Kinetics of the gas‐phase elimination of α‐Bromophenylacetic acid under maximum inhibition

The gas phase elimination kinetics of the title compound was studied over the temperature range of 260.1–315.0°C and pressure range of 20–70 Torr. This elimination, in seasoned static reaction system and in the presence of at least fourfold of the free radical inhibitor toluene, is homogeneous, unimolecular and follows a first‐order rate law. The reaction yielded mainly benzaldehyde, CO, and HBr, and small amounts of benzylbromide and CO₂. The observed rate coefficients are expressed by the following Arrhenius equations: For benzaldehyde formation: log k₁ (s⁻¹) = (12.23 ± 0.26) − (164.9 ± 2.7) kJ mol⁻¹ (2.303 RT)⁻¹ For benzylbromide formation: log k₁ (s⁻¹) = (13.82 ± 0.50) − (192.8 ± 5.5) kJ mol⁻¹ (2.303 RT)⁻¹ The mechanisms are believed to proceed through a semi‐polar five‐membered cyclic transition state for the benzaldehyde formation, while a four‐centered cyclic transition state for benzylbromide formation. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 31: 725–728, 1999     

The gas‐phase elimination kinetics of ethyl 2‐furoate and ethyl 2‐thiophenecarboxylate

The gas‐phase elimination kinetics of ethyl 2‐furoate and 2‐ethyl 2‐thiophenecarboxylate was carried out in a static reaction system over the temperature range of 623.15–683.15 K (350–410°C) and pressure range of 30–113 Torr. The reactions proved to be homogeneous, unimolecular, and obey a first‐order rate law. The rate coefficients are expressed by the following Arrhenius equations: ethyl 2‐furoate, log k₁ (s^?1) = (11.51 ± 0.17)–(185.6 ± 2.2) kJ mol^?1 (2.303 RT)^?1; ethyl 2‐thiophenecarboxylate, log k₁ (s^?1) = (11.59 ± 0.19)–(183.8 ± 2.4) kJ mol^?1 (2.303 RT)^?1. The elimination products are ethylene and the corresponding heteroaromatic 2‐carboxylic acid. However, as the reaction temperature increases, the intermediate heteroaromatic carboxylic acid products slowly decarboxylate to give the corresponding heteroaromatic furan and thiophene, respectively. The mechanisms of these reactions are suggested and described. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 41: 145–152, 2009     

The elimination kinetics and mechanisms of ethyl piperidine‐3‐carboxylate,ethyl 1‐methylpiperidine‐3‐carboxylate,and ethyl 3‐(piperidin‐1‐yl)propionate in the gas phase

The gas‐phase elimination kinetics of the above‐mentioned compounds were determined in a static reaction system over the temperature range of 369–450.3°C and pressure range of 29–103.5 Torr. The reactions are homogeneous, unimolecular, and obey a first‐order rate law. The rate coefficients are given by the following Arrhenius expressions: ethyl 3‐(piperidin‐1‐yl) propionate, log k₁(s^?1) = (12.79 ± 0.16) ? (199.7 ± 2.0) kJ mol^?1 (2.303 RT)^?1; ethyl 1‐methylpiperidine‐3‐carboxylate, log k₁(s^?1) = (13.07 ± 0.12)–(212.8 ± 1.6) kJ mol^?1 (2.303 RT)^?1; ethyl piperidine‐3‐carboxylate, log k₁(s^?1) = (13.12 ± 0.13) ? (210.4 ± 1.7) kJ mol^?1 (2.303 RT)^?1; and 3‐piperidine carboxylic acid, log k₁(s^?1) = (14.24 ± 0.17) ? (234.4 ± 2.2) kJ mol^?1 (2.303 RT)^?1. The first step of decomposition of these esters is the formation of the corresponding carboxylic acids and ethylene through a concerted six‐membered cyclic transition state type of mechanism. The intermediate β‐amino acids decarboxylate as the α‐amino acids but in terms of a semipolar six‐membered cyclic transition state mechanism. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 38: 106–114, 2006     

Thermolysis of 3‐alkyl‐3‐methyl‐1,2‐dioxetanes: activation parameters and chemiexcitation yields

