An FT-IR study of the isomerization of 1-butoxy radicals under atmospheric conditions

Relative rate-studies of the reactions of 1-butoxy radicals have been carried out using a 47 L static reactor with detection of end products by FT-IR spectroscopy. Experiments were performed at 700 torr total pressure and over the temperature range 253–295 K. The chemistry of 1-butoxy is characterized by a competition between reaction with oxygen CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂O + O₂ → n-C₃H₇CHO + HO₂ (R2), which yields butanal and isomerization CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂O → CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂OH (R3), to form a hydroxylated carbonyl-product. A reference spectrum attributed to the product of 1-butoxy isomerization was obtained and used to determine the competition between 1-butoxy isomerization versus reaction with oxygen. The results indicate that isomerization is the dominant fate of 1-butoxy radicals at ambient temperature and pressure and that its importance decreases with decreasing temperature. The rate-coefficient ratio k₃/k₂ (molecule cm⁻³) = 5.5 × 10²³ exp[(−25.1 ± 0.9 kJmol⁻¹)/RT] was obtained. This agrees with other estimates based on methods without monitoring of the isomerization product.     

Unusual H2-forming chain reaction in the 3130-Å photolysis of formaldehyde-oxygen mixtures at 25°C

A kinetic study has been made of the 3130-Å photolysis of CH₂O (8 torr) in O₂-containing mixtures (0.02–8 torr) and in the presence of added CO₂ (0–300 torr) at 25°C. Quantum yields of formation of H₂, CO, and CO₂ and the loss of O₂ were measured. Φ and Φ_CO were much above unity. In an explanation of these unexpected results, a new H-atom-forming chain mechanism was postulated involving HO₂ and HO addition to CH₂O: CH₂O + hν → H + HCO (1) H + CH₂O → H₂ + HCO (3) H + O₂ + M → HO₂ + M (6) HCO + O₂ → HO₂ + CO (8) HO₂ + CH₂O → (HO₂CH₂O) → HO + HCO₂H (15) HO + CH₂O → H₂O + HCO? (16); HCO? → H + CO (19) HO + CH₂O → H₂O + HCO (17) and HO + CH₂O → HCO₂H + H (18). When the results are rationalized in terms of this mechanism, the data suggest k₁₆ ? k₁₇ and k₁₆/k₁₈ ? 0.5. The data require that a reassessment of the relative rates of reactions (7) and (8) be made, since in the previous work HCO₂H formation was used as a monitor of the rate of reaction (7) HCO + O₂ + M → HCOO₂ + M (7). The present data from experiments at P = 8 torr and P = 1–4 torr give k₇[M]/(k₇[M] + k₈) ≥ 0.049 ± 0.017. These data coupled with the k₈ estimates of Washida and coworkers give k₇ ≥ (4.4 ± 1.6) × 10¹¹ l²/mol²·sec for M = CH₂O. The reaction sequence proposed here is consistent with the observed deterimental effect of O₂ addition on the laser-induced isotope enrichment in HDCO. In additional studies of CH₂O-O₂-isobutene mixtures it was found that Φ was equal to ?₂ as estimated in O₂-free CH₂O-isobutene mixtures. These results suggest that the increase in CO (ν = 1) product observed with O₂ addition in CH₂O photolysis does not result from perturbations in the fragmentation pattern of the excited CH₂O, but it is likely that it originates in the occurrence of the exothermic reaction HCO + O₂ → HO₂ + CO (ν = 1).     

The effect of temperature on formaldehyde photooxidation in oxygen-lean atmospheres

The photooxidation of formaldehyde in CH₂O? O₂, oxygen-lean mixtures was studied in the temperature range 298–378 K. H₂ and CO formation and the loss of O₂ proceed by a chain mechanism, which between 328 and 378 K follows the previously suggested kinetics [1] with one modification. The reaction HO₂ + CH₂O ? HO₂CH₂O (5) is now assumed to be reversible and ΔH is estimated to be between 14 and 19 kcal/mol. The relative yields of the chain formed H₂ and CO and of the consumed O₂ remained constant over the entire temperature range indicating that the relative efficiencies of the HO reactions: HO + CH₂O → H₂O HCO? (7), HO + CH₂O → H₂O + HCO (8) and HO + CH₂O → HOCH₂O (9) are temperature independent.     

