IRMPD spectra of Gly.NH4 + and proton-bound betaine dimer: evidence for the smallest gas phase zwitterionic structures

Zwitterionic structures exist extensively in biological systems and the electric field resulting from zwitterion formation is the driving force for determination of the properties, function and activity of biological molecules, such as amino acids, peptides and proteins. It is of considerable interest and import to investigate the stabilization of zwitterionic structures in the gas phase. Infrared multiple photon dissociation (IRMPD) spectroscopy is a very powerful and sensitive technique, which may elucidate clearly the structures of both ions and ionic clusters in the gas phase, since it provides IR vibrational fingerprint information. The structures of the clusters of glycine and ammonium ion and of the betaine proton-bound homodimer have been investigated using IRMPD spectroscopy, in combination with electronic structure calculations. The experimental and calculated results indicate that zwitterionic structure of glycine may be effectively stabilized by an ammonium ion. This is the smallest zwitterionic structure of an amino acid to be demonstrated in the gas phase. On the basis of the experimental IRMPD and calculated results, it is very clear that a zwitterionic structure exists in the proton-bound betaine dimer. The proton is bound to one of the carboxylate oxygens of betaine, rather than being equally shared. Investigations of zwitterionic structures in the isolated state are essential for an understanding of the intrinsic characteristics of zwitterions and salt bridge interactions in biological systems.