MA’AT: A Web-Based Application to Determine Rotamer Population Distributions in Solution from Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spin-Coupling Constants

A hybrid experimental–computational method to determine conformational equilibria of molecules in solution has been developed based on the use of redundant nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spin–spin coupling constants (spin-couplings; J-couplings), density functional theory (DFT) calculations, and circular statistics. The mathematics that underpins the method, known as MA’AT analysis, is presented, and key components of a computer program that applies this algorithm are discussed. The method was tested using single-state and multi-state models to identify the factors required to obtain reliable results, to establish the limitations of the method, and to highlight techniques to evaluate the uniqueness of solution.