Interplay between anion-pi and hydrogen bonding interactions

The interplay between two important noncovalent interactions involving aromatic rings is studied by means of high level ab initio calculations. They demonstrate that synergistic effects are present in complexes where anion-pi and hydrogen bonding interactions coexist. These synergistic effects have been studied using the "atoms-in-molecules" theory and the Molecular Interaction Potential with polarization partition scheme. The present study examines how these two interactions mutually influence each other.     

Very Long‐Range Effects: Cooperativity between Anion–π and Hydrogen‐Bonding Interactions

The interplay between two important non‐covalent interactions involving aromatic rings (namely anion–π and hydrogen bonding) is investigated. Very interesting cooperativity effects are present in complexes where anion–π and hydrogen bonding interactions coexist. These effects are found in systems where the distance between the anion and the hydrogen‐bond donor/acceptor molecule is as long as ～11 Å. These effects are studied theoretically using the energetic and geometric features of the complexes, which were computed using ab initio calculations. We use and discuss several criteria to analyze the mutual influence of the non‐covalent interactions studied herein. In addition we use Bader’s theory of atoms‐in‐molecules to characterize the interactions and to analyze the strengthening or weakening of the interactions depending upon the variation of the charge density at the critical points.     

Interaction of aromatic units of amino acids with guanidinium cation: The interplay of π···π, XH···π, and M+···π contacts

Complexes formed by guanidinium cation and a pair of aromatic molecules among benzene, phenol, or indole have been computationally studied to determine the characteristics of the cation···π interaction in ternary systems modeling amino acid side chains. Guanidinium coordinates to the aromatic units preferentially in the following order: indole, phenol, and benzene. Complexes containing two different aromatic units show an intermediate behavior between that observed for complexes with only one kind of aromatic unit. Most stable structures correspond to doubly‐T shaped arrangements with the two aromatic units coordinating guanidinium by its NH₂ groups. Other structures with only one aromatic unit coordinated to guanidinium, such as T‐shaped or parallel‐stacked ones, are less favorable but still showing significant stabilization. In indole and phenol complexes, the formation of hydrogen bonds between the aromatic molecules introduces extra stabilization in T‐shaped structures. Three body effects are small and repulsive in doubly T‐shaped minima. Only when hydrogen bonds involving the aromatic molecules are formed in T‐shaped structures a cooperative effect can be observed. In most complexes the interaction is controlled by electrostatics, with induction and dispersion also contributing significantly depending on the nature and orientation of the aromatic species forming the complex. Although the stability in these systems is mainly controlled by the intensity of the interaction between guanidinium and the aromatic molecules coordinated to it, interactions between aromatic molecules can modulate the characteristics of the complex, especially when hydrogen bonds are formed. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Competition between Halogen Bonding and π‐Hole Interactions Involving Various Donors: The Role of Dispersion Effects

In this study several σ‐ and π‐hole complexes between IF and pnicogen ZO₂F (Z=P, As), chalcogen ChO₃ (Ch=S, Se) and tetrel TrOF₂ (Tr=Si, Ge) ‐bearing compounds were optimized at the RI‐MP2/def2‐TZVPD level of theory. All complexes were characterized as minima by frequency analysis calculations. In addition, a comparative CCSD(T) and DFT (with and without dispersion correction) study using the BP86, B3LYP and M06‐2X method was done in order to analyze the role of dispersion effects in the σ‐/π‐hole binding. Finally the Bader’s AIM analysis of several complexes was performed to further characterize the interactions discussed herein.     

Interplay between cation-pi, anion-pi and pi-pi interactions.

The interplay between three important noncovalent interactions involving aromatic rings is studied by means of high level ab initio calculations. They demonstrate that very strong synergic effects are present in complexes where either cation–π or anion–π and π‐‐π interactions coexist. These strong synergic effects have been studied using the “atoms in molecules” theory and the physical nature of the interactions investigated by means of the molecular interaction potential with polarization (MIPp).     

