Reaction Ensemble Monte Carlo Simulation of Complex Molecular Systems

Acceptance rules for reaction ensemble Monte Carlo (RxMC) simulations containing classically modeled atomistic degrees of freedom are derived for complex molecular systems where insertions and deletions are achieved gradually by utilizing the continuous fractional component (CFC) method. A self-consistent manner in which to utilize statistical mechanical data contained in ideal gas free energy parameters during RxMC moves is presented. The method is tested by applying it to two previously studied systems containing intramolecular degrees of freedom: the propene metathesis reaction and methyl-tert-butyl-ether (MTBE) synthesis. Quantitative agreement is found between the current results and those of Keil et al. (J. Chem. Phys. 2005, 122, 164705) for the propene metathesis reaction. Differences are observed between the equilibrium concentrations of the present study and those of Lísal et al. (AIChE J. 2000, 46, 866-875) for the MTBE reaction. It is shown that most of this difference can be attributed to an incorrect formulation of the Monte Carlo acceptance rule. Efficiency gains using CFC MC as opposed to single stage molecule insertions are presented.