Hydrogen-Bonded Interactions in the Systems L-Cysteine - H2SeO3 and L-Cysteine -H2SeO4: A DFT Study

Using the density functional theory method at the B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level of theory, the formation of hydrogen-bonded complexes of L-cysteine with selenious and selenic acids has been studied. In both cases of selenium-containing acids, the complexes occur preferably by cysteine carboxylic group, therewith the enthalpy of formation values consist from –19 to –21 kcal/mol, and free energy from –6 to –9 kcal/mol. Probably, the initial act of interaction in the system hydroxyl-containing selenium compound - a-amino acid, proceeding with mutual orientation of the reactants molecules and intermolecular hydrogen bonds formation, serves as a prerequisite for the thiol group capability of participating in the subsequent stages (including more completed transformations) of biologically important reactions.