Solvation Model Research Articles

Drug–polymer compatibility prediction via COSMO-RS

In this work, the solid–liquid equilibrium (SLE) curve for ten active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) with the polymer polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) K12 was purely predicted using the Conductor-like Screening Model for Real Solvents (COSMO-RS). In particular, two COSMO-RS-based strategies were followed (i.e., a traditional approach and an expedited approach), and their performances were compared. The veracity of the predicted SLE curves was assessed via a comparison with their respective SLE dataset that was obtained using the step-wise dissolution (S-WD) method. Overall, the COSMO-RS-based API–PVP K12 SLE curves were in satisfactory agreement with the S-WD-based data points. Of the twenty predicted SLE curves, only two were found to be in strong disagreement with the corresponding experimental values (both modeled using the expedited approach). Hence, it was recommended to use the traditional approach when predicting the API–polymer SLE curve. At the present moment, COSMO-RS may be an effective computational tool for the expeditious screening of API–polymer compatibility, particularly in the case of promising novel APIs, for which experimental datasets are likely limited or non-existent.

Exploring the molecular solvatochromism, stability, reactivity, and non-linear optical response of resveratrol.

This work analyzes the isomerization effects and solvent contributions to the stability, electronic excitations, reactivity, and non-linear optical properties (NLO) of resveratrol molecules within the formalism of the Density Functional Theory. The findings suggest that resveratrol solvatochromism is significantly influenced by solvent polarization. The electronic and free energies (E and G) indicate that trans is the most stable conformer. The system is classified as a strong nucleophile. However, the analysis of the Fukui functions and the Mulliken charges indicate that cis-trans isomerization jointly affects the reactive indices of the carbon and hydrogen atoms. The results also suggest that solvent is relevant to solvatochromism and the NLO response. Both cis and trans conformers present strong excitations that undergo a visible hypsochromic change when the polarity of the solvent increases. Once the absorption spectra are connected to the first hyperpolarization ( ) by the Oudar and Chemla relation, the hypsochromism of resveratrol is the reason for the drop in the generation of the second harmonic when the ambient polarity decreases. The CAM-B3LYP DFT results suggest that resveratrol is interesting for NLO applications. Depending on the choice of solvent, values 50 times those observed for urea ( esu), which is a standard NLO material. The optimized geometries of cis and trans isomers of resveratrol in vacuum were obtained using Density Functional Theory (DFT) with the hybrid exchange-correlation function (CAM-B3LYP) and Pople basis set functions, specifically 6-311++G(d,p). The solvent effect on the geometries of both isomers was included using the polarizable continuum model (PCM) with the same level of QM calculation. Vibrational analysis was conducted to confirm that all optimized geometries correspond to the minimum energy. Various electronic properties, including dipole moments, molecular orbitals, transition energy, dipole polarizabilities, and global reactivity parameters, were calculated using both continuum and discrete solvation models based on the sequential QM/MM methodology. All QM calculations were performed with the Gaussian 09 program and the MC simulations with the DICE program. All NLO analysis was carried out using the Multiwfn code.

Structural, electronic, and NLO properties of two acridone alkaloîds: DFT and TD-DFT studies.

The structural, electronic, and nonlinear optical properties of Verdoocridone A (Ver A) and B (Ver B) are examined theoretically in this study. The results showed that Ver A and B exhibit good electronic properties and can be used as new materials in NLO applications. According to their maximum absorption wavelength, Ver A (λmax = 313nm) enables production of vitamin D, while Ver B (λmax = 319.55nm) can help skin pigmentation. All calculations were performed at the DFT/B3LYP-D3/6-311 + G(d,p) level of theory using the Gaussian 16 software package. Excited states were simulated using the TD-DFT method at the CAM-B3LYP combined with 6-311 + (d,p) basis set. Also, the solvent effect was studied in water and benzene phases by the solvation model based on density (SMD) method.

Design of Localized High-Concentration Electrolytes from the Perspective of Physicochemical Properties.

The physicochemical properties of electrolytes profoundly impact the energy density, rate performance, and manufacturability of rechargeable lithium batteries. Localized high-concentration electrolytes (LHCEs), a novel electrolyte class, have attracted considerable interest, yet the impact of diluents on their physicochemical properties remains unclear, as most reports involve only a few samples. Here we prepared 345 electrolyte samples using 21 diluents and systematically investigated the effect of diluent type and content on the miscibility, density, viscosity, and ion conductivity of LHCEs. We found that the physicochemical properties of LHCEs are mainly affected by the diluents' density and viscosity, regardless of type. Notably, the ionic conductivity exhibits two typical variance trends, "volcano" and "descending," both correlating strongly with diluents' viscosity rather than dielectric constant, a parameter commonly employed in electrolyte design. This anomaly can be explained by the "plum pudding" solvation model, providing essential insights for developing lightweight, highly fluid, and conductive LHCEs.

