Theoretical study of the neutral hydrolysis of methyl formate via a concerted and stepwise water-assisted mechanism using free-energy curves and molecular dynamics simulation

A procedure previously described by us is used for the theoretical study of chemical reactions in solution by means of molecular dynamics simulation, with solute–solvent interaction potentials LJ (12-6-1) derived from ab initio quantum calculations. We apply the procedure to the case of the neutral hydrolysis of methyl formate, HCOOCH₃ + 3H₂O → HCOOH + CH₃OH + 2H₂O in aqueous solution, via concerted and stepwise water-assisted mechanisms. We use the solvent as reaction coordinate, and the free-energy curves for the calculation of the activation energies. The theoretical calculation for the thermodynamics of this hydrolysis reaction in aqueous solution, assisted by three water molecules, is in agreement with the available experimental information. In particular our study gives values of ΔG ^≠ = 28.88 and 28.17 kcal/mol for the concerted and stepwise mechanisms, close to the experimental activation barrier of 28.8 kcal/mol, and a significant improvement over the values of 48.05 and 45.66 kcal/mol found in another similar study using the PCM model.