Isodensity Polarized Continuum Model Research Articles

Effects of External Electric Field on the Hydrolysis of Cisplatin: A Density Functional Theory Approach

In this study, hydrolysis of the anticancer drug cis-PtCl2(NH3)2 complex in the absence and presence of external electric field (EEF) has been studied using quantum mechanical methods. The B3P86 functional and basis sets of 6-311G(d,p) and LANL2DZ for main group element and Pt atoms, respectively, have been employed in these calculations. Two typical reactions involved in the complex hydrolysis include the first and second hydrolysis processes. We have tried to show how the total energy, barrier energy, thermodynamic, and kinetic parameters of cisplatin hydrolysis have been affected by the external electric field. In addition, variations of the structural parameters have been illustrated in the absence and presence of EEF. The structural-properties correlations between these parameters and strength of EEF have been provided. In addition, the barrier energy and reaction energy values of hydrolysis processes have been calculated by applying the isodensity polarizable continuum model (IPCM) for aqueous phase.

A comprehensive study of the structure, tautomeric properties, and conformational flexibility of 3-Hydroxy-propeneselenal

In the present work, a conformational analysis of 3-Hydroxy-propeneselenal is performed using several computational methods, including HF, DFT (B3LYP), and G2MP2 levels of theory. The relative electronic energies, the molecular structure, and intramolecular hydrogen bond energies are reported. Twenty different conformers were obtained, the most stable ones being planar. The conformational preference of this molecule was found to be mainly determined by the formation of Se...H-O and Se-H...O intramolecular hydrogen bonds, which are assisted by π-electron resonance. The atoms in molecules (AIM) theory of Bader, which is based on topological properties of the electron density, was used to analyze critical points and to study the nature of hydrogen bonds in these systems. NMR and natural bond orbital (NBO) analyses were also performed for a better understanding of the nature of intramolecular interactions in 3-Hydroxy-propeneselenal. Furthermore, calculations for all the possible conformations of the title compound in solution were also carried out at the B3LYP/6-311 ++G(d,p) level of theory (in three models such as polarizable continuum model (PCM), IEFPCM, and self −consistent isodensity polarized continuum model (SCIPCM). The aim of this work is to highlight the efficiency and suitability of silicadiphenic acid as a supported solid acid catalyst for the synthesis of bis-(indolyl)methane derivatives from a one-pot condensation reaction of various substituted aldehydes and indole in acetonitrile at 60°C.

Theoretical Study on the Self- and Water-Assisted Proton Transfer Reaction of Urazole

The proton transfer reactions of urazole have been investigated theoretically by using the density functional theory at the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level and single-point MP2 calculations with the same basis set. The influence of the solvent on the proton transfer reactions of urazole has been examined using the self-consistent isodensity polarized continuum model in water. Also the proton transfer in the mono- and dihydrated forms of urazole have been investigated at the same level in the gas phase. It was found that the proton transfer to the carbonyl oxygen of the hydrazyl proton of urazole is the easiest in the gas phase and in water. The same proton transfer is also thermodynamically the easiest among water-assisted proton transfer reactions of urazole. In addition, the barrier heights for both H2O-assisted and (H2O)2-assisted reactions are significantly lower than those for the self-assisted tautomerization reactions of urazole.

An Improved Method for Quantitatively Predicting the Electrochemical Stabilities of Organic Liquid Electrolytes Using Ab Initio Calculations

A computational method for quantitatively predicting regions of electrochemical stability (potential windows) of organic liquid electrolytes based on ab initio molecular orbital calculations is presented. Potential windows are estimated by calculating the oxidation and reduction potentials of different molecular species present in the electrolyte (namely, individual cations and anions, cation-anion pairs, and individual solvent molecules) and taking the sum of the lowest oxidation and reduction values obtained. Intermolecular interactions between the different species and solvent phase are taken into account using the isodensity polarizable continuum model. Using this method the measured electrochemical potential windows of ten candidate organic liquid electrolytes are reproduced with high accuracy.

