An unprecedented side chain conformation of paclitaxel (Taxol(R)): Crystal structure of 7-mesylpaclitaxel

The single-crystal X-ray diffraction study of 7-Mesylpaclitaxel, a bioactive paclitaxel analog, has revealed a novel paclitaxel side chain conformation which differs from any other known conformations, including the hydrophobic collapse and the apolar conformation, as found in solid state and in solution. This conformation appears to be induced by specific interactions of the side chain with solvent. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd