Atmospheric chemistry of n‐CH3(CH2)xCN (x = 0–3): Kinetics and mechanisms

Smog chamber/Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) techniques were used to measure the kinetics of the reaction of n‐CH₃(CH₂)_xCN (x = 0–3) with Cl atoms and OH radicals: k(CH₃CN + Cl) = (1.04 ± 0.25) × 10⁻¹⁴, k(CH₃CH₂CN + Cl) = (9.20 ± 3.95) × 10⁻¹³, k(CH₃(CH₂)₂CN + Cl) = (2.03 ± 0.23) × 10⁻¹¹, k(CH₃(CH₂)₃CN + Cl) = (6.70 ± 0.67) × 10⁻¹¹, k(CH₃CN + OH) = (4.07 ± 1.21) × 10⁻¹⁴, k(CH₃CH₂CN + OH) = (1.24 ± 0.27) × 10⁻¹³, k(CH₃(CH₂)₂CN + OH) = (4.63 ± 0.99) × 10⁻¹³, and k(CH₃(CH₂)₃CN + OH) = (1.58 ± 0.38) × 10⁻¹² cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ at a total pressure of 700 Torr of air or N₂ diluents at 296 ± 2 K. The atmospheric oxidation of alkyl nitriles proceeds through hydrogen abstraction leading to several carbonyl containing primary oxidation products. HC(O)CN, NCC(O)OONO₂, ClC(O)OONO₂, and HCN were identified as the main oxidation products from CH₃CN, whereas CH₃CH₂CN gives the products HC(O)CN, CH₃C(O)CN, NCC(O)OONO₂, and HCN. The oxidation of n‐CH₃(CH₂)_xCN (x = 2–3) leads to a range of oxygenated primary products. Based on the measured OH radical rate constants, the atmospheric lifetimes of n‐CH₃(CH₂)_xCN (x = 0–3) were estimated to be 284, 93, 25, and 7 days for x = 0,1, 2, and 3, respectively.     

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.     

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.     

Experimental determination of the rate constants of the reactions of HO2 + DO2 and DO2 + DO2

The rate constants of the reactions of DO₂ + HO₂ (R1) and DO₂ + DO₂ (R2) have been determined by the simultaneous, selective, and quantitative measurement of HO₂ and DO₂ by continuous wave cavity ring-down spectroscopy (cw-CRDS) in the near infrared, coupled to a radical generation by laser photolysis. HO₂ was generated by photolyzing Cl₂ in the presence of CH₃OH and O₂. Low concentrations of DO₂ were generated simultaneously by adding low concentrations of D₂O to the reaction mixture, leading through isotopic exchange on tubing and reactor walls to formation of low concentrations of CH₃OD and thus formation of DO₂. Excess DO₂ was generated by photolyzing Cl₂ in the presence of CD₃OD and O₂, small concentrations of HO₂ were always generated simultaneously by isotopic exchange between CD₃OD and residual H₂O. The rate constant k₁ at 295 K was found to be pressure independent in the range 25–200 Torr helium, but increased with increasing D₂O concentration k₁ = (1.67 ± 0.03) × 10⁻¹² × (1 + (8.2 ± 1.6) × 10⁻¹⁸ cm³ × [D₂O] cm⁻³) cm³ s⁻¹. The rate constant for the DO₂ self-reaction k₂ has been measured under excess DO₂ concentration, and the DO₂ concentration has been determined by fitting the HO₂ decays, now governed by their reaction with DO₂, to the rate constant k₁. A rate constant with insignificant pressure dependence was found: k₂ = (4.1 ± 0.6) × 10⁻¹³ (1 + (2 ± 2) × 10⁻²⁰ cm³ × [He] cm⁻³) cm³ s⁻¹ as well as an increase of k₂ with increasing D₂O concentration was observed: k₂ = (4.14 ± 0.02) × 10⁻¹³ × (1 + (6.5 ± 1.3) × 10⁻¹⁸ cm³ × [D₂O] cm⁻³) cm³ s⁻¹. The result for k₂ is in excellent agreement with literature values, whereas this is the first determination of k₁.     

