nitrogen atom of the amino group.
Related Concept Videos
Conformations of Ethane and Propane
Staggered conformation is a low energy and more stable conformation with the C-H bonds on the front carbon placed at 60°dihedral angles relative to the C-H bonds on the back carbon, leading to a reduced torsional strain. In staggered ethane, the...
¹H NMR of Conformationally Flexible Molecules: Temporal Resolution
¹H NMR of Conformationally Flexible Molecules: Variable-Temperature NMR
Conformations of Butane
Conformations of Cyclohexane
The chair form is the most stable and derives its name from its resemblance to the “easy chair.” In the chair conformation, two carbon atoms are arranged out-of-plane — one above and one below, minimizing the torsional strain. In the chair form, the bond angle is very close to the ideal tetrahedral value,...
¹³C NMR: Distortionless Enhancement by Polarization Transfer (DEPT)