Direct kinetics study of the temperature dependence of the CH2O branching channel for the CH3O2 + HO2 reaction

A direct kinetics study of the temperature dependence of the CH₂O branching channel for the CH₃O₂ + HO₂ reaction has been performed using the turbulent flow technique with high‐pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry for the detection of reactants and products. The temperature dependence of the CH₂O‐producing channel rate constant was investigated between 298 and 218 K at a pressure of 100 Torr, and the data were fitted to the following Arrhenius expression: 1.6 × 10^?15 × exp[(1730 ± 130)/T] cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1. Using the Arrhenius expression for the overall rate of the CH₃O₂ + HO₂ reaction and this result, the 298 K branching ratio for the CH₂O producing channel is measured to be 0.11, and the branching ratio is calculated to increase to a value of 0.31 at 218 K, the lowest temperature accessed in this study. The results are compared to the analogous CH₃O₂ + CH₃O₂ reaction and the potential atmospheric ramifications of significant CH₂O production from the CH₃O₂ + HO₂ reaction are discussed. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 33: 363–376, 2001     

Kinetics of the reaction Cl + HO2 = HCl + O2, using molecular modulation spectrometry

The rate constant for the reaction (1), Cl + HO₂ → HCl + O₂, was measured using molecular modulation spectrometry to investigate HO₂ radical kinetics in the modulated photolysis of Cl₂? ;H₂? O₂ mixtures at 760 torr pressure. HO₂ was monitored directly in absorption at 220 nm, and k₁ was determined from computer simulations of the observed kinetic behavior of HO₂, using a simple chemical model. The results gave where k₄ is the rate constant for the reaction of Cl with H₂. A consensus value of k₄ gave k₁ = 6.9 × 10^?11 cm³/molecule sec, independent of temperature in the range of 274–338 K with an overall uncertainty of ±50%. The relative importance of reaction (1) for the conversion of Cl to HCl in the stratosphere is discussed briefly.     

Oxidation of dimethyl ether: Absolute rate constants for the self reaction of CH3OCH2 radicals,the reaction of CH3OCH2 radicals with O2, and the thermal decomposition of CH3OCH2 radicals

The rate constant for the reaction of CH₃OCH₂ radicals with O₂ (reaction (1)) and the self reaction of CH₃OCH₂ radicals (reaction (5)) were measured using pulse radiolysis coupled with time resolved UV absorption spectroscopy. k₁ was studied at 296K over the pressure range 0.025–1 bar and in the temperature range 296–473K at 18 bar total pressure. Reaction (1) is known to proceed through the following mechanism: CH₃OCH₂ + O₂ ↔ CH₃OCH₂O₂^# → CH₂OCH₂O₂H^# → 2HCHO + OH (k_prod) CH₃OCH₂ + O₂ ↔ CH₃OCH₂O₂^# + M → CH₃OCH₂O₂ + M (k_RO2) k = k_RO2 + k_prod, where k_RO2 is the rate constant for peroxy radical production and k_prod is the rate constant for formaldehyde production. The k₁ values obtained at 296K together with the available literature values for k₁ determined at low pressures were fitted using a modified Lindemann mechanism and the following parameters were obtained: k_RO2,0 = (9.4 ± 4.2) × 10⁻³⁰ cm⁶ molecule⁻² s⁻¹, k_RO2,∞ = (1.14 ± 0.04) × 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹, and k_prod,0 = (6.0 ± 0.5) × 10⁻¹² cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹, where k_RO2,0 and k_RO2,∞ are the overall termolecular and bimolecular rate constants for formation of CH₃OCH₂O₂ radicals and k_prod,0 represents the bimolecular rate constant for the reaction of CH₃OCH₂ radicals with O₂ to yield formaldehyde in the limit of low pressure. k_RO2,∞ = (1.07 ± 0.08) × 10⁻¹¹ exp(−(46 ± 27)/T) cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ was determined at 18 bar total pressure over the temperature range 296–473K. At 1 bar total pressure and 296K, k₅ = (4.1 ± 0.5) × 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ and at 18 bar total pressure over the temperature range 296–523K, k₅ = (4.7 ± 0.6) × 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹. As a part of this study the decay rate of CH₃OCH₂ radicals was used to study the thermal decomposition of CH₃OCH₂ radicals in the temperature range 573–666K at 18 bar total pressure. The observed decay rates of CH₃OCH₂ radicals were consistent with the literature value of k₂ = 1.6 × 10¹³exp(−12800/T)s⁻¹. The results are discussed in the context of dimethyl ether as an alternative diesel fuel. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Study of the kinetics of the reactions of NO3 with HO2 and OH

