Polarized Water Wires under Confinement in Chiral Channels

J Phys Chem B. 2015 Jul 16;119(28):8707-17. doi: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.5b03322. Epub 2015 Jul 2.

Abstract

The alignment of water molecules along chiral pores may activate proton/ion conduction along dipolar hydrophilic pathways. Here we show that a simple synthetic "T-channel" forms a directional pore with its carbonyl moieties solvated by chiral helical water wires. Atom-scale simulations and experimental crystallographic assays reveal a dynamical structure of water and electrolyte solutions (alkali metal chlorides) confined in these organic T-channels. Oscillations in the dipole orientation, which correspond to alternative ordering (dipole up-dipole down) of the water molecules with a period of about 4.2 Å (imposed by the distance between two successive carbonyl groups) are observed. When ions are added to the system, despite the strong Coulombic water/ion interaction, confined water remains significantly ordered in the T-channel and still exhibits surface-induced polarization. Cation permeation can be achieved through alternated hydration-dehydration occurring along strongly oriented water wires. The T-channel, which exhibits chirality with strong water orientation, provides an opportunity to unravel novel water-channel systems that share many interesting properties of biomolecular systems.

MeSH terms

  • Cations
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Ion Channels / chemistry*
  • Ion Transport
  • Stereoisomerism
  • Water / chemistry*

Substances

  • Cations
  • Ion Channels
  • Water