In: Chemistry
what is the purpose of circular dichroism spectroscopy ?
Circular dichroism spectroscopy(CDS) :
Circular dichroism : It is the difference between the absorption of left-handed circularly polarised light (L-CPL) and right handed circullarly polarised light(R-CPL) This phenomenon occurs when the molecule contains one or more chiral chromophores (light absorbing functionalities)
Mathematically, CD = Delta A () = A()L-CPL - A() R-CPL.
In CDS, CD of molecule is measured over a range of wavelength. CDS is extensively used to study chiral molecules of all types and sizes but CDS finds vast applications in biological molecules.
Primary purpose of is to analyse the secondary structures of conformations of macromolecules such as proteins because the secondary structure is sensitive to the its immidiate environment, pH, temperature etc.CDS helps in understanding these changes.
Structural, thermodynamic, kinetic information about macromolecules can be derived from CDS.
CDS helps in understanding of higher order structure of chiral macromolecules like protein and DNA.