Cellulosic ethanol: Progress towards a simulation model of lignocellulosic biomass

Abstract

A CHARMM molecular mechanics force field for lignin is derived. Parameterization is based on reproducing quantum mechanical data of model compounds. Partial atomic charges are derived by the examination of methoxybenzene: water interactions. Dihedral parameters are optimized by fitting to critical rotational potentials, and bonded parameters are obtained by optimizing vibrational frequencies and normal modes. The force field is validated by performing a molecular dynamics simulation of a crystal of a lignin fragment molecule and comparing simulation-derived structural features with experimental results. Together with the existing force field for polysaccharides, this work will enable full simulations of lignocellulose. © 2008 IOP Publishing Ltd.