DFT, FT-IR and FT-Raman investigations of 1-methyl-2-imidazolecarboxaldehyde

The FT-IR and FT-Raman spectra of 1-methyl-2-imidazolecarboxaldehyde were recorded in the region 4000–400cm−1 and 3500–50cm−1, respectively. Optimized geometric parameters, conformational equilibria, normal mode frequencies, and corresponding vibrational assignments of title molecule were examined by means of density functional theory (DFT) method with B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) basis set. All vibrational frequencies were assigned in detail with the help of total energy distribution (TEDs). The results showed that the DFT/B3LYP method predics vibrational frequencies and the structural parameters effectively. Furthermore, solvent effects are investigated in different solvents (chloroform, dimethylsulfoxide and water) using the self-consistent isodensity polarizable continuum model (SCI-PCM). All results indicate that the combination of SCI-PCM model and DFT/B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) calculation could give excellent explanations of the solvent effects. Intermolecular hydrogen bonding between 1-methyl-2-imidazolecarboxaldehyde and water was investigated using quantum chemical methods. DFT calculations were used to optimize the adducts of heterocycle with the single water molecule.

Formal Redox Potentials of Organic Molecules in Ionic Liquids on the Basis of Quaternary Nitrogen Cations as Adiabatic Electron Affinities

Formal redox potentials E°' involving neutral species R and radical anions R(•-) in ionic liquids (ILs) composed of ammonium, pyridinium, and imidazolium cations are discussed from the point of view of the adiabatic electron affinity as a molecular property. The dependence of the 1,4-benzoquinone (BQ)/BQ(•-) redox process in CH2Cl2 and CH3CN is primarily investigated over a wide concentration range of ILs as the supporting electrolyte. A logarithmic relationship involving a positive shift of E°' with increasing concentration is obtained when the concentration is changed from 0.01 to 1.0 M. The relationship of E°' at IL concentrations greater than 1.0 M gradually reaches a plateau and remains there even for the neat ILs. It is found that the E°' values in the neat ILs are not influenced by the measurement conditions, and that they remain considerably dependent on the nature and concentration of the electrolyte when measured using the traditional method involving molecular solvents combined with a supporting electrolyte (0.1-0.5 M). The difference in the E°' values observed in the ammonium and pyridinium ILs is only several millivolts. In addition, ESR and self-consistent isodensity polarized continuum model calculation results reveal that the potential shift toward positive values upon the transition from molecular solvents containing ILs to neat ILs is adequately accounted for by changes in the electrostatic interaction of R(•-) taken into the cavity composed of the solvent and IL. On the other hand, the first reduction waves of quinones, electron-accepting molecules, and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons are reversibly or quasi-reversibly observed in the ILs. The electrochemical stability of the ILs is exploited in the facile measurement of these quasi-reversible waves at quite negative potentials, such as for the naphthalene (NP)/NP(•-) couple. Notably, the E°' values obtained in the ammonium ILs correlate well with the calculated standard redox potentials and are linearly fitted with high correlation over all classes of compounds using a single regression equation based on Koopmans' theorem.

Quantum chemical studies on molecular conformations, energetic and intramolecular hydrogen bonding in ground and electronic excited state of (thioxosilyl) ethyleneselenol

In this work, a conformational analysis of (thioxosilyl) ethyleneselenol was performed using several computational methods, including density-functional theory (DFT) (B3LYP), MP2 and G2MP2. Harmonic vibrational frequencies were estimated at the same levels to confirm the nature of the stationary points found and also to account for the zero point vibrational energy correction. MES-1 and TES-1 conformers exhibit hydrogen bonding. This feature, although is not the dominant factor in the stability of conformers, appears to be of foremost importance to define the geometry of the molecule. Two intramolecular hydrogen bonds established between the polar groups were identified by the structural geometric parameters. These involved the thiol and selenol functional groups and were identified and characterized by the frequency shift in their stretching vibration modes. Furthermore, the excited-state properties of intramolecular hydrogen bonding have been investigated theoretically using the time-dependent DFT method. The influence of the solvent on the stability order of conformers and the strength of intramolecular hydrogen bonding was considered using the PCM (polarizable continuum model), SCI-PCM (self consistent isodensity-polarizable continuum model) and IEF-PCM (integral equation formalism-polarizable continuum model) methods. The “atoms in molecules” theory of Bader was used to analyze critical points and to study the nature of hydrogen bond in these systems. Natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis was also performed for better understanding the nature of intramolecular interactions. The calculated highest occupiedmolecular orbital and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energies show that charge transfer occur within the molecule. Further verification of the obtained transition state structures was implemented via intrinsic reaction coordinate analysis. Calculations of the 1H NMR chemical shift at the GIAO/B3LYP/6–311++G** level of theory are also presented.

CONFORMATIONAL PROPERTIES AND INTRAMOLECULAR HYDROGEN BONDING OF 3-AMINO-PROPENESELENAL: ANAB INITIOAND DENSITY FUNCTIONAL THEORY STUDIES

In the present work a conformational analysis of 3-amino-propeneselenal (APS) was performed using several computational methods, including DFT (B3LYP), MP2 and G2MP2. Harmonic vibrational frequencies were estimated at the same levels to confirm the nature of the stationary points found and also to account for the zero point vibrational energy (ZPVE) correction. Two intramolecular hydrogen bonds (HBs) established between the polar groups were identified by the structural geometric parameters. The excited-state properties of intramolecular hydrogen bonding in hydrogen bonded systems have been investigated theoretically using the time dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) method. The influence of the solvent on the stability order of conformers and the strength of intramolecular hydrogen bonding was considered using the polarized continuum model (PCM), the self-consistent isodensity polarized continuum model (SCI-PCM) and the integral equation formalism-polarizable continuum model (IEF-PCM) methods. The "atoms in molecules" theory of Bader was used to analyze critical points and to study the nature of HB in these systems. Natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis was also performed for better understanding the nature of intramolecular interactions. The calculated the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energies show that charge transfer occur within the molecule. Further verification of the obtained transition state structures were implemented via intrinsic reaction coordinate (IRC) analysis. Calculations of the1H NMR chemical shift at GIAO/B3LYP/6–311++G** level of theory are also presented.

Conformational analysis, tautomeric preference, intramolecular hydrogen bonding, and solvent effect on dinitrosamine: A quantum chemical study

AbstractHF, B3LYP, and MP2 methods with the standard basis set, 6‐311++G(d,p), were used to study various aspects of dinitrosamine. These results were compared with the outcomes of G2 and CBS‐QB3 methods. First, the conformational analysis and characterization of equilibrium conformations, especially global minima, were performed. On the basis of relative energies, we found that the dinitroso tautomers are more stable than the nitroso‐hydroxy (NH) ones. This preference is well‐interpreted in terms of tautomerization process and nitrosamine resonance. Furthermore, the nature of OH···O intramolecular hydrogen bond (IMHB), in chelated forms of NH (NH‐11 and NH‐13) was comprehensively studied to evaluate the effect of hetero atoms (N) on the characteristic of IMHB systems. According to the results of isodesmic reaction method, the hydrogen bond energy of NH‐11 is greater than the malonaldehyde (MA) and NH‐13, whereas the electron density analysis and energy‐geometry correlation methods clearly predict that the hydrogen bond of NH‐11 is weaker than the MA. Additionally, the geometrical, atoms in molecules (AIM) and natural bond orbital's (NBO) parameters also emphasize on the MA as a chelated form with the strongest hydrogen bond. Finally, the solvent effects on the relative stability of selected dinitrosamine conformers are evaluated by different continuum (polarizable‐continuum model, isodensity polarizable continuum model, and self‐consistent isodensity polarizable continuum model), discrete and mixed solvent models. Theoretical results readily show that the potential energy surface of dinitrosamine, especially global minima, is strongly affected by the solvent. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Balancing the atomic waistline: Isodensity‐based scrf radii for main‐group elements and transition metals

AbstractToward cracking the problem of understanding, characterizing, and predicting “solvent‐effect” while the world awaits an effective explicit solvent model, we introduce and justify herein a novel set of atomic radii to be used within the most commonly used continuum reaction field, the polarizable continuum model (PCM). The radial values emerge from a quantitative description of the elemental electronic density distribution and are shown to be accurate in such a self‐consistent reaction field (SCRF); labeled accordingly as isodensity‐based SCRF (IDSCRF) radii. Transition row elements with dynamic oxidation states are addressed through an averaging of the electronic properties from all states in the determination of their effective radii. All results for nonmetal elements have been verified with Guthrie's SAMPLE1 test set and are in quantitative agreement with experimental values from the literature and self‐consistent isodensity polarizable continuum model (SCIPCM) calculations. For the compounds with transition metal elements, our IDSCRF results have been verified with SCIPCM results as there are rarely experimental results available. Finally, explicit solvent particles “solvating” Pd‐ and Ni‐containing homogeneous catalysts are also shown to be in close agreement with the IDSCRF radii calculations. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

