Evaluation of the role of multiple hydrogen bonding in offering stability to negative ion adducts in electrospray mass spectrometry.

An experimental approach, electrospray mass spectrometry (ES-MS), and a theoretical approach employing computer modeling, have been used to characterize the interaction between small inorganic anions and neutral analyte molecules that form anionic adduct species in negative mode ES mass spectrometry. Certain anionic adducts of small saccharides (e.g., alpha-D-glucose, sucrose) have shown exceptional stability in ES mass spectra even when internal energies are raised at high "cone" voltages. Computer modeling studies reveal that multiple hydrogen bonding strengthens the interaction between these neutral molecules and the attaching anion. The equilibrium structures and stabilization energies of these anionic adducts have been evaluated by semi-empirical, ab initio, and density functional theory (DFT) methods. Chloride anion is found to be capable of forming "bridging" hydrogen bonds between monosaccharide rings of polysaccharides resulting in the stabilization of chloride adducts, thus reducing the tendency for the glycosidic bond to decompose. Moreover, the tendency for various hydroxyl hydrogens on saccharide molecules to dissociate in the form of HA (A-, anion) during decomposition of anionic adducts, thereby forming [M - H]-, has also been evaluated by computer modeling.

Halogen bond tunability II: the varying roles of electrostatic and dispersion contributions to attraction in halogen bonds.

In a previous study we investigated the effects of aromatic fluorine substitution on the strengths of the halogen bonds in halobenzene…acetone complexes (halo = chloro, bromo, and iodo). In this work, we have examined the origins of these halogen bonds (excluding the iodo systems), more specifically, the relative contributions of electrostatic and dispersion forces in these interactions and how these contributions change when halogen σ-holes are modified. These studies have been carried out using density functional symmetry adapted perturbation theory (DFT-SAPT) and through analyses of intermolecular correlation energies and molecular electrostatic potentials. It is found that electrostatic and dispersion contributions to attraction in halogen bonds vary from complex to complex, but are generally quite similar in magnitude. Not surprisingly, increasing the size and positive nature of a halogen's σ-hole dramatically enhances the strength of the electrostatic component of the halogen bonding interaction. Not so obviously, halogens with larger, more positive σ-holes tend to exhibit weaker dispersion interactions, which is attributable to the lower local polarizabilities of the larger σ-holes.

Molecular surface electrostatic potentials as guides to Si-O-N angle contraction: tunable σ-holes.

We have demonstrated that the variation in the experimentally-determined Si-O-N angles in XYZSi-O-N(CH(3))(2) molecules, which depends upon the positions and natures of the substituents X, Y and Z, can be explained in terms of computed electrostatic potentials on the molecular surfaces of the corresponding XYZSi-H molecules. The latter framework has been used as a model for what the nitrogen lone pair in the XYZSi-O-N(CH(3))(2) molecules sees. Both optimized geometries and electrostatic potentials of our model XYZSi-H systems have been obtained at the B3PW91/6-31G(d,p) level. We propose that the driving force for the observed Si-O-N angle contraction in XYZSi-O-N(CH(3))(2) molecules is largely the electrostatic attraction between a positive σ-hole on the silicon and the lone pair of the nitrogen. Negative regions that may be near the silicon σ-hole, arising from substituents with negative potentials, also play an important role, as they impede the approach of the nitrogen lone pair. These two factors work in synergy and attest to the electrostatically-driven nature of the Si---N intramolecular interactions, highlighting their tunability.

Sensitivity and the available free space per molecule in the unit cell.

Invoking the known link between impact sensitivity and compressibility, we have expanded upon an earlier preliminary study of the significance of the available free space per molecule in the unit cell, ΔV. We express ΔV as V(eff) - V(int), where V(eff) corresponds to zero free space, V(eff) = molecular mass/density. V(int) is the intrinsic gas phase molecular volume. We demonstrate that V(int) can be appropriately defined as the volume enclosed by the 0.003 au contour of the molecule's electronic density; this produces packing coefficients that have the range and average value found crystallographically. Measured impact sensitivities show an overall tendency to increase as ΔV becomes larger. For nitramines, the dependence upon ΔV is rather weak; we interpret this as indicating that a single overriding factor dominates their initiation mechanism, e.g., N-NO(2) rupture. (An analogous situation appears to hold for many organic azides.) In addition to the conceptual significance of identifying ΔV as a factor in impact sensitivity, the present results allow rough estimates of relative sensitivities that are not known.

