Experimental and theoretical investigation of rate coefficients of the reaction S(3P)+OCS in the temperature range of 298-985 K

The reaction S(3P)+OCS in Ar was investigated over the pressure range of 50-710 Torr and the temperature range of 298-985 K with the laser photolysis technique. S atoms were generated by photolysis of OCS with light at 248 nm from a KrF excimer laser; their concentration was monitored via resonance fluorescence excited by atomic emission of S produced from microwave-discharged SO2. At pressures less than 250 Torr, our measurements give k(298 K)=(2.7+/-0.5)x10(-15) cm3 molecule-1 s-1, in satisfactory agreement with a previous report by Klemm and Davis [J. Phys. Chem. 78, 1137 (1974)]. New data determined for 407-985 K connect rate coefficients reported previously for T>or=860 and Tor=500 Torr, the reaction rate was enhanced. Theoretical calculations at the G2M(CC2) level, using geometries optimized with the B3LYP6-311+G(3df) method, yield energies of transition states and products relative to those of the reactants. Rate coefficients predicted with multichannel Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel-Marcus (RRKM) calculations agree satisfactorily with experimental observations. According to our calculations, the singlet channel involving formation of SSCO followed by direct dissociation into S2(a 1Deltag)+CO dominates below 2000 K; SSCO is formed via intersystem crossing from the triplet surface. At low temperature and under high pressure the stabilization of OCS2, formed via isomerization of SSCO, becomes important; its formation and further reaction with S atoms partially account for the observed increase in the rate coefficient under such conditions.     

Relative and absolute kinetic studies of 2-butanol and related alcohols with tropospheric Cl atoms

A newly constructed chamber/Fourier transform infrared system was used to determine the relative rate coefficient, k(i), for the gas-phase reaction of Cl atoms with 2-butanol (k(1)), 2-methyl-2-butanol (k(2)), 3-methyl-2-butanol (k(3)), 2,3-dimethyl-2-butanol (k(4)) and 2-pentanol (k(5)). Experiments were performed at (298 +/- 2) K, in 740 Torr total pressure of synthetic air, and the measured rate coefficients were, in cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) units (+/-2sigma): k(1)=(1.32 +/- 0.14) x 10(-10), k(2)=(7.0 +/- 2.2) x 10(-11), k(3)=(1.17 +/- 0.14) x 10(-10), k(4)=(1.03 +/- 0.17) x 10(-10) and k(5)=(2.18 +/- 0.36) x 10(-10), respectively. Also, all the above rate coefficients (except for 2-pentanol) were investigated as a function of temperature (267-384 K) by pulsed laser photolysis-resonance fluorescence (PLP-RF). The obtained kinetic data were used to derive the Arrhenius expressions: k(1)(T)=(6.16 +/- 0.58) x 10(-11)exp[(174 +/- 58)/T], k(2)(T)=(2.48 +/- 0.17) x 10(-11)exp[(328 +/- 42)/T], k(3)(T)=(6.29 +/- 0.57) x 10(-11)exp[(192 +/- 56)/T], and k(4)(T)=(4.80 +/- 0.43) x 10(-11)exp[(221 +/- 56)/T](in units of cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) and +/-sigma). Results and mechanism are discussed and compared with the reported reactivity with OH radicals. Some atmospheric implications derived from this study are also reported.     

Experimental and theoretical investigations of rate coefficients of the reaction S(3P)+O2 in the temperature range 298-878 K