FT-IR spectroscopy and DFT calculation study on the solvent effects of benzaldehyde in organic solvents

FT-IR spectra of benzaldehyde in 11 different organic solvents were recorded and analyzed. The density functional theory (DFT) B3LYP/6-31G* method was chosen to calculate the infrared spectrum of benzaldehyde in gaseous state. The electrostatic effects of different solvents in benzaldehyde solutions were calculated using DFT with the self-consistent isodensity polarizable continuum model (SCI-PCM). Two remarkable carbonyl (C O) peaks of benzaldehyde were observed by FT-IR in alcohol solvents, which were caused by different hydrogen bond species and explained by ab initio calculation. The results showed that the combination of SCI-PCM model and ab initio calculation could give excellent agreements with FT-IR spectra of title compound in solutions.

Infrared and electronic absorption spectra of formaldehyde in gas phase and astrophysical H2O ice

This work reports theoretical infrared and electronic absorption spectra of formaldehyde and its ions in gas phase and H2O ice at different levels of theory. The vibrational frequencies from this work at B3LYP/6-311++G** level are in agreement with the experimental determinations. The gas phase dipole moment of neutral formaldehyde 2.4 D is in excellent agreement with the experimental value of 2.33 D. An influence of ice on vibrational frequencies of neutral formaldehyde molecule was obtained using Self Consistence Isodensity Polarizable Continuum Model (SCI-PCM) with dielectric constant 78.5. Significant shift in vibrational frequencies for neutral formaldehyde molecule when studied in H2O ice and upon ionization is observed. All the vibrational modes in cation and anion of formaldehyde in gas phase are red shifted than the corresponding modes in neutral formaldehyde. Two vibrational modes are blue shifted and all other modes are red shifted for neutral formaldehyde in H2O ice. Time dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) is used to study electronic absorption spectrum of neutral formaldehyde and its charged states. It is found that like neutral formaldehyde, its cation and anion also display strong σ→σ∗ electronic transitions in vacuum and far UV regions. This study should help in detecting formaldehyde molecule and its ions in gas phase and in H2O ice in different astronomical environment.

DFT and Ab initio computational study on the reactivity sites of the GABA and its agonists, such as CACA, TACA, DABA, and muscimol: In the gas phase and dielectric media

AbstractThe reactive behavior of GABA and its agonist molecules have been investigated using B3LYP hybrid density functional method at the 6‐311++G** basis set level, in the gas phase and dielectric media. The calculations have been performed to obtain optimized geometries, relative energies, net atomic charges, HOMO, and LUMO energies. Solvent effects have been analyzed using isodensity polarized continuum model (IPCM) for four different solvents, which are chloroform, ethanol, DMSO, and H2O. The results have suggested that both the amino group and carboxyl group have been two of the most important active site for interactions between all compounds and their receptors. In addition they have suggested that the amino group reflects the difference in biological activity for each all molecules. The structures of these agonists have provided an essential foundation for subsequent structure‐activity analysis of ligand binding at GABA receptors, neuronal uptake inhibitors and transporters. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011

A Theoretical Investigation on N7(H)→N9(H) Tautomerization of Isolated and Monohydrated 2,6‐Dithiopurine Combined with IPCM Solvent Model

