Substituent effects in donor-acceptor complexes with D→A coordination bonds (D = N, O, S; A = B, Al, Ga, Sn, Sb) and related systems

The effect of substituent on the enthalpy ΔH ⁰ and free energy ΔG ⁰ of complexation, on the dipole moments of complexes μ_C and coordination bonds μ_DA, and on the degree of charge transfer Δq was analyzed for 20 series of complexes with D→A coordination bonds (D = N, O, S; A = B, Al, Ga, Sn, Sb), hydrogen bonds, and charge transfer. It was found that ΔH ⁰, ΔG ⁰, μ_C, μ_DA, and Δq depend not only on the inductive and resonance effects, but also on the polarization effect of substituents; its contribution varies in a wide range and can exceed 50%.     

The free energy–reaction coordinate profile for α-chymotryptic hydrolysis of a series of N-acetyl-α-L-amino acid methyl esters

The effect of added nucleophiles (methanol and 1,4-butanediol) on the steady-state kinetics of α-chymotryptic hydrolysis of a series of N-acetyl-L-amino acid methyl esters, R-CH(NHCOCH₃)C(O)OCH₃, has been studied. As a result, the rate and equilibrium constants of the ‘elementary’ steps of the enzyme process have been determined. It has also been demonstrated how the free energy–reaction coordinate profile changes if the structure (the size of the hydrocarbon chain) of the ‘chemically inert’ substrate fragment R is varied. The effects observed can be described by the following equation: where ΔG_s and ΔG_a are the free energies of formation of metastable intermediates, i.e., the enzyme–substrate complex and the acylenzyme, respectively, ΔG₂≠ and ΔG₃≠ are the free energies of activation for the chemical steps, i.e., enzyme acylation and acylenzyme hydrolysis, respectively; and ΔG_trans^(R) is the free energy of transfer of substrate group R from water into a nonaqueous solvent. To explain the results obtained, a mechanism for enzyme–substrate interaction is suggested according to which the potential free energy of sorption of substrate group R on the enzyme is 2 ΔG_trans^(R). Such a high gain in the free energy of hydrophobic interaction may only be realized if (a) in the free enzyme the sorption region has a thermodynamically unfavorable contact with the aqueous medium, and (b) water is forced out of the active center as a result of the hydrophobic interaction of substrate group R with the enzyme. Such a model is in agreement with the published x-ray data on the structure of the crystalline enzyme. The kinetic experiment has proved that not all the potential free energy of sorption is realized as binding force. Thus the true free energy of the binding of substrate group R with the protein does not exceed half the maximum value, both in the enzyme–substrate complex and acylenzyme.     

Aromatic and aliphatic CH hydrogen bonds fight for chloride while competing alongside ion pairing within triazolophanes

Triazolophanes are used as the venue to compete an aliphatic propylene CH hydrogen‐bond donor against an aromatic phenylene one. Longer aliphatic C? H ??? Cl^? hydrogen bonds were calculated from the location of the chloride within the propylene‐based triazolophane. The gas‐phase energetics of chloride binding (ΔG_bind, ΔH_bind, ΔS_bind) and the configurational entropy (ΔS_config) were computed by taking all low‐energy conformations into account. Comparison between the phenylene‐ and propylene‐based triazolophanes shows the computed gas‐phase free energy of binding decreased from ΔG_bind=?194 to ?182 kJ mol^?1, respectively, with a modest enthalpy–entropy compensation. These differences were investigated experimentally. An ¹H NMR spectroscopy study on the structure of the propylene triazolophane’s 1:1 chloride complex is consistent with a weaker propylene CH hydrogen bond. To quantify the affinity differences between the two triazolophanes in dichloromethane, it was critical to obtain an accurate binding model. Four equilibria were identified. In addition to 1:1 complexation and 2:1 sandwich formation, ion pairing of the tetrabutylammonium chloride salt (TBA⁺ ? Cl^?) and cation pairing of TBA⁺ with the 1:1 triazolophane–chloride complex were observed and quantified. Each complex was independently verified by ESI‐MS or diffusion NMR spectroscopy. With ion pairing deconvoluted from the chloride–receptor binding, equilibrium constants were determined by using ¹H NMR (500 μM ) and UV/Vis (50 μM ) spectroscopy titrations. The stabilities of the 1:1 complexes for the phenylene and propylene triazolophanes did not differ within experimental error, ΔG=(?38±2) and (?39±1) kJ mol^?1, respectively, as verified by an NMR spectroscopy competition experiment. Thus, the aliphatic CH donor only revealed its weaker character when competing with aromatic CH donors within the propylene‐based triazolophane.     

