NMR and calorimetric studies of changes in phase transition of head group modified phospholipids

The 13C- and 31P-NMR spectra and DSC thermograms of unsonicated dispersions consisting of phospholipids of varying methylation stages of the propanolamine head group were investigated. Methylation of the head group was accompanied by a corresponding reduction in the phase transition temperatures. In the liquid crystalline state the 31P-anisotropy of the chemical shift is about equal for all studied compounds, demonstrating that the motion of the phosphate group is not influenced by modifications of the propanolamine group.