Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Proposed Intermediates in the CO2 + Aqueous Amine Reaction

Ab initio molecular dynamics simulations of up to 210 ps have been performed on various aqueous intermediates postulated in the CO2 + amine reaction, important for CO2 capture. Observations of spontaneous deprotonation of aqueous carbamate zwitterions R1R2NHCOO(±) by bulk water (instead of additional amine, or via umbrella sampling) are reported apparently for the first time. Carbamic acid structures R1R2NCOOH were observed in some simulations, arising from zwitterions not via classical 1,3-H-shifts but via Grotthuss-style multiple-H(+) transfer pathways that involve bulk H2O and require carbamate anions R1R2NCOO(-) as an intermediate stage along the way. H(+)-bridging complexes, including not only Zundel ions [water·H(+)·water](+) but neutral carbamate complexes [carbamate(-)·H(+)·water], were observed in simulation. These results should assist efforts in improving underlying mechanisms for kinetic modeling.