Ab initio quantum chemical studies on the reactions of CF3O2 with OH

The potential energy surface for the CF₃O₂ + OH reaction has been theoretically investigated using the DFT (B3LYP/6-311G(d,p)) level of theory. Both singlet and triplet potential energy surfaces are investigated. The reaction mechanism on the triplet surface is simple. However, the reaction mechanism on the singlet surface is more complicated. It is revealed that the formation of CF₃O + HO₂ is the dominant channel on the triplet surface. The potential energy surface (PES) for this reaction has been given according to the relative energies calculated at the DFT/B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) level. Because this reaction involves both triplet and singlet states, triplet–singlet intersystem crossing (ISC) crossing also have been investigated in this paper.     

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.     

Direct ab initio dynamics calculations of the rate constants for the reaction of CHF2CF2OCH3 with Cl

A dual‐level direct dynamics method is employed to reveal the dynamical properties of the reaction of CHF₂CF₂OCH₃ (HFE‐254pc) with Cl atoms. The optimized geometries and frequencies of the stationary points and the minimum energy path (MEP) are calculated at the B3LYP/6‐311G(d,p) level by using GAUSSIAN 98 program package, and energetic information is further refined by the G3(MP2) method. Two H‐abstraction channels have been identified. For the reactant CHF₂CF₂OCH₃ and the two products, CHF₂CF₂OCH₂ and CF₂CF₂OCH₃, the standard enthalpies of formation are evaluated with the values of ?256.71 ± 0.88, ?207.79 ± 0.12, and ?233.43 ± 0.88 kcal/mol, respectively, via group‐balanced isodesmic reactions. The rate constants of the two reaction channels are evaluated by means of canonical variational transition‐state theory (CVT) including the small‐curvature tunneling (SCT) correction over a wide range of temperature from 200 to 2000 K. The calculated rate constants agree well with the experimental data, and the Arrhenius expressions for the title reaction are fitted and can be expressed as k₁ = 9.22 × 10^?19 T^2.06 exp(219/T), k₂ = 4.45 × 10^?14 T^0.90 exp(?2220/T), and k = 4.71 × 10^?22 T^3.20) exp(543/T) cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1. Our results indicate that H‐abstraction from ? CH₃ group is the main reaction pathway in the lower temperature range, while H‐abstraction from ? CHF₂ group becomes more competitive in the higher temperature range. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. 39: 221–230, 2007     

DFT investigation of the mechanism of CH2CO + O(3P) reaction

A detailed theoretical survey of the potential energy surface (PES) for the CH₂CO + O(³P) reaction is carried out at the QCISD(T)/6‐311+G(3df,2p)//B3LYP/6‐311+G(d,p) level. The geometries, vibrational frequencies, and energies of all stationary points involved in the reaction are calculated at the B3LYP/6‐311+G(d,p) level. More accurate energy information is provided by single‐point calculations at the QCISD(T)/6‐311+G(3df,2p) level. Relationships of the reactants, transition states, intermediates, and products are confirmed by the intrinsic reaction coordinate (IRC) calculations. The results suggest that P1(CH₂+CO₂) is the most important product. This study presents highlights of the mechanism of the title reaction. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2005     

Theoretical Studies of the Reactions CFxH3−xCOOR+Cl and CF3COOCH3+OH

The mechanism and kinetics of the reactions of CF₃COOCH₂CH₃, CF₂HCOOCH₃, and CF₃COOCH₃ with Cl and OH radicals are studied using the B3LYP, MP2, BHandHLYP, and M06‐2X methods with the 6‐311G(d,p) basis set. The study is further refined by using the CCSD(T) and QCISD(T)/6‐311++G(d,p) methods. Seven hydrogen‐abstraction channels are found. All the rate constants, computed by a dual‐level direct method with a small‐curvature tunneling correction, are in good agreement with the experimental data. The tunneling effect is found to be important for the calculated rate constants in the low‐temperature range. For the reaction of CF₃COOCH₂CH₃+Cl, H‐abstraction from the CH₂ group is found to be the dominant reaction channel. The standard enthalpies of formation for the species are also calculated. The Arrhenius expressions are fitted within 200–1000 K as k_T(1)=8.4×10^?20T ^2.63exp(381.28/T), k_T(2)=2.95×10^?21T ^3.13exp(?103.21/T), k_T(3)=1.25×10^?23T ^3.37exp(791.98/T), and k_T(4)=4.53×10^?22T ^3.07exp(465.00/T).     