AbstractThe tautomerization reaction mechanism has been reported between N7(H) and N9(H) of isolated and monohydrated 2,6‐dithiopurine using B3LYP/6‐311+G(d,p). The isodensity polarized continuum model (IPCM) in the self‐consistent reaction field (SCRF) method is employed to account for the solvent effect of water on the tautomerization reaction activation energies. The results show that the two pathways P(1) (via the carbene intermediate I1) and P(2) (via the sp3‐hybrid intermediate I2) are found in intramolecular proton transfer, and each pathway is composed by two primary steps. The calculated activation energy barriers of the rate‐determining steps in isolated 2,6‐dithiopurine N7(H)→N9(H) tautomerism are 308.2 and 220.0 kJ·mol−1 in the two pathways, respectively. Interestingly, in one‐water molecule catalyst, it dramatically lowers the N7(H)→N9(H) energy barriers by the concerted double proton transfer mechanism in P(1), favoring the formation of 2,6‐dithiopurine N9(H). However, the single proton transfer mechanism assisted with out‐of‐plane water in the first step of P(2) increases the activation energy barrier from 220.0 to 232.3 kJ·mol−1, while the second step is the out‐of‐plane concerted double proton transfer mechanism, indicating that they will be less preferable for proton transfer. Additionally, the results also show that all the pathways are put into the aqueous solution, and the activation energy barriers have no significant changes. Therefore, the long‐range electrostatic effect of bulk solvent has no significant impact on proton transfer reactions and the interaction with explicit water molecules will significantly influence proton transfer reactions.

Quantitative Evaluation of Electrochemical Potential Windows of Electrolytes for Electric Double-Layer Capacitors Using Ab Initio Calculations

The electrochemical potential windows of seven organic liquid electrolytes for electric double-layer capacitors calculated using ab initio molecular orbital theory are reported. Four types of models were used to investigate the effect of intermolecular interactions: (i) a single-ion in vacuo model, (ii) a single-ion-in-solvent model, (iii) an ion-pair in vacuo model, and (iv) an ion-pair-in-solvent model. For all the calculations, the Hartree–Fock level of theory using the basis set was used. Solute–ion interactions were treated by considering several cation–anion pair confirmations, and solute–solvent interactions were introduced by applying the isodensity polarizable continuum model. The ion-pair-in-solvent model quantitatively reproduced the experimental electrochemical potential windows with high accuracy. This demonstrates that in actual electrolytes intermolecular interactions, particularly cation–anion and solute–solvent, play an important role in determining electrochemical potential windows.

Computational study of the intramolecular proton transfer reactions of 3-hydroxytropolone (2,7-dihydroxycyclohepta-2,4,6-trien-1-one) and its dimers

The proton transfer reaction and dimerization processes of 3-hydroxytropolone (3-OHTRN) have been investigated using density functional theory (DFT) at the B3LYP/6-31+G** level. The influence of the solvent on the proton transfer reaction of 3-OHTRN was examined using the self-consistent isodensity polarized continuum model (SCI-PCM) with different dielectric constants (ε = 4.9, CHCI₃; ε = 32.63, CH₃OH; ε = 78.39, H₂O). The intramolecular proton transfer reaction occurs more readily in the gas phase than in solution. Results also show that the stability of 3-OHTRN dimers in the gas phase is directly affected by the hydrogen bond length in the dimer structure.

Thermodynamic analysis of protein kinase A Iα activation

Thermodynamic analysis of protein kinase A (PKA) Ialpha activation was performed using Quantum 3.3.0 docking software and a Gaussian 03W quantum mechanical computational package. Expected stacking interactions between adenine of 3':5'-AMP and aromatic moieties of amino acids were taken into account by means of MP2/6-31G(d) IPCM (isodensity polarizable continuum model) computations (epsilon = 4.0). It is demonstrated that thermodynamically favorable agonist-induced PKA Ialpha activation is mediated by two processes. First, 3':5'-AMP binding is accompanied by structural changes leading to a thermodynamically favorable regulatory subunit conformation, which is hardly realized in the absence of the ligand (DeltaG degrees (R) = -23.9 +/- 8.2 kJ/mol). Second, 3':5'-AMP affinity to the regulatory subunit conformation observed after agonist-induced PKA Ialpha activation is higher than that to inactive holoenzyme complex (DeltaG degrees (3':5'-AMP) = -28.1 +/- 9.7 kJ/mol). ATP is capable of docking into the 3':5'-AMP-binding site B of the regulatory subunit complexed with the catalytic one, resulting in inhibition of kinase activation. True constants of 3':5'-AMP binding to PKA Ialpha holoenzyme were found to be 60 and 57 microM for the regulatory subunit domains A and B, respectively. These constants, unlike the binding equilibrium constant determined using established experimental techniques and ranging from 15 nM to 2.9 microM, are proved to be direct measures of 3':5'-AMP-PKA Ialpha binding affinity. Their values are in a reasonable agreement with the changes in 3':5'-AMP concentration in the cell (2-55 microM) and account for PKA Ialpha activation in response to adequate stimuli.

