Using vibrational modes in the search for global minima of atomic and molecular clusters

The reaction between dimethyl sulfide (CH₃SCH₃) and nitrate radical (NO₃) is studied using density functional theory and ab initio methods. The transition state for this reaction is optimized at different levels of theory and basis sets, and then used for kinetics calculations of the rate constant. The CH₃SCH₃ + NO₃ reaction leading to CH₃SCH₂ and HNO₃ is shown to have a negative activation energy and thus negative temperature dependence. The study confirms that the NO₃ radical is a significant contributor to the oxidation of DMS in the troposphere.