Rate coefficients of the reaction S+O(2) with Ar under 50 Torr in the temperature range 298-878 K were determined with the laser photolysis technique. S atoms were generated by photolysis of OCS with a KrF excimer laser at 248 nm; their concentration was monitored via resonance fluorescence excited by atomic emission of S produced from microwave-discharged SO(2). Our measurements show that k(298 K)=(1.92+/-0.29)x10(-12) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), in satisfactory agreement with previous reports. New data determined for 505-878 K show non-Arrhenius behavior; combining our results with data reported at high temperatures, we derive an expression k(T)=(9.02+/-0.27)x10(-19)T(2.11+/-0.15) exp[(730+/-120)/T] cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) for 298< or =T< or =3460 K. Theoretical calculations at the G2M (RCC2) level, using geometries optimized with the B3LYP/6-311+G(3df) method, yield energies of transition states and products relative to those of the reactants. Rate coefficients predicted with multichannel RRKM calculations agree satisfactorily with experimental observations; the reaction channel via SOO(1A') dominates at T<500 K, whereas channels involving formation of SOO(3A") followed by isomerization to SO(2) before dissociation, and formation of SOO(1A") followed by direct dissociation, become important at high temperatures, accounting for the observed rapid increase in rate coefficient.     

Rate coefficients for the reaction of OH with (E)-2-pentenal, (E)-2-hexenal, and (E)-2-heptenal

Rate coefficients for the gas-phase reaction of the OH radical with (E)-2-pentenal (CH(3)CH(2)CH[double bond]CHCHO), (E)-2-hexenal (CH(3)(CH(2))(2)CH[double bond]CHCHO), and (E)-2-heptenal (CH(3)(CH(2))(3)CH[double bond]CHCHO), a series of unsaturated aldehydes, over the temperature range 244-374 K at pressures between 23 and 150 Torr (He, N(2)) are reported. Rate coefficients were measured under pseudo-first-order conditions in OH with OH radicals produced via pulsed laser photolysis of HNO(3) or H(2)O(2) at 248 nm and detected by pulsed laser-induced fluorescence. The rate coefficients were independent of pressure and the room temperature rate coefficients and Arrhenius expressions obtained are (cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) units): k(1)(297 K)=(4.3 +/- 0.6)x 10(-11), k(1)(T)=(7.9 +/- 1.2)x 10(-12) exp[(510 +/- 20)/T]; k(2)(297 K)=(4.4 +/- 0.5)x 10(-11), k(2)(T)=(7.5 +/- 1.1)x 10(-12) exp[(520 +/- 30)/T]; and k(3)(297 K)=(4.4 +/- 0.7)x 10(-11), k(3)(T)=(9.7 +/- 1.5)x 10(-12) exp[(450 +/- 20)/T] for (E)-2-pentenal, (E)-2-hexenal and (E)-2-heptenal, respectively. The quoted uncertainties are 2sigma(95% confidence level) and include estimated systematic errors. Rate coefficients are compared with previously published room temperature values and the discrepancies are discussed. The atmospheric degradation of unsaturated aldehydes is also discussed.     

Kinetics of the reactions of CH2Br and CH2I radicals with molecular oxygen at atmospheric temperatures

The kinetics of the reactions of CH2Br and CH2I radicals with O2 have been studied in direct measurements using a tubular flow reactor coupled to a photoionization mass spectrometer. The radicals have been homogeneously generated by pulsed laser photolysis of appropriate precursors at 193 or 248 nm. Decays of radical concentrations have been monitored in time-resolved measurements to obtain the reaction rate coefficients under pseudo-first-order conditions with the amount of O2 being in large excess over radical concentrations. No buffer gas density dependence was observed for the CH2I + O2 reaction in the range 0.2-15 x 10(17) cm(-3) of He at 298 K. In this same density range the CH2Br + O2 reaction was obtained to be in the third-body and fall-off area. Measured bimolecular rate coefficient of the CH2I + O2 reaction is found to depend on temperature as k(CH2I + O2)=(1.39 +/- 0.01)x 10(-12)(T/300 K)(-1.55 +/- 0.06) cm3 s(-1)(220-450 K). Obtained primary products of this reaction are I atom and IO radical and the yield of I-atom is significant. The rate coefficient and temperature dependence of the CH2Br + O2 reaction in the third-body region is k(CH2Br + O2+ He)=(1.2 +/- 0.2)x 10(-30)(T/300 K)(-4.8 +/- 0.3) cm6 s(-1)(241-363 K), which was obtained by fitting the complete data set simultaneously to a Troe expression with the F(cent) value of 0.4. Estimated overall uncertainties in the measured reaction rate coefficients are about +/-25%.     