Computational study on OH radical reaction with CHF2CHFCHF2(HFC‐245ea) between 200 and 400 K

The rate coefficients of the CHF₂CHFCHF₂ (HFC‐245ea) + OH reaction were computed using G3B3 theory in the temperature range 200 and 400 K. Geometries were optimized for all reactants, transition states, and products at the B3LYP level of theory using 6‐31G* and 6‐311++G** basis sets. Three rotamers (R1, R2, and R3) of CHF₂CHFCHF₂ were identified using a potential energy surface scan. Thirteen independent transition states were identified and confirmed by intrinsic reaction coordinate calculations. The kinetic parameters due to all different transition states are presented in this paper. All the three rotamers were taken into account in computing the rate coefficients. Throughout the temperature range of this study, rotamer R3 contributes significantly (more than 90%), whereas the other two rotamers R1 and R2 contribute less to the total rate coefficient. The rate coefficients for the title reaction were computed to be k = (1.86 ± 0.17) × 10^?13 exp[?(748±26)/T] cm³ molecule^?1s^?1 and (1.25 ± 0.23) × 10^?13 exp[?(587±50)/T] cm³molecule^?1 s^?1 with Wigner's and Eckart's unsymmetrical tunneling methods, respectively, and they are in reasonable agreement with the experimentally measured ones. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 43: 418–430, 2011     

Features of the potential energy surface for the reaction of HO2 radical with acetone

The mechanism of the reaction of acetone with HO₂ has been studied by quantum chemical computations. Different stationary points on the potential energy surface (PES) of the reaction have been characterized. These stationary points are the reactants, products, molecular complexes, and transition states. Three pathways have been studied: two H‐abstraction channels and one HO₂‐addition channel. The MP2 level of theory with the 6‐311G(d,p) basis set was employed for geometry optimization. The electronic energies was obtained at the PMP2, PMP4, and CCSD(T) level of theory with the 6‐311G(d,p) basis set on the computed geometries. The addition pathway is clearly the more favorable, contrary to the acetone + OH system. The pre‐reactive hydrogen‐bonded complexes have been characterized and show a large red shift between the O? H stretching frequency in the HO₂ radical and the one in the HO₂ fragment of intermolecular complexes. Our addition rate constant k₊ at T = 298 K (3.49 × 10^?16 cm³ s^?1) is consistent with previous experimental results (giving an upper limit of the rate constant of 6 × 10^?16 cm³ s^?1 at 298 K). © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007     

Kinetics and mechanism for the CH2O + NO2 reaction: A computational study

The reactants, products, and transition states of the CH₂O + NO₂ reaction on the ground electronic potential energy surface have been searched at both B3LYP/6?311+G(d,p) and MPW1PW91/6?311+G(3df,2p) levels of theory. The forward and reverse barriers are further improved by a modified Gaussian‐2 method. The theoretical rate constants for the two most favorable reaction channels 1 and 2 producing CHO + cis‐HONO and CHO + HNO₂, respectively, have been calculated over the temperature range from 200 to 3000 K using the conventional and variational transition‐state theory with quantum‐mechanical tunneling corrections. The former product channel was found to be dominant below 1500 K, above which the latter becomes competitive. The predicted total rate constants for these two product channels can be presented by k_t (T) = 8.35 × 10^?11 T^6.68 exp(?4182/T) cm³/(mol s). The predicted values, which include the significant effect of small curvature tunneling corrections, are in quantitative agreement with the available experimental data throughout the temperature range studied (390–1650 K). © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 35: 184–190, 2003     

An investigation on the reaction mechanism of the F2+Cl2→2ClF using the B3LYP method

