title: A molecular mechanics force field for lignin.
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 using the RESP electrostatic potential fitting method supplemented 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. Finally, 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 lignin force field will enable full simulations of lignocellulose.
authors.affiliation: Center for Molecular Biophysics, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, USA. petridisl@ornl.gov
authors.forename: Loukas
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Petridis
authors.forename: Jeremy C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D008031:Lignin / Q000737:chemistry*; D008956:Models, Chemical; D008958:Models, Molecular; D015394:Molecular Structure; D011789:Quantum Theory; D012399:Rotation; D014732:Vibration
chemical_list: D008031:Lignin