Gibbs Free Energy Perturbation Calculations: An Application to the Binding of Alkylammonium Cations by a Water-Soluble Calixarene

Test-area surface tension calculation of the graphene-methane interface: Fluctuations and commensurability

The surface tension (γ) of methane on a graphene monolayer is calculated by using the test-area approach. By using a united atom model to describe methane molecules, strong fluctuations of surface tension as a function of the surface area of the graphene are evidenced. In contrast with the liquid-vapor interfaces, the use of a larger cutoff does not fully erase the fluctuations in the surface tension. Counterintuitively, the description of methane and graphene from the Optimized Potentials for Liquid Simulations all-atom model and a flexible model, respectively, led to a lessening in the surface tension fluctuations. This result suggests that the origin of fluctuations in γ is due to a model-effect rather than size-effects. We show that the molecular origin of these fluctuations is the result of a commensurable organization between both graphene and methane. This commensurable structure can be avoided by describing methane and graphene from a flexible force field. Although differences in γ with respect to the model have been often reported, it is the first time that the model drastically affects the physics of a system.

Study on the inclusion behavior of p-sulfonatocalix[6]arene with propranolol by spectrofluorometry

The inclusion interaction between propranolol (PPL) and p-sulfonatocalix[6]arene (SCX6) was investigated by fluorescence and (1)H NMR spectroscopy. Influences of pH, temperature, ionic strength and the concentration of SCX6 were examined in detail. In phosphate buffer solution with pH 7.5, the fluorescence of PPL dramatically quenched upon addition of SCX6 revealing the formation of inclusion complexes between PPL and SCX6. The stoichiometric ratio was verified to be 1:1 by the continuous variation method. The inclusion constant of PPL-SCX6 complexes was calculated as 2.2×10(4)L/mol by the nonlinear curve fitting method. (1)H NMR titration spectra testified that the aliphatic chain of PPL may be partially penetrated into the hydrophobic cavity of SCX6. This was confirmed by molecular dynamics calculations.

Computational and experimental investigations of supramolecular assemblies of p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene organized by weak forces

We report the study of the supramolecular assemblies formed by the incorporation of quaternary ammonium cations such as Me4N+ or Et4N+ into host-guest assemblies with p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene in the presence of a lanthanide(III) cation in water. We use microcalorimetry to characterize the formation of these supramolecular assemblies. We obtain a molecular description of these assemblies by performing molecular dynamics simulations over a very large period of time. The structures of these supramolecular complexes have been determined and discussed through specific interaction energy contributions. By combining MD simulations and 1NMR spectroscopy, we highlight a specific behavior of the supramolecular assembly with the Me4N+.

Methodology for the Calculation of the Potential of Mean Force for a Cation–π Complex in Water

We report potential of mean force (PMF) calculations on the interaction between the p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene and a monovalent cation (Cs(+)). It has been recently shown from microcalorimetry and (133)Cs NMR experiments that the association with Cs(+) is governed by favourable cation-pi interactions and is characterized by the insertion of the cation into the cavity of the macrocycle. We show that the PMF calculation based upon a classical model is not able to reproduce both the thermodynamic properties of association and the insertion of the cation. In order to take into account the different contributions of the cation-pi interactions, we develop a new methodology consisting of changing the standard PMF by an additional contribution resulting from quantum calculations. The calculated thermodynamic properties of association are thus in line with the microcalorimetry and (133)Cs NMR experiments and the structure of the complex at the Gibbs free-energy minimum shows the insertion of the cation into the cavity of the calixarene.

Supramolecular Chemistry in Water

Supramolecular chemistry in water is a constantly growing research area because noncovalent interactions in aqueous media are important for obtaining a better understanding and control of the major processes in nature. This Review offers an overview of recent advances in the area of water-soluble synthetic receptors as well as self-assembly and molecular recognition in water, through consideration of the functionalities that are used to increase the water solubility, as well as the supramolecular interactions and approaches used for effective recognition of a guest and self-assembly in water. The special features and applications of supramolecular entities in aqueous media are also described.

Calculation of the absolute thermodynamic properties of association of host-guest systems from the intermolecular potential of mean force

The authors report calculations of the intermolecular potential of mean force (PMF) in the case of the host-guest interaction. The host-guest system is defined by a water soluble calixarene and a cation. With an organic cation such as the tetramethylammonium cation, the calixarene forms an insertion complex, whereas with the Lanthane cation, the supramolecular assembly is an outer-sphere complex. The authors apply a modified free energy perturbation method and the force constraint technique to establish the PMF profiles as a function of the separation distance between the host and guest. They use the PMF profile for the calculation of the absolute thermodynamic properties of association that they compare to the experimental values previously determined. They finish by giving some structural features of the insertion and outer-sphere complexes at the Gibbs free energy minimum.

Molecular Dynamics Simulations ofp-tert-Butylcalix[4]arene with Small Guest Molecules

Classical molecular dynamics simulations were used to study p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene inclusion compounds with xenon, nitrogen, hydrogen, methane, and sulfur dioxide guest molecules. The calixarene units were taken to be rigid and the intermolecular molecular interactions were modeled as a sum of the van der Waals interactions with parameters from the AMBER force field and electrostatic interactions. Simulations of the high-density alpha phase and low-density beta0 phase of p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene were used to test the force field. The predicted densities of the two phases were found to agree with experimental measurements at 173 K to within 5 %. Simulations were performed with guests placed inside the calixarene cages of the beta0 phase. Guest-host ratios of 1:1 to 1:4 were considered. Changes in the unit-cell volume and density of the phases with the addition of guest molecules and the inclusion energies for the guests were determined. Finally, the dynamics of the guest motion inside the cages were characterized by determining the root-mean-square displacements and velocity autocorrelation functions of the xenon and nitrogen guests.

Binding of monovalent metal cations by the p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene: experimental evidence for cation–π interactions in water

Gibbs free energies, enthalpies and entropies for the binding of Na+, K+, Rb+, Cs+, Ag+, Tl+ and NH4+ by the p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene in water are determined by microcalorimetry. Whereas no significant heat effect is detected with Na+ or Ag+, suggesting that these cations are not complexed, weak but selective binding is observed with the other cations. The whole set of thermodynamic parameters, which demonstrate that the cations bind inside the cavity of the calixarene, evidence the importance of the cation-pi interactions for these complexes in water.

MD Simulations of the Binding of Alcohols and Diols by a Calixarene in Water: Connections between Microscopic and Macroscopic Properties

We report results of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the complexes of p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene with linear alcohols from ethanol to heptanol in water at 25 degrees C. We show that these complexes are of the inclusion type and are governed by van der Waals interactions between the calixarene cavity and the inserted alkyl chain of the alcohol. We establish a correlation between the experimental Delta(r)H degrees values and the number of atoms inserted into the calixarene cavity. We also focus on the desolvation of the host and guest to establish the importance, at the enthalpic level, of the formation of hydrogen bond bridges between the calixarene and the alcohol molecule. The fact that methanol is not complexed by p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene is explained by calculating the cost of the desolvation of the guest upon complexation. We complete this study by modeling the complexes formed with 1,4-butanediol and 1,5-pentanediol. To explain the difference between the thermodynamic properties for the binding of 1,4-butanediol and butanol, we examine the insertion rate and the solvation of each hydroxy group. We show a specific behavior of one of the two hydroxy groups at the structural and energetic levels.