Temperature-dependent kinetics studies of the reactions of C2H5O2 and n-C3H7O2 radicals with NO

The rate coefficients for the gas-phase reactions of C₂H₅O₂ and n-C₃H₇O₂ radicals with NO have been measured over the temperature range of (201–403) K using chemical ionization mass spectrometric detection of the peroxy radical. The alkyl peroxy radicals were generated by reacting alkyl radicals with O₂, where the alkyl radicals were produced through the pyrolysis of a larger alkyl nitrite. In some cases C₂H₅ radicals were generated through the dissociation of iodoethane in a low-power radio frequency discharge. The discharge source was also tested for the i-C₃H₇O₂ + NO reaction, yielding k_{298 K} = (9.1 ± 1.5) × 10⁻¹² cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹, in excellent agreement with our previous determination. The temperature dependent rate coefficients were found to be k(T) = (2.6 ± 0.4) × 10⁻¹² exp{(380 ± 70)/T} cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ and k(T) = (2.9 ± 0.5) × 10⁻¹² exp{(350 ± 60)/T} cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ for the reactions of C₂H₅O₂ and n-C₃H₇O₂ radicals with NO, respectively. The rate coefficients at 298 K derived from these Arrhenius expressions are k = (9.3 ± 1.6) × 10⁻¹² cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ for C₂H₅O₂ radicals and k = (9.4 ± 1.6) × 10⁻¹² cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ for n-C₃H₇O₂ radicals. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Cavity ring‐down spectroscopic study of the kinetics of the reactions of FCO radicals with O2 and NO at 295 K

Cavity ring‐down UV absorption spectroscopy was used to study the kinetics of the recombination reaction of FCO radicals and the reactions with O₂ and NO in 4.0–15.5 Torr total pressure of N₂ diluent at 295 K. k(FCO + FCO) is (1.8 ± 0.3) × 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹. The pressure dependence of the reactions with O₂ and NO in air at 295 K is described using a broadening factor of Fc = 0.6 and the following low (k₀) and high (k_∞) pressure limit rate constants: k₀(FCO + O₂) = (8.6 ± 0.4) × 10⁻³¹ cm⁶ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹, k_∞(FCO + O₂) = (1.2 ± 0.2) × 10⁻¹² cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹, k₀(FCO + NO) = (2.4 ± 0.2) × 10⁻³⁰ cm⁶ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹, and k_∞ (FCO + NO) = (1.0 ± 0.2) × 10⁻¹² cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹. The uncertainties are two standard deviations. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 33: 130–135, 2001     

Direct measurement of the C2H5C(O)O2 + NO reaction rate coefficient using chemical ionization mass spectrometry

The rate coefficient for the reaction of the peroxypropionyl radical (C₂H₅C(O)O₂) with NO was measured with a laminar flow reactor over the temperature range 226–406 K. The C₂H₅C(O)O₂ reactant was monitored with chemical ionization mass spectrometry. The measured rate coefficients are k(T) = (6.7 ± 1.7) × 10⁻¹² exp{(340 ± 80)/T} cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ and k(298 K) = (2.1 ± 0.2) × 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹. Our results are comparable to recommended rate coefficients for the analogous CH₃C(O)O₂ + NO reaction. Heterogeneous effects, pressure dependence, and concentration gradients inside the flow reactor are examined. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet: 31: 221–228, 1999     

Cavity ring‐down study of BrO radicals: Kinetics of the Br + O3 reaction and rate of relaxation of vibrationally excited BrO by collisions with N2 and O2

Cavity ring‐down (CRD) techniques were used to study the kinetics of the reaction of Br atoms with ozone in 1–205 Torr of either N₂ or O₂, diluent at 298 K. By monitoring the rate of formation of BrO radicals, a value of k(Br + O₃) = (1.2 ± 0.1) × 10⁻¹² cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ was established that was independent of the nature and pressure of diluent gas. The rate of relaxation of vibrationally excited BrO radicals by collisions with N₂ and O₂ was measured; k(BrO(v) + O₂ → BrO(v − 1) + O₂) = (5.7 ± 0.3) × 10⁻¹³ and k(BrO(v) + N₂ → BrO(v − 1) + N₂) = (1.5 ± 0.2) × 10⁻¹³ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹. The increased efficiency of O₂ compared with N₂ as a relaxing agent for vibrationally excited BrO radicals is ascribed to the formation of a transient BrO–O₂ complex. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 32: 125–130, 2000     

