Prediction of conformational free energy differences of solutes in solution:: An MC-MST study

This study reports an extension of the MC-MST method to explore the conformational space of molecules in condensed phases. The MC-MST method combines a Monte Carlo (MC) Metropolis algorithm to sample the conformational space with the semiclassical version of the Miertus-Scrocco-Tomasi (MST) continuum model to treat solvation effects. The extension of the MC-MST method to describe the solvent-induced changes in the conformational space is examined for 1,2-dichloroethane and the two tautomers of neutral histamine. The results allow us to discuss the capabilities of the MC-MST method to reproduce the conformational preferences of molecules in solution.