Absorption Intensities of Organic Molecules from Electronic Structure Calculations versus Experiments: the Effect of Solvation, Method, Basis Set, and Transition Moment Gauge.

Recently, we derived experimental oscillator strengths (OSs) from well-defined UV-visible absorption spectral peaks of 100 molecules in solution. Here, we focus on a subset of transitions with the highest reliability to further benchmark the OSs from several wave function methods and density functionals. We consider multiple basis sets, transition moment gauges (length, velocity, and mixed), and solvent corrections. Most transitions in the comparison set come from conjugated molecules and have π → π* character. We use an automated algorithm to assign computed transitions to experimental bands. OSs computed using the Tamm-Dancoff approximation (TDA), CIS, or EOM-CCSD exhibited a strong gauge dependence, which is diminished in linear response theories (TD-DFT, TD-HF, and to a smaller degree LR-CCSD). OSs calculated from TD-DFT with PCM solvent models are systematically larger than apparent OSs derived from experimental spectra. For example, fcomp from hybrid functionals and PCM have mean absolute errors that are ∼10% of n·fexp, where n is a solvent refractive index factor that arises from the energy flux of the radiation field in a dielectric (solvent). Theoretical cavity field corrections considering spherical cavities do not improve the agreement between computed and experimental data. Corrections that account for the molecular shape and the direction of transition dipole moments, or that explicitly account for the effect of solvent molecules on the local field, should be more appropriate.

PW-SMD: A Plane-Wave Implicit Solvation Model Based on Electron Density for Surface Chemistry and Crystalline Systems in Aqueous Solution.

Electron density-based implicit solvation models are a class of techniques for quantifying solvation effects and calculating free energies of solvation without an explicit representation of solvent molecules. Integral to the accuracy of solvation modeling is the proper definition of the solvation shell separating the solute molecule from the solvent environment, allowing for a physical partitioning of the free energies of solvation. Unlike state-of-the-art implicit solvation models for molecular quantum chemistry calculations, e.g., the solvation model based on solute electron density (SMD), solvation models for systems under periodic boundary conditions with plane-wave (PW) basis sets have been limited in their accuracy. Furthermore, a unified implicit solvation model with both homogeneous solution-phase and heterogeneous interfacial structures treated on equal footing is needed. In order to address this challenge, we developed a high-accuracy solvation model for periodic PW calculations that is applicable to molecular, ionic, interfacial, and bulk-phase chemistry. Our model, PW-SMD, is an extension of the SMD molecular solvation model to periodic systems in water. The free energy of solvation is partitioned into the electrostatic and cavity-dispersion-solvent structure (CDS) contributions. The electrostatic contributions of the solvation shell surrounding solute structures are parametrized based on their geometric and physical properties. In addition, the nonelectrostatic contribution to the solvation energy is accounted for by extending the CDS formalism of SMD to incorporate periodic boundary conditions. We validate the accuracy and robustness of our solvation model by comparing predicted solvation free energies against experimental data for molecular and ionic systems, carved-cluster composite energetic models of solvated reaction energies and barriers on surface systems, and deep-learning-accelerated ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD). Our developed periodic implicit solvation model shows significantly improved accuracy compared to previous work (namely, solvation models in aqueous solution) and can be applied to simulate solvent effects in a wide range of surface and crystalline materials.

Temperature-Dependent Rotational Dynamics of Non-Polar Solute in Non-Polar Solvents: Influence of Boundary Conditions.

Rotational dynamics of 3-(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)-7-(diethylamino)-2H-chromen-2-one (3BT7D2H-one) non-polar solute in non-polar solvents has been studied by varying temperature to find out how hydrodynamic friction is influenced by solute-size ratio. It has been observed that the rotational dynamics of 3BT7D2H-one follow the Stoke's-Einstein-Debye (SED) model in an n-hexane solvent and it follows the Gierer and Wirtz (GW) model in an n-decane solvent. The probable reason is due to the solute-solvent size ratio which influences boundary conditions parameters and consequently on rotational dynamics of solute.

Density functional theory guide for copolymerization mechanism between allyl radical with radicalophile: photo-driven radical mediated [3 + 2] cyclization.

