Unfolding of Hydrated Alkyl Diammonium Cations Revealed by Cryogenic Ion Mobility-Mass Spectrometry

J Am Chem Soc. 2015 Jul 22;137(28):8916-9. doi: 10.1021/jacs.5b05448. Epub 2015 Jul 9.

Abstract

Hydration of the ammonium ion plays a key role in determining the biomolecular structure as well as local structure of water in aqueous environments. Experimental data obtained by cryogenic ion mobility-mass spectrometry (cryo-IM-MS) show that dehydration of alkyl diammonium cations induces a distinct unfolding transition at a critical number of water molecules, n = 21 to 23, n = 24 to 26, and n = 27 to 29, for 1,7-diaminoheptane, 1,8-diaminooctane, and 1,10-diaminodecane, respectively. Results are also presented that reveal compelling evidence for unique structural transitions of hydrated ammonium ions associated with the development of the hydrogen-bond network around individual charged groups. The ability to track the evolution of structure upon stepwise dehydration provides direct insight into the intricate interplay between solvent-molecule interactions that are responsible for defining conformations. Such insights are potentially valuable in understanding how ammonium ion solvation influences conformation(s) of larger biomolecules.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Cations / chemistry
  • Diamines / chemistry*
  • Freezing
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization
  • Water / chemistry*

Substances

  • 1,10-diaminodecane
  • Cations
  • Diamines
  • Water
  • octamethylenediamine
  • 1,7-diaminoheptane