Halogens are prevalent in USDA approved drugs, with chlorine being the most prominent, followed by fluorine. When chlorine and/or fluorine are part of an alkyl fragment on the drug, Protein Data Bank searches of show they tend to be surrounded by hydrophobic amino acid groups when bound. However, little is known about the relative binding strengths of alkyl halides within these hydrophobic environments, and the cooperative nature of the specific interactions involved. We performed a systematic investigation of the binding of a variety alkyl halide fragments within hydrophobic clefts using a probe molecule, known as a molecular balance. The balances can effectively isolate and quantify hydrophobic-hydrophobic interactions in solution, as well as provide crystal structure information about their precise geometries. Our presentation will discuss the details of our study, and highlight the important relationship between binding constants, geometry, and electrostatics.

Halogens in hydrophobic spaces: What governs their interactions?

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