The effect of equi-weight electrostatic field on transesterification of MeC
OOBu with EtOH in the presence of base catalyst in liquid phase was investi
gated. The conversion of forward reaction and backward reaction was slightl
y enhanced in the equi-weight field (E = 1 X 10(5) V/m). SCC-DV-X, calculat
ions showed that the HOMO energy level of CH2O was decreased by about 9.6 e
V in H+ field, while increased by about 23.7 eV in O2- field. It is conclud
ed that the activation energy of the reaction in equi-weight electrostatic
field is almost the same as in free field, owing to the same potential ener
gy change of the reactants, transition states and products. In the unequi-w
eight electrostatic field, the negative charge center seems to be the activ
e site for reactants or products, while the positive one seems to be the ac
tive site for transition states, resulting in great decrease in the activat
ion energy.