Halogen bond tunability I: the effects of aromatic fluorine substitution on the strengths of halogen-bonding interactions involving chlorine, bromine, and iodine.

In the past several years, halogen bonds have been shown to be relevant in crystal engineering and biomedical applications. One of the reasons for the utility of these types of noncovalent interactions in the development of, for example, pharmaceutical ligands is that their strengths and geometric properties are very tunable. That is, substitution of atoms or chemical groups in the vicinity of a halogen can have a very strong effect on the strength of the halogen bond. In this study we investigate halogen-bonding interactions involving aromatically-bound halogens (Cl, Br, and I) and a carbonyl oxygen. The properties of these halogen bonds are modulated by substitution of aromatic hydrogens with fluorines, which are very electronegative. It is found that these types of substitutions have dramatic effects on the strengths of the halogen bonds, leading to interactions that can be up to 100% stronger. Very good correlations are obtained between the interaction energies and the magnitudes of the positive electrostatic potentials (σ-holes) on the halogens. Interestingly, it is seen that the substitution of fluorines in systems containing smaller halogens results in electrostatic potentials resembling those of systems with larger halogens, with correspondingly stronger interaction energies. It is also shown that aromatic fluorine substitutions affect the optimal geometries of the halogen-bonded complexes, often as the result of secondary interactions.

A possible crystal volume factor in the impact sensitivities of some energetic compounds.

We have investigated the possibility of a link between the impact sensitivities of energetic compounds and the space available to their molecules in their crystal lattices. As a measure of this space, we use Delta V=V(eff)-V(0.002), where V(eff) is the effective molecular volume obtained from the crystal density and V(0.002) is that enclosed by the 0.002 au contour of the molecule's gas phase electronic density, determined computationally. When experimental impact sensitivity was plotted against Delta V for a series of 20 compounds, the nitramines formed a separate group showing little dependence upon Delta V. Their impact sensitivities correlate well with an anomalous imbalance in the electrostatic potentials on their molecular surfaces, which is characteristic of energetic compounds in general. The imbalance is symptomatic of the weakness of the N-NO(2) bonds, caused by depletion of electronic charge. The impact sensitivities of non-nitramines, on the other hand, depend much more strongly upon Delta V, and can be quite effectively related to it if an electrostatically-based correction term is included.

Br···O Complexes as Probes of Factors Affecting Halogen Bonding: Interactions of Bromobenzenes and Bromopyrimidines with Acetone.

Halogen bonding is a unique type of noncovalent binding phenomenon in which a halogen atom interacts attractively with an electronegative atom such as oxygen or nitrogen. These types of interactions have been the subject of many recent investigations because of their potential in the development of new materials and pharmaceutical compounds. Recently, it was observed that most halogen bonding interactions in biological contexts involve close contacts between a halogen bound to an aromatic ring and a carbonyl oxygen on a protein's backbone structure. In this work we investigate interactions of substituted bromobenzenes and bromopyrimidines with acetone to ascertain the effects of various substituents upon the strengths of these interactions. It was found that replacement of ring hydrogens in these systems has dramatic effects upon the interaction strengths of the resulting complexes, which have interaction energies between -1.80 and -7.11 kcal/mol. Examination of the electrostatic potentials of the substituted bromobenzene and bromopyrimidine monomers indicates that the addition of substituents has a large influence upon the most positive electrostatic potential on the surface of the interacting bromine and thus modulates these halogen bonding interactions. Results obtained using the symmetry-adapted perturbation theory (SAPT) interaction energy decomposition procedure also indicate that electrostatic interactions play the key role in these halogen bonding interactions. These results have important implications in drug design and crystal engineering. Halogen bonds have been a subject of great interest in these fields because of their unique noncovalent bonding characteristics.

Sigma-hole bonding between like atoms; a fallacy of atomic charges.