Trimethylchlorosilane, (CH3)3SiCl: OH reaction kinetics and infrared spectrum

Rate coefficients for the OH + (CH₃)₃SiCl (trimethylchlorosilane) gas-phase reaction were measured over the temperature range 295–375 K using a pulsed laser photolysis laser-induced fluorescence technique. The room temperature rate coefficient was determined to be k₁(295 K) = (2.51 ± 0.13) × 10⁻¹³ cm³ molecule^–1 s^–1. The Arrhenius expression k₁(T) = (7.06 ± 2.15) × 10⁻¹² exp[–(992 ± 101)/T] cm³ molecule^–1 s^–1, where the quoted uncertainties are 2σ fit precision, describes the measured temperature dependence very well. As part of this work, the infrared spectra of CH₃)₃SiCl was measured.     

The atmospheric oxidation of hydroxyacetone: Chemistry of activated and stabilized CH3C(O)CH(OH)OO• radicals between 252 and 298 K

The products of the Cl-atom-initiated oxidation of hydroxyacetone (HYAC, CH₃C(O)CH₂OH) have been examined under conditions relevant to the earth's lower atmosphere. Over the range of temperatures studied (252-298 K), in the absence of NO_x, methylglyoxal (CH₃C(=O)CH=O, MGLY) was formed with a primary yield >84% (96 ± 9% at 298 K), while in the presence of elevated NO_x, MGLY and formic acid were both formed as major primary products. In contrast to a previous study, acetic acid was not identified as a major primary product under the conditions studied. The results are quantitatively interpreted from a consideration of the formation of a stabilized CH₃C(O)CH(OH)OO• radical, either in a ≈50% yield from the addition of O₂ to CH₃C(O)CH•(OH) or in 100% yield from the addition of HO₂ to MGLY. At high temperature and low NO_x, decomposition of the stabilized CH₃C(O)CH(OH)OO• radical to MGLY is favored, while lower temperatures and conditions of high NO_x favor bimolecular reactions of the stabilized radical, with subsequent production of formic acid. Analysis of the data allows for a semiquantitative determination of K₃ = (2.9 ± 0.4) × 10⁻¹⁶ cm³ molecule⁻¹, for the HO₂ + MGLY ↔ CH₃C(O)CH(OH)OO• equilibrium process at 298 K and a roughly order of magnitude increase in K₃ at 252 K.     

Kinetics of OH reactions with N2H4, CH3NHNH2 and (CH3)2NNH2 in the gas phase

The gas phase reaction kinetics of OH with three di‐amine rocket fuels—N₂H₄, CH₃NHNH₂, and (CH₃)₂NNH₂—was studied in a discharge flow tube apparatus and a pulsed photolysis reactor under pseudo‐first‐order conditions in [OH]. Direct laser‐induced fluorescence monitoring of the [OH] temporal profiles in a known excess of the [diamine] yielded the following absolute second‐order OH rate coefficient expressions; k₁ = (2.17 ± 0.39) × 10^?11 e^(160±30)/T, k₂ = (4.59 ± 0.83) × 10^?11 e^(85±35)/T and k₃ = (3.35 ± 0.60) × 10^?11 e^(175±25)/T cm³ molec^?1 s^?1, respectively, for reactions with N₂H₄, CH₃NHNH₂ and (CH₃)₂NNH₂ in the temperature range 232–637 K. All three reactions did not show any discernable pressure dependence on He or N₂ buffer gas pressure of up to 530 torr. The magnitude of the weak temperature and the lack of pressure effects of the OH + N₂H₄ reaction rate coefficient suggest that a simple direct metathesis of H‐atom may not be important compared to addition of the OH to one of the N‐centers of the diamine skeleton, followed by rapid dissociation of the intermediate into products. Our findings on this reaction are qualitatively consistent with a previous ab initio study [ 3 ]. However, in the alkylated diamines, direct H‐abstraction from the methyl moiety cannot be completely ruled out. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 33: 354–362, 2001     

