The effect of external forces on the initial dissociation of RDX (1,3,5‐trinitro‐1,3,5‐triazine): A mechanochemical study

Experimental and theoretical studies have proposed different initiation reactions for the decomposition of hexahydro‐1,3,5‐trinitro‐1,3,5‐triazine (RDX). Three primary reactions are considered to start RDX decomposition: homolytic N? N bond fission, HONO elimination, and concerted fission of C? N bonds. The focus of this article is to study the effect of external forces on the energy barrier and reaction energies of all three mechanisms. We used the Nudged Elastic Band method along with ab initio Density Functional Theory within the framework of a generalized force‐modified potential energy surface (G‐FMPES) to calculate the minimum energy paths at different compressive (corresponding to pressure between approximately 6 and 294 MPa) and expansive force values (between 10 and 264 pN). For all three reactions, the application of an expansive force increases the exothermicity and lowers the energy barriers to different extents, while a compressive force decreases the exothermicity and raises the energy barrier to different extents.     

Thermal decomposition of 2-butanol as a potential nonfossil fuel: a computational study

The thermochemistry and kinetics of the pyrolysis of 2-butanol have been conducted using ab initio methods (CBS-QB3 and CCSD(T)) and density functional theory (DFT). The enthalpies of formation and bond dissociation energies of some alcohols including 2-butanol and its derived radicals have been calculated. A variety of simple and complex dissociations have been examined. The results indicated that dehydration to 1- and 2-butene through four-center transition states is the most dominant channel at low to moderate temperatures (T ≤ 700 K), where formation of butenes is kinetically and thermodynamically more favorable than other complex and simple bond scission reactions. Although the C-C bond fission channels require more energy than needed for some complex decomposition reactions, the former pathways predominate at higher temperatures (T ≥ 800 K) due to the higher values of the pre-exponential factors. The progress of the complex decomposition reactions has been followed through intrinsic reaction coordinate (IRC) calculations to understand the mechanism of transformation of 2-butanol to different products.     

Enthalpies of formation, bond dissociation energies and reaction paths for the decomposition of model biofuels: ethyl propanoate and methyl butanoate

The complete basis set method CBS-QB3 has been used to study the thermochemistry and kinetics of the esters ethyl propanoate (EP) and methyl butanoate (MB) to evaluate initiation reactions and intermediate products from unimolecular decomposition reactions. Using isodesmic and isogeitonic equations and atomization energies, we have estimated chemically accurate enthalpies of formation and bond dissociation energies for the esters and species derived from them. In addition it is shown that controversial literature values may be resolved by adopting, for the acetate radical, CH3C(O)O(.-), DeltaH(o)(f)298.15K) = -197.8 kJ mol(-1) and for the trans-hydrocarboxyl radical, C(.-)(O)OH, -181.6 +/- 2.9 kJ mol(-1). For EP, the lowest energy decomposition path encounters an energy barrier of approximately 210 kJ mol(-1) (approximately 50 kcal mol(-1)), which proceeds through a six-membered ring transition state (retro-ene reaction) via transfer of the primary methyl H atom from the ethyl group to the carbonyl oxygen, while cleaving the carbon-ether oxygen to form ethene and propanoic acid. On the other hand, the lowest energy path for MB has a barrier of approximately 285 kJ mol(-1), producing ethene. Other routes leading to the formation of aldehydes, alcohols, ketene, and propene are also discussed. Most of these intramolecular hydrogen transfers have energy barriers lower than that needed for homolytic bond fission (the lowest of which is 353 kJ mol(-1) for the C(alpha)-C(beta) bond in MB). Propene formation is a much higher energy demanding process, 402 kJ mol(-1), and it should be competitive with some C-C, C-O, and C-H bond cleavage processes.     

