Structural stabilities and transformations in cationized asparagine at finite temperatures: An ab initio molecular dynamics study

The cationic complexes of Asparagine (Asn), M +( Asn ), with M + = Li +, Na +, K +, Cs +, and H +, are models for studying the interaction between cations and Asn. Ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) method is employed to simulate their behavior at finite temperatures. Structural transformation between conformers is observed, which becomes progressively easier as the cation varies from Li +, to Na +, K +, Cs +, and H +. The fluctuation of the M +– N and M +– O distances and rotation of torsional angles are significant even at room temperature for K +, Cs + and H +. Vibrational profiles based on AIMD trajectories provide insights into the broadening and shifts in relative intensities observed in the vibrational spectra measured by infrared multi-photon dissociation (IRMPD) experiments.