Computer experiments of aqueous solutions. V. Monte Carlo calculation on the hydrophobic interaction in 5 mol % methanol solution

Abstract

Monte Carlo calculation has been carried out for 5 mol % aqueous solution of methanol at 298.15 K and experimental density with the Metropolis scheme in NTV ensemble. The total number of molecules is 216, of which 11 are methanol. The three kinds of pair potential function used are all based on SCF MO calculations, namely, water–water interactions with MCY (Matsuoka–Clementi–Yoshimine) potential, water–methanol, and methanol–methanol interactions with those proposed by Okazaki et al. and Jorgensen. Totally 5 800 000 configurations have been generated and final 4 200 000 configurations have been used to the calculation of thermodynamic quantities and various distribution functions. It is found that the mixing is slightly exothermic which can be ascribed to the promotion of water structure around methanol rather than the formation of hydrogen bonding between water and methanol. Evidence is given for the existence of hydrophobic interaction effect and the self-association of methanol with or without one water layer in between.