ISSN 1017-2548(Print)
ISSN 2234-8530(Online)
Volume 39, Number 7
JKCSEZ 39(7)
February 20, 1995 

The geometry optimization of oxazole, relevant to the binding of lexitropsin that contains this ring to the base pair (G-C sequence) of minor groove of DNA, is performed with the aid of MM+ and ab initio (Hartree-Fock) calculations. The proton affinity and electronic structure are calculated at the 6-31G and 6-31G* level for the optimized geometry. The proton affinities are also studied for various substituted oxazoles with the electron-donating and -withdrawing groups to estimate the substituent effect on the proton affinities of oxazoles. It is shown that the electron-donating substituents increase the proton affinity of oxazole, while the electron-withdrawing substituents decrease it. This result can be explained with atomic charge and electron density at oxygen of substituted oxazoles.