The Absolute rate constants for the gas-phase reactions of NO₃ with HO₂ and OH have been determined using the discharge flow laser magnetic resonance method (DF-LMR). Since OH was found to be produced in the reaction of HO₂ with NO₃, C₂F₃Cl was used to scavenge it. The overall rate constant, k₁, for the reaction, HO₂ + NO₃ → products, was measured to be k₁=(3.0 ± 0.7)×10^?12 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 at (297 ± 2) K and P=(1.4 – 1.9) torr. This result is in reasonable agreement with the previous studies. Direct detection of HO₂ and OH radicals and the use of three sources of NO₃ enabled us to confirm the existence of the channel producing OH:HO₂+NO₃→OH+NO₂+O₂ (1a); the other possible channel is HO₂+NO₃→HNO₃+O₂ (1b). From our measurements and the computer simulations, the branching ratio, k_1a/(k_1a + k_1b), was estimated to be (1.0). The rate coefficient for the reaction of OH with NO₃ was determined to be (2.1 ± 1.0) × 10^?11 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Kinetics of the reactions of atomic chlorine with methanol and the hydroxymethyl radical with molecular oxygen at 298 K

The rate constants for the reactions Cl + CH₃OD → CH₂OD + HCl (1) and CH₂OH + O₂ → HO₂ + H₂CO (2) have been determined in a discharge flow system near 1 torr pressure with detection of radical and molecular species using collision-free sampling mass spectrometry. The rate constant k₁, determined from the decay of CH₃OD in the presence of excess Cl, is (5.1 ± 1.0) × 10^?11 cm³ s^?1. This is in reasonable agreement with the only previous measurement of k₁. The CH₂OH radical was produced by reaction (1) and its reaction with O₂ was studied by monitoring the decay of the CH₂OH radical in the presence of excess O₂. The result is k₂ = (8.6 ± 2.0) × 10^?12 cm³ s^?1. Previous estimates of k₂ have differed by nearly an order of magnitude, and our value for k₂ supports the more recent high values.     

Kinetics of the reaction OH (v = 0) + O3 → HO2 + O2

The rate constant of the reaction OH (v = 0) + O₃

HO₂ + O₂ was measured over the temperature range from 220 to 450°K at total pressures between 2 and 5 torr using ultraviolet fluorescent scattering for the detection of OH radicals. An Arrhenius expression, k₁ = 1.3 × 10^?12 exp(?1900/RT) cm³/sec was obtained and the rate constant for the reaction HO₂ + O₃

OH + 2O₂ was inferred to be less than 0.1 k₁ over the entire temperature interval.     

