Solvent effects variational transition state theory

For these reasons we cannot use (7(R) as a rigid support for dynamical studies of trajectories of representative points. G(R) has to be modified, at every point of each trajectory, and these modifications depend on the nature of the system, on the microscopic properties of the solution, and on the dynamical parameters of the trajectories themselves. This rather formidable task may be simplified in severai ways we consider it convenient to treat this problem in a separate Section. It is sufficient to add here that one possible way is the introduction into G (R) of some extra coordinates, which reflect the effects of these retarding forces. These coordinates, collectively called solvent coordinates (nothing to do with the coordinates of the extra solvent molecules added to the solute ) are here indicated by S, and define a hypersurface of greater dimensionality, G(R S). To show how this approach of expanding the coordinate space may be successfully exploited, we refer here to the proposals made by Truhlar et al. (1993). Their formulation, that just lets these solvent coordinates partecipate in the reaction path, allows to extend the algorithms and concepts of the above mentioned variational transition state theory to molecules in solution. 

Quantum dynamics effects for hydride transfer in enzyme catalysis have been analyzed by Alhambra et. al., 2000. This process is simulated using canonically variational transition-states for overbarrier dynamics and optimized multidimensional paths for tunneling. A system is divided into a primary zone (substrate-enzyme-coenzyme), which is embedded in a secondary zone (substrate-enzyme-coenzyme-solvent). The potential energy surface of the first zone is treated by quantum mechanical electronic structure methods, and protein, coenzyme, and solvent atoms by molecular mechanical force fields. The theory allows the calculation of Schaad-Swain exponents for primary (aprim) and secondary (asec) KIE... 

Theoretical considerations leading to a density functional theory (DFT) formulation of the reaction field (RF) approach to solvent effects are discussed. The first model is based upon isolelectronic processes that take place at the nucleus of the host system. The energy variations are derived from the nuclear transition state (ZTS) model. The solvation energy is expressed in terms of the electrostatic potential at the nucleus of a pseudo atom having a fractional nuclear charge. This procedure avoids the introduction of arbitrary ionic radii in the calculation of insertion energy, since all integrations involved are performed over [O.ooJ The quality of the approximations made are discussed within the frame of the Kohn-Sham formulation of density functional theory. 

The final limitation of the pure electrostatic theory is its inability to predict solvent effects for reactions involving isopolar transition states. Since no creation, destruction, or distribution of charge occurs on passing from the reactants to the activated complex of these reactions, their rates are expected to be solvent-independent. However, the observed rate constants usually vary with solvent, although the variations rarely exceed one order of magnitude [cf. Section 5.3.3). These solvent effects may be explained in terms of cohesive forces of a solvent acting on a solute, usually measured by the cohesive pressure of the solvent [cf. Section 5.4.2). 

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