3‐Methyl‐3‐(3‐pentyl)‐1,2‐dioxetane 1 and 3‐methyl‐3‐(2,2‐dimethyl‐1‐propyl)‐1,2‐dioxetane 2 were synthesized in low yield by the α‐bromohydroperoxide method. The activation parameters were determined by the chemiluminescence method (for 1 ΔH‡ = 25.0 ± 0.3 kcal/mol, ΔS‡ = −1.0 entropy unit (e.u.), ΔG‡ = 25.3 kcal/mol, k₁ (60°C) = 4.6 × 10⁻⁴s⁻¹; for 2 ΔH‡ = 24.2 ± 0.2 kcal/mol, ΔS‡ = −2.0 e.u., ΔG‡ = 24.9 kcal/mol, k₁ (60°C) = 9.2 × 10⁻⁴s⁻¹. Thermolysis of 1–2 produced excited carbonyl fragments (direct production of high yields of triplets relative to excited singlets) (chemiexcitation yields for 1: ϕ^T = 0.02, ϕ^S ≤ 0.0005; for 2: ϕ^T = 0.02, ϕ^S ≤ 0.0004). The results are discussed in relation to a diradical‐like mechanism. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 12:176–179, 2001     

The retro-aldol mechanism in the pyrolysis kinetics of primary,secondary, and tertiary β-hydroxy ketones in the gas phase

The pyrolysis kinetics of primary, secondary, and tertiary β-hydroxy ketones have been studied in static seasoned vessels over the pressure range of 21–152 torr and the temperature range of 190°–260°C. These eliminations are homogeneous, unimolecular, and follow a first-order rate law. The rate coefficients are expressed by the following equations: for 1-hydroxy-3-butanone, log k₁(s^?1) = (12.18 ± 0.39) ? (150.0 ± 3.9) kJ mol^?1 (2.303RT)^?1; for 4-hydroxy-2-pentanone, log k₁(s^?1) = (11.64 ± 0.28) ? (142.1 ± 2.7) kJ mol^?1 (2.303RT)^?1; and for 4-hydroxy-4-methyl-2-pentanone, log k₁(s^?1) = (11.36 ± 0.52) ? (133.4 ± 4.9) kJ mol^?1 (2.303RT)^?1. The acid nature of the hydroxyl hydrogen is not determinant in rate enhancement, but important in assistance during elimination. However, methyl substitution at the hydroxyl carbon causes a small but significant increase in rates and, thus, appears to be the limiting factor in a retroaldol type of mechanism in these decompositions. © John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Linear correlation of polar substituents in the gas-phase pyrolyses of ethyl α-substituted acetates

The pyrolysis kinetics of several ethyl esters with polar substituents at the acyl carbon have been studied in the temperature range of 319.8–400.0°C and pressure range of 50.5–178.0 torr. These eliminations are homogeneous, unimolecular, and follow a first-order rate law. The rate coefficients are given by the Arrhenius equations: for ethyl glycolate, log k₁ (s^?1) = (12.75 ± 0.30) – (201.4 ± 3.8) kJ/mol/2.303RT; for ethyl cyanoacetate, log k₁ (s^?1) = (12.19 ± 0.18) – (191.8 ± 2.1) kJ/mol/2.303RT; for ethyl dichloroacetate, log k₁ (s^?1) = (12.62 ± 0.36) – (193.9 ± 4.3) kJ/mol/2.303RT; for ethyl trichloroacetate, log k₁ (s^?1) = (12.27 ± 0.09) – (185.1 ± 1.0) kJ/mol/2.303RT. The results of the present work together with those reported recently in the literature give an approximate linear correlation when plotting log k/k₀ vs. σ* values (ρ* = 0.315 ± 0.004, r = 0.976, and intercept = 0.032 ± 0.006 at 400°C). This linear relationship indicates that the polar substituents affect the rate of elimination by electronic factors. The greater the electronegative nature of the polar substituent, the faster is the pyrolysis rate. The alkyl substituents yield, within experimental error, similar values in rates which makes difficult an adequate assessment of their real influence.     

