The rate of methyl radical decomposition at high temperatures and pressures

Rate constants are calculated for CH₃ (+ Ar) ? CH₂ + H (+ Ar) at the limiting low-pressure, the limiting high-pressure, as well as the intermediate fall-off ranges. The results show that published experimental rate constants for methyl dissociation correspond to the fall-off region close to the low-pressure limit. At the low-pressure limit the activation energy is less than the bond dissociation energy, in agreement with experimental results. Forward and backward rate coefficients at the high-pressure limit are compared with other theoretical calculations. More theoretical and experimental work is necessary to understand the reverse reaction and its competing reactions, as well as the decomposition channel leading to CH + H₂. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.