The reaction of IO with CH3SCH3: products and temperature dependent rate coefficients by laser induced fluorescence

The technique of pulsed laser photolysis was coupled to laser induced fluorescence detection of iodine oxide (IO) to measure rate coefficients, k(1)(T), for the title reaction IO + CH3SCH3 --> products (R1). A value of k1(298 K) = (1.44 +/- 0.15) x 10(-14) cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1) was obtained, independent of bath gas pressure (50 < P((N2 or air))/Torr < 300). The expression k1(T) = (3.2 +/- 1.4)x 10(-13)exp[(-925 +/- 136)/T)] adequately described the data over the range of temperatures (256 < T/K < 341) covered. Uncertainties (2sigma) in the 298 K rate coefficient and the pre-exponential factor include an estimate of systematic error. The conventional Arrhenius behaviour of k1(T) and the lack of pressure dependence are suggestive of an abstraction mechanism, characterised by an energy barrier of E approximately 8 kJ mol(-1). The product yield for production of I-atoms was determined indirectly to be close to unity, indicating that the reaction proceeds via transfer of the O-atom from IO to CH3SCH3 to form CH3S(O)CH3. In general, the values of k1(T) measured in this work indicate that has little impact on the chemistry of the atmosphere.     

Studies of the kinetics and thermochemistry of the forward and reverse reaction Cl + C6H6 = HCl + C6H5

The laser flash photolysis resonance fluorescence technique was used to monitor atomic Cl kinetics. Loss of Cl following photolysis of CCl4 and NaCl was used to determine k(Cl + C6H6) = 6.4 x 10(-12) exp(-18.1 kJ mol(-1)/RT) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) over 578-922 K and k(Cl + C6D6) = 6.2 x 10(-12) exp(-22.8 kJ mol(-1)/RT) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) over 635-922 K. Inclusion of literature data at room temperature leads to a recommendation of k(Cl + C6H6) = 6.1 x 10(-11) exp(-31.6 kJ mol(-1)/RT) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) for 296-922 K. Monitoring growth of Cl during the reaction of phenyl with HCl led to k(C6H5 + HCl) = 1.14 x 10(-12) exp(+5.2 kJ mol(-1)/RT) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) over 294-748 K, k(C6H5 + DCl) = 7.7 x 10(-13) exp(+4.9 kJ mol(-1)/RT) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) over 292-546 K, an approximate k(C6H5 + C6H5I) = 2 x 10(-11) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) over 300-750 K, and an upper limit k(Cl + C6H5I) < or = 5.3 x 10(-12) exp(+2.8 kJ mol(-1)/RT) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) over 300-750 K. Confidence limits are discussed in the text. Third-law analysis of the equilibrium constant yields the bond dissociation enthalpy D(298)(C6H5-H) = 472.1 +/- 2.5 kJ mol(-1) and thus the enthalpy of formation Delta(f)H(298)(C6H5) = 337.0 +/- 2.5 kJ mol(-1).     

Room temperature and shock tube study of the reaction HCO+O2 using the photolysis of glyoxal as an efficient HCO source

The rate of the reaction 1, HCO+O2-->HO2+CO, has been determined (i) at room temperature using a slow flow reactor setup (20 mbarH2+HCO+CO, into additional HCO radicals. The rate constants of reaction 4 were determined from unperturbed photolysis experiments to be k4(295 K)=(3.6+/-0.3)x10(10) cm3 mol-1 s-1 and k4(769-1107 K)=5.4x10(13)exp(-18 kJ mol-1/RT) cm3 mol-1 s-1(Delta log k4=+/-0.12).     

