A mathematical model is proposed to investigate the kinetics and equilibrium of homogeneous elementary first- and second-order chemical reactions. The dynamics is defined by the Monte Carlo method (MCM), with the Metropolis update, and the Ehrenfest urn model (EUM). MCM is an important step that accesses the kinetic and thermodynamic properties of the system, while the EUM defines the orders of the reactions studied in this work. The main parameters, such as temperature, the activation energy and the steric factor, were taken into account in the calculation of the transition probabilities between the reactants and products. It is thus possible to reproduce the kinetic profiles of the reactions and to evaluate the influence of temperature and the steric factor. Furthermore, it is possible to simulate the behaviour of the system by modifying the activation energy barrier, thus simulating a catalytic process. The effect of the addition of molecules was also investigated, with the system returning to a thermodynamic equilibrium condition after partial consumption of the added reactant, as predicted by Le Chatelier’s principle. All the simulated data are in agreement with the theoretical results present in physical chemistry textbooks.

By using the Monte Carlo simulation platform with probabilistic mathematical functions of the Boltzmann type, <img src="/img/revistas/qn/v36n5/a20res.jpg" align="absmiddle"/>, having activation energy and temperature as parameters, it was possible to assess important dynamic aspects of homogeneous chemical reactions of the types A → B and A <img src="/img/revistas/qn/v36n5/20s01.jpg" align="absmiddle"/> B. The protocol proved a useful tool in work with the basic concepts of Kinetics and Thermodynamics allowing its application both in class activities and for assisting experimental procedures.

The synthesis of fine chemicals intermediates using Friedel-Crafts acylation is one of the most important methods in chemical technology. In this work, the acylation of 2-methoxynaphthalene with acetic anhydride using a silica-supported dodecatungstophosphoric acid catalyst (HPW/SiO2) and acetonitrila as solvent was studied, showing that this reaction is a feasible alternative to produce intermediaries to replace the current methods of production. The reactions using acetonitrile solvent showed yields greater than or equal to the reactions using traditional solvents such as nitrobenzene and dichloroethane. Finally, the modified Eley-Rideal mechanism was proposed to elucidate the experimental data obtained.