Study of the reactions of OH with HCl,HBr, and HI between 298 K and 460 K

The reactions between OH radicals and hydrogen halides (HCl, HBr, HI) have been studied between 298 and 460 K by using a discharge flow-electron paramagnetic resonance technique. The rate constants were found to be k_HCl(298 K) = (7.9 ± 1.3) × 10⁻¹³ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ with a weak positive temperature dependence, k_HBr (298-460 K) = (1.04 ± 0.2) × 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹, and k_HI(298 K) = (3.0 ± 0.3) × 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹, respectively. The homogeneous nature of these reactions has been experimentally tested.     

Rate constants for the elementary reactions between CN radicals and CH4, C2H6, C2H4, C3H6, and C2H2 in the range: 295 ⩽ T/K ⩽ 700

Pulsed laser photolysis, time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence experiments have been carried out on the reactions of CN radicals with CH₄, C₂H₆, C₂H₄, C₃H₆, and C₂H₂. They have yielded rate constants for these five reactions at temperatures between 295 and 700 K. The data for the reactions with methane and ethane have been combined with other recent results and fitted to modified Arrhenius expressions, k(T) = A′(298) (T/298)ⁿ exp(?θ/T), yielding: for CH₄, A′(298) = 7.0 × 10^?13 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, n = 2.3, and θ = ?16 K; and for C₂H₆, A′(298) = 5.6 × 10^?12 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, n = 1.8, and θ = ?500 K. The rate constants for the reactions with C₂H₄, C₃H₆, and C₂H₂ all decrease monotonically with temperature and have been fitted to expressions of the form, k(T) = k(298) (T/298)ⁿ with k(298) = 2.5 × 10^?10 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, n = ?0.24 for CN + C₂H₄; k(298) = 3.4 × 10^?10 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, n = ?0.19 for CN + C₃H₆; and k(298) = 2.9 × 10^?10 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, n = ?0.53 for CN + C₂H₂. These reactions almost certainly proceed via addition-elimination yielding an unsaturated cyanide and an H-atom. Our kinetic results for reactions of CN are compared with those for reactions of the same hydrocarbons with other simple free radical species. © John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

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.     

Kinetics of the reactions of OH with 3‐methyl‐2‐cyclohexen‐1‐one and 3,5,5‐trimethyl‐2‐cyclohexen‐1‐one under simulated atmospheric conditions

Relative rate coefficients for the reactions of OH with 3‐methyl‐2‐cyclohexen‐1‐one and 3,5,5‐trimethyl‐2‐cyclohexen‐1‐one have been determined at 298 K and atmospheric pressure by the relative rate technique. OH radicals were generated by the photolysis of methyl nitrite in synthetic air mixtures containing ppm levels of nitric oxide together with the test and reference substrates. The concentrations of the test and reference substrates were followed by gas chromatography. Based on the value k(OH + cyclohexene) = (6.77 ± 1.35) × 10^?11 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, rate coefficients for k(OH + 3‐methyl‐2‐cyclohexen‐1‐one) = (3.1 ± 1.0) × 10^?11 and k(OH + 3,5,5‐trimethyl‐2‐cyclohexen‐1‐one) = (2.4 ± 0.7) × 10^?11 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 were determined. To test the system we also measured k(OH + isoprene) = (1.11 ± 0.23) × 10^?10 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, relative to the value k(OH + (E)‐2‐butene) = (6.4 ± 1.28) × 10^?11 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1. The results are discussed in terms of structure–activity relationships, and the reactivities of cyclic ketones formed in the photo‐oxidation of monoterpene are estimated. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 34: 7–11, 2002     