Polyaniline emeraldine base in N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidinone containing secondary amine additives: A rheological investigation of solutions

From a rheological study of emeraldine base (EB)/N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidinone (NMP)/2‐methyl‐aziridine (2MA) solutions, a correlation between the solution concentration and solution viscosity was found. We investigated the rheokinetic mechanism of the EB dissolution process and determined the reaction rate, activation energy, equilibrium constant, and Gibbs free energy (ΔG_o) for the complexation between 2MA and EB tetrameric molecules ({EB}). The low rate constant (～3.0 × 10^?4 mol^?2 L² min^?1 at 298 K) indicates that the process of EB/NMP/2MA solution formation is slow. The {EB} and 2MA molecules need approximately 76 kJ/mol energy to form the complexes, and this implies that stable bonds may need to be broken before the complexes can form. Therefore, increasing the temperature can accelerate solution formation. The equilibrium constant increases with temperature, and this indicates that EB · 2MA complexation is endothermic. A positive value of ΔG_o (5.26 kJ/mol) indicates that EB · 2MA complexation is a thermodynamically unfavorable reaction; therefore, the concentrated EB/NMP/2MA solutions eventually gel. Furthermore, we find that the activation energy of EB/NMP viscous flow is 80 kJ/mol, which is about 3–4 times the energy of ? N? H? hydrogen bonding. This suggests that at least three hydrogen bonds can form between two {EB} molecules, which might be responsible for the poor solubility of EB in organic solvents. The effects of the temperature, EB concentration, and 2MA:{EB} molar ratio on the gelation process have also been investigated. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 40: 2702–2713, 2002     

Supramolecular Binding Thermodynamics by Dispersion‐Corrected Density Functional Theory

The equilibrium association free enthalpies ΔG_a for typical supramolecular complexes in solution are calculated by ab initio quantum chemical methods. Ten neutral and three positively charged complexes with experimental ΔG_a values in the range 0 to ?21 kcal mol^?1 (on average ?6 kcal mol^?1) are investigated. The theoretical approach employs a (nondynamic) single‐structure model, but computes the various energy terms accurately without any special empirical adjustments. Dispersion corrected density functional theory (DFT‐D3) with extended basis sets (triple‐ζ and quadruple‐ζ quality) is used to determine structures and gas‐phase interaction energies (ΔE), the COSMO‐RS continuum solvation model (based on DFT data) provides solvation free enthalpies and the remaining ro‐vibrational enthalpic/entropic contributions are obtained from harmonic frequency calculations. Low‐lying vibrational modes are treated by a free‐rotor approximation. The accurate account of London dispersion interactions is mandatory with contributions in the range ?5 to ?60 kcal mol^?1 (up to 200 % of ΔE). Inclusion of three‐body dispersion effects improves the results considerably. A semilocal (TPSS) and a hybrid density functional (PW6B95) have been tested. Although the ΔG_a values result as a sum of individually large terms with opposite sign (ΔE vs. solvation and entropy change), the approach provides unprecedented accuracy for ΔG_a values with errors of only 2 kcal mol^?1 on average. Relative affinities for different guests inside the same host are always obtained correctly. The procedure is suggested as a predictive tool in supramolecular chemistry and can be applied routinely to semirigid systems with 300–400 atoms. The various contributions to binding and enthalpy–entropy compensations are discussed.     

Solvophobically Driven Complexation of Adamantyl Mannoside with β-Cyclodextrin in Water and Structured Organic Solvents

The effects of solvent and temperature on the complexation of adamantyl mannoside with β-cyclodextrin and 6-O-monotosyl-6-deoxy-β-cyclodextrin were explored experimentally and by means of molecular dynamics simulations. Efficient binding was observed only in hydrogen-bonded solvents, which indicated solvophobically driven complexation. The stability of the inclusion complex was considerably higher in aqueous media. A pronounced temperature dependence of Δ_rH^○ and Δ_rS^○, resulting in perfect enthalpy–entropy compensation, was observed in water. The complexation thermodynamics was in line with classical rationale for the hydrophobic effect at lower temperatures and the nonclassical explanation at higher temperatures. This finding linked cyclodextrin complexation thermodynamics with insights regarding the effect of temperature on the hydration water structure. The complexation enthalpies and entropies were weakly dependent on temperature in organic media. The signs of Δ_rH^○ and Δ_rS^○ were in accordance with the nonclassical hydrophobic (solvophobic) effect. The structures of the optimized product corresponded to those deduced spectroscopically, and the calculated and experimentally obtained values of Δ_rG^○ were in very good agreement. This investigation clearly demonstrated that solvophobically driven formation of cyclodextrin complexes could be anticipated in structured solvents in general. However, unlike in water, adamantane and the host cavity behaved solely as structure breakers in the organic media explored so far.     