Thermochemistry for enthalpies and reaction paths of nitrous acid isomers

Recent studies show that nitrous acid, HONO, a significant precursor of the hydroxyl radical in the atmosphere, is formed during the photolysis of nitrogen dioxide in soils. The term nitrous acid is largely used interchangeably in the atmospheric literature, and the analytical methods employed do not often distinguish between the HONO structure (nitrous acid) and HNO₂ (nitryl hydride or isonitrous acid). The objective of this study is to determine the thermochemistry of the HNO₂ isomer, which has not been determined experimentally, and to evaluate its thermal and atmospheric stability relative to HONO. The thermochemistry of these isomers is also needed for reference and internal consistency in the calculation of larger nitrite and nitryl systems. We review, evaluate, and compare the thermochemical properties of several small nitric oxide and hydrogen nitrogen oxide molecules. The enthalpies of HONO and HNO₂ are calculated using computational chemistry with the following methods of analysis for the atomization, isomerization, and work reactions using closed‐ and open‐shell reference molecules. Three high‐level composite methods G3, CBS‐QB3, and CBS‐APNO are used for the computation of enthalpy. The enthalpy of formation, ΔH^o_f(298 K), for HONO is determined as ?18.90 ± 0.05 kcal mol^?1 (?79.08 ± 0.2 kJ mol^?1) and as ?10.90 ± 0.05 kcal mol^?1 (?45.61 ± 0.2 kJ mol^?1) for nitryl hydride (HNO₂), which is significantly higher than values used in recent NO_x combustion mechanisms. H‐NO₂ is the weakest bond in isonitrous acid; but HNO₂ will isomerize to HONO with a similar barrier to the HO? NO bond energy; thus, it also serves as a source of OH in atmospheric chemistry. Kinetics of the isomerization is determined; a potential energy diagram of H/N/O₂ system is presented, and an analysis of the triplet surface is initiated. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 39: 378–398, 2007     

Mass spectroscopic study of halocyanoacetylenes: Appearance energies and thermochemical data

The mass spectra of the cyanoacetylenes X? C?C? C?N, X ? H, F, CI, Br, I, are reported, together with electron impact appearance energies as determined using a modified second derivative method. From these data the enthalpies of formation and the C? X as well as the C?C bond energies are deduced. These bond energies are discussed in comparison with values of corresponding saturated and acetylenic compounds.     

Effect of charged and excited states on the decomposition of 1,1-diamino-2,2-dinitroethylene molecules

The authors have calculated the electronic structure of individual 1,1-diamino-2,2-dinitroethylene molecules (FOX-7) in the gas phase by means of density functional theory with the hybrid B3LYP functional and 6-31+G(d,p) basis set and considered their dissociation pathways. Positively and negatively charged states as well as the lowest excited states of the molecule were simulated. They found that charging and excitation can not only reduce the activation barriers for decomposition reactions but also change the dominating chemistry from endo- to exothermic type. In particular, they found that there are two competing primary initiation mechanisms of FOX-7 decomposition: C-NO2 bond fission and C-NO2 to CONO isomerization. Electronic excitation or charging of FOX-7 disfavors CONO formation and, thus, terminates this channel of decomposition. However, if CONO is formed from the neutral FOX-7 molecule, charge trapping and/or excitation results in spontaneous splitting of an NO group accompanied by the energy release. Intramolecular hydrogen transfer is found to be a rare event in FOX-7 unless free electrons are available in the vicinity of the molecule, in which case HONO formation is a feasible exothermic reaction with a relatively low energy barrier. The effect of charged and excited states on other possible reactions is also studied. Implications of the obtained results to FOX-7 decomposition in condensed state are discussed.     

A polarographic study of aliphatic nitro compounds

Conclusions Study of the electrochemical reduction of tert-nitrobutane and 2,2-dinitropropane has shown that passage from the mononitroalkanes to the gem-dinitroalkanes involves an alteration in the reduction mechanism.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 8, pp. 1719–1724, August, 1976.     

Bond energies in chloroethanes and chloroethyl radicals

C? Cl and C? C bond energies in the chloroethanes and C? H, C? Cl, and C? C bond energies in the chloroethyl radicals are calculated from known heats of formation of chloroethanes and chloroethylenes and known C? H bond energies in chloroethanes. The results obtained show a dependence of bond energy on the isomeric structure of the molecules and radicals and on the type of bond broken (primary, secondary, or tertiary). Heats of formation and bond energies estimated from group property additivity rules are in close agreement with experimental values.     

Pyrolytic characteristics and kinetics of pistachio shell by thermogravimetric analysis

Pyrolytic characteristics and kinetics of pistachio shell were studied using a thermogravimetric analyzer in 50?C800?°C temperature range under nitrogen atmosphere at 2, 10, and 15?°C?min^?1 heating rates. Pyrolysis process was accomplished at four distinct stages which can mainly be attributed to removal of water, decomposition of hemicellulose, decomposition of cellulose, and decomposition of lignin, respectively. The activation energies, pre-exponential factors, and reaction orders of active pyrolysis stages were calculated by Arrhenius, Coats?CRedfern, and Horowitz?CMetzger model-fitting methods, while activation energies were additionaly determined by Flynn?CWall?COzawa model-free method. Average activation energies of the second and third stages calculated from model-fitting methods were in the range of 121?C187 and 320?C353?kJ?mol^?1, respectively. The FWO method yielded a compatible result (153?kJ?mol^?1) for the second stage but a lower result (187?kJ?mol^?1) for the third stage. The existence of kinetic compensation effect was evident.     