The reaction mechanism of F₂+Cl₂→2ClF has been investigated with the density functional theory at the B3LYP/6‐311G* level. Six transition states have been found for the three possible reaction paths and verified by the normal mode vibrational and IRC analyses. Ab initio MP2/6‐311G* geometry optimizations and CCSD(T)/6‐311G(2df)//MP2/6‐311G* single‐point energy calculations have been performed for comparison. It is found that when the F₂ (or Cl₂) molecule decomposes into atoms first and then the F (or Cl) atom reacts with the molecule Cl₂ (or F₂) nearly along the molecular axis, the energy barrier is very low. The calculated energy barrier of F attacking Cl₂ is zero and that of Cl attacking F₂ is only 15.57 kJ?mol^?1 at the B3LYP level. However, the calculated dissociation energies of F₂ and Cl₂ are as high as 145.40 and 192.48 kJ?mol^?1, respectively. When the reaction proceeds through a bimolecular reaction mechanism, two four‐center transition states are obtained and the lower energy barrier is 218.69 kJ?mol^?1. Therefore, the title reaction F₂+Cl₂→2ClF is most probably initiated from the atomization of the F₂ molecule and terminated by the reaction of F attacking Cl₂ nearly along the Cl? Cl bond. MP2 calculations lead to the same conclusion, but the geometry of TS and the energy barrier are somewhat different. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2002     

Theoretical Study on Gas—phase Pyrolytic Reactions of N—Ethyl,Isopropyl and N—t—Butyl Substituted 2—Aminopyrazine

Density functional theory (DFT) and ab initio methods were used to study gas‐phase pyrolytic reaction mechanisms of iV‐ethyl, N‐isopropyl and N‐t‐butyl substituted 2‐aminopyrazine at B3LYP/6–31G* and MP2/6–31G*, respectively. Single‐point energies of all optimized molecular geometries were calculated at B3LYP/6–311 + G(2d,p) level. Results show that the pyrolytic reactions were carried out through a unimolecular first‐order mechanism which were caused by the migration of atom H(17) via a six‐member ring transition state. The activation energies which were verified by vibrational analysis and correlated with zero‐point energies along the reaction channel at B3LYP/6–311 + G(2d,p) level were 252.02 kJ. mo^?1 (N‐ethyl substituted), 235.92 kJ‐mol^?1 (N‐t‐isopropyl substituted) and 234.27 kJ‐mol^?1 (N‐t‐butyl substituted), respectively. The results were in good agreement with available experimental data.     

HO2自由基与NO2反应通道的理论研究

应用密度泛函理论DFT/B3LYP对HO₂＋NO₂反应进行了研究, 在B3LYP/6-311G^**和CCSD(T)/6-311G^**水平上计算了HO₂自由基与NO₂分子反应的单重态和三重态反应势能面, 计算结果表明, 单重态反应势能面中的直接氢抽提反应机理是此反应的主要反应通道, 即HO₂自由基的氢原子转移到NO₂分子的氮原子上形成产物P₁ (HNO₂＋³O₂), 另一个可能的反应通道是单重态反应势能面上HO₂中的端位氧原子进攻NO₂分子中的氮原子形成中间体1 (HOONO₂), 接着中间体1 (HOONO₂)经过氢转移形成产物P₂ (trans-HONO＋³O₂), 以上两个反应通道都是放热反应通道, 分别放热90.14和132.52 kJ•mol^－1.     

Theoretical investigation on the reaction of HS+ with CH3NH2

The singlet and triplet potential energy surfaces for the reaction of HS⁺ with the simplest primary amine, CH₃NH₂, were determined at the CCSD(T)/6-311+G(d,p) level using the B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) and QCISD/6-311G(d,p) geometries. All possible reaction channels were explored. The results show that three paths on the singlet potential energy surface and one path on the triplet potential energy surface are competitive. These four feasible paths provide products which are presented in the paper and they are consistent with previous experimental results. On the other hand, the stationary points involved in the most favourable path all lie below those of the reactant and thus the title reaction is expected to be rapid, which is also consistent with the experiment.     

