Monte Carlo determination of the internal energies of hydration for the Ala dipeptide in the C₇, C₅, α_R, and P_II conformations

The internal energies of hydration of the Ala dipeptide in the C₇, C₅, α_R, and P_II conformations were computed with the Monte Carlo method. The results indicate that both the α_R and P_II conformations are preferentially stabilized by hydration in general accord with the results of recent experiments described by Madison and Kopple. The major contributing factor for the stability of internal energy of hydration for these conformations can be traced to the hydration of the carbonyl group.