Covalently bonded atoms, at least in Groups V-VII, may have regions of both positive and negative electrostatic potentials on their surfaces. The positive regions tend to be along the extensions of the bonds to these atoms; the origin of this can be explained in terms of the sigma-hole concept. It is thus possible for such an atom in one molecule to interact electrostatically with its counterpart in a second, identical molecule, forming a highly directional noncovalent bond. Several examples are presented and discussed. Such "like-like" interactions could not be understood in terms of atomic charges assigned by any of the usual procedures, which view a bonded atom as being entirely positive or negative.

Blue shifts vs red shifts in sigma-hole bonding.

Sigma-hole bonding is a noncovalent interaction between a region of positive electrostatic potential on the outer surface of a Group V, VI, or VII covalently-bonded atom (a sigma-hole) and a region of negative potential on another molecule, e.g., a lone pair of a Lewis base. We have investigated computationally the occurrence of increased vibration frequencies (blue shifts) and bond shortening vs decreased frequencies (red shifts) and bond lengthening for the covalent bonds to the atoms having the sigma-holes (the sigma-hole donors). Both are possible, depending upon the properties of the donor and the acceptor. Our results are consistent with models that were developed earlier by Hermansson and by Qian and Krimm in relation to blue vs red shifting in hydrogen bond formation. These models invoke the derivatives of the permanent and the induced dipole moments of the donor molecule.

Molecular surface electrostatic potentials and anesthetic activity.

General anesthetics apparently act through weak, noncovalent and reversible interactions with certain sites in appropriate brain proteins. As a means of gaining insight into the factors underlying anesthetic potency, we have analyzed the computed electrostatic potentials V (S)(r) on the surfaces of 20 molecules with activities that vary between zero and high. Our results are fully consistent with, and help to interpret, what has been observed experimentally. We find that an intermediate level of internal charge separation is required; this is measured by Pi, the average absolute deviation of V (S)(r), and the approximate window is 7 < Pi < 13 kcal mol(-1). This fits in well with the fact that anesthetics need to be lipid soluble, but also to have some degree of hydrophilicity. We further show that polyhalogenated alkanes and ethers, which include the most powerful known anesthetics, have strong positive potentials, V (S,max), associated with their hydrogens, chlorines and bromines (but not fluorines). These positive sites may impede the functioning of key brain proteins, for example by disrupting their normal hydrogen-bond patterns. It has indeed been recognized for some time that the most active polyhalogenated alkanes and ethers contain hydrogens usually in combination with chlorines and/or bromines.

Halogen bonding and the design of new materials: organic bromides, chlorides and perhaps even fluorides as donors.

In some halides RX, the halogen X has a region of positive electrostatic potential on its outermost portion, centered around the extension of the R-X bond. The electrostatic attraction between this positive region and a lone pair of a Lewis base is termed halogen bonding. The existence and magnitudes of such positive potentials on some covalently bonded halogens, and the characteristic directionality of the interaction, can be explained in terms of the degree of sp hybridization and polarizability of X and the electronegativity of R. Halogen bonding increases in strength in the order Cl < Br < I; fluorine is frequently said to not form halogen bonds, although a notable result of the present study is computational evidence that it does have the capability of doing so, if R is sufficiently electron withdrawing. An increasingly important application of halogen bonding is in the design of new materials (e.g., crystal engineering). In this paper, we present the calculated energies of a series of halogen-bonding interactions that could be the basis for forming linear chains, of types X----X----X---- or X----Y----X----Y----. We focus upon chlorides and bromides, and nitrogen bases. The B3PW91/6-311G(3df,2p) and MP2/6-311++G(3df,2p) procedures were used. We show how the computed electrostatic potentials (B3PW91/6-31G**) can provide guidance in selecting appropriate halide/base pairs.

An overview of halogen bonding.

Halogen bonding (XB) is a type of noncovalent interaction between a halogen atom X in one molecule and a negative site in another. X can be chlorine, bromine or iodine. The strength of the interaction increases in the order Cl

Analysis of the reaction force for a gas phase S(N)2 process: CH3Cl + H2O --> CH3OH + HCl.