The challenge of activating inert allyl monomers for polymerization has persisted, prompting our proposal of the photo-driven radical mediated [3 + 2] cyclization reaction (PRMC). This innovative approach significantly expedites the homopolymerization of multi-allyl monomers, enabling the synthesis of embolic microspheres for hepatocellular carcinoma interventions. PRMC involves allyl monomers to form allylic radicals and then radicals participating in a cycloaddition reaction with unsaturated olefins as radicalophiles to form cyclopentane-based radical products. While extensively studied in the theoretical and experimental homopolymerization, PRMC's application in copolymerization remains unexplored. To address this knowledge gap, we explored the elementary reaction, selecting allyl methyl ether radicals (AMER) and α,β-unsaturated ketones as radicalophiles for copolymerization investigations by density functional theory (DFT) analysis. We quantified energy differences between ground and excited states of reactants, elucidated frontier molecular orbitals, and assessed thermodynamic data for copolymerization feasibility. We also evaluated the electronic properties of reactants, predicting the reactivity of radicalophiles and the interactions of intermolecular reactions. Additionally, we applied transition state theory and interaction/deformation models and conducted a local orbital analysis to comprehensively study excess electron distribution and gyration radius of cyclic radical product. Our findings offer vital insights into PRMC's potential in copolymerization. This research provides a robust theoretical foundation for practical application, enhancing the polymerization field. Based on density functional theory (DFT), the calculations were performed at the M06-2X/6-311 + + G(d,p) level in/by Gaussian 16 package. Subsequently, our analytical results apply time-dependent density-functional theory (TD-DFT) and solvent modeling (SMD). Single-point energy calculations determine the driving force behind the radicals' reaction with radicalophiles. Furthermore, we assessed the electrostatic potential (ESP) of the reactants. The results of the calculations were visualized by the Multiwfn 3.6 and VMD 1.9 programs.

Theoretical Study of an Authentic Hydrocarbon Ion Pair.

For many years researchers believed that hydrocarbons only contain covalent bonds. However, since 1985 Okamoto et al. demonstrated the formation of hydrocarbon salts in several systems, demolishing the structural principle that hydrocarbons only contain covalent bonds. Despite the great importance of this outcome to the study of chemical bonds, quantum chemical calculations on these systems are essentially nonexistent. The stability of the hydrocarbon ions along with the steric hindrance associated with the formation of the covalent bond contribute to their occurrence either in solution (dissociated) or in the solid state. These facts along with the common formation of ion pairs in solvents of low polarity motivated us to search for hydrocarbon ion pairs in the gas phase. Its energetics has also been studied in four nonprotic solvents, through a continuum solvation model (CPCM). DFT and CASSCF calculations indicate a metastable and highly polar ion pair between the tricyclopropylcyclopropenylium cation and a simplified Kuhn's anion. The barrier to the covalent structure varies from ∼4.8 to 14.4 kcal/mol, while the energy difference between the ion pair and the covalent form varies from ∼4.3 to 25.4 kcal/mol. The obtained theoretical results along with previous experimental results suggest the following strategy to obtain kinetically and thermodynamically stable hydrocarbon ion pairs: choose very stable hydrocarbon ions and systematically increase the steric hindrance between them.

Self-Assembly of Model Three- and Four-Patch Colloidal Particles in Two Dimensions.

A coarse-grained effective solvent model of two-patch particles is extended to study the self-assembly of three- and four-patch particles to two-dimensional honeycomb and square lattices, respectively. Employing this model, grand canonical ensemble simulations are done to calculate vapor-liquid equilibria and the critical temperatures for patchy particles of various patch widths. The range of stability of the liquid, although very limited compared to isotropic particles, which interact through a longer-range potential, depends on the patch width and on the number of patches. Biased sampling and unbiased simulations are also done to investigate the mechanism of nucleation and crystal growth for honeycomb and square lattices, self-assembled from three- and four-patch particles, respectively. A two-step mechanism governs the nucleation of both lattices. In the first step, the particles form a dense amorphous network, and in the second step, the particles inside the amorphous network reorient to form crystalline nuclei. Barrier heights for the nucleation of honeycomb and square lattices are 7.8 kBT and 7.4 kBT, which are close to the reported values for the nucleation of the kagome lattice. In agreement with confocal microscopy experiments, the self-assembly in a honeycomb lattice involves the formation of 5- to 7-membered rings. The 5- and 7-membered rings hamper the nucleation of the honeycomb lattice, through defect formation and rotation of the symmetry planes of crystals that form at their surfaces. With the progress of self-assembly, a substantial amount of restructuring of the defects and crystals in their vicinity is needed to heal the defects.