Ionic solvation in water + co-solvent mixtures. Part 8. Total free energies of transfer and free energies of transfer with the “neutral” component removed of single ions from water into water + acetone

The acid dissociation constants of a wide range of acids in water+acetone mixtures have been combined with values for the free energy of transfer of the proton. ΔG⁰_t(H⁺ to calculate values for the free energy of transfer of ions which derive only from the charge on the ion. ΔG⁰_t(i)_c. As the values of ΔG⁰_t(H⁺) have been revised, revised values for the total free energies of transfer of cations and anions, ΔG⁰_t(M⁺) and ΔG^o_t(X^-), are given. New data for ΔG^o_t(MX_n) is also split into values for ΔG⁰_t(Mⁿ⁺) (where n=1 and 2) and ΔG⁰_t(X^?). These free energies of transfer, both total and those deriving from the charge alone, are compared with similar free energies in other mixtures water+co-solvent. Values for ΔG^o_t(i)_c do not conform to a Born-type relationship and show the importance of structural effects in the solvent even when only the transfer of the charge is involved.     

Scalar Relativistic Density Functional Theoretical Investigation of Higher Complexation Ability of Substituted 1,10‐Phenanthroline over Bipyridine Towards Am3+/Eu3+ Ions

The better selectivity of Am³⁺ over Eu³⁺ ion with N‐based CyMe4‐BTPhen compared to CyMe4‐BTBP for experimentally observed [ML₂(NO₃)]²⁺ complexes was demonstrated using scalar relativistic DFT in conjunction with Born‐Haber thermodynamic cycle and COSMO solvation model. The calculated free energy of extraction, ΔG_ext reveals strong dependence on the hydration free energies of Am³⁺ and Eu³⁺ ions and week dependence to the difference in Gibbs free energy of solvation of the ligand or metal‐ligand complexes. Further, for the first time, we have computed the effect of co‐anion species ([M(NO₃)₅]^2–) on ΔG_ext of Am³⁺ and Eu³⁺ ions with CyMe4‐BTPhen and CyMe4‐BTBP, which adds a positive contribution and thus reduces the ΔG_ext. The calculated values of ΔΔΔG_ext (= ΔΔG_ext,L1 – ΔΔG_ext,L2, ΔΔG_ext = ΔG_ext,M1 – ΔG_ext,M2) can be used to avoid the very sensitive metal ion solvation energy, effect of co‐anionic species and thus provides a robust approach to determine the selectivity between two metal ions towards different competitive ligands. The natural population analysis (NPA), molecular orbital analysis, Mayer bond order analysis, and bond character analysis using Bader's quantum theory of atoms in molecules indicates slightly more covalency for complexes of Am³⁺ ion that are correlated to the experiental selectvity of Am³⁺ ion over Eu³⁺ ion and hence might be useful in the design and development of next generation extractants.     

Effect of molecular weight on the growth rates of low melting spherulites of trans-1,4-polyisoprene

Growth rates of G of low-melting spherulites in fractions of trans-1,4-polyisoprene have been measured. The data were analyzed by use of an equation, ln G = ln G₀ ? ΔF^*/RT_c, valid at temperatures close to the equilibrium melting point. Plots of ln G against a function of the critical free energy of nucleation ΔF^* result in a family of straight lines having a common intercept, ln G₀, which is independent of molecular weight. The slope of these lines is a measure of the interfacial free energy of the crystallites and increases with the molecular weight, reflecting increasing irregularity in the structure of the semicrystalline mass. Comparison of growth rates of low-melting and high-melting trans-1,4-polyisoprene indicates that G₀ does not, to a first approximation, depend on the nature of the crystals growing from the melt. The temperature at which spherulites of the two crystalline forms grow at equal rates has been calculated.     

