Exploration of Binding Interactions of Cu(2+) with d-Penicillamine and its O- and Se- Analogues in Both Gas and Aqueous Phases: A Theoretical Approach.

We have theoretically explored the entire binding phenomena of d-penicillamine and its O- and Se-analogues with Cu(2+) in both gas and aqueous phases. At first, a brief conformational analysis has been performed via -XH and -COOH rotations to investigate such conformers that are suitable for binding in both bidentate as well as tridentate fashions. The stability of each bidentate and tridentate complex is determined on the basis of relative energy (ΔE) and gas phase metal ion affinity (MIA) along with the bonding analysis by using atoms in molecule theory. The effect of conformational change on the stability of the complexes is also examined thoroughly. By analyzing the MIA values, we have shown that the side chain substitution makes an impact on the binding process. To delve into the binding phenomena in aqueous phase, we have introduced both the first and second hydration sphere models. In first hydration sphere model, to realize the precise effect of water molecules we have considered stable octahedral hexa-aqua copper complex, [Cu(H2O)6](+2) and accordingly substituted water molecules depending on the bidentate or tridentate nature of the chelating agents. The influence of bulk water molecules on the energetics and geometries of the first hydrated sphere complexes have also been investigated by employing second hydration sphere model assuming physiological pH through the implementation of implicit COSMO and polarizable continuum models, respectively. In the second hydration sphere model, the zwitterionic structures of the amino acids and their side chain deprotonated forms are also included to study the binding phenomena with Cu(2+). The complete work furnishes both the binding properties and the energetics of the copper-artificial amino acid complexes in both gas and aqueous phases that will reflect a realistic overview of the entire binding phenomena.