Atmospheric chemistry of CCl2FCH2CF3 (HCFC-234fb): Kinetics and mechanism of reactions with Cl atoms and OH radicals

The atmospheric chemistry of CCl₂FCH₂CF₃ (HFCF-234fb) was examined using FT-IR/relative-rate methods. Hydroxyl radical and chlorine atom rate coefficients of k(CCl₂FCH₂CF₃+OH)= (2.9 ± 0.8) × 10⁻¹⁵ cm³ molecule^–1 s^–1 and k(CCl₂FCH₂CF₃+Cl)= (2.3 ± 0.6) × 10⁻¹⁷ cm³ molecule^–1 s^–1 were determined at 297 ± 2 K. The OH rate coefficient determined here is two times higher than the previous literature value. The atmospheric lifetime for CCl₂FCH₂CF₃ with respect to reaction with OH radicals is approximately 21 years using the OH rate coefficient determined in this work, estimated Arrhenius parameters and scaling it to the atmospheric lifetime of CH₃CCl₃. The chlorine atom initiated oxidation of CCl₂FCH₂CF₃ gives C(O)F₂ and C(O)ClF as stable secondary products. The halogenated carbon balance is close to 80% in our system. The integrated IR absorption cross-section for CCl₂FCH₂CF₃ is 1.87 × 10⁻¹⁶ cm molecule⁻¹ (600–1600 cm⁻¹) and the radiative efficiency was calculated to 0.26 W m⁻² ppb¹. A 100-year Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 1460 was determined, accounting for an estimated stratospheric lifetime of 58 years and using a lifetime-corrected radiative efficiency estimation.     

Kinetics of gas‐phase reactions of CH3OCH2CF3, CH3OCH3, CH3OCH2CH3, CH3CH2OCH2CH3, and CHF2CF2OCH2CF3 with NO3 radicals at 298 K

Rate constants for the gas‐phase reactions of CH₃OCH₂CF₃ (k₁), CH₃OCH₃ (k₂), CH₃OCH₂CH₃ (k₃), and CH₃CH₂OCH₂CH₃ (k₄) with NO₃ radicals were determined by means of a relative rate method at 298 K. NO₃ radicals were prepared by thermal decomposition of N₂O₅ in a 700–750 Torr N₂O₅/NO₂/NO₃/air gas mixture in a 1‐m³ temperature‐controlled chamber. The measured rate constants at 298 K were k₁ = (5.3 ± 0.9) × 10^?18, k₂ = (1.07 ± 0.10) × 10^?16, k₃ = (7.81 ± 0.36) × 10^?16, and k₄ = (2.80 ± 0.10) × 10^?15 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1. Potential energy surfaces for the NO₃ radical reactions were computationally explored, and the rate constants of k₁–k₅ were calculated according to the transition state theory. The calculated values of rate constants k₁–k₄ were in reasonable agreement with the experimentally determined values. The calculated value of k₅ was compared with the estimate (k₅ < 5.3 × 10^?21 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1) derived from the correlation between the rate constants for reactions with NO₃ radicals (k₁–k₄) and the corresponding rate constants for reactions with OH radicals. We estimated the tropospheric lifetimes of CH₃OCH₂CF₃ and CHF₂CF₂OCH₂CF₃ to be 240 and >2.4 × 10⁵ years, respectively, with respect to reaction with NO₃ radicals. The tropospheric lifetimes of these compounds are much shorter with respect to the OH reaction. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 41: 490–497, 2009     

Rate constants of the reactions of O(3P) atoms with Br2 and NO2 over the temperature range 220-950 K