Kinetics of the reactions of CH3O with Cl and CIO

The kinetics of the reactions CH₃O + Cl → H₂CO + HCl (1) and CH₃O + ClO → H₂CO + HOCl (2) have been studied using the discharge-flow techniques. CH₃O was monitored by laser-induced fluorescence, whereas mass spectrometry was used for the detection or titration of other species. The rate constants obtained at 298 K are: k₁ = (1.9 ± 0.4) × 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ and k₂ = (2.3 ± 0.3) × 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹. These data are useful to interpret the results of the studies of the reactions of CH₃O₂ with Cl and ClO which, at least partly, produce CH₃O radicals. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Determination of the rate constants for the gas-phase reactions of methyl butenol with OH radicals,ozone, NO3 radicals,and Cl atoms

Using a relative rate method, rate constants for the gas-phase reactions of 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol (MBO) with OH radicals, ozone, NO₃ radicals, and Cl atoms have been investigated using FTIR. The measured values for MBO at 298±2 K and 740±5 torr total pressure are: k_OH=(3.9±1.2)×10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹, k_O3=(8.6±2.9)×10⁻¹⁸ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹, k=(8.6±2.9)×10⁻¹⁵ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹, and k_Cl=(4.7±1.0)×10⁻¹⁰ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹. Atmospheric lifetimes have been estimated with respect to the reactions with OH, O₃, NO₃, and Cl. The atmospheric relevance of this compound as a precursor for acetone is, also, briefly discussed. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet: 30: 589–594, 1998     

Rate constants for the reactions of C2H5O,i‐C3H7O,and n‐C3H7O with NO and O2 as a function of temperature

The rate constants of the reactions of ethoxy (C₂H₅O), i‐propoxy (i‐C₃H₇O) and n‐propoxy (n‐C₃H₇O) radicals with O₂ and NO have been measured as a function of temperature. Radicals have been generated by laser photolysis from the appropriate alkyl nitrite and have been detected by laser‐induced fluorescence. The following Arrhenius expressions have been determined: (R₁) C₂H₅O + O₂ → products k₁ = (2.4 ± 0.9) × 10⁻¹⁴ exp(−2.7 ± 1.0 kJmol⁻¹/RT) cm³ s⁻¹ 295K < T < 354K p = 100 Torr (R₂) i‐C₃H₇O + O₂ → products k₂ = (1.6 ± 0.2) × 10⁻¹⁴ exp(−2.2 ± 0.2 kJmol⁻¹/RT) cm³ s⁻¹ 288K < T < 364K p = 50–200 Torr (R₃) n‐C₃H₇O + O₂ → products k₃ = (2.5 ± 0.5) × 10⁻¹⁴ exp(−2.0 ± 0.5 kJmol⁻¹/RT) cm³ s⁻¹ 289K < T < 381K p = 30–100 Torr (R₄) C₂H₅O + NO → products k₄ = (2.0 ± 0.7) × 10⁻¹¹ exp(0.6 ± 0.4 kJmol⁻¹/RT) cm³ s⁻¹ 286K < T < 388K p = 30–500 Torr (R₅) i‐C₃H₇O + NO → products k₅ = (8.9 ± 0.2) × 10⁻¹² exp(3.3 ± 0.5 kJmol⁻¹/RT) cm³ s⁻¹ 286K < T < 389K p = 30–500 Torr (R₆) n‐C₃H₇O + NO → products k₆ = (1.2 ± 0.2) × 10⁻¹¹ exp(2.9 ± 0.4 kJmol⁻¹/RT) cm³s⁻¹ 289K < T < 380K p = 30–100 Torr All reactions have been found independent of total pressure between 30 and 500 Torr within the experimental error. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 31: 860–866, 1999     

Kinetics of the gas‐phase reactions of Cl atom with selected C2–C5 unsaturated hydrocarbons at 283 < T < 323 K