The kinetics and mechanisms of gas phase elimination of primary,secondary, and tertiary 2‐hydroxyalkylbenzenes

2‐Phenylethanol, racemic 1‐phenyl‐2‐propanol, and 2‐methyl‐1‐phenyl‐2‐propanol have been pyrolyzed in a static system over the temperature range 449.3–490.6°C and pressure range 65–198 torr. The decomposition reactions of these alcohols in seasoned vessels are homogeneous, unimolecular, and follow a first‐order rate law. The Arrhenius equations for the overall decomposition and partial rates of products formation were found as follows: for 2‐phenylethanol, overall rate log k₁(s⁻¹)=12.43−228.1 kJ mol⁻¹ (2.303 RT)⁻¹, toluene formation log k₁(s⁻¹)=12.97−249.2 kJ mol⁻¹ (2.303 RT)⁻¹, styrene formation log k₁(s⁻¹)=12.40−229.2 kJ mol⁻¹(2.303 RT)⁻¹, ethylbenzene formation log k₁(s⁻¹)=12.96−253.2 kJ mol⁻¹(2.303 RT)⁻¹; for 1‐phenyl‐2‐propanol, overall rate log k₁(s⁻¹)=13.03−233.5 kJ mol⁻¹(2.303 RT)⁻¹, toluene formation log k₁(s⁻¹)=13.04−240.1 kJ mol⁻¹(2.303 RT)⁻¹, unsaturated hydrocarbons+indene formation log k₁(s⁻¹)=12.19−224.3 kJ mol⁻¹(2.303 RT)⁻¹; for 2‐methyl‐1‐phenyl‐2‐propanol, overall rate log k₁(s⁻¹)=12.68−222.1 kJ mol⁻¹(2.303 RT)⁻¹, toluene formation log k₁(s⁻¹)=12.65−222.9 kJ mol⁻¹(2.303 RT)⁻¹, phenylpropenes formation log k₁(s⁻¹)=12.27−226.2 kJ mol⁻¹(2.303 RT)⁻¹. The overall decomposition rates of the 2‐hydroxyalkylbenzenes show a small but significant increase from primary to tertiary alcohol reactant. Two competitive eliminations are shown by each of the substrates: the dehydration process tends to decrease in relative importance from the primary to the tertiary alcohol substrate, while toluene formation increases. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 31: 401–407, 1999     

Radical‐initiated polymerization of β‐methyl‐α‐methylene‐γ‐butyrolactone

β‐Methyl‐α‐methylene‐γ‐butyrolactone (MMBL) was synthesized and then was polymerized in an N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF) solution with 2,2‐azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) initiation. The homopolymer of MMBL was soluble in DMF and acetonitrile. MMBL was homopolymerized without competing depolymerization from 50 to 70 °C. The rate of polymerization (R_p) for MMBL followed the kinetic expression R_p = [AIBN]^0.54[MMBL]^1.04. The overall activation energy was calculated to be 86.9 kJ/mol, k_p/k_t^1/2 was equal to 0.050 (where k_p is the rate constant for propagation and k_t is the rate constant for termination), and the rate of initiation was 2.17 × 10^?8 mol L^?1 s^?1. The free energy of activation, the activation enthalpy, and the activation entropy were 106.0, 84.1, and 0.0658 kJ mol^?1, respectively, for homopolymerization. The initiation efficiency was approximately 1. Styrene and MMBL were copolymerized in DMF solutions at 60 °C with AIBN as the initiator. The reactivity ratios (r₁ = 0.22 and r₂ = 0.73) for this copolymerization were calculated with the Kelen–Tudos method. The general reactivity parameter Q and the polarity parameter e for MMBL were calculated to be 1.54 and 0.55, respectively. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 1759–1777, 2003     

Elementary reaction analysis of the radical polymerization of α‐ethyl β‐N‐(α′‐methylbenzyl)itaconamates carrying (RS)‐ and (S)‐α‐methylbenzylaminocarbonyl groups