The kinetics of the reactions of Br₂ and NO₂ with ground state oxygen atoms have been studied over a wide temperature range, T = 220-950 K, using a low-pressure flow tube reactor coupled with a quadrupole mass spectrometer: O + NO₂ → NO + O₂ (1) and O + Br₂ → Br + BrO (2). The rate constant of reaction (1) was determined under pseudo–first-order conditions, either monitoring the kinetics of O-atom or NO₂ consumption in excess of NO₂ or of the oxygen atoms, respectively: k₁ = (6.1 ± 0.4) × 10⁻¹² exp((155 ± 18)/T) cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ (where the uncertainties represent precision at the 2σ level, the estimated total uncertainty on k₁ being 15% at all temperatures). The temperature dependence of k₁, found to be in excellent agreement with multiple previous low-temperature data, was extended to 950 K. The rate constant of reaction (2) determined under pseudo–first-order conditions, monitoring the kinetics of Br₂ consumption in excess of O-atoms, showed upward curvature at low and high temperatures of the study and was fitted with the following three-parameter expression: k₂ = 9.85 × 10⁻¹⁶ T^1.41 exp(543/T) cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ at T = (220-950) K, which is recommended from the present study with an independent of temperature conservative uncertainty of 15% on k₂.     

Temperature-dependent rate constants for the reactions of chlorine atom with methanol and Br2

Kinetics of the reaction of Cl atoms with methanol has been investigated at 2 Torr total pressure of helium and over a wide temperature range 225-950 K, using a discharge flow reactor combined with an electron impact ionization quadrupole mass spectrometer. The rate constant of the reaction Cl + CH₃OH → products (1) was determined using both absolute measurements under pseudo-first order conditions, monitoring the kinetics of Cl-atom consumption in excess of methanol and relative rate method, k₁ = (5.1 ± 0.8) × 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹, and was found to be temperature independent over the range T = 225-950 K. The rate constant of the reaction Cl + Br₂ → BrCl + Br (3) was measured in an absolute way monitoring Cl-atom decays in excess of Br₂: k₃ = 1.64 × 10⁻¹⁰ exp(34/T) cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ at T = 225-960 K (with conservative 15% uncertainty). The experimental data for k₃ can also be adequately represented by the temperature independent value of k₃ = (1.8 ± 0.3) × 10⁻¹⁰ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹. The kinetic data from the present study are compared with previous measurements.     

Kinetics of the ?OH-radical initiated reactions of acetic acid and its deuterated isomers

Kinetics of the ^•OH-initiated reactions of acetic acid and its deuterated isomers have been investigated performing simulation chamber experiments at T = 300 ± 2 K. The following rate constant values have been obtained (± 1σ, in cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹): k ₁(CH₃C(O)OH + ^•OH) = (6.3 ± 0.9) × 10⁻¹³, k ₂(CH₃C(O)OD + ^•OH) = (1.5 ± 0.3) × 10⁻¹³, k ₃(CD₃C(O)OH + ^•OH) = (6.3 ± 0.9) × 10⁻¹³, and k ₄(CD₃C(O)OD + ^•OH) = (0.90 ± 0.1) × 10⁻¹³. This study presents the first data on k ₂(CH₃C(O)OD + ^•OH). Glyoxylic acid has been detected among the products confirming the fate of the ^•CH₂C(O)OH radical as suggested by recent theoretical studies.     

Temperature-dependent rate coefficients for the gas-phase OH + furan-2,5-dione (C4H2O3, maleic anhydride) reaction

Rate coefficients, k₁(T), for the gas-phase reaction of the OH radical with furan-2,5-dione (maleic anhydride (MA), C₄H₂O₃), a biomass burning related compound, were measured under pseudo–first-order conditions in OH using the pulsed laser photolysis–laser-induced fluorescence method over a range of temperature (283-374 K) and bath gas pressure (50-200 Torr; He or N₂). k₁(T) was found to be independent of pressure over this range with k₁(283-374 K) = (1.55 ± 0.20) × 10⁻¹² exp[(−410 ± 44)/T) cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ and k₁(296 K) = (3.93 ± 0.28) × 10⁻¹³ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹, where the uncertainties are 2σ and the preexponential term includes the estimated systematic error. The atmospheric lifetime of MA with respect to OH reactive loss is estimated to be ∼15 days. The present results are compared with a previous room temperature relative rate study of the OH + MA reaction, and the significant discrepancy between the studies is discussed; the present results are approximately a factor of 4 lower. It is also noteworthy that the experimentally measured k₁(296 K) value obtained in this work is nearly a factor of 110 less than estimated by a structure activity relationship based on trends in ionization potential. Based in part on a computational evaluation, an atmospheric degradation mechanism of MA is proposed.     