Reaction of CH3O2 and HO2: Ab initio characterization of dimer structure and vibrational mode analysis for reaction mechanisms

All species involved in the multi‐channel reaction of CH₃O₂ with HO₂ have been investigated using density functional theory (DFT). The molecular geometries for various species are optimized employing the B3LYP method implementing the 6‐311++G** basis set. The relative energies of all species are calculated at the same level theory. The results show that there are two kinds of channels: singlet and triplet. The singlet channel involves four intermediates and six transition states. The triplet channel includes two intermediates and two transition states. There are four kinds of reaction products: CH₃OOH + ¹O₂, CH₃OH + O₃, CH₄ + 2O₂, and CH₃OOH + ³O₂. The vibrational mode analysis is used to elucidate the relationships of the intermediates, the transition states, and the products. The extensive investigation shows that the reaction mechanism is reliable. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2006     

Isomerization of B6, B6 − and B6 + clusters

The interconversions between isomers with the same spin multiplicity of neutral B₆ and charged B₆ ^? and B₆ ⁺ clusters have been investigated at the B3LYP/6-311+G* level of theory, including determination of the minimum energy pathways with transition states connecting the corresponding reactants and products. In dynamic calculations, 26 isomers were optimized, including 11 novel isomers. In order to further refine the energies, single-point B3LYP/6-311+G(3df) calculations were carried out on the corresponding B3LYP/6-311+G* geometries of all isomers of B₆, B₆ ^? and B₆ ⁺ and the corresponding isomerization transition states. The stability of each isomer of B₆ (singlet and triplet states), B₆ ^? (doublet state) and B₆ ⁺ (doublet state) was analyzed from both thermodynamic and dynamic viewpoints.     

HCN exchange on [Cu(HCN)4]+: a quantum chemical investigation

Density functional (B3LYP, B3PW91, X3LYP, BP86, PBEPBE, PW91PW91, and M06) and ab initio (MP2, MP4sdq, CCSD, and CCSD(T)) calculations with extended basis sets (6-311+G**, TZVP, LANL2DZ+p, and SDD+p, the latter including extra polarization and diffuse functions) indicate that HCN exchange on [Cu(HCN)₄]⁺ proceeds via an associative interchange (I_a) mechanism and a D_3h transition structure {[Cu(HCN)₅]⁺}^?. The activation barrier, relative to the model complex [Cu(HCN)₄]⁺·HCN, varies modestly, depending on the computational level. Typical values are 8.0?kcal?M^?1 (B3LYP/6-311+G**), 6.0?kcal?M^?1 (M06/6-311+G**), and 4.8?kcal?M^?1 (CCSD(T)/6-311+G**//MP2(full)/6-311+G**). Inclusion of an implicit solvent model (B3LYP(CPCM)/6-311+G**) leads to an activation barrier of 5.8?kcal?mol^?1. Comparison of the HCN exchange mechanisms on [Li(HCN)₄]⁺ (limiting associative, A) and [Cu(HCN)₄]⁺ (associative interchange, I_a) reveals that π back donation in the equatorial Cu–N bonds in the transition state determines the mechanism.     

Water effect on peroxy radical measurement by chemical amplification: Experimental determination and chemical mechanism

The water effect on peroxy radical measurement by chemical amplification was determined experimentally for HO2 and HO2 OH, respectively at room temperature (298±2) K and atmospheric pressure (1×105 Pa). No significant difference in water effect was observed with the type of radicals. A theoretical study of the reaction of HO2·H2O adduct with NO was performed using density functional theory at CCSD(T)/6-311 G(2d, 2p)//B3LYP/6-311 G(2d, 2p) level of theory. It was found that the primary reaction channel for the reaction is HO2·H2O NO→HNO3 H2O (R4a). On the basis of the theoretical study, the rate constant for (R4a) was calculated using Polyrate Version 8.02 program. The fitted Arrenhnius equation for (R4a) is k = 5.49×107 T 1.03exp(?14798/T) between 200 and 2000 K. A chemical model incorporated with (R4a) was used to simulate the water effect. The water effect curve obtained by the model is in accordance with that of the experiment, suggesting that the water effect is probably caused mainly by (R4a).     