The polymerizations of α‐ethyl β‐N‐(α′‐methylbenzyl)itaconamates carrying (RS)‐ and (S)‐α‐methylbenzylaminocarbonyl groups (RS‐EMBI and S‐EMBI) with dimethyl 2,2′‐azobisisobutyrate (MAIB) were studied in methanol (MeOH) and in benzene kinetically and with electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. The initial polymerization rate (R_p) at 60 °C was given by R_p = k[MAIB]^{0.58 ± 0.05}[RS‐EMBI]^{2.4 ± 0.l} and R_p = k[MAIB]^{0.61 ± 0.05}[S‐EMBI]^{2.3 ± 0.l} in MeOH and R_p = k[MAIB]^{0.54 ± 0.05}[RS‐EMBI]^{1.7 ± 0.l} in benzene. The rate constants of initiation (k_df), propagation (k_p), and termination (k_t) as elementary reactions were estimated by ESR, where k_d is the rate constant of MAIB decomposition and f is the initiator efficiency. The k_p values of RS‐EMBI (0.50–1.27 L/mol s) and S‐EMBI (0.42–1.32 L/mol s) in MeOH increased with increasing monomer concentrations, whereas the k_t values (0.20?7.78 × 10⁵ L/mol s for RS‐EMBI and 0.18?6.27 × 10⁵ L/mol s for S‐EMBI) decreased with increasing monomer concentrations. Such relations of R_p with k_p and k_t were responsible for the unusually high dependence of R_p on the monomer concentration. The activation energies of the elementary reactions were also determined from the values of k_df, k_p, and k_t at different temperatures. R_p and k_p of RS‐EMBI and S‐EMBI in benzene were considerably higher than those in MeOH. R_p of RS‐EMBI was somewhat higher than that of S‐EMBI in both MeOH and benzene. Such effects of the kinds of solvents and monomers on R_p were explicable in terms of the different monomer associations, as analyzed by ¹H NMR. The copolymerization of RS‐EMBI with styrene was examined at 60 °C in benzene. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 1819–1830, 2003     

The electronic effects of substituents at the acyl carbon in the gas-phase elimination kinetics of tert-butyl α-substituted acetates

The gas-phase eliminations of several tert-butyl esters, in a static system and in vessels seasoned with allyl bromide, have been studied in the temperature range of 171.5–280.1°C and the pressure range of 23–98 torr. The rate coefficients for the homogeneous unimolecular elimination of these esters are given by the following Arrhenius equations: for tert-butyl pivalate, log k₁(s^?1) = (13.44 ± 0.30) ? (169.1 ± 3.1) kJ · mol^?1 (2.303RT)^?1; for tert-butyl trichloroacetate, log k₁(s^?1) = (12.41 ± 0.08) ? (141.1 ± 0.7) kJ · mol^?1 (2.303RT)^?1; and for tert-butyl cyanoacetate log k₁(s^?1) = (11.31 ± 0.44) ? (137.8 ± 4.1) kJ · mol^?1 (2.303RT)^?1. The data of this work together with those reported in the literature yield a good linear relationship when plotting log k/k₀ vs. σ* values (ρ* = 0.635, correlation coefficient r = 0.972, and intercept = 0.048 at 250°C). The positive ρ* value suggests that the movement of negative charge to the acyl carbon in the transition state is rate determining. The present results along with previous investigations ratify the generalization that electron-withdrawing substituents at the acyl side of ethyl, isopropyl, and tert-butyl esters enhance the elimination rates, while electron-releasing groups tend to reduce them. The negative nature of the acyl carbon and the polarity in the transition state increases slightly from primary to tertiary esters.     

Arrhenius parameters for the reactions CH3. + C4H10 → CH4 + C4H9. and C2H5. + C4H10 → C2H6 + C4H9.

Study of n-butane pyrolysis at high temperature in a flow system allows measurement of the sum of the rate constants of the initiation reactions and of the Arrhenius parameters of the reactions Established data for k₁/k₂ allow estimation of k₁ for 951°K and this, with recent thermochemical data, yields the result log k_?1 (l.mole s^?1) = 8.5, in remarkable agreement with a recent measurement [20] but over si×ty times smaller than conventional assumption. The product k₃k₄ (l.²mole^?2s^?2) is found to be associated with the Arrhenius parameters log (A₃A₄) = 21.90 ± 0.6 and (E₃ + E₄) = 38.3 ± 2.7 kcal/mole. These values are much higher than would be e×pected on the basis of low temperature estimates. Independent evaluation gives log A₄ = 10.5 ± 0.4 (l.mole^?1s^?1) and E₄ = 20.1 ± 1.7 kcal/mole, hence log A₃ = 11.4 ± 0.8 (l.mole^?1s^?1) and E₃ = 18.2 ± 3.2 kcal/mole. These values are shown to be entirely consistent with a wide range of results from pyrolytic studies, and it is argued that they further confirm the view that Arrhenius plots for alkyl radical–alkane metathetical reactions are strongly curved, in part due to tunneling and, appreciably, to other as yet unidentified effects. Since there is published evidence that metathetical reactions involving hydrogen atoms show even greater curvature, it is suggested that this may be a characteristic of many metathetical reactions.     