Atmospheric Chemistry of CH3CH2OCH3: Kinetics and Mechanism of Reactions with Cl Atoms and OH Radicals

The atmospheric chemistry of methyl ethyl ether, CH₃CH₂OCH₃, was examined using FT‐IR/relative‐rate methods. Hydroxyl radical and chlorine atom rate coefficients of k (CH₃CH₂OCH₃+OH) = (7.53 ± 2.86) × 10⁻¹² cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ and k (CH₃CH₂OCH₃+Cl) = (2.35 ± 0.43) × 10⁻¹⁰ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ were determined (297 ± 2 K). The Cl rate coefficient determined here is 30% lower than the previous literature value. The atmospheric lifetime for CH₃CH₂OCH₃ is approximately 2 days. The chlorine atom–initiated oxidation of CH₃CH₂OCH₃ gives CH₃C(O)H (9 ± 2%), CH₃CH₂OC(O)H (29 ± 7%), CH₃OC(O)H (19 ± 7%), and CH₃C(O)OCH₃ (17 ± 7%). The IR absorption cross section for CH₃CH₂OCH₃ is (7.97 ± 0.40) × 10⁻¹⁷ cm molecule⁻¹ (1000–3100 cm⁻¹). CH₃CH₂OCH₃ has a negligible impact on the radiative forcing of climate.     

Absolute rate constants for the reactions ofOHradicals withCH3CH2OH, CF2HCH2OHandCF3CH2OH

Summary Pulsed laser photolysis with resonance fluorescence monitoring of OH radicals was applied at T = 300±2 K to obtain the rate constants of k₁= (3.38±0.60)x10^-12, k₂= (2.52±0.44)x10^-13and k₃ = (1.06±0.30)x10^-13cm³molecule^-1s^-1with 2σprecision given for the overall reactions OH + CH₃CH₂OH (1), OH + CF₂HCH₂OH (2) and OH + CF₃CH₂OH (3), respectively. k₂is the first direct kinetic data for the reaction of OH radicals with CF₂HCH₂OH reported in the literature.</o:p>     

Kinetic flash spectroscopic study of the CH3O2?CH3O2 and CH3O2?SO2 reactions

Methylperoxy radicals were generated by the flash photolysis of azomethane–oxygen mixtures. The observed broadband spectrum of the CH₃O₂ radical is similar, but not identical to those reported previously. The CH₃O₂ decay followed second-order kinetics at high CH₃O₂ concentrations with k₄' = (2.5 ± 0.3) × 10⁸ liter/mol·sec (23 ± 2°C); 2CH₃O₂ → products (4). Because of the potential loss of CH₃O₂ through the reactions with HO₂ and CH₃O radicals subsequently formed in this system, simulations suggest that the true k₄ is in the range: 2.5 × 10⁸ ≥ k₄ ≥ 2.3 × 10⁸ liter/mol·sec. Deviations from linearity of the plot of the reciprocal of the CH₃O₂ absorbance versus time were seen at long times and were attributed to the reaction (5) with an apparent rate constant k₅' ? (1.6 ± 0.4) × 10⁵ liter/mol·sec; CH₃O₂ + Me₂N₂ → product (5). The CH₃O₂–SO₂ reaction, CH₃O₂ + SO₂ → products (16), was studied by observing CH₃O₂ decay in flashed mixtures of Me₂N₂, O₂, and SO₂. The results gave the apparent second-order rate constant k₁₆' ? (6.4 ± 1.4) × 10⁶ liter/mol·sec. It appears likely that each occurrence of reaction (5) and (16) is followed by the loss of an additional CH₃O₂ radical and that k₅ ? k₅'/2 and k₁₆ ? k₁₆'/2. Our findings suggest that a significant fraction of the SO₂ oxidation in a sunlight-irradiated NO_x?RH-polluted atmosphere, may occur by reaction with CH₃O₂ as well as from the HO and HO₂ reactions.     