CF3CF=CH2 and (Z)-CF3CF=CHF: temperature dependent OH rate coefficients and global warming potentials

Rate coefficients over the temperature range 206-380 K are reported for the gas-phase reaction of OH radicals with 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (CF(3)CF=CH(2)), k(1)(T), and 1,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropene ((Z)-CF(3)CF=CHF), k(2)(T), which are major components in proposed substitutes for HFC-134a (CF(3)CFH(2)) in mobile air-conditioning units. Rate coefficients were measured under pseudo-first-order conditions in OH using pulsed-laser photolysis to produce OH and laser-induced fluorescence to detect it. Rate coefficients were found to be independent of pressure between 25 and 600 Torr (He, N(2)). For CF(3)CF=CH(2), the rate coefficients, within the measurement uncertainty, are given by the Arrhenius expression k(1)(T)=(1.26+/-0.11) x 10(-12) exp[(-35+/-10)/T] cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) where k(1)(296 K)=(1.12+/-0.09) x 10(-12) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1). For (Z)-CF(3)CF=CHF, the rate coefficients are given by the non-Arrhenius expression k(2)(T)=(1.6+/-0.2) x 10(-18)T(2) exp[(655+/-50)/T] cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) where k(2)(296 K)=(1.29+/-0.06) x 10(-12) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1). Over the temperature range most relevant to the atmosphere, 200-300 K, the Arrhenius expression k(2)(T)=(7.30+/-0.7) x 10(-13) exp[(165+/-20)/T] cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) reproduces the measured rate coefficients very well and can be used in atmospheric model calculations. The quoted uncertainties in the rate coefficients are 2sigma (95% confidence interval) and include estimated systematic errors. The global warming potentials for CF(3)CF=CH(2) and (Z)-CF(3)CF=CHF were calculated to be <4.4 and <3.6, respectively, for the 100 year time horizon using infrared absorption cross sections measured in this work, and atmospheric lifetimes of 12 and 10 days that are based solely on OH reactive loss.     

Kinetics and mechanisms of CF3CHFOCH3, CF3CHFOC(O)H, and FC(O)OCH3 reactions with OH radicals

The kinetics and mechanism of oxidation of CF3CHFOCH3 was studied using an 11.5-dm3 environmental reaction chamber. OH radicals were produced by UV photolysis of an O3-H2O-He mixture at an initial pressure of 200 Torr in the chamber. The rate constant of the reaction of CF3CHFOCH3 with OH radicals (k1) was determined to be (1.77 +/- 0.69) x 10(-12) exp[(-720 +/- 110)/T] cm3 molecule(-1)(s-1) by means of a relative rate method at 253-328 K. The mechanism of the reaction was investigated by FT-IR spectroscopy at 298 K. CF3CHFOC(O)H, FC(O)OCH3, and COF2 were determined to be the major products. The branching ratio (k1a/k1b) for the reactions CF3CHFOCH3 + OH --> CF3CHFOCH2* + H2O (k1a) and CF3CHFOCH3 + OH --> CF3CF*OCH3 + H2O (k1b) was estimated to be 4.2:1 at 298 K from the yields of CF3CHFOC(O)H, FC(O)OCH3, and COF2. The rate constants of the reactions of CF3CHFOC(O)H (k2) and FC(O)OCH3 (k3) with OH radicals were determined to be (9.14 +/- 2.78) x 10(-13) exp[(-1190 +/- 90)/T] and (2.10 +/- 0.65) x 10(-13) exp[(-630 +/- 90)/T] cm3 molecule(-1)(s-1), respectively, by means of a relative rate method at 253-328 K. The rate constants at 298 K were as follows: k1 = (1.56 +/- 0.06) x 10-13, k2 = (1.67 +/- 0.05) x 10-14, and k3 = (2.53 +/- 0.07) x 10-14 cm3 molecule(-1)(s-1). The tropospheric lifetimes of CF3CHFOCH3, CF3CHFOC(O)H, and FC(O)OCH3 with respect to reaction with OH radicals were estimated to be 0.29, 3.2, and 1.8 years, respectively.     

