A B3LYP/6-31G** study on the chlorination of ammonia by hypochlorous acid

B3LYP/6-31G** calculations were performed on the chlorination of NH3 by HOCl, considering explicit participation of zero, one, two, three and four water molecules. Detailed analysis of the free energy profiles shows the mechanism is water-assisted. Cl transfer from the O of HOCl to the N of NH3 is accompanied by proton transfers along a chain of hydrogen-bonded water molecules. Preferential stabilisation of the transition structure arises from cooperative fluctuations involving the hydrogen-bonded chain of water molecules. Calculations show solvent reorganization associated with proton translocations is coupled with Cl transfer in the vicinity of the transition structure.