Iodine catalyzed pyrolysis of dimethyl sulfide. Heats of formation of CH3SCH2I,the CH3SCH2 radical,and the pibond energy in CH2S

A kinetic study has been made of the gas phase, I₂-catalyzed decomposition of (CH₃)₂S at 630–650 K. Some I₂ is consumed initially, reaching a steady-state concentration. The initial major products are CH₄ and CH₂S together with small amounts of CH₃SCH₂I, CH₃I, HI, and CS₂. The initial reaction corresponds to a pseudo-equilibrium: accompanied by: and which brings (I₂) into steady state and a final complex reaction: From the initial rate of I₂ loss it is possible to obtain Arrhenius parameters for the iodination: We measure k₁, (644 K) = 150 L/mol s and from both the Arrhenius plot and independent estimates A₁ (644 K) = 10^{11.2 ± 0.3} L/mol s. Thus, E₁ = 26.7 ± 1 kcal/mol. From the steady-state I₂ concentration, an assumed mechanism and the known rate parameters for the CH₃I/HI system. It is possible to deduce K_A (644) = 3.8 × 10^?2 with an uncertainty of a factor of 2. Using an estimated ΔS (644) = 4.2 ± 1.0 e.u. we find ΔH_A (644) = 7.0 ± 1.1 kcal. With 〈ΔC_PA〉644 = 1.2 this becomes: ΔH_A(298) = 6.6 ± 1.1 kcal/mol. Then ΔH (CH₃SCH₂I) = 6.3 ± 1 kcal/mol. Making the assumption that E_?1 = 1.0 ± 0.5 kcal/mol we find ΔH (644) = 25.7 ± 0.7 kcal/mol and with 〈ΔC_PI〉 = 1.2; ΔH = 25.3 ± 0.8 kcal/mol. This gives ΔH (CH₃S?H₂) = 35.6 ± 1.0 kcal/mol and DH (CH₃SCH₂? H) = 96.6 ± 1.0 kcal/mol. This then yields E_π(CH₂S) = 52 ± 3 kcal. From the observed rate of pressure increase in the system and the preceding data k₃, is calculated for the step CH₃SCH₂ → CH₃ + CH₂S. From an estimated A-factor E₃ is deduced and from the overall thermochemistry values for k_?3 and E_?3. A detailed mechanism is proposed for the I-atom catalyzed conversion of CH₂S to CS₂ + CH₄.