Kinetic studies of the self‐reaction and reaction with HO2 of a tertiary β‐brominated peroxy radical between 298 and 393 K

The kinetics of reactions of the tertiary β‐brominated peroxy radical BrC(CH₃)₂C(CH₃)₂O₂ (2‐bromo‐1,1,2‐trimethylpropylperoxy) have been studied using the laser flash photolysis technique, photolysing HBr at 248 nm in the presence of O₂ and 2,3‐dimethylbut‐2‐ene. At room temperature, a rate constant of (2.0 ± 0.8) × 10⁻¹⁴ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ was determined for the BrC(CH₃)₂C(CH₃)₂O₂ self‐reaction. The reaction of BrC(CH₃)₂C(CH₃)₂O₂ with HO₂ was investigated in the temperature range 306–393 K, yielding the following Arrhenius expression: k(BrC(CH₃)₂C(CH₃)₂O₂ + HO₂) = (2.04 ± 0.25) × 10⁻¹² exp[(501 ± 36)K/T] cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹, giving by extrapolation (1.10 ± 0.13) × 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ at 298 K. These results confirm the enhancement of the peroxy radical self‐reaction reactivity upon β‐substitution, which is similar for Br and OH substituents. In contrast, no significant effect of substituent has been observed on the rate constant for the reactions of peroxy radicals with HO₂. The global uncertainty factors on rate constants are equal to nearly 2 for the self‐reaction and to 1.35 for the reaction with HO₂. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 33: 41–48, 2001     

The kinetics of the addition of alkyl radicals to carbonyl groups. I. The kinetics of the gas phase decomposition reactions of the trifluoro-t-butoxy radical

Trifluoro-t-butoxy radicals have been generated by reacting fluorine with 2-trifluoromethyl propan-2-ol: Over the temperature range 361-600 K the trifluoro-t-butoxy radical decomposes exclusively by loss of the ? CF₃ group [reaction (?2)] rather than by loss of ? CH₃ group [reaction (?1)]: The limits of detectability of the product CF₃COCH₃, by gas-chromatographic analysis, place a lower limit on the ratio k_?2/k_?1 of ca. 75. The implications of these results in relation to the reverse radical addition reactions to the carbonyl group are discussed along with the thermochemistry of the reactions.     

RADICAL PROCESSES IN LIPIDS. A LASER PHOTOLYSIS STUDY OF t-BUTOXY RADICAL REACTIVITY TOWARD FATTY ACIDS

Laser photolysis techniques have been used to measure the reactivity of t-butoxy radical (t-BuO) toward various fatty acids. Eight compounds varying both in number and in the configuration of olefinic bonds were examined. It has been found that the rate constant for hydrogen abstraction from these compounds by t-BuO may be related to the number of secondary, allylic, and doubly allylic hydrogens in each molecule by the equation: k_r= [0.072[H_sec] + 0.518[H_allylic] + 2.716[H_{doubly allylic}] x 10⁶M^-1 s^-1.     

Temperature dependence of the unimolecular decomposition of pernitric acid and its atmospheric implications

The decay of pernitric acid (HO₂NO₂) in the presence of excess nitric oxide has been studied in a 5800-liter, Teflon-lined chamber over the temperature range 254 to 283 K at 1 atm pressure of N₂ by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. A heterogeneous reaction of NO₂ and H₂O₂ was used to generate HO₂NO₂ with less than 20% HNO₃ and less than 5% NO₂ present as impurities. The HO₂NO₂ had lifetimes of 5 to 20 h in our chamber, presumably determined by heterogeneous loss to the walls. Two paths have been proposed for the reaction of NO₂ with HO₂:

(1), NO₂ + HO₂ → HONO + O₂ (2). In this study the ratio k₁/k₂ was calculated to be greater than 10³ throughout the temperature range studied. The homogeneous unimolecular decay of the HO₂NO₂, reaction (3), was investigated by adding excess NO in order to remove HO₂ by reaction (4).

(3), HO₂ + NO → NO₂ + OH (4). The rate constant k₃ was determined to be 1.4 × 10¹⁴ exp(?20700 ± 500/RT)s^?1. The thermal decomposition lifetimes of HO₂O₂ at 1 atm total pressure calculated from k₃ are 12 s at 298 K, 5 min at 273 K and 1 month at 220 K. Implications of these results for the role of pernitric acid in the lower and upper atmosphere are discussed.     