Kinetic and thermodynamic properties of the aerial oxidation of hydroquinone in developer solutions

The aerial oxidation kinetics of hydroquinone in a freshly prepared developer solution at different temperatures and pHs has been studied. The activation parameters, Ea, ΔG# , ΔS# , ΔH# and enthalpy of formation of activated complex, ΔHfo(X# ), are determined. The large negative value of free energy of activation ΔG# proves that hydroquinone extremely tends to be oxidized by air at optimum temperature (20℃) and optimum pH (10.5) and converts to the activated complex semiquinone. It was also found that if the pH of the developer solution is increased from 9.3 to 10.5 the reaction rate will increase by a factor of 2.     

Chirality and conformational changes in 4,5-diaryltriphenylenes

Line-shape analysis of temperature dependent NMR spectra of several substituted 4,5-diphenyl-triphenylenes has been performed to determine the free energy of activation for rotation (ΔG_rot^*) of the phenyl groups. The rotational barrier (ΔG_rot^*) depends on the presence and position of substituents on the phenyl groups; it is the largest in compounds with ortho-substituents. The independent determined free energy of activation of racemization (ΔG_rac^*) is about equal to ΔG_rot^* in 4-phenyl-5-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)triphenylene, but in 4,5-bis-(3,5- dimethylphenyl) triphenylene ΔG_rac^* is much larger than ΔG_rot^*. It is concluded that the racemization does not occur via a process in which the phenyl groups remain parallel but via a molecular movement in which the phenyl groups turn around each other like cog wheels.     

The thermodynamic characteristics of formation of organic molecule complexes with the magnesium ion in water: The results of quantum-chemical modeling

The Gibbs energy ΔG _b of formation of organic molecule complexes with the Mg²⁺ ion in water was calculated on the basis of a two-stage scheme for the complex formation reaction. The first stage is ligand transfer from infinity into the second coordination sphere of the Mg²⁺ ion, and the second stage is the dissociation of bonds between water molecules and the Mg²⁺ ion and the formation of bonds between the ligand and Mg²⁺. The contribution of the first reaction stage to ΔG _b was calculated on the assumption that the ligand was a solid body with a charge or dipole moment (if the ligand was neutral). The contribution of the second stage to ΔG _b was calculated using quantum-chemical modeling. The major contribution to ΔG _b was made by a change in the internal energy of the complex as a result of the dissociation/formation of coordination bonds and a change in the electric component of the Gibbs energy of interaction between the magnesium ion and molecule with water when they formed a complex. The contribution of the nonpolar component of complex interaction with water was comparatively small. Accurate calculations of the contribution of vibrational degrees of freedom to ΔG _b were also of importance.     

Calculation of relative free energy differences for the covalent hydration of organic compounds: A combined quantum mechanical and free energy perturbation study

The relative free energy difference (ΔΔG_hyd) for the reversible addition of water to two unsaturated molecules is accurately computed using a combination of ab initio quantum mechanical calculations and free energy perturbation methods. Initial attempts to calculate the absolute hydration free energy difference (ΔG_hyd) for formaldehyde and trichloroacetaldehyde gave values that differed substantially from experimental results even after inclusion of electron correlation energy contributions using third-order (MP3) and fourth-order (MP4) Møller-Plesset perturbation theory and QCISD(T) correlation methods at the 6-31G** basis set level. Inaccuracies in ΔG_hyd were attributed to errors in the calculation of both ΔG_gas and ΔΔG_sol. Gas phase quantum mechanical free energies (ΔG_gas) varied significantly (2–3 kcal/mol) depending on the level of theory. Errors in ΔΔG_sol were attributed to slow convergence of the calculations using the thermodynamic cycle perturbation (TCP) method with explicit solvent. These errors were minimized or canceled, however, when relative hydration free energy differences (ΔΔG_hyd) were calculated using a combination of ab initio quantum mechanical calculations and free energy perturbation methods. Calculated values for a variety of aldehydes and ketones were consistent with experimental data. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Free energy perturbation calculations on parallel computers: Demonstrations of scalable linear speedup