The "reaction force" F(R(c)) is the negative derivative of a system's potential energy V(R(c)) along the intrinsic reaction coordinate of a process. If V(R(c)) goes through a maximum, as is commonly the case, then F(R(c)) has a characteristic profile: a negative minimum followed by zero at the transition state and then a positive maximum. These features reflect four phases of the reaction: an initial one of reactant preparation, followed by two of transition to products, and then relaxation of the latter. In this study, we have analyzed, in these terms, a gas-phase S(N)2 substitution, selected to be CH3Cl + H2O --> CH3OH + HCl. We examine, at the B3LYP/6-31G level, the geometries, energetics, and molecular surface electrostatic potentials, local ionization energies, and internal charge separation.

An unusual feature of end-substituted model carbon (6,0) nanotubes.

We have examined the effects of substituents on the computed electrostatic potentials V(S)(r) and average local ionization energies I(S)(r) on the surfaces of model carbon nanotubes of the types (5,5), (6,1) and (6,0). For the (5,5) and the (6,1), the effects upon both V(S)(r) and I(S)(r) of substituting a hydroxyl group at one end are primarily localized to that part of the system. For the (6,0) tube, however, a remarkable change is observed over its entire length, with V(S)(r) showing a marked gradation from strongly positive at the substituted end to strongly negative at the other; I(S)(r) correspondingly goes from higher to lower values. Replacing OH by another resonance- donor, NH2, produces similar results in the (6,0) system, while the resonance withdrawing NO2 does the opposite, but in equally striking fashion. We explain these observations by noting that the arrangement of the C-C bonds in the (6,0) tube facilitates charge delocalization over the full length and entire surface of the tube. Substituting NH2 and NO2 at opposite ends of the (6,0) tube greatly strengthens the gradations in both V(S)(r) and I(S)(r). The first hyperpolarizability of this system was found to be nine times that of para-nitroaniline, suggesting possible nonlinear optical applications. [figure: see text]. HF/STO-5G electrostatic potential on outer surface of open (6,0) C72H10NH2NO2. The nitro group is at the right end of the tube, the amino group at the left. In eV: purple is less than 14, blue is between 14 and 15, green is between 15 and 16.5, yellow is between 16.5 and 17.5, and red is more than 17.5.

Comparative analysis of surface electrostatic potentials of carbon, boron/nitrogen and carbon/boron/nitrogen model nanotubes.

We have extended an earlier study, in which we characterized in detail the electrostatic potentials on the inner and outer surfaces of a group of carbon and B(x)N(x) model nanotubes, to include several additional ones with smaller diameters plus a new category, C(2x)B(x)N(x). The statistical features of the surface potentials are presented and analyzed for a total of 19 tubes as well as fullerene and a small model graphene. The potentials on the surfaces of the carbon systems are relatively weak and rather bland; they are much stronger and more variable for the B(x)N(x) and C(2x)B(x)N(x). A qualitative correlation with free energies of solvation indicates that the latter two categories should have considerably greater water solubilities. The inner surfaces are generally more positive than the corresponding outer ones, while both positive and negative potentials are strengthened by increasing curvature. The outsides of B(x)N(x) tubes have characteristic patterns of alternating positive and negative regions, while the insides are strongly positive. In the closed C(2x)B(x)N(x) systems, half of the C-C bonds are double-bond-like and have negative potentials above them; the adjacent rows of boron and nitrogens show the usual B(x)N(x) pattern. When the C(2x)B(x)N(x) tubes are open, with hydrogens at the ends, the surface potentials are dominated by the B+-H- and N(-)-H+ linkages.

Analysis of two intramolecular proton transfer processes in terms of the reaction force.

The negative derivative of the potential energy along an intrinsic reaction coordinate defines a force that has qualitatively a universal form for any process having an energy barrier: it passes through a negative minimum before the transition state, at which it is zero, followed by a positive maximum. We have analyzed two intramolecular proton transfer reactions in terms of several computed properties: internal charge separation, the electrostatic potentials of the atoms involved, their Fukui functions, and the local ionization energies. The variation of each of these properties along the intrinsic reaction coordinate shows a marked correlation with the characteristic features of the reaction force. We present a description of the proton transfer processes in terms of this force.