Conformations of α-Cyclodextrin and Its Role on the Stability of Inclusion Complexes in Aqueous Solution

Abstract

α-Cyclodextrin (αCD), a cyclic carbohydrate polymer, presents a wealth of opportunities for drug delivery and various industrial applications. Its high affinity and selectivity in encapsulating target molecules have been well-documented. However, the influence of αCD's conformational variations on its encapsulation capacity remains a promising area for further exploration. This study explores the conformational dynamics of αCD and its relationship with the formation of inclusion complexes (ICs) in aqueous solutions, focusing on understanding the forces driving these dynamics and the formation of stable ICs. Classical molecular dynamics (CMD) demonstrate that αCD solvated in water can adopt two conformations: a truncated cone shape with a suitable cavity for encapsulation and a distorted cone shape with a collapsed cavity. The predominant conformation observed in the CMD trajectory of pristine αCD is the distorted cone. However, under complexation conditions with aliphatic molecules, the guest molecule's size dictates the ICs' stability, forcing αCD to maintain the truncated conformation. Quantum chemistry methods and electron density analyses (quantum theory of atoms in molecules and non-covalent interactions index) support CMD observations by characterizing and quantifying non-covalent interactions. Findings indicate that the shift from the truncated to the distorted cone conformation in αCD is primarily driven by intramolecular non-covalent interactions and the reconfiguration of water molecules surrounding αCD. The ICs' analysis displays a significant correlation between the size of the aliphatic chain and the intensity of intermolecular interactions. The strength of these interactions can effectively disrupt the αCD intramolecular non-covalent interactions that lead to a conformational change and, consequently, the loss of the inclusion complex. In conclusion, although αCD's conformational change can affect encapsulation, guest molecules can manipulate the conformational preference. The systematic analysis of non-covalent interactions offers a way to characterize and quantify these forces, enhancing our ability to understand and predict the stability of inclusion complexes.