Heteropentámeros (Etanol)₄-Agua: Estudio estructural y termodinámico

Stochastic exploration of the potential energy surface of (ethanol) ₄-water heteropentamers through simulated annealing calculations was used to find probable structures of these clusters. Subsequent geometry optimization with the B3LYP/6-31+G(d) approach of these initial structures led to 13 stable heteropentamers. The strength of the hydrogen bonds of the type O-H---O (primary) and their spatial arrangements seem to be responsible for the geometric preferences and the high stability of these heteropentamers. This result is a consequence of the presence of the cooperative effects among such interactions. There is no significant influence of the secondary hydrogen bonds (C-H---O) on the stability of the heteropentamers.