Theoretical investigation on degradation of CH[triple bond, length as m-dash]CCH2OH by NO3 radicals in the atmosphere.

A detailed computational investigation is executed on the reaction between NO3 and CH[triple bond, length as m-dash]CCH2OH at the CCSD(T)/cc-pVTZ//B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level. Addition/elimination and H-abstraction mechanisms are found for the NO3 + CH[triple bond, length as m-dash]CCH2OH reaction, and they could compete with each other. The most feasible addition/elimination pathway through a series of central-C addition, 1,4-H migration to generate intermediates IM1 (CHCONO2CH2OH) and IM3 (CH2CONO2CH2O), and then IM3 directly decompose into product P2 (CH2CONO2CHO + H). The dominant H-abstraction pathway is abstracting the H atom of the -CH2- group to generate h-P1 (CHCCHOH + HNO3). RRKM-TST theory was used to compute the kinetics and product branching ratios of the NO3 + CH[triple bond, length as m-dash]CCH2OH reaction at 200-3000 K. The rate constants at 298 K are consistent with the experimental values. The lifetime of CH[triple bond, length as m-dash]CCH2OH is estimated to be 59.72 days at 298 K. The implicit solvent model was used to examine the solvent effect on the total reaction. Based on the quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) model, the toxicity during the degradation process is increased towards fish, and decreased towards daphnia and green algae.

Effect of 4-[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]morpholine, and N,N-dimethylbenzylamine on urethane formation - A theoretical study

The formation of urethane through the reaction between phenyl isocyanate (PhNCO)–butan-1-ol (BuOH) was investigated. The reactions, without and in the presence of 4-[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]morpholine (DMAEM), and N,N-dimethylbenzylamine (DMBA) catalysts have been examined using the BHandHLYP/6-31G(d) and G3MP2BHandHLYP levels of theory. The SMD implicit solvent model has been applied to simulate the solvent effect. As the reaction mechanism contains protonation steps, therefore the proton affinity for the selected catalysts has also been determined. Furthermore, the two selected catalysts have been compared. DMAEM contains different cyclic and aliphatic nitrogen functional groups, while the DMBA contains only aliphatic catalytic site. All in all, the presence of the catalysts significantly changes the reaction mechanism and the energetics of the reaction compared to the catalyst-free case. It was found that the cyclic amine has a slightly greater effect on the energetics of the catalytic reaction compared to the aliphatic one.

(Invited) A Molecular Understanding of (Interfacial) Ion Solvation, and Its Implications for Electrochemistry

Ions in solution play a central role in most electrochemical systems. Theoretical approaches rooted in continuum models, such as Debye-Hückel theory or the Born solvation model, provide the basis for much of our understanding about processes that involve dissolved ions. Despite the remarkable success of these relatively simple theories, their (drastic) assumptions can sometimes lead to a qualitatively incorrect description of the underlying chemical physics. Here, we will overview recent work from molecular simulations that casts light on the molecular details of both equilibrium and nonequilibrium processes in solution. Implications for relating the details of microscopic relaxation processes to experimental observables such as impedance and capacitance will also be discussed.

(Invited) Insights into Atomistic Processes at Electrified Solid/Liquid Interfaces from Ab Initio Calculations

Many of the challenges we face today towards achieving a greener economy focus on processes occurring at electrified solid/liquid interfaces. Understanding how the interactions between the solid, the liquid and dissolved species are affected by the applied potential will aid our ability to achieve rational design and targeted optimization of relevant processes. Hereby, ab initio molecular dynamic simulations including explicit modelling of the aqueous environment have proven an indispensable tool to gain insights into reaction mechanisms. More approximate choices to modelling the electrolyte, such as implicit solvent models, are however also popular. The talk will discuss the suitability of approximate models for the aqueous environment to study, e.g., the stability of surface phases in the Mg/H2O system and incorporation of impurities in nano-aerogels during synthesis [1,2], by coupling DFT calculations with thermodynamic models. Furthermore, insights into reaction mechanism at electrified solid/liquid interfaces enabled by our recent developments of a thermopotentiostat [3,4] will be presented, using the example of Pt[5].[1] S.-H. Kim, S.-H. Yoo, S. Shin, A. El-Zoka, O. Kasian, J. Lim, J. Jeong, C. Scheu, J. Neugebauer, H. Lee, M. Todorova, B. Gault, Adv. Mater. 34, 2203030 (2022)[2] S.-H. Kim, S.-H. Yoo, P. Chakraborty, J. Jeong, J. Lim, A. El-Zoka, L. Stephenson, T. Hickel, J. Neugebauer, C. Scheu, M. Todorova, B. Gault, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 144, 987 (2022)[3] S. Surendralal, M. Todorova, M. Finnis, and J. Neugebauer, Phys. Rev. Lett. 120, 246801 (2018)[4] F. Deißenbeck, C. Freysoldt, M. Todorova, J. Neugebauer, and S. Wippermann, Phys. Rev. Lett. 126, 136803 (2021)[5] S. Surendralal, M. Todorova, and J. Neugebauer, Phys. Rev. Lett. 126,166802 (2021)

