Tetrel bonds involving a CF 3 group participate in protein-drug recognition: a combined crystallographic and computational study

In this study, the ability of CF groups to bind to the electron-rich side chains and backbone groups of proteins has been investigated by combining a Protein Data Bank (PDB) survey and quantum mechanics calculations. More precisely, an inspection of the PDB involving organic ligands containing a CF group and electron-rich atoms (A = N, O and S) in the vicinity revealed 419 X-ray structures exhibiting CF ⋯A tetrel bonds (TtBs). In a posterior stage, those hits that exhibited the most relevant features in terms of directionality and intermolecular distance were selected for theoretical calculations at the RI-MP2/def2-TZVPD level of theory. Also, Hammett's regression plots of several TtB complexes involving - and -substituted benzene derivatives were computed to shed light on the substituent effects. Moreover, the TtBs were characterized through several state-of-the-art computational techniques, such as the Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules (QTAIM) and Noncovalent Interactions plot (NCIplot) methodologies. We believe that the results gathered from our study will be useful for rational drug design and biological communities as well as for further expanding the role of this interaction to biomedical applications.