Does the HO2 radical react with H2S,CH3SH,and CH3SCH3?

The kinetics of the title reactions were investigated in a discharge flow tube by using laser magnetic resonance detection of HO₂. The upper limits for the bimolecular rate constants for the reactions of HO₂ with H₂S (k₁), CH₃SH (k₂), and CH₃SCH₃ (k₃) are <3 × 10^?15, <4 × 10^?15, and <5 × 10^?15 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, respectively, at 298 K. Our upper limit for k₁ is three orders of magnitude lower than the previously reported value. Measurements at higher temperatures also yield similar upper limits. Our results suggest that HO₂ is not an important oxidant for these reduced compounds in the atmosphere. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Kinetic study of the oxidation reaction of 4-methylphenyl radical

A kinetic study of the reaction of the 4-methylphenyl radical (4-C₆H₄CH₃) with the oxygen molecule was conducted using experimental and theoretical approaches. The absorption spectrum for the λ = 266 nm photolysis of the 4-C₆H₄CH₃X (X = Cl, Br)/N₂/O₂ mixture was measured in the wavelength range of λ = 503-512 nm using N₂ as the buffer gas at a total pressure of 40 Torr using a cavity ring-down spectroscopy apparatus coupled with a pulsed laser photolysis system. Based on the absorbance of the product of the 4-C₆H₄CH₃ + O₂ reaction at λ = 504 nm, the reaction rate coefficient for the 4-C₆H₄CH₃ + O₂ reaction was determined to be k = (1.21 ± 0.10) × 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ and k = (1.18 ± 0.21) × 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ using 4-C₆H₄CH₃Cl and 4-C₆H₄CH₃Br, respectively, as the radical precursor. And there was no pressure dependence in the total pressure range of 10-90 Torr varying partial pressure of N₂ buffer gas at T = 296 ± 5 K. The geometries, vibration frequencies, and potential energy surfaces of the reactants, major products, and transition states in the 4-C₆H₄CH₃ + O₂ reaction were determined using the CBS-QB3 method. The k value at the high-pressure limit was calculated to be 1.26 × 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ using the variational transition-state theory. The calculated value of k was consistent with the experimental value, which indicated that the 4-C₆H₄CH₃ + O₂ reaction reaches the high-pressure limit at 10 Torr. Therefore, the oxidation of the 4-C₆H₄CH₃ radical is almost 10 times faster than that of the benzyl radical, which has the same chemical formula, at the high-pressure limit.     

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.     

Kinetics of the reactions of Cl atoms with CH3Br and CH2Br2

The rate coefficients for the reactions of Cl atoms with CH₃Br, (k₁) and CH₂Br₂, (k₂) were measured as functions of temperature by generating Cl atoms via 308 nm laser photolysis of Cl₂ and measuring their temporal profiles via resonance fluorescence detection. The measured rate coefficients were: k₁ = (1.55 ± 0.18) × 10^?11 exp{(?1070 ± 50)/T} and k₂ = (6.37 ± 0.55) × 10^?12 exp{(?810 ± 50)/T} cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1. The possible interference of the reaction of CH₂Br product with Cl₂ in the measurement of k₁ was assessed from the temporal profiles of Cl at high concentrations of Cl₂ at 298 K. The rate coefficient at 298 K for the CH₂Br + Cl₂ reaction was derived to be (5.36 ± 0.56) × 10^?13 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1. Based on the values of k₁ and k₂, it is deduced that global atmospheric lifetimes for CH₃Br and CH₂Br₂ are unlikely to be affected by loss via reaction with Cl atoms. In the marine boundary layer, the loss via reaction (1) may be significant if the Cl concentrations are high. If found to be true, the contribution from oceans to the overall CH₃Br budget may be less than what is currently assumed. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.