Hybrid Cluster-Continuum Method for Single-Ion Solvation Free Energy in Acetonitrile Solvent.

A new hybrid discrete-continuum approach named the cluster-continuum static approximation (CCSA) has been proposed for acetonitrile solvent. The continuum part uses the conductor-like polarizable continuum model for electrostatic and a surface area-dependent term for nonelectrostatic solvation. The CCSA includes only one explicit acetonitrile solvent molecule and a damping function, which makes the CCSA method reduce to pure continuum solvation in the case of weaker potential of mean force for solute-solvent interaction. The performance of the model was tested for 22 anions and 22 cations, including challenge species that cannot be adequately described by pure continuum solvation. A comparison was done with the widely used solvent model density (SMD) model. For anions, the CCSA reduces to pure continuum solvation and the method has the same performance as the SMD model, with a standard deviation of the mean signed error (SD-MSE) of 2.7 kcal mol-1 for both models. However, the CCSA method for cations considerably outperforms the SMD model, with an SD-MSE of 3.3 kcal mol-1 for the former and 8.4 kcal mol-1 for the latter. The method can be automated, and the present study suggests that continuum solvation models could be parameterized taking into account the explicit solvation as proposed in this work.

Donnan equilibrium in charged slit-pores from a hybrid nonequilibrium molecular dynamics/Monte Carlo method with ions and solvent exchange.

Ion partitioning between different compartments (e.g., a porous material and a bulk solution reservoir), known as Donnan equilibrium, plays a fundamental role in various contexts such as energy, environment, or water treatment. The linearized Poisson-Boltzmann (PB) equation, capturing the thermal motion of the ions with mean-field electrostatic interactions, is practically useful to understand and predict ion partitioning, despite its limited applicability to conditions of low salt concentrations and surface charge densities. Here, we investigate the Donnan equilibrium of coarse-grained dilute electrolytes confined in charged slit-pores in equilibrium with a reservoir of ions and solvent. We introduce and use an extension to confined systems of a recently developed hybrid nonequilibrium molecular dynamics/grand canonical Monte Carlo simulation method ("H4D"), which enhances the efficiency of solvent and ion-pair exchange via a fourth spatial dimension. We show that the validity range of linearized PB theory to predict the Donnan equilibrium of dilute electrolytes can be extended to highly charged pores by simply considering renormalized surface charge densities. We compare with simulations of implicit solvent models of electrolytes and show that in the low salt concentrations and thin electric double layer limit considered here, an explicit solvent has a limited effect on the Donnan equilibrium and that the main limitations of the analytical predictions are not due to the breakdown of the mean-field description but rather to the charge renormalization approximation, because it only focuses on the behavior far from the surfaces.

Solvent accessible surface area-assessed molecular basis of osmolyte-induced protein stability.

In solvent-modulated protein folding, under certain physiological conditions, an equilibrium exists between the unfolded and folded states of the protein without any need to break or make a covalent bond. In this process, interactions between various protein groups (peptides) and solvent molecules are known to play a major role in determining the directionality of the chemical reaction. However, an understanding of the mechanism of action of the co(solvent) by a generic theoretical underpinning is lacking. In this study, a generic solvation model is developed based on statistical mechanics and the thermodynamic transfer free energy model by considering the microenvironment polarity of the interacting co(solvent)-protein system. According to this model, polarity and the fractional solvent-accessible surface areas contribute to the interaction energies. The present model includes various orientations of participating interactant solvent surfaces of suitable areas. As model systems, besides the backbone we consider naturally occurring amino acid residues solvated in ten different osmolytes, small organic compounds known to modulate protein stability. The present model is able to predict the correct trend of the osmolyte-peptide interactions ranging from stabilizing to destabilizing not only for the backbone but also for side chains. Our model predicts Asn, Gln, Asp, Glu, Arg and Pro to be highly stable in most of the protecting osmolytes while Ala, Val, Ile, Leu, Thr, Met, Lys, Phe, Trp and Tyr are predicted to be moderately stable, and Ser, Cys and Histidine are predicted to be least stable. However, in denaturing solvents, both backbone and side chain models show similar stabilities in urea and guanidine. One of the important aspects of this model is that it is essentially parameter-free and consistent with the electrostatics of the interaction partners that make this model suitable for estimating any solute-solvent interaction energies.

