Studies on esterification and sulfonation of riboflavin via semi-empirical methods.

The article presents extended computer investigations of various sulfate derivatives of riboflavin. A number of physicochemical parameters such as total energy, binding energy and formation heat were calculated via semi-empirical methods AM1 and PM3 for the different derivatives of riboflavin. Their analysis made it possible to determine the sequence of formation of sulfate derivatives--esterification is the easiest at hydroxyl groups at the farthest positions from the ring. This methodology may be used to study biologically active compounds.