Kinetics of the reactions of chlorinated methyl radicals (CH2Cl, CHCl2, and CCl3) with NO2 in the temperature range 220-360 K

The kinetics of the reactions of chlorinated methyl radicals (CH2Cl, CHCl2, and CCl3) with NO2 have been studied in direct measurements at temperatures between 220 and 360 K using a tubular flow reactor coupled to a photoionization mass spectrometer. The radicals have been homogeneously generated at 193 or 248 nm by pulsed laser photolysis of appropriate precursors. Decays of radical concentrations have been monitored in time-resolved measurements to obtain the reaction rate coefficients under pseudo-first-order conditions with the amount of NO2 being in large excess over radical concentrations. The bimolecular rate coefficients of all three reactions are independent of the bath gas (He or N2) and pressure within the experimental range (1-6 Torr) and are found to depend on temperature as follows: k(CH2Cl + NO2) = (2.16 +/- 0.08) x 10(-11) (T/300 K)(-1.12+/-0.24) cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1) (220-363 K), k(CHCl2 + NO2) = (8.90 +/- 0.16) x 10(-12) (T/300 K)(-1.48+/-0.13) cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1) (220-363 K), and k(CCl3 + NO2) = (3.35 +/- 0.10) x 10(-12) (T/300 K)(-2.2+/-0.4) cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1) (298-363 K), with the uncertainties given as one-standard deviations. Estimated overall uncertainties in the measured bimolecular reaction rate coefficients are about +/-25%. In the reactions CH2Cl + NO2, CHCl2 + NO2, and CCl3 + NO2, the products observed are formaldehyde, CHClO, and phosgene (CCl2O), respectively. In addition, a weak signal for the HCl formation has been detected for the CHCl2 + NO2 reaction.     

The gas phase tropospheric removal of fluoroaldehydes (CxF2x+1CHO, x = 3, 4, 6)

The rate coefficient of the OH reaction with the perfluoroaldehydes C(3)F(7)CHO and C(4)F(9)CHO have been determined in the temperature range 252-373 K using the pulsed laser photolysis-laser induced fluorescence (PLP-LIF) method: k(C(3)F(7)CHO+OH) = (2.0 +/- 0.6) x 10(-12) exp[-(369 +/- 90)/T] and k(C(4)F(9)CHO+OH) = (2.0 +/- 0.5) x 10(-12) exp[-(356 +/- 70)/T] cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), corresponding to (5.8 +/- 0.6) x 10(-13) and (6.1 +/- 0.5) x 10(-13) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), respectively, at 298 K. The UV absorption cross sections of these two aldehydes and CF(3)(CF(2))(5)CH(2)CHO have been measured over the range 230-390 nm at 298 K and also at 328 K for CF(3)(CF(2))(5)CH(2)CHO. The obtained results for C(3)F(7)CHO and C(4)F(9)CHO are in good agreement with two recent determinations but the maximum value of the absorption cross section for CF(3)(CF(2))(5)CH(2)CHO is over a factor of two lower than the single one recently published. The photolysis rates of C(3)F(7)CHO, C(4)F(9)CHO and CF(3)(CF(2))(5)CHO have been measured under sunlight conditions in the EUPHORE simulation chamber in Valencia (Spain) at the beginning of June. The photolysis rates were, respectively, J(obs) = (1.3 +/- 0.6) x 10(-5), (1.9 +/- 0.8) x 10(-5) and (0.6 +/- 0.3) x 10(-5) s(-1). From the J(obs) measurements and calculated photolysis rate J(calc), assuming a quantum yield of unity across the atmospheric range of absorption of the aldehydes, quantum yields J(obs)/J(calc) = (0.023 +/- 0.012), (0.029 +/- 0.015) and (0.046 +/- 0.028) were derived for the photodissociation of C(3)F(7)CHO, C(4)F(9)CHO and CF(3)(CF(2))(5)CHO, respectively. The atmospheric implication of the data obtained in this work is discussed. The main conclusion is that the major atmospheric removal pathway for fluoroaldehydes will be photolysis, which under low NO(x) conditions, may be a source of fluorinated carboxylic acids in the troposphere.     