Kinetics of the CH3O2 + HO2 reaction: A temperature and pressure dependence study using chemical ionization mass spectrometry

A temperature and pressure kinetic study for the CH₃O₂ + HO₂ reaction has been performed using the turbulent flow technique with a chemical ionization mass spectrometry detection system. An Arrhenius expression was obtained for the overall rate coefficient of CH₃O₂ + HO₂ reaction: k(T) = (3.82^+2.79_?1.61) × 10^?13 exp[(?781 ± 127)/T] cm^?3 molecule^?1 s^?1. A direct quantification of the branching ratios for the O₃ and OH product channels, at pressures between 75 and 200 Torr and temperatures between 298 and 205 K, was also investigated. The atmospheric implications of considering the upper limit rate coefficients for the O₃ and OH branching channels are observed with a significant reduction of the concentration of CH₃OOH, which leads to a lower amount of methyl peroxy radical. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 39: 571–579, 2007     

Flow reactor studies of methyl radical oxidation reactions in methane‐perturbed moist carbon monoxide oxidation at high pressure with model sensitivity analysis

New rate constant determinations for the reactions CH₃ + HO₂ → CH₃O + OH (1) CH₃ + HO₂ → CH₄ + O₂ (2) CH₃ + O₂ → CH₂O + OH (3) were made at 1000 K by fitting species profiles from high‐pressure flow reactor experiments on moist CO oxidation perturbed with methane. These reactions are important steps in the intermediate‐temperature burnout of hydrocarbon pollutants, especially at super‐atmospheric pressure. The experiments used in the fit were selected to minimize the uncertainty in the determinations. These uncertainties were estimated using model sensitivity coefficients, derived for time‐shifted flow reactor experiments, along with literature uncertainties for the unfitted rate constants. The experimental optimization procedure significantly reduced the uncertainties in each of these rate constants over the current literature values. The new rate constants and their uncertainties were determined to be, at 1000 K: k₁ = 1.48(10)¹³ cm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹ (UF = 2.24) k₂ = 3.16(10)¹² cm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹ (UF = 2.89) k₃ = 2.36(10)⁸ cm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹ (UF = 4.23) There are no direct and few indirect measurements of reactions ( 1 ) and ( 2 ) in the literature. There are few measurements of reaction ( 3 ) near 1000 K. These results therefore represent an important refinement to radical oxidation chemistry of significance to methane and higher alkane oxidation. The model sensitivity analysis used in the experimental design was also used to characterize the mechanistic dependence of the new rate constant values. Linear sensitivities of the fitted rate constants to the unfitted rate constants were given. The sensitivity analysis was used to show that the determinations above are primarily dependent on the rate constants chosen for the reactions CH₃ + CH₃ + M → C₂H₆ + M and CH₂O + HO₂ → HCO + H₂O₂. Uncertainties in the rate constants of these two reactions are the primary contributors to the uncertainty factors given above. Further reductions in the uncertainties of these kinetics would lead to significant reductions in the uncertainties in our determinations of k₁, k₂, and k₃. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 33: 75–100, 2001     

Fourier transform infrared study of the self reaction of C2H5O2 radicals in air at 295 K

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to identify and quantify products of the self reaction of ethylperoxy radicals, C₂H₅O₂, formed in the photolysis of Cl₂/C₂H₆ mixtures in 700 torr total pressure of synthetic air at 295 K. From these measurements, branching ratios for the reaction channels (1) of k_1a/(k_1a + k_1b) = 0.68 and k_1c/(k_1a + k_1b + k_1c) ? 0.06 were established. Additionally, using the relative rate technique, the rate constant for the reaction of Cl atoms with C₂H₅OOH was determined to be (1.07 ± 0.07) × 10^?10 × cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1. Results are discussed with respect to the previous kinetic and mechanistic studies of C₂H₅O₂ radicals.     