The reaction of Cl atoms with a series of C₂–C₅ unsaturated hydrocarbons has been investigated at atmospheric pressure of 760 Torr over the temperature range 283–323 K in air and N₂ diluents. The decay of the hydrocarbons was followed using a gas chromatograph with a flame ionization detector (GC‐FID), and the kinetic constants were determined using a relative rate technique with n‐hexane as a reference compound. The Cl atoms were generated by UV photolysis (λ ≥ 300 nm) of Cl₂ molecules. The following absolute rate constants (in units of 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹, with errors representing ±2σ) for the reaction at 295 ± 2 K have been derived from the relative rate constants combined to the value 34.5 × 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ for the Cl + n‐hexane reaction: ethene (9.3 ± 0.6), propyne (22.1 ± 0.3), propene (27.6 ± 0.6), 1‐butene (35.2 ± 0.7), and 1‐pentene (48.3 ± 0.8). The temperature dependence of the reactions can be expressed as simple Arrhenius expressions (in units of 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹): k_ethene = (0.39 ± 0.22) × 10⁻¹¹ exp{(226 ± 42)/T}, k_propyne = (4.1 ± 2.5) × 10⁻¹¹ exp{(118 ± 45)/T}, k_propene = (1.6 ± 1.8) × 10⁻¹¹ exp{(203 ± 79)/T}, k_1‐butene = (1.1 ± 1.3) × 10⁻¹¹ exp{(245 ± 90)/T}, and k_1‐pentene = (4.0 ± 2.2) × 10⁻¹¹ exp{(423 ± 68)/T}. The applicability of our results to tropospheric chemistry is discussed. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 32: 478–484, 2000     

Gas‐phase rate coefficients for a series of alkyl cyclohexanes with OH radicals and Cl atoms

The rate coefficients of the reactions of OH radicals and Cl atoms with three alkylcyclohexanes compounds, methylcyclohexane (MCH), trans‐1,4‐dimethylcyclohexane (DCH), and ethylcyclohexane (ECH) have been investigated at (293 ± 1) K and 1000 mbar of air using relative rate methods. A majority of the experiments were performed in the Highly Instrumented Reactor for Atmospheric Chemistry (HIRAC), a stainless steel chamber using in situ FTIR analysis and online gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC‐FID) detection to monitor the decay of the alkylcyclohexanes and the reference compounds. The studies were undertaken to provide kinetic data for calibrations of radical detection techniques in HIRAC. The following rate coefficients (in cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹) were obtained for Cl reactions: k_(Cl+MCH) = (3.51 ± 0.37) × 10^–10, k_(Cl+DCH) = (3.63 ± 0.38) × 10⁻¹⁰, k_(Cl+ECH) = (3.88 ± 0.41) × 10⁻¹⁰, and for the reactions with OH radicals: k_(OH+MCH) = (9.5 ± 1.3) × 10^–12, k_(OH+DCH) = (12.1 ± 2.2) × 10⁻¹², k_(OH+ECH) = (11.8 ± 2.0) × 10⁻¹². Errors are a combination of statistical errors in the relative rate ratio (2σ) and the error in the reference rate coefficient. Checks for possible systematic errors were made by the use of two reference compounds, two different measurement techniques, and also three different sources of OH were employed in this study: photolysis of CH₃ONO with black lamps, photolysis of H₂O₂ at 254 nm, and nonphotolytic trans‐2‐butene ozonolysis. For DCH, some direct laser flash photolysis studies were also undertaken, producing results in good agreement with the relative rate measurements. Additionally, temperature‐dependent rate coefficient investigations were performed for the reaction of methylcyclohexane with the OH radical over the range 273‐343 K using the relative rate method; the resulting recommended Arrhenius expression is k_{(OH + MCH)} = (1.85 ± 0.27) × 10^–11 exp((–1.62 ± 0.16) kJ mol⁻¹/RT) cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹. The kinetic data are discussed in terms of OH and Cl reactivity trends, and comparisons are made with the existing literature values and with rate coefficients from structure‐activity relationship methods. This is the first study on the rate coefficient determination of the reaction of ECH with OH radicals and chlorine atoms, respectively.     