LIF studies of iodine oxide chemistry. Part 3. Reactions IO + NO3 --> OIO + NO2, I + NO3 --> IO + NO2, and CH2I + O2 --> (products): implications for the chemistry of the marine atmosphere at night

The technique of pulsed laser photolysis coupled to LIF detection of IO was used to study IO + NO(3) --> OIO + NO(2); I + NO(3) --> (products); CH(2)I + O(2) --> (products); and O((3)P) + CH(2)I(2) --> IO + CH(2)I, at ambient temperature. was observed for the first time in the laboratory and a rate coefficient of k(1 a) = (9 +/- 4) x 10(-12) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) obtained. For , a value of k(2) (298 K) = (1.0 +/- 0.3) x 10(-10) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) was obtained, and a IO product yield close to unity determined. IO was also formed in a close-to-unity yield in , whereas in an upper limit of alpha(3)(IO) < 0.12 was derived. The implications of these results for the nighttime chemistry of the atmosphere were discussed. Box model calculations showed that efficient OIO formation in was necessary to explain field observations of large OIO/IO ratios.     

Rate constants for the reactions of a series of alkylperoxy radicals with NO

The rate constants for the gas-phase reactions of isopropyl- and tert-butylperoxy radicals with nitric oxide (NO) have been studied at 298 +/- 2 K and a total pressure of 3-4 Torr (He buffer) using a laser flash photolysis technique coupled with a time-resolved negative-ionization mass spectrometry. The alkyl peroxy radicals were generated by the reaction of alkyl radicals with excess O(2), where alkyl radicals were prepared by laser photolysis of several precursor molecules. The rate constants were determined to be k(i-C(3)H(7)O(2) + NO) = (8.0 +/- 1.5) x 10(-12) and k(t-C(4)H(9)O(2) + NO) = (8.6 +/- 1.4) x 10(-12) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1). The results in combination with our previous studies are discussed in terms of the systematic reactivity of alkyl peroxy radicals toward NO.     

Rates and mechanisms for the reactions of chlorine atoms with iodoethane and 2-iodopropane

The reaction of Cl atoms with iodoethane has been studied via a combination of laser flash photolysis/resonance fluorescence (LFP-RF), environmental chamber/Fourier transform (FT)IR, and quantum chemical techniques. Above 330 K, the flash photolysis data indicate that the reaction proceeds predominantly via hydrogen abstraction. The following Arrhenius expressions (in units of cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1)) apply over the temperature range 334-434 K for reaction of Cl with CH3CH2I (k4(H)) and CD3CD2I (k4(D)): k4(H) = (6.53 +/- 3.40) x 10(-11) exp[-(428 +/- 206)/T] and k4(D) = (2.21 +/- 0.44) x 10(-11) exp[-(317 +/- 76)/T]. At room temperature and below, the reaction proceeds both via hydrogen abstraction and via reversible formation of an iodoethane/Cl adduct. Analysis of the LFP-RF data yields a binding enthalpy (0 K) for CD3CD2I x Cl of 57 +/- 10 kJ mol(-1). Calculations using density functional theory show that the adduct is characterized by a C-I-Cl bond angle of 84.5 degrees; theoretical binding enthalpies of 38.2 kJ/mol, G2'[ECP(S)], and 59.0 kJ mol(-1), B3LYP/ECP, are reasonably consistent with the experimentally derived result. Product studies conducted in the environmental chamber show that hydrogen abstraction from both the -CH2I and -CH3 groups occur to a significant extent and also provide evidence for a reaction of the CH3CH2I x Cl adduct with CH3CH2I, leading to CH3CH2Cl formation. Complementary environmental chamber studies of the reaction of Cl atoms with 2-iodopropane, CH3CHICH3, are also presented. As determined by relative rate methods, the reaction proceeds with an effective rate coefficient, k6, of (5.0 +/- 0.6) x 10(-11) cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1) at 298 K. Product studies indicate that this reaction also occurs via two abstraction channels (from the CH3 groups and from the -CHI- group) and via reversible adduct formation.     