A redetermination of the heat of formation of perchloryl fluoride

A standard enthalpy of formation for perchloryl fluoride of ?22.6 ± 1.0 kJ mol^-1 was determined from its heat of alkaline hydrolysis which compared with a previously obtained value of ?26.5 ± 2.9 kJ mol^-1 from the heat of hydrogenation. A convenient calorimeter for gas-liquid reactions is described. The thermochemistry of hydrolysis and bond fission of perchloryl fluoride is discussed in relation to known reactions of the fluoride.     

A study of the unimolecular dissociation of the 2-buten-2-yl radical via the 193 nm photodissociation of 2-chloro-2-butene

This work investigates the unimolecular dissociation of the 2-buten-2-yl radical. This radical has three potentially competing reaction pathways: C-C fission to form CH3 + propyne, C-H fission to form H + 1,2-butadiene, and C-H fission to produce H + 2-butyne. The experiments were designed to probe the branching to the three unimolecular dissociation pathways of the radical and to test theoretical predictions of the relevant dissociation barriers. Our crossed laser-molecular beam studies show that 193 nm photolysis of 2-chloro-2-butene produces 2-buten-2-yl in the initial photolytic step. A minor C-Cl bond fission channel forms electronically excited 2-buten-2-yl radicals and the dominant C-Cl bond fission channel produces ground-state 2-buten-2-yl radicals with a range of internal energies that spans the barriers to dissociation of the radical. Detection of the stable 2-buten-2-yl radicals allows a determination of the translational, and therefore internal, energy that marks the onset of dissociation of the radical. The experimental determination of the lowest-energy dissociation barrier gave 31 +/- 2 kcal/mol, in agreement with the 32.8 +/- 2 kcal/mol barrier to C-C fission at the G3//B3LYP level of theory. Our experiments detected products of all three dissociation channels of unstable 2-buten-2-yl as well as a competing HCl elimination channel in the photolysis of 2-chloro-2-butene. The results allow us to benchmark electronic structure calculations on the unimolecular dissociation reactions of the 2-buten-2-yl radical as well as the CH3 + propyne and H + 1,2-butadiene bimolecular reactions. They also allow us to critique prior experimental work on the H + 1,2-butadiene reaction.     

Density Functional Studies of the C?F Bond Activation of CF3 Radical by Bare Co+

The C? F bond activation mechanism of CF₃ radical by bare Co⁺ has been studied by density functional theory. Three local minima and two first‐order saddle points were located for the potential energy surface (PES) of [Co, C, F₃]⁺. The activation barrier involving C? F bond activation was calculated to be only 14.73 kJ/mol, while the largest barrier of 149.29 kJ/mol on the FES involves Co? C bond rupture. The bonding mechanism between Co⁺, C and F atoms were discussed based on Mulliken population. The relevant bond dissociation energy and thermochemistry data were calculated with the limited experimental values, and the results are in good agreement with the experimental findings.     

A kinetic study of the thermal elimination of hydrogen fluoride from 1,2-difluoroethane. Determination of the bond dissociation energies D(CH2F?CH2F) and D(CH2F?H).

The kinetics of the thermal elimination of HF from 1,2-difluoroethane have been studied in a static system over the temperature range 734–820°K. The reaction was shown to be first order and homogeneous, with a rate constant of where θ = 2.303RT in kcal/mole. The A-factor falls within the normal range for such reactions and is in line with transition state theory; the activation energy is similarly consistent with an estimate based on data for the analogous reactions of ethyl fluoride and other alkyl halides. The above activation energy has been compared with values of the critical energy calculated from data on the decomposition of chemically activated 1,2-difluoroethane by the RRKM theory and the bond dissociation energy, D(CH₂F? CH₂F) = 88 ± 2 kcal/mole, derived. It follows from thermochemistry that ΔH_f⁰(CH₂F) = -7.8 and D(CH₂F? H) = 101 ± 2 kcal/mole. Bond dissociation energies in fluoromethanes and fluoroethanes are discussed.     

高压下β-HMX热分解机理的ReaxFF反应分子动力学模拟

采用ReaxFF反应分子动力学方法研究了不同压缩态β-HMX晶体(ρ=1.89、2.11、2.22、2.46、2.80、3.20 g·cm^-3)在T=2500 K时的热分解机理, 分析了压力对初级和次级化学反应速率的影响、高压与低压下初始分解机理的区别以及造成反应机理发生变化的原因. 发现HMX的初始分解机理与压力(或密度)相关. 低压下(ρ<2.80 g·cm^-3)以分子内反应为主, 即N－NO₂键的断裂、HONO的生成以及分子主环的断裂(C－N键的断裂). 高压下(ρ≥2.80 g·cm^-3)分子内反应被显著地抑制, 而分子间反应得到促进, 生成了较多的O₂、HO等小分子和大分子团簇. 初始分解机理随压力的变化导致不同密度下的反应速率和势能也有所不同. 本文在原子水平对高压下HMX反应机理的深入研究对于认识含能材料在极端条件下的起爆、化学反应的发展以及爆轰等具有重要意义.     

