As is evident from the effects of adding alcohol to aqueous solutions of nucleic acids or globular proteins, structures of large molecules depend on solvation forces. A changing solvation is also one of the factors that determines the free energy changes associated with reactions occurring in water. If a correction could be made for differences in free energy of solvation between reactants and products one would be left with the free energy change for conversion of reactants and products in the absence of solvent. This intrinsic equilibrium constant would be interesting from a theoretical standpoint and useful in considering changes in the positions of chemical equilibria that could occur if reactants were removed from water into the vapor phase or into a nonpolar environment. It is also clear that solvent water plays a role in the function of biological receptor molecules, most spectacularly in the catalytic action of enzymes. Dr. Wolfenden plans to complete a survey of the solvation by water of functional groups that are common to many compounds occurring in intermediary metabolic processes and to assess the role of solvent water in determining the positions of equilibria of oxidation-reduction reactions. The results will be used to analyze the influence of solvation on the structures of biopolymers, the affinities of receptors for ligands and the positions of equilibrium of metabolic processes.