A coarse-grain parallel implementation of the free energy perturbation (FEP) module of the AMBER molecular dynamics program is described and then demonstrated using five different molecular systems. The difference in the free energy of (aqueous) solvation is calculated for two monovalent cations ΔΔG_aq(Li⁺ Δ Cs⁺), and for the zero-sum ethane-to-ethane′ perturbation ΔΔG_aq(CH₃? methyl? X → X? methyl? CH₃), where X is a ghost methyl. The difference in binding free energy for a docked HIV-1 protease inhibitor into its ethylene mimetic is examined by mutating its fifth peptide bond, ΔG(CO? NH → CH?CH). A potassium ion (K⁺) is driven outward from the center of mass of ionophore salinomycin (SAL^?) in a potential of mean force calculation ΔG_MeOH(SAL^? · K⁺) carried out in methanol solvent. Parallel speedup obtained is linearly proportional to the number of parallel processors applied. Finally, the difference in free energy of solvation of phenol versus benzene, ΔΔG_oct(phenol → benzene), is determined in water-saturated octanol and then expressed in terms of relative partition coefficients, Δ log(P_o/w). Because no interprocessor communication is required, this approach is scalable and applicable in general for any parallel architecture or network of machines. FEP calculations run on the nCUBE/2 using 50 or 100 parallel processors were completed in clock times equivalent to or twice as fast as a Cray Y-MP. The difficulty of ensuring adequate system equilibrium when agradual configurational reorientation follows the mutation of the Hamiltonian is discussed and analyzed. The results of a successful protocol for overcoming this equilibration problem are presented. The types of molecular perturbations for which this method is expected to perform most efficiently are described. © 1994 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Die Konformativen Umwandlungen des Ungesättigten Siebenringes in 4.5.6-Trithia-1.2-Benzocycloheptenen-(1) Konformative Beweglichkeit Flexibler Ringsysteme—XVI. Untersuchungen mit Hilfe Der Protonenresonanzspektroskopie

The conformational equilibria and conversions of 4.5.6-trithia-1.2-benzocycloheptene-(1) ( 1 ) and the 3′.6′-dimethoxy-, 3′.6′-dimethyl- and 3′.6′-diphenyl- derivatives ( 2, 3 and 4 ) were investigated by NMR spectroscopy. Solutions of these substances are equilibrium mixtures of two conformers, one presumably having a chair form and the other a boat form. The free enthalpy of the boat conformer ΔG_B is dependent on the size of the substituents (R) in the 3′ and 6′ positions. The ΔG_B values for R = H, OCH₃, C₆H₅ and CH₃ are 1,03, 0,82, 0,50 and ?0,19 kcal/moles, respectively. By slow crystallization one conformer of the substituted trithiabenzocycloheptenes may be obtained in a pure crystalline form. The dimethoxy derivative crystallizes in the chair form, whereas the dimethyl and the diphenyl derivatives crystallize in the boat form. After dissolving the crystals, the conformational equilibrium is restored; at 0°C the half-lifes range from 2 to 15 minutes. By means of the temperature dependence of the NMR spectra two different types of conformational changes may be distinguished experimentally: the slower one is assigned to the inversion of the seven membered ring and the faster one to its pseudorotation. The free enthalpy of activation ΔG_v^≠ of the inversion was determined for 4.5.6-trithia-1.2-benzocycloheptene-(1) by the ‘line-shape’ method and for the diphenyl derivative by the ‘equilibration’ method. Both methods were applied to the other derivatives. The ΔG_v^≠ values obtained by the two different methods agree well with one another. The free enthalpy of activation of the inversion ΔG_v^≠ and of the pseudorotation ΔG_p^≠ both depend on the nature of the substituents. The ΔG_v^≠ values range from 17,9 to 20,5 kcal/mole and the ΔG_p^≠ values are equal to or lower than 11,4 kcal/mole.     

Effect of solvent on the free energy of activation of S_N2 reaction between phenacyl bromide and amines

The kinetics of SN2 reaction between phenacyl bromide and various amines in 12 different solvents were studied. Solvent effects on the rate of this reaction and free energy of activation, ΔG# , were interpreted by applying the Abraham-Kam-let-Taft (AKT) equation. UK solvent polarity (π1*), solvent hydrogen-bond basicity (β1) and Hildebrand cohesive density energy (δH2) are those parameters which increase the rate constant and decrease ΔG# , while solvent hydrogen-bond acidity (α1) will have the compensatory effect. A comparison among obtained values of second rate constants, k2, for different amines in a given solvent indicates that the amine reactivities are highly dependent on their structures. The consequent decrease of the rate constant for different amines in any given solvent was found to be: primary > secondary> tertiary. This order results from steric effects of amines.     