Kinetic study of the reaction of chlorine atoms with CF3I and the reactions of CF3 radicals with O2, Cl2 and NO at 296 K

The kinetics of the gas-phase reaction of Cl atoms with CF₃I have been studied relative to the reaction of Cl atoms with CH₄ over the temperature range 271–363 K. Using k(Cl + CH₄) = 9.6 × 10^?12 exp(?2680/RT) cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, we derive k(Cl + CF₃I) = 6.25 × 10^?11 exp(?2970/RT) in which E_a has units of cal mol^?1. CF₃ radicals are produced from the reaction of Cl with CF₃I in a yield which was indistinguishable from 100%. Other relative rate constant ratios measured at 296 K during these experiments were k(Cl + C₂F₅I)/k(Cl + CF₃I) = 11.0 ± 0.6 and k(Cl + C₂F₅I)/k(Cl + C₂H₅Cl) = 0.49 ± 0.02. The reaction of CF₃ radicals with Cl₂ was studied relative to that with O₂ at pressures from 4 to 700 torr of N₂ diluent. By using the published absolute rate constants for k(CF₃ + O₂) at 1–10 torr to calibrate the pressure dependence of these relative rate constants, values of the low- and high-pressure limiting rate constants have been determined at 296 K using a Troe expression: k₀(CF₃ + O₂) = (4.8 ± 1.2) × 10^?29 cm⁶ molecule^?2 s^?1; k_∞(CF₃ + O₂) = (3.95 ± 0.25) × 10^?12 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1; F_c = 0.46. The value of the rate constant k(CF₃ + Cl₂) was determined to be (3.5 ± 0.4) × 10^?14 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 at 296 K. The reaction of Cl atoms with CF₃I is a convenient way to prepare CF₃ radicals for laboratory study. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Kinetic study of reactions of C2H5O2 with NO at 298 K and 0.55 – 2 torr

The kinetics of C₂H₅O₂ and C₂H₅O₂ radicals with NO have been studied at 298 K using the discharge flow technique coupled to laser induced fluorescence (LIF) and mass spectrometry analysis. The temporal profiles of C₂H₅O were monitored by LIF. The rate constant for C₂H₅O + NO → Products (2), measured in the presence of helium, has been found to be pressure dependent: k₂ = (1.25±0.04) × 10^?11, (1.66±0.06) × 10^?11, (1.81±0.06) × 10^?11 at P (He) = 0.55, 1 and 2 torr, respectively (units are cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1). The Lindemann-Hinshelwood analysis of these rate constant data and previous high pressure measurements indicates competition between association and disproportionation channels: C₂H₅O + NO + M → C₂H₅ONO + M (2a), C₂H₅O + NO → CH₃CHO + HNO (2b). The following calculated average values were obtained for the low and high pressure limits of k_2a and for k_2b : k = (2.6±1.0) × 10^?28 cm⁶ molecule^?2 s^?1, k = (3.1±0.8) × 10^?11 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 and k_2b ca. 8 × 10^?12 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1. The present value of k, obtained with He as the third body, is significantly lower than the value (2.0±1.0) × 10^?27 cm⁶ molecule^?2 s^?1 recommended in air. The rate constant for the reaction C₂H₅O₂ + NO → C₂H₅O + NO₂ (3) has been measured at 1 torr of He from the simulation of experimental C₂H₅O profiles. The value obtained for k₃ = (8.2±1.6) × 10^?12 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 is in good agreement with previous studies using complementary methods. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