A theoretical model study on the cyclic reaction of 4-hydroxybutanal catalyzed by Brønsted acid

For a theoretical model study on the cyclic reaction of 4-hydroxybutanal (4-OH-BL), we have examined five assumed reaction pathways (I–V) by performing the B3LYP calculations in the gas phase and self-consistent isodensity polarized continuum model (SCIPCM)-B3LYP calculations in aqueous solution. Pathways II (4-OH-BL + H+), III (4-OH-BL + H3O+), and IV (4-OH-BL + H3O+ + H2O) represent three models for the cyclic reaction catalyzed by Brønsted acids. The present study leads to the following conclusions concerning the five pathways (mainly on the basis of the calculation results in the solution). The high barrier along pathway I (with no catalyst) implies that the reaction does not occur without a catalyst, and the extremely large stabilization energy of the intermediate implies that pathway II is not a realistic model for the reaction catalyzed by Brønsted acid. Along pathway III, there are two intermediates and a transition state in between, and they are 10–16 kcal/mol lower in energy than the reactants (4-OH-BL + H3O+). Along pathway IV, there is only one intermediate, and it is 20.6 kcal/mol lower in energy than the reactants (4-OH-BL + H3O+ + H2O). Pathways III and IV are predicted to be feasible. Energetically, pathway IV is more favourable than pathway III and it is considered as a rational model for the cyclic reaction of 4-OH-BL catalyzed by Brønsted acid. Our calculations for pathway V (catalyzed by H2O) indicate that the water molecule may also serve as a catalyst for the cyclic reaction. The transition state along pathway V is 20.0 kcal/mol higher in energy than the reactants (4-OH-BL + H2O), and one can clearly see the “proton wire” in its structure. Our calculations show strong solvent effects on energetics of the charged intermediates along pathways II, III, and IV.

Density functional computational studies on (E)-2-[(2-Hydroxy-5-nitrophenyl)-iminiomethyl]-4-nitrophenolate

Density functional calculations of the structure, atomic charges, molecular electrostatic potential and thermodynamic functions have been performed at B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level of theory for the title compound (E)-2-[(2-hydroxy-5-nitrophenyl)-iminiomethyl]-4-nitrophenolate. The results show that the phenolate oxygen atom and all of the nitro group oxygen atoms have bigger negative charges, and the coordination ability of these atoms differs in different solvents. The energetic behavior of the title compound in solvent media has been examined using B3LYP method with the 6-31G(d,p) basis set by applying the Onsager method and the isodensity polarized continuum model (IPCM). The results obtained with these methods reveal that the IPCM method yielded a more stable structure than Onsager's method. In addition, natural bond orbital and frontier molecular orbital analysis of the title compound were performed using the B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) method.

Basicity of organic bases and superbases in acetonitrile by the polarized continuum model and DFT calculations

The basicities of a large number of organic bases and superbases, including nitrogen basic centers in various chemical environments occurring in phosphazenes, amidines, amines, anilines and pyridines, have been studied in acetonitrile by the isodensity polarized continuum model employing two DFT computational schemes differing in the basis sets for final single-point calculations. It turned out that the B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p)//B3LYP/6-31G(d) method serves the purpose giving good agreement for basicities with experiment for both gas phase and acetonitrile solutions treating widely different bonding situations of basic nitrogen atoms on an equal footing. An attempt is made to correlate the experimental pKa(MeCN) values with the proton affinities (PA) in MeCN. The results are less accurate than those achieved by using basicities in acetonitrile. In particular, the PA(MeCN)s frequently failed in reproducing the pKa(MeCN) values in systems possessing multiple intramolecular hydrogen (IMH) bonds formed via corona effects. In such cases the use of basicities is mandatory instead. A useful corollary of these calculations on systems with multiple IMH bonds is that comparison of the theoretical and experimental pKa values can provide an insight into the structure of the most stable conformations in solutions.