Study of the chemistry of ortho- and para-biphenylnitrenes by laser flash photolysis and time-resolved IR experiments and by B3LYP and CASPT2 calculations

The photochemistry of ortho-biphenyl azide (1a) has been studied by laser flash photolysis (LFP), with UV-vis and IR detection of the transient intermediates formed. LFP (266 nm) of 1a in glassy 3-methylpentane at 77 K releases singlet ortho-biphenylnitrene (1b) (lambda(max) = 410 nm, tau = 59 +/- 6 ns), which under these conditions decays cleanly to the lower energy triplet state. In fluid solution at 298 K, 1b rapidly (tau < 10 ns) partitions between formation of isocarbazole (4) (lambda(max) = 430 nm, tau = 70 ns) and benzazirine (1e) (lambda(max) = 305 nm, tau = 12 ns). Isocarbazole 4 undergoes a 1,5-hydrogen shift, with k(H)/k(D) = 3.4 at 298 K to form carbazole 9 and smaller amounts of two other isocarbazoles (7 and 8). Benzazirine 1e ring-opens reversibly to azacycloheptatetraene (1f), which serves as a reservoir for singlet nitrene 1b. Azacycloheptatetraene 1f ultimately forms carbazole 9 on the millisecond time scale by the pathway 1f --> 1e --> 1b --> 4 --> 9. The energies of the transient intermediates and of the transition structures connecting them were successfully predicted by CASPT2/6-31G calculations. The electronic and vibrational spectra of the intermediates, computed by density functional theory, support the assignment of the transient spectra, observed in the formation of 9 from 1a.     

Relaxation of H2O from its /04>- vibrational state in collisions with H2O, Ar, H2, N2, and O2

We report rate coefficients at 293 K for the collisional relaxation of H2O molecules from the highly excited /04>(+/-) vibrational states in collisions with H2O, Ar, H2, N2, and O2. In our experiments, the mid R:04(-) state is populated by direct absorption of radiation from a pulsed dye laser tuned to approximately 719 nm. Evolution of the population in the (/04>(+/-)) levels is observed using the combination of a frequency-quadrupled Nd:YAG laser, which selectively photolyses H2O(/04>(+/-)), and a frequency-doubled dye laser, which observes the OH(v=0) produced by photodissociation via laser-induced fluorescence. The delay between the pulse from the pump laser and those from the photolysis and probe lasers was systematically varied to generate kinetic decays. The rate coefficients for relaxation of H2O(/04>(+/-)) obtained from these experiments, in units of cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1), are: k(H2O)=(4.1+/-1.2) x 10(-10), k(Ar)=(4.9+/-1.1) x 10(-12), k(H2)=(6.8+/-1.1) x 10(-12), k(N2)=(7.7+/-1.5) x 10(-12), k(O2)=(6.7+/-1.4) x 10(-12). The implications of these results for our previous reports of rate constants for the removal of H2O molecules in selected vibrational states by collisions with H atoms (P. W. Barnes et al., Faraday Discuss. Chem. Soc. 113, 167 (1999) and P. W. Barnes et al., J. Chem. Phys. 115, 4586 (2001).) are fully discussed.     

Absolute rate coefficient of the OH + CH(3)C(O)OH reaction at T = 287-802 K. The two faces of pre-reactive H-bonding

The rate constants for the reaction OH + CH3C(O)OH --> products (1) were determined over the temperature range 287-802 K at 50 and 100 Torr of Ar or N2 bath gas using pulsed laser photolysis generation of OH by CH3C(O)OH photolysis at 193 nm coupled with OH detection by pulsed laser-induced fluorescence. The rate coefficient displays a complex temperature dependence with a sharp minimum at 530 K, indicating the competition between a reaction proceeding through a pre-reactive H-bonded complex to form CH3C(O)O + H2O, expected to prevail at low temperatures, and a direct methyl-H abstraction channel leading to CH2C(O)OH + H2O, which should dominate at high temperatures. The temperature dependence of the rate constant can be described adequately by k1(287-802 K) = 2.9 x 10(-9) exp{-6030 K/T} + 1.50 x 10(-13) exp{515 K/T} cm3 molecule(-1)(s-1), with a value of (8.5 +/- 0.9) x 10-13 cm3 molecule(-1)(s-1) at 298 K. The steep increase in rate constant in the range 550-800 K, which is reported for the first time, implies that direct abstraction of a methyl-H becomes the dominant pathway at temperatures greater than 550 K. However, the data indicates that up to about 800 K direct methyl-H abstraction remains adversely affected by the long-range H-bonding attraction between the approaching OH radical and the carboxyl -C(O)OH functionality.     