A study of the self reaction of CH2ClO2 and CHCl2O2 radicals at 298 K

A low‐pressure discharge‐flow system equipped with laser‐induced fluorescence (LIF) detection of NO₂ and resonance‐fluorescence detection of OH has been employed to study the self reactions CH₂ClO₂ + CH₂ClO₂ → products (1) and CHCl₂O₂ + CHCl₂O₂ → products (2), at T = 298 K and P = 1–3 Torr. Possible secondary reactions involving alkoxy radicals are identified. We report the phenomenological rate constants (k_obs) k_1obs = (4.1 ± 0.2) × 10⁻¹² cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ k_2obs = (8.6 ± 0.2) × 10⁻¹² cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ and the rate constants derived from modelling the decay profiles for both peroxy radical systems, which takes into account the proposed secondary chemistry involving alkoxy radicals k₁ = (3.3 ± 0.7) × 10⁻¹² cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ k₂ = (7.0 ± 1.8) × 10⁻¹² cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ A possible mechanism for these self reactions is proposed and QRRK calculations are performed for reactions (1), (2) and the self‐reaction of CH₃O₂, CH₃O₂ + CH₃O₂ → products (3). These calculations, although only semiquantitative, go some way to explaining why both k₁ and k₂ are a factor of ten larger than k₃ and why, as suggested by the products of reaction (1) and (2), it seems that the favored reaction pathway is different from that followed by reaction (3). The atmospheric fate of the chlorinated peroxy species, and hence the impact of their precursors (CH₃Cl and CH₂Cl₂), in the troposphere are briefly discussed. HC(O)Cl is identified as a potentially important reservoir species produced from the photooxidation of these precursors. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 31: 433–444, 1999     

Rate coefficients for the reactions of chlorine atoms with methanol and acetaldehyde

Rate coefficients have been measured for the reactions of Cl atoms with methanol (k₁) and acetaldehyde (k₂) using both absolute (laser photolysis with resonance fluorescence) and relative rate methods at 295 ± 2 K. The measured rate coefficients were (units of 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹): absolute method, k₁ = (5.1 ± 0.4), k₂ = (7.3 ± 0.7); relative method k₁ = (5.6 ± 0.6), k₂ = (8.4 ± 1.0). Based on a critical evaluation of the literature data, the following rate coefficients are recommended: k₁ = (5.4 ± 0.9) × 10⁻¹¹ and k₂ = (7.8 ± 1.3) × 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ (95% confidence limits). The results significantly improve the confidence in the database for reactions of Cl atoms with these oxygenated organics. Rate coefficients were also measured for the reactions of Cl₂ with CH₂OH, k₅ = (2.9 ± 0.6) × 10⁻¹¹ and CH₃CO, k₆ = (4.3 ± 1.5) × 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹, by observing the regeneration of Cl atoms in the absence of O₂. Based on these results and those from a previous relative rate study, the rate coefficient for CH₃CO + O₂ at the high pressure limit is estimated to be (5.7 ± 1.9) × 10⁻¹² cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 31: 776–784, 1999     

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     

Relative Rate Studies of the Reactions of Atomic Chlorine with Acetone and Cyclic Ketones

Rate coefficients have been measured for Cl atom reactions under ambient conditions with acetone and four cyclic ketones. Cl was generated by UV photolysis of Cl₂, and other species were monitored by FT‐IR spectroscopy. The measurements yield k(Cl + acetone) = (2.0 ± 0.7) × 10⁻¹², k(Cl + cyclobutanone) = (10.1 ± 0.8) × 10⁻¹¹, k(Cl + cycloheptanone) = (24.0 ± 2.3) × 10⁻¹¹, k(Cl + 2‐methyl cyclopentanone) = (15.2 ± 1.2) × 10⁻¹¹, and k(Cl + 2‐methyl cyclohexanone) = (11.2 ± 1.0) × 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹, where the uncertainties represent 95% confidence limits. These results are discussed in the context of structure‐activity relationships. We also present a prediction for Cl + cyclopropanone based on ab initio properties of the transition state.     

Kinetic study of gas-phase reactions of pinonaldehyde and structurally related compounds

Rate constants for the reactions of OH, NO₃, and O₃ with pinonaldehyde and the structurally related compounds 3-methylbutanal, 3-methylbutan-2-one, cyclobutyl-methylketone, and 2,2,3-trimethyl-cyclobutyl-1-ethanone have been measured at 300±5 K using on-line Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The rate constants obtained for the reactions with pinonaldehyde were: k_OH=(9.1±1.8)×10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹, k_NO3=(5.4±1.8)×10⁻¹⁴ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹, and k_O3=(8.9±1.4)×10⁻²⁰ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹. The results obtained indicate a chemical lifetime of pinonaldehyde in the troposphere of about two hours under typical daytime conditions, [OH]=1.6×10⁶ molecule cm⁻³. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 29: 527–533, 1997.