Issue 8, 2021

Encapsulating and decontaminating of sarin by heptakis(2,3,6-tri-O-methyl)-β-cyclodextrin: MD simulations and QM calculations

Abstract

Chemical warfare agents (CWAs) such as sarin are still available and their toxicity is a real danger. This study aims at investigating the ability of heptakis(2,3,6-tri-O-methyl)-β-cyclodextrin (M-β-CD) to trap and decontaminate sarin by a host–guest inclusion complex. The binding mechanism of the interactions between sarin and M-β-CD was described by a quantum mechanical (QM) framework combined with methods such as QTAIM, NBO, and also molecular electrostatic potential (MESP). Furthermore, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were conducted to determine the dynamical behavior, molecular structure, and binding affinities of the inclusion complex. A special procedure for encapsulating sarin into the M-β-CD cavity was employed, which includes three stages: annealing, equilibrium, and production. It was shown how the interactions of glycosidic oxygens of the M-β-CD with phosphorus can help to liberate fluorine and hydrolyze sarin. Also, the dynamic and structural parameters revealed that intermolecular hydrogen bonds and van der Waals interactions effectively ensured the penetration and surrounding of sarin into the cavity by the host molecule. This study shows considerable potential for future use to design β-CD derivatives that are able to trap and degrade CWAs.

Graphical abstract: Encapsulating and decontaminating of sarin by heptakis(2,3,6-tri-O-methyl)-β-cyclodextrin: MD simulations and QM calculations

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
27 Dec 2020
Accepted
09 Jun 2021
First published
09 Jun 2021

Mol. Syst. Des. Eng., 2021,6, 643-653

Encapsulating and decontaminating of sarin by heptakis(2,3,6-tri-O-methyl)-β-cyclodextrin: MD simulations and QM calculations

F. Mahmoudi and M. Shahraki, Mol. Syst. Des. Eng., 2021, 6, 643 DOI: 10.1039/D0ME00173B

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements