Competing inter-molecular interactions in sulfur containing systems: SH vs OH

SH groups are the constituents of proteins, amino acids and other biomolecules and their role in solution is central for many biological processes such as protein folding, molecular recognition and protein three-dimensional stability. By contrast with oxygen, sulfur exhibits lower electronegativity and increased polarizability which manifest as different trends of inter-molecular interactions. The ability of sulfur to hydrogen bond has been known for long time but a full understanding of the nature, directionality and strength of these bonding motifs is still lacking. This proposal will investigate the competition among fundamental interactions involving SH groups in solution and will answer fundamental questions about the role of sulfur in hydrogen bonding stability.