Substituent effects on noncovalent halogen/π interactions: Theoretical study

Noncovalent halogen/π interactions of FCl with substituted benzenes have been investigated using ab initio calculations. It was shown that the predicted maximum interaction energy gap between the substituted and unsubstituted systems amounts to 1.14 kcal/mol, and therefore substituents on benzene have a pronounced effect on the strength of halogen/π interactions. While the presence of electron‐donating groups (NH₂, CH₃, and OH) on benzene enhances the interaction energy appreciably, an opposite effect is observed for electron‐accepting groups (NO₂, CN, Br, Cl, and F). The large gain of the attraction by electron correlation illustrates that the stabilities of the systems considered arise primarily from the dispersion interaction. Beside the dispersion interaction, the charge‐transfer interaction also plays an important role in halogen/π interactions, as a charge density analysis suggested. To provide more insight into the nature of halogen/π interactions, topological analysis of the electron density distribution and properties of bond critical points were determined in terms of the atoms in molecules (AIM) theory. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007     

Nature of Noncovalent Carbon‐Bonding Interactions Derived from Experimental Charge‐Density Analysis

In an effort to better understand the nature of noncovalent carbon‐bonding interactions, we undertook accurate high‐resolution X‐ray diffraction analysis of single crystals of 1,1,2,2‐tetracyanocyclopropane. We selected this compound to study the fundamental characteristics of carbon‐bonding interactions, because it provides accessible σ holes. The study required extremely accurate experimental diffraction data, because the interaction of interest is weak. The electron‐density distribution around the carbon nuclei, as shown by the experimental maps of the electrophilic bowl defined by a (CN)₂C?C(CN)₂ unit, was assigned as the origin of the interaction. This fact was also evidenced by plotting the Δ²ρ(r) distribution. Taken together, the obtained results clearly indicate that noncovalent carbon bonding can be explained as an interaction between confronted oppositely polarized regions. The interaction is, thus electrophilic–nucleophilic (electrostatic) in nature and unambiguously considered as attractive.     

Evidence for C?Cl/C?Br⋅⋅⋅π Interactions as an Important Contribution to Protein–Ligand Binding Affinity

Attractive chlorine : Noncovalent interactions between chlorine or bromine atoms and aromatic rings in proteins open up a new method for the manipulation of molecular recognition. Substitution at distinct positions of two factor Xa inhibitors improves the free energy of binding by interaction with a tyrosine unit. The generality of this motif was underscored by multiple crystal structures as well as high‐level quantum chemical calculations (see picture).

     

Homonuclear chalcogen–chalcogen bond interactions in complexes pairing YO3 and YHX molecules (Y = S,Se; X = H,Cl, Br,CCH, NC,OH, OCH3): Influence of substitution and cooperativity

MP2/aug‐cc‐pVTZ calculations are performed on complexes of YO₃ (Y = S, Se) with a series of electron‐donating chalcogen bases YHX (X = H, Cl, Br, CCH, NC, OH, OCH₃). These complexes are formed through the interaction of a positive electrostatic potential region (π‐hole) on the YO₃ molecule with the negative region in YHX. Interaction energies of the binary O₃Y???YHX complexes are in the range of ?4.37 to ?12.09 kcal/mol. The quantum theory of atoms in molecules and the natural bond orbital analysis were applied to characterize the nature of interactions. It was found that the formation and stability of these binary complexes are ruled mainly by electrostatic effects, although the electron charge transfer from YHX to YO₃ unit also seems to play an important role. In addition, mutual influence between the Y???N and Y???Y interactions is studied in the ternary HCN???O₃Y???YHX complexes. The results indicate that the formation of a Y???N interaction tends to weaken Y???Y bond in the ternary systems. Although the Y???Y interaction is weaker than the Y???N one, however, both types of interactions seem to compete with each other in the HCN???O₃Y???YHX complexes. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Contributions of Various Noncovalent Bonds to the Interaction between an Amide and S‐Containing Molecules

