Differential stabilization of adenine quartets by anions and cations

We have investigated the structures and stabilities of four different adenine quartets with alkali and halide ions in the gas phase and in water, using dispersion-corrected density functional theory at the BLYP-D/TZ2P level. First, we examine the empty quartets and how they interact with alkali cations and halide anions with formation of adenine quartet–ion complexes. Second, we examine the interaction in a stack, in which a planar adenine quartet interacts with a cation or anion in the periphery as well as in the center of the quartet. Interestingly, for the latter situation, we find that both cations and anions can stabilize a planar adenine quartet in a stack. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00775-009-0611-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.