Molecular modeling of hydration properties of hydrophobic ions Li+@C60 and K+@C60

The Gibbs free energies of solvation (ΔG _s) and the electronic structures of endohedral metallofullerenes M⁺@C₆₀ (M⁺= Li⁺, K⁺) were calculated within the framework of the density functional theory and the polarizable continuum model. In water environment, the equilibrium position of K⁺ is at the center of the fullerene cavity whereas that of Li⁺ is shifted by 0.14 nm toward the fullerene cage. The Li⁺ cation is stabilized by interactions with both the fullerene and solvent. The equilibrium structures of both endohedral metallofullerenes are characterized by very close ΔG _s values. In particular, the calculated ΔG _s values for K⁺@C₆₀ are in the range from −124 to −149 kJ mol⁻¹ depending on the basis set and on the type of the density functional. Molecular dynamics simulations (TIP3P H₂O, OPLS force field, water sphere of radius 1.9 nm) showed that the radial distribution functions of water density around C₆₀ and M⁺@C₆₀ are very similar, whereas orientations of water dipoles around the endohedral metallofullerenes resemble the hydration pattern of isolated metal ions.