DFT studies on the multi‐channel reaction of CH3S+NO2

The mechanisms for the reaction of CH₃S with NO₂ are investigated at the QCISD(T)/6‐311++G(d,p)//B3LYP/6‐311++G(d,p) on both single and triple potential energy surfaces (PESs). The geometries, vibrational frequencies, and zero‐point energy (ZPE) correction of all stationary points involved in the title reaction are calculated at the B3LYP/6‐311++G(d,p) level. More accurate energies are obtained at the QCISD(T)/6‐311++G(d,p). The results show that 5 intermediates and 14 transition states are found. The reaction is more predominant on the single PES, while it is negligible on the triple PES. Without any barrier height for the whole process, the main channel of the reaction is to form CH₃SONO and then dissociate to CH₃SO+NO. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007     

Fluorine Substitution Effects on Flexibility and Tunneling Pathways: The Rotational Spectrum of 2‐Fluorobenzylamine

The effect of ring fluorination on the structural and dynamical properties of the flexible model molecule 2‐fluorobenzylamine has been studied by rotational spectroscopy in free‐jet expansion and quantum chemical methods. The complete potential energy surface originating from the flexibility of the aminic side chain has been calculated at the B3LYP/6‐311++G** level of theory and the stable geometries were also characterized with MP2/6‐311++G**. The rotational spectra show the presence of two of the predicted four stable conformers: the global minimum (I), in which the side chain’s dihedral angle with the phenyl plane is almost perpendicular, is stabilized by an intramolecular hydrogen bond between the fluorine atom and one hydrogen of the aminic group; and a second conformer II (E_II?E_I≈5 kJ mol^?1) in which the dihedral angle is smaller and the amino group points towards the aromatic ortho hydrogen atom. This conformation is characterized by a tunneling motion between two equivalent positions of the amino group with respect to the phenyl plane, which splits the rotational transition. The ortho fluorination increases, with respect to benzylamine, the tunneling splitting of this motion by four orders of magnitude. The motion is analyzed with a one‐dimensional flexible model, which allows estimation of the energy barrier for the transition state as approximately 8.0 kJ mol^?1.     

Theoretical study on reactions of cyclic-N3 with NO, NO2 and Cl2

In this article, we report our detailed mechanistic study on the reactions of cyclic-N₃ with NO, NO₂ at the G3B3//B3LYP/6-311+G(d) and CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVTZ//QCISD/6-311+G(d)+ZPVE levels; the reactions of cyclic-N₃ with Cl₂ was studied at the G3B3//B3LYP/6-311+G(d) and CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVTZ//QCISD/6-31+G(d)+ZPVE levels. Both of the singlet and triplet potential-energy surfaces (PESs) of cyclic-N₃ + NO, cyclic-N₃ + NO₂ and the PES of cyclic-N₃ + Cl₂ have been depicted. The results indicate that on singlet PESs cyclic-N₃ can undergo the barrierless addition–elimination mechanism with NO and NO₂ forming the respective dominant products N₂ + ¹cyclic-NON and ¹NNO(O) + N₂. Yet the two reactions on triplet PESs are much less likely to take place under room temperature due to the high barriers. For the cyclic-N₃ + Cl₂ reaction, a Cl-abstraction mechanism was revealed that results in the product cyclic-N₃Cl + Cl with an overall barrier as high as 14.7 kcal/mol at CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVTZ//QCISD/6-31+G(d)+ZPVE level. So the cyclic-N₃ radical could be stable against Cl₂ at low temperatures in gas phase. The present results can be useful for future experimental investigation on the title reactions.     

单分子水对H_2O_2+Cl气相反应影响的理论研究

在aug-cc-pVTZ基组下采用CCSD(T)和B3LYP方法,研究了H2O2+Cl反应,并考虑在大气中单个水分子对该反应的影响.结果表明,H2O2+Cl反应只存在一条生成产物为HO2+HCl的通道,其表观活化能为10.21kJ·mol-1.加入一分子水后,H2O2+Cl反应的产物并没有发生改变,但是所得势能面却比裸反应复杂得多,经历了RW1、RW2和RW3三条通道.水分子在通道RW1和RW2中对产物生成能垒的降低起显著的负催化作用,而在通道RW3中则起明显的正催化作用.利用经典过渡态理论(TST)并结合Wigner矫正模型计算了216.7-298.2 K温度范围内标题反应的速率常数.结果显示,298.2 K时通道R1的速率常数为1.60×10-13cm3·molecule-1·s-1,与所测实验值非常接近.此外,尽管通道RW3的速率常数kRW3比对应裸反应的速率常数kR1大了46.6-131倍,但该通道的有效速率常数k'RW3却比kR1小了10-14个数量级,表明在实际大气环境中水分子对H2O2+Cl反应几乎没有影响.