N‐Methylacetamide, a model of the peptide unit in proteins, is allowed to interact with CH₃SH, CH₃SCH₃, and CH₃SSCH₃ as models of S‐containing amino acid residues. All of the minima are located on the ab initio potential energy surface of each heterodimer. Analysis of the forces holding each complex together identifies a variety of different attractive forces, including SH???O, NH???S, CH???O, CH???S, SH???π, and CH???π H‐bonds. Other contributing noncovalent bonds involve charge transfer into σ* and π* antibonds. Whereas some of the H‐bonds are strong enough that they represent the sole attractive force in several dimers, albeit not usually in the global minimum, charge‐transfer‐type noncovalent bonds play only a supporting role. The majority of dimers are bound by a collection of several of these attractive interactions. The SH???O and NH???S H‐bonds are of comparable strength, followed by CH???O and CH???S.     

Anion-pi interactions in cyanuric acids: a combined crystallographic and computational study

Several structures of pi complexes of isocyanuric acid and of several thio derivatives with anions have been computed by using high level ab initio calculations. The nature of the complexes has been studied by means of the method of molecular interaction potential with polarization (MIPp) and Bader's theory of atoms-in-molecules. These molecules form favorable complexes with anions and can be used as binding units for building receptors for the molecular recognition of anions. In several cases, the anion-pi interaction has been demonstrated experimentally by means of X-ray crystallography.     

Typical aromatic noncovalent interactions in proteins: A theoretical study using phenylalanine

A systematic study of CH ··· π, OH ··· π, NH ··· π, and cation ··· π interactions has been done using complexes of phenylalanine in its cationic, anionic, neutral, and zwitterionic forms with CH₄, H₂O, NH₃, and NH at B3LYP, MP2, MPWB1K, and M06‐2X levels of theory. All noncovalent interactions are identified by the presence of bond critical points (bcps) of electron density (ρ( r )) and the values of ρ( r ) showed linear relationship to the binding energies (E_total). The estimated E_total from supermolecule, fragmentation, and ρ( r ) approaches suggest that cation ··· π interactions are in the range of 36 to 46 kcal/mol, whereas OH ··· π, and NH ··· π interactions have comparable strengths of 6 to 27 kcal/mol and CH ··· π interactions are the weakest (0.62–2.55 kcal/mol). Among different forms of phenylalanine, cationic form generally showed the highest noncovalent interactions at all levels of theory. Cooperativity of multiple interactions is analyzed on the basis of ρ( r ) at bcps which suggests that OH ··· π and NH ··· π interactions show positive, whereas CH ··· π and cation ··· π interactions exhibit negative cooperativity with respect to the side chain hydrogen bond interactions. In general, side chain interactions are strengthened as a result of aromatic interaction. Solvation has no significant effect on the overall geometry of the complex though slight weakening of noncovalent interactions by 1–2 kcal/mol is observed. An assessment of the four levels of theory studied herein suggests that both MPWB1K and M06‐2X give better performance for noncovalent interactions. The results also support the fact that B3LYP is inadequate for the study of weak interactions. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 2009     

Dissecting the concave–convex π‐π interaction in corannulene and sumanene dimers: SAPT(DFT) analysis and performance of DFT dispersion‐corrected methods

The characteristics of the concave–convex π‐π interactions are evaluated in 32 buckybowl dimers formed by corannulene, sumanene, and two substituted sumanenes (with S and CO groups), using symmetry‐adapted perturbation theory [SAPT(DFT)] and density functional theory (DFT). According to our results, the main stabilizing contribution is dispersion, followed by electrostatics. Regarding the ability of DFT methods to reproduce the results obtained with the most expensive and rigorous methods, TPSS‐D seems to be the best option overall, although its results slightly tend to underestimate the interaction energies and to overestimate the equilibrium distances. The other two tested DFT‐D methods, B97‐D2 and B3LYP‐D, supply rather reasonable results as well. M06‐2X, although it is a good option from a geometrical point of view, leads to too weak interactions, with differences with respect to the reference values amounting to about 4 kcal/mol (25% of the total interaction energy). © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Competition between Intra and Intermolecular Pnicogen Bonds: Complexes between Naphthalene Derivatives and Neutral or Anionic Bases