A Method for Efficiently Predicting the Radial Distribution Function and Osmotic Coefficients of Aqueous Electrolyte Solutions.

The prediction of the structural and thermodynamic properties of electrolyte solutions is critical for a huge range of practical situations where these solutions play a vital role. Theoretical models, such as the continuum solvent model, attempt to explain the behavior of solutions using a coarse-grained description of the interactions of species in the solution, whereas molecular simulations aim to directly compute the behavior of the solution, including the interactions between all ions and molecules in the system. Both methods have limitations: theoretical models are generally less accurate because they rely on assumptions, while molecular simulations require significant computational resources, particularly if higher accuracy is desired. To address these issues, we propose an affordable and effective method that combines the advantages of the modified Poisson-Boltzmann equation (MPBE) with classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to predict the radial distribution functions and thermodynamic properties of electrolyte solutions. We demonstrate a method of using the MPBE to compute the short-range potential of mean force (PMF) from the radial distribution functions (RDFs) and vice versa. Furthermore, we provide insights into the relationship between the RDFs and the short-range PMF based on the MPBE. Our analysis reveals that the effective short-range PMFs can be approximately calculated using low concentration simulations but the short-range PMFs are slightly concentration-dependent in simulations at higher concentrations. Additionally, we demonstrate that for concentrated solutions, osmotic coefficients can be calculated in agreement with experiment using a virial approach. This is based on the effective short-range PMFs and RDFs obtained from the MPBE method. Our proposed MPBE can therefore accelerate the calculation of the structural and thermodynamic properties of electrolyte solutions.

Determination and analysis of 4-hydroxyphenylacetamide solubility in different solvents by Hansen solubility parameters, solvent effect and thermodynamic properties

4-Hydroxyphenylacetamide (HPAD) is commonly used in the synthesis of high value-added chemicals in the fields of medicine, food and agriculture, such as atenolol, p-hydroxyphenylacetic acid, L-phenylalanine and D-phenylalanine. HPAD relies on chemical synthesis, involving multi-step reactions and multiple chemical catalysts. It is crucial to select appropriate organic solvent to improve yield and purity. In this work, the solubility of HPAD in 12 pure solvents (water, acetonitrile, methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, n-butanol, n-hexane, n-heptane, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, n-butyl acetate) and 3 binary solvents (n-hexane + methanol, acetonitrile + methanol, n-heptane + methanol) was investigated in the range of 278.15–323.15 K. The solubility of HPAD in the selected solvents was positively correlated with the temperature. Hansen solubility parameters were used to study the dissolution behavior of HPAD. Then, the solvent effect was analyzed by KAT-LSER model, and it was found that the hydrogen bond acidity and nonspecific dipolarity/polarizability of solvents favored the dissolution of HPAD. Moreover, the modified Apelblat model (MA model), λh model, CNIBS/R-K model (CNK model), Jouyban-Acree model (JA model), and SUN model were used to fit and analyze experimental data. The results showed that the MA model and the CNK model were the best models for single and binary solvents, respectively. Finally, van’t Hoff analysis showed that the dissolution of HPAD in the selected solvents was an endothermic and entropic driven process. This work provided reference data for the separation, purification and crystallization of HPAD, and had certain guiding significance for its industrial production and application.

A Comprehensive Study of Factors Affecting the Prediction of the pKa Shift of Asp26 in Thioredoxin Protein.

The stable protonation state of ionizable amino acids in a protein can be predicted by computing the pKa shift of that residue within the protein environment. Thermodynamic Integration (TI) is an ideal molecular dynamics-based approach for predicting the pKa shift of ionizable protein residues. Here, we probe TI-based simulation protocols for their ability to accurately predict the pKa shift of Asp26 in thioredoxin. While implicit solvent models can predict the pKa shift accurately, explicit solvent models result in substantial errors. To understand the underlying reason for this surprising discrepancy, we investigate the role of various factors such as solvent models, conformational sampling, background charges, and polarization.