Studies of site selective hydrogen atom abstractions by Cl atoms from isobutane and propane by laser flash photolysis/IR diode laser spectroscopy

The kinetics of chlorine atom abstractions from normal and selectively deuterated propane and isobutane have been measured at room temperature and 195 K using a laser flash photolysis system, and following the course of the reaction via IR diode laser absorption measurements of HCl product. In conjunction with the kinetic measurements, a comparison of the HCl signal heights from pairs of measurements on normal and selectively deuterated systems has allowed the determination of the branching fractions of the reactions at the primary, secondary (propane) and tertiary (isobutane) positions. The kinetic data (all in units of cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1)) for the reaction of Cl atoms with propane ((1.22 +/- 0.02) x10(-10), 195 K; (1.22 +/- 0.03) x10(-10) 298 K) and isobutane ((1.52 +/- 0.02) x10(-10), 195 K; (1.25 +/- 0.04) x10(-10), 298 K) are generally in good agreement with literature data. No data are available for comparison with our measurements for the reactions of Cl atoms with CH(3)CD(2)CH(3) ((1.02 +/- 0.03) x10(-10), 195 K; (1.09 +/- 0.02) x10(-10), 298 K) or (CH(3))(3)CD ((1.32 +/- 0.03) x10(-10), 195 K; (1.12 +/- 0.04) x10(-10), 298 K). Rate coefficients at 195 K for the reactions of Cl atoms with ethane ((5.04 +/- 0.08) x10(-11) and n-butane ((2.19 +/- 0.03) x10(-10)) were also measured. The branching fractions for abstraction at the primary position increased with temperature for both propane ((40 +/- 3)% at 195 K to (48 +/- 3)% at 298 K) and isobutane ((49 +/- 4)% at 195 K to (62 +/- 5)% at 298 K). The direct measurements from this study are in good agreement with most calculations based on structure activity relationships.     

Temperature dependence and kinetic isotope effects for the OH + HBr reaction and H/D isotopic variants at low temperatures (53-135 K) measured using a pulsed supersonic Laval nozzle flow reactor

The reactions of OH + HBr and all isotopic variants have been measured in a pulsed supersonic Laval nozzle flow reactor between 53 and 135 K, using a pulsed DC discharge to create the radical species and laser induced fluorescence on the A 2sigma <-- X 2pi (v' = 1 <-- v' = 0) transition. All reactions are found to possess an inverse temperature dependence, in accord with previous work, and are fit to the form k = A(T/298)(-n), with k1 (OH + HBr) = (10.84 +/- 0.31) x 10(-12) (T/298)(-0.67+/-0.02) cm3/s, k2 (OD + HBr) = (6.43 +/- 2.60) x 10(-12) (T/298)(-1.19+/-0.26) cm3/s, k3 (OH + DBr) = (5.89 +/- 1.93) x 10(-12) (T/298)(-0.76+/-0.22) cm3/s, and k4 (OD + DBr) = (4.71 +/- 1.56) x 10(-12) (T/298)(-1.09+/-0.21) cm3/s. A global fit of k vs T over the temperature range 23-360 K, including the new OH + HBr data, yields kT = (1.06 +/- 0.02) x 10(-11) (T/298)(-0.90+/-0.11) cm3/s, and (0.96 +/- 0.02) x 10(-11) (T/298)(-0.90+/-0.03) exp((-2.88+/-1.82 K)/T) cm3/s, in accord with previous fits. In addition, the primary and secondary kinetic isotope effects are found to be independent of temperature within experimental error over the range investigated and take on the value of (kH/kD)(AVG) = 1.64 for the primary effect and (kH/kD)(AVG) = 0.87 for the secondary effect. These results are discussed within the context of current experimental and theoretical work.