The PnF₂ (Pn=P,As,Sb,Bi) on a naphthalene scaffold can engage in an internal pnicogen Pn⋅⋅⋅N bond (PnB) with an NH₂ group placed close to it on the adjoining ring. An approaching neutral NH₃ molecule can engage in a second PnB with the central Pn, which tends to weaken the intramolecular bond. The presence of the latter in turn weakens the intermolecular PnB with respect to that formed in its absence. Replacement of the external NH₃ by a CN⁻ anion causes a fundamental change in the bonding pattern, producing a fourth covalent bond with Pn, which rearranges into a trigonal bipyramidal motif. This addition disrupts the internal Pn⋅⋅⋅N pnicogen bond, recasting the PnF₂⋅⋅⋅NH₂ interaction into an NH⋅⋅⋅F H-bond.     

Theoretical Study on Cooperativity Effects between Anion–π and Halogen‐Bonding Interactions

This article analyzes the interplay between lone pair–π (lp–π) or anion–π interactions and halogen‐bonding interactions. Interesting cooperativity effects are observed when lp/anion–π and halogen‐bonding interactions coexist in the same complex, and they are found even in systems in which the distance between the anion and halogen‐bond donor molecule is longer than 9 Å. These effects are studied theoretically in terms of energetic and geometric features of the complexes, which are computed by ab initio methods. Bader′s theory of “atoms in molecules” is used to characterize the interactions and to analyze their strengthening or weakening depending upon the variation of charge density at critical points. The physical nature of the interactions and cooperativity effects are studied by means of molecular interaction potential with polarization partition scheme. By taking advantage of all aforementioned computational methods, the present study examines how these interactions mutually influence each other. Additionally, experimental evidence for such interactions is obtained from the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD).     

Long‐Range Effects in Anion–π Interactions: Their Crucial Role in the Inhibition Mechanism of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Malate Synthase

The glyoxylate shunt is an anaplerotic bypass of the traditional Krebs cycle. It plays a prominent role in Mycobacterium tuberculosis virulence, so it can be exploited for the development of antitubercular therapeutics. The shunt involves two enzymes: isocitrate lyase (ICL) and malate synthase (GlcB). The shunt bypasses two steps of the tricarboxylic acid cycle, allowing the incorporation of carbon, and thus, refilling oxaloacetate under carbon‐limiting conditions. The targeting of ICL is complicated; however, GlcB, which accommodates the pantothenate tail of acetyl‐CoA in the active site, is easier to target. A catalytic Mg²⁺ unit is located at the bottom of the cavity, and plays a very important role. Recently, the development of effective antituberculosis drugs based on phenyldiketo acids (PDKAs) has been reported. Interestingly, all the crystal structures of GlcB–inhibitor complexes exhibit close contact between the carboxylate of Asp633 and the face of the aromatic ring of the inhibitor. Remarkably, the replacement of the phenyl ring in PDKA by aliphatic moieties yields inactive inhibitors, suggesting that the aromatic moiety is crucial for inhibition. However, the aromatic ring of PDKA is not electron‐deficient, and consequently, the anion–π interaction is expected to be very weak (dominated only by polarization effects). Herein, through a combination analysis of the recent X‐ray structures of GlcB–PDKA complexes retrieved from the protein data bank (PDB) and computational ab initio studies (RI‐MP2/def2‐TZVP level of theory), we demonstrate the prominent role of the Mg²⁺ ion in the active site, which promotes long‐range enhancement of the anion–π interaction.