Hydration of GABA and of the GABA·ZN2+ complex: A Monte Carlo simulation study

With empirical and theoretical atom–atom potentials the GABA·nH₂O, n = 25, 192 and GABA·Zn²⁺ · nH₂O, n = 25, 50, 100 complexes are simulated at 298.15 K by the Monte Carlo technique. The results show that the carboxyl group of GABA coordinates six water molecules. Two geometries of the GABA·Zn²⁺ complex, corresponding to the “direct” and “through-water” interaction of Zn²⁺ with the carboxyl group of GABA were found. For the latter interaction a GABA·Zn²⁺ · 6H₂O complex was found whereas the hydration of the former interaction leads to a GABA·Zn²⁺ · 5H₂O complex. Here the carboxyl group of GABA displaces only one water molecule in the first hydration shell of Zn²⁺. Energetically the “direct” and “through-water” geometries seem to be competitive, the former being slightly favored.