Thermodynamics of Dissociation and Metal Complexation of 3-Nitro-1,5-Diphenylformazan

Thermodynamic parameters for dissociation of 3-nitro-1,5-diphenylformazan and its complexation by some divalent metal ions were determined in a 50%(v/v) dioxane–water mixture at constant ionic strength (0.1 M KCl) using an automatic potentiometric technique. The changes in the standard Gibbs energy ΔG^o and enthalpy ΔH^o accompanying the complexation were found to decrease with increasing metal ionic radius and to increase with the electronegativity, the ionization enthalpy, and the enthalpy of hydration. The order of ?ΔG^o and ?ΔH^o values were found to be Mn²⁺ < Fe²⁺ < Co²⁺ < Ni²⁺ < Cu²⁺ > Zn²⁺, in accordance with the Irving–Williams order. The complexes were stabilized by both enthalpy and entropy changes and the results suggest that the complexation is an enthalpy-driven process. The transition-series contraction energy E_r(Mn–Zn) and the ligand field stabilization energy δ H were calculated from the enthalpy changes.     

Physicochemical Properties and Surface Tension Prediction of Mixed Surfactant Systems: Triton X‐100 with Dodecylpyridinium Bromide and Triton X‐100 with Sodium Dodecylsulfonate

Dependences of the surface tension of aqueous solutions of ionic (dodecylpyridinium bromide, sodium dodecylsulfonate) and nonionic (Triton X‐100) surfactants and their mixtures on total surfactant concentration and solution composition were studied, and the surface tension of the mixed systems were predicted using different Miller's model. It was found that how to select the model for calculation of ω is corresponding to the degree of the deviation from the ideality during the adsorption of mixed surfactants. The compositions of micelles and adsorption layers at air‐solution interface as well as parameters (β^m, β^ads) of headgroup‐headgroup interaction between the molecules of ionic and nonionic surfactants were calculated based on Rubingh model. The parameters (B₁) of chain‐chain interaction between the molecules of ionic and nonionic surfactants were calculated based on Maeda model. The free energy of micellization calculated from the phase separation model (ΔG ₂ ^m ), and by Maeda's method (ΔG ₁ ^m ) agree reasonably well at high content of nonionic surfactant. The excess free energy ΔG _ads ^E and ΔG _m ^E (except α=0.4) for TX‐100/SDSn system are more negative than that TX‐100/DDPB system. These can be probably explained with the EO groups of TX‐100 surfactant carrying partial positive charge.     

DFT plus PCM calculation for pairing specificity of Watson–Crick‐type bases in aqueous solutions

This study is aimed at explaining the preference for AT and CG pairings and the possible insertion of other tautomeric DNA base pairs such as G_enolT, that respect energetic and steric requirements including at least two hydrogen bonds and 11 ± 0.5Å distance between the 9‐CH₃ of purine and 5‐CH₃ of pyrimidine. The calculated free energy of formation ΔΔG at the DFT B3LYP/6‐31G*‐PCM/BEM level pointed out the CG and AT pairs as the most favored, followed closely by G_enolT, in good agreement with Michaelis–Menten first order kinetics (CG ≈ AT > G_enolT). Unusual DNA base pairs complexes such as AG (BEM) and CT (PCM) resulted to be stable, but it is very difficult to assume that they are likely to be included in the double strand DNA. The calculated enthalpy and dipole moments of isolated DNA bases agree well with experiment. The free energy of hydration, ΔG_hyd, was found to depend on the electrostatic term, while cavitation‐dispersion components are almost constant. The stability of DNA complexes in water resulted from PCM calculations is markedly influenced by the free energy of hydration. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2010     

DFT study on the complexation of anions with 1,4,7,10,13,16-hexaazacyclooctodeca-2,5,8,11,14,17-hexaene

Macrocyclic compounds have been widely used as anion carriers, as they play important functions in chemical and biological systems. This work reports a theoretical study on free 1,4,7,10,13,16-hexaazacyclooctodeca-2,5,8,11,14,17-hexaene (HAC), as well as its complex with fluoride, chloride, bromide and acetate anions, with and without the presence of the sodium counterion, in the gas phase and implicit solvents (cyclohexane and acetonitrile), at the ωB97X-D/6-311G(d,p) level. The negative ?G⁰ values indicate that the crown-anion complex is prone to be formed due to hydrogen bonds in all tested media. Nevertheless, such interactions weaken as the solvent polarity increases. The ΔG⁰ _C6H12 values decrease when the counterion is taken into account, reinforcing the formation of the Na⁺?HAC?X^? complex. However, the complexation is disfavored in polar solution, since the presence of the counterion increases the HAC-anion distance. Natural bond orbital analysis, the quantum theory of atoms in molecules and non-covalent interactions methods explored the nature and strength of the hydrogen bond interactions, while spin–spin coupling constant calculations for the fluoride-based complex (^1h J _F,H(N)) gave insight into the potential of this NMR parameter to experimentally probe the complexation of HAC with fluoride.