DFT Study of Structure and Radical Scavenging Activity of Natural Pigment Delphinidin and Derivatives

A theoretical evaluation of the antioxidant activity of natural pigment delphinidin (1a) and derivatives 1b, 1c, 1d & 1e was performed using the DFT-B3LYP/6–311 + G (d, p) level of theory. Three potential working mechanisms, hydrogen atom transfer (HAT), stepwise electron transfer proton transfer (SET-PT), and sequential proton loss electron transfer (SPLET), have been investigated. The physiochemical parameters, including O–H bond dissociation enthalpy (BDE), ionization potential (IP), proton dissociation enthalpy (PDE), proton affinity (PA), and electron transfer enthalpy (ETE), have been calculated in the gas phase and aqueous phase. The study found that the most suitable mechanism for explaining antioxidant activity is HAT in the gas phase and SPLET in the aqueous medium in this level of theory. Spin density calculation and delocalization index of studied molecules also support the radical scavenging activity. When incorporated into natural pigment delphinidin, the gallate moiety can enhance the activity and stability of the compounds.

SPIN DENSITY OF SPIN-FREE VALENCE BOND WAVE FUNCTIONS AND ITS IMPLEMENTATION IN VB2000

The expressions for computing the spin density of spin-free valence bond wave functions are derived based on the bonded tableaux approach. The new expressions, although similar to the original forms given by Cooper and McWeeny in the 1960s, are simpler and thus easier for coding. The new formulation was implemented in VB2000, an ab initio valence bond program based on algebrant algorithm and group function theory. The spin density calculation for multi-group VB wave functions is also briefly discussed. As examples of applications, the spin densities of allyl radical and diazide anion [Formula: see text] were computed at different VB levels.