Synthesis of a stereochemically defined 1,2-diazetine N,N'-dioxide and a study of its thermal decomposition

Diazetine dioxide 1a has been synthesized in a single step via oxidation of meso-2,3-diphenyl-1,2-ethanediamine with dimethyldioxirane, albeit in low yield (7%). Thermal decomposition of 1a afforded predominantly either trans-stilbene or diphenyl glyoxime depending on solvent, temperature, and the presence of an amine catalyst. Reaction in chloroform at 69 degrees C favored elimination of NO and formation of trans-stilbene. The stereospecific formation of trans-stilbene suggests a mechanism of decomposition in which C-N bond cleavage leads to a diradical intermediate stabilized by the phenyl group. Bond rotation followed by cleavage of the second C-N bond accounts for the trans-stilbene. At 25 degrees C in chloroform, while trans-stilbene was still the major product, some diphenyl glyoxime was also observed (4% yield). However, 1a as a solution in chloroform in the presence of Et3N, or 1a as a solution in DMSO-d6, afforded predominantly diphenyl glyoxime. These results are interpreted in terms of two closely competing reactions subject to the effects of entropic contributions.     

Theoretical study of the unimolecular decomposition mechanisms of energetic TNAD and TNAZ explosives

Calculation methods based on hybrid Density Functional Theory (DFT) with the basis sets of the B3LYP/6‐31+G(d)//B3LYP/4‐31G(d) method and the differential overlap (INDO) program were used to derive reasonable decomposition mechanisms of 1,4,5,8‐tetranitro‐1,4,5,8‐tetraazadecalin (TNAD) and 1,3,3‐trinitroazetidine (TNAZ) explosives. All possible decomposition species and transition states, including intermediates and products, were identified and their corresponding enthalpy of formation and Gibbs free energy of formation were obtained using polyparametric modification equations. INDO bond energy calculation results reveal the weakest bonding site for reference and determine where cleavage can occur easily. This work is concerned mainly with eliminating HONO (cis or trans form). The activation energy for trans‐form HONO elimination is lower than that of cis‐form HONO elimination in the initial steps of both TNAD and TNAZ decomposition, being 18.5 kJ/mol and 33.3 kJ/mol, respectively. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2005     

Very low-pressure pyrolysis (VLPP) of hex-1-ene. Kinetics of the retro-ene decomposition of a mono-olefin

The thermal unimolecular decomposition of hex-1-ene has been investigated over the temperature range of 915–1153 K using the technique of very low-pressure pyrolysis (VLPP). The reaction proceeds via the competitive pathways of C₃?C₄ fission and retro-ene elimination, with the latter dominant at low temperatures and the former at high temperatures. This behavior results in an isokinetic temperature of 1035 K under VLPP conditions (both reactions in the unimolecular falloff regime). RRKM calculations, generalized to take into account two competing pathways, show that the experimental unimolecular rate constants are consistent with the high-pressure Arrhenius parameters given by log k₁ (sec^?1) = (12.6 ± 0.2) -(57.7 ± 1.5)/θ for retro-ene reaction, and log k₂ (sec^?1) = (15.9 ± 0.2) - (70.8 ± 1.0)/θ for C-C fission, where θ = 2.303 RT kcal/mol. The A factors were assigned from the results of a recent shock-tube study of the decomposition in the high-pressure regime, and the activation energies were found by matching the RRKM calculations to the VLPP data. The parameters for C-C fission are consistent with the known thermochemistry of n-propyl and allyl radicals. A clear measure of the importance of the molecular pathway in the decomposition of a mono-olefin has been obtained.     

Mechanism of the primary stages of decomposition of aliphatic nitro- and fluoronitronitramines

The primary stage of the decomposition of compounds RN(NO₂)CH₂C(NO₂)₂X is the homolytic cleavage of the C?NO₂ bond, at X=NO₂ and N?NO₂ bond at X=F. The inductive effect of substituents decreases the dissociation energies of the C?N and N?N bonds by 1–2 kcal mol^?1. Kinetic effects caused by the spatial interaction of groups and by stepwise decomposition of polyfunctional compounds are described.     

Electron impact mass spectra of 1-methyl-3-(2-benzothiazolylhydrazono)-2-indolinones

A study of the fragmentation of l-methyl-3-(2-benzothiazolylhydrazono)-2-indolinones on electron impact reveals that the major processes involve N? N bond fission and the competing loss of CO from the molecular ion.