Conformation-dependent properties of l-phenylalanine in neutral and radical cations have been studied by using density functional theory (DFT) with a new density functional M05-2X, which is applicable to molecular systems with nonconvalent interactions. Adiabatic and vertical ionization energies and charge distributions in the cationic conformers in addition to optimized geometrical structures for both the neutral and the cationic conformers were evaluated. These results were compared with DFT (B3LYP) results. The M05-2X results can explain the correspondence between the observed and predicted conformers without ambiguity. The possibility of conformerization of neutral conformers is indicated from the results of IRC (intrinsic reaction coordinate) profiles.