Abstract
• 2-Hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and acrylic acid (AA) were investigated through MD simulations and DFT calculations. • Properties derived from simulations were compared to experimental electronic and vibrational spectra. • Different solvation models were used in theoretical spectra calculation. 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and acrylic acid (AA) are monomers widely used in the production of hydrogels with medium-high water content. The structural and spectroscopic properties of HEMA and AA were studied using a combination of computational strategies based on both density functional theory (DFT) calculations and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. DFT calculations have confirmed the co-existence of two stable HEMA conformers, while solute-solvent interactions between HEMA and AA with water were characterized by the analysis of MD simulations carried out by employing four different water models and different simulation conditions. The carbonyl and hydroxyl oxygen atoms of HEMA are involved in hydrogen bonding, whereas the ester oxygen atom does not appreciably interacts with the solvent. No significant differences in solute-solvent interactions are found between the two HEMA conformers. Their spectroscopic properties were calculated and the results were compared to experimental data. Although electronic spectra do not really allow a differentiation of the conformers, IR spectra present some peculiar bands to discriminate the presence and obtain information on the ratio of the conformers in solution. To verify the influence of a solvent with higher dipole moment on chemical properties, acetonitrile has been considered as an alternative solvent.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.