Radical loss in a chain reaction of CO and NO in the presence of water: Implications for the radical amplifier and atmospheric chemistry

Atmospheric pressure rate coefficients for the loss of HO₂, CH₃O₂, and C₂H₅O₂ radicals to the wall of a ¼″ Teflon tube have been measured. In dry air, they are 2.8 ± 0.2 s⁻¹ for HO₂ and 0.8 ± 0.1 s⁻¹ for both CH₃O₂ and C₂H₅O₂ radicals. The rate coefficient for HO₂ loss increases markedly with the relative humidity of the air; however, the organic radicals show no such dependence. These data are used in a kinetic model of the radical amplifier chemistry to investigate the reported sensitivity to water concentration. The increased wall loss accounts for only some of the observed water dependence, suggesting there is an unreported water contribution to the gas phase chemistry. Including the reaction of the HO₂/water adduct with NO to yield HNO₃ or HOONO into the mechanism is shown to provide a better simulation of the observed water dependence of the radical detector. This reaction would also be important in atmospheric chemistry as it provides an additional loss mechanism for both radicals and NO_x. ©1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 31: 145–152, 1999     

The reaction of CH3O2 with SO2

Mixtures of Cl₂, CH₄, and O₂ were flash photolyzed at room temperature and pressures of ∽60–760 Torr to produce CH₃O₂. The CH₃O₂ radicals decay by the second-order process with k₆ = (3.7 ± 0.3) × 10^?13 cm³/sec in good agreement with other studies. This value ignores any removal by secondary radicals produced as a result of reaction (6), and therefore the true value might be as much as 30% lower. The value is independent of total pressure or the presence of H₂O vapor. With SO₂ also present, the CH₃O₂ decay becomes pseudo first order at sufficiently high SO₂ pressure which indicates the reaction The value of (8.2 ± 0.5) × 10^?15 cm³/sec at about 1 atm total pressure (mostly CH₄) was found for CH₃O₂ removal by SO₂, in good agreement with another recent measurement. This value can be equated with k₁, unless the products rapidly remove another CH₃O₂ radical, in which case k₁ would be a factor of 2 smaller.     

Gas phase kinetic study of the thermal reactions of t-butoxy radicals with germane,phosphine, and trimethylsilane

The hydrogen abstraction reactions of tert-butoxyl with germane, phosphine, and trimethylsilane were studied by pyrolyzing di-t-butyl peroxide in the temperature range of 403 to 458 K. From the reported rate constant for the tert-butoxy radical decomposition in the literature, the absolute rate constants were determined from the study of competitive reaction between t-butoxy radical decomposition and hydrogen abstraction reaction. (t-BuO + RH → t-BuOH + R, where RH = GeH₄, PH₃, and HSiMe₃) The Arrhenius parameters are found to be as follows:

Absolute rate constants for the self reactions of HO2, CF3CFHO2, and CF3O2 radicals and the cross reactions of HO2 with FO2, HO2 with CF3CFHO2, and HO2 with CF3O2 at 295 K

The kinetics of the self-reactions of HO₂, CF₃CFHO₂, and CF₃O₂ radicals and the cross reactions of HO₂ with FO₂, HO₂ with CF₃CFHO₂, and HO₂ with CF₃O₂ radicals, were studied by pulse radiolysis combined with time resolved UV absorption spectroscopy at 295 K. The rate constants for these reactions were obtained by computer simulation of absorption transients monitored at 220, 230, and 240 nm. The following rate constants were obtained at 295 K and 1000 mbar total pressure of SF₆ (unit: 10⁻¹² cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹): k(HO₂+HO₂)=3.5±1.0, k(CF₃CFHO₂+CF₃CFHO₂)=3.5±0.8, k(CF₃O₂+CF₃O₂)=2.25±0.30, k(HO₂+FO₂)=9±4, k(CF₃CFHO₂+HO₂)=5.0±1.5, and k(CF₃O₂+HO₂)=4.0±2.0. In addition, the decomposition rate of CF₃CFHO radicals was estimated to be (0.2–2)×10³ s⁻¹ in 1000 mbar of SF₆. Results are discussed in the context of the atmospheric chemistry of hydrofluorocarbons. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.