Theoretical calculations of beta-lactam antibiotics .7. Influence of the solvent on the basic hydrolysis of the beta-lactam ring

We used semi-empirical and ab initio calculations to investigate the nucleophilic attack of the OH- ion on the beta-lactam carbonyl group. Both allowed us to detect reaction intermediates pertaining to proton-transfer reactions rather than the studied reaction. We also used the PM3 semi-empirical method to investigate the influence of the solvent on the process. The AMSOL method predicts the occurrence of a potential barrier of 20.7 kcal/mol due to the desolvation of the OH- ion in approaching the beta-lactam carbonyl group. Using the supermolecular approach and a H2O solvation sphere of 20 molecules around the solute, the potential barrier is lowered to 17.5 kcal/mol, which is very close to the experimental value (16.7 kcal/mol).