SynopsisThe conformation of the sugar moiety of 8-( N-fluoren-2-ylamino)-2'-deoxyguanosine in solution has been examined as a function of temperature by 'H-nmr spectroscopy. Analysis of coupling constants shows that lowering the temperature to -50°C in methanol shifts the conformational equilibrium of the sugar ring resulting in a C2'-endo conformation at a mole fraction of 0.97. The computed phase angle of pseudorotation and amplitude of pucker are 154" and 36", respectively, with very little discrepancy between the five calculated coupling constants and coupling constants extrapolated from the temperature profiles. A computer program has been written enabling a three-state best-fit analysis. The three-state analysis indicates an equilibrium between C2'-endo, C3'-endo, and OQ-endo conformations. In aqueous solution, the computed mole fraction of the O4'-endo form is 0.18 at 30°C. The conformation associated with the sugar ring and the C4'-C5' bond is compared to that of 2'-deoxyguanosine.