Radical-initiated homo- and copolymerization of α-methylene-γ-butyrolactone

The kinetics of α-methylene-γ-butyrolactone (α-MBL) homopolymerization was investigated in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) with azobis(isobutyronitrile) as initiator. The rate of polymerization (R_p) was expresed by R_p = k[AIBN]^0.54[α-MBL]^1.1 and the overall activation energy was calculated as 76.1 kJ/mol. Kinetic constants for α-MBL polymerization were obtained as follows: k_p/k_t^1/2 = 0.161 L^1/2 mol^?1/2·s^?1/2; 2fk_d = 2.18 × 10^?5 s^?1. The relative reactivity ratios of α-MBL(M₂) copolymerization with styrene (r₁ = 0.14, r₂ = 0.87) were obtained. Applying the Q–e scheme led to Q = 2.2 and e = 0.65. These Q and e values for α-MBL are higher than those for MMA     

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     

Standard reactions for comparative rate studies: Experiments on the dehydrochlorination reactions of 2‐chloropropane,chlorocyclopentane, and chlorocyclohexane

Single pulse shock tube studies of the thermal dehydrochlorination reactions (chlorocyclopentane → cyclopentene + HCl) and (chlorocyclohexane → cyclohexene + HCl) at temperatures of 843–1021 K and pressures of 1.4–2.4 bar have been carried out using the comparative rate technique. Rate constants have been measured relative to (2‐chloropropane → propene + HCl) and the decyclization reactions of cyclohexene, 4‐methylcyclohexene, and 4‐vinylcyclohexene. Absolute rate constants have been derived using k(cyclohexene → ethene + butadiene) = 1.4 × 10¹⁵ exp(?33,500/T) s^?1. These data provide a self‐consistent temperature scale of use in the comparison of chemical systems studied with different temperature standards. A combined analysis of the present results with the literature data from lower temperature static studies leads to

• k(2‐chloropropane) = 10^{(13.98±0.08)} exp(?26, 225 ± 130) K/T) s^?1; 590–1020 K; 1–3 bar
• k(chlorocylopentane) = 10^{(13.65 ± 0.10)} exp(?24,570 ± 160) K/T) s^?1; 590–1020 K; 1–3 bar
• k(chlorocylohexane) = 10^{(14.33 ± 0.10)} exp(?25,950 ± 180) K/T) s^?1; 590–1020 K; 1–3 bar

Including systematic uncertainties, expanded standard uncertainties are estimated to be about 15% near 600 K rising to about 25% at 1000 K. At 2 bar and 1000 K, the reactions are only slightly under their high‐pressure limits, but falloff effects rapidly become significant at higher temperatures. On the basis of computational studies and Rice–Ramsperger–Kassel–Marcus (RRKM)/Master Equation modeling of these and reference dehydrochlorination reactions, reported in more detail in an accompanying article, the following high‐pressure limits have been derived:

• k_∞ (2‐chloropropane) = 5.74 × 10⁹T^1.37 exp(?25,680/T) s^?1; 600–1600 K
• k_∞ (chlorocylopentane) = 7.65 × 10⁷T^1.75 exp(?23,320/T) s^?1; 600–1600 K
• k_∞ (chlorocylohexane) = 8.25 × 10⁹T^1.34 exp(?25,010/T) s^?1; 600–1600 K

© 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

1 This article is a U.S. Government work and, as such, is in the public domain of the United States of America.

Int J Chem Kinet 44: 351–368, 2012     

Hetero-Diels-Alder Cycloadditions of α,β-Unsaturated Acyl Cyanides,Part 4 , Substituent Effects in Reactions with p-Substituted Styrenes

Cycloadditions of α,β-unsaturated acyl cyanides (=2-oxonitriles) 1 – 6 to styrene and its p-substituted derivatives 7a – f , h are of inverse electron demand and provide, under mild conditions, regio- and stereoselectively 2-aryl-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran-6-carbonitriles 8 – 13 , generally in good yield. Rates for the cycloaddition of acryloyl cyanide 1 to p-substituted styrenes, determined in competition reactions of substrate pairs relative to that of styrene, increase in the order of electron-donating ability NO₂<Cl<H<AcO<Me<AcNH<MeO of the p-substituent. Linear correlation of log (k_X/k_H), and σ_p⁺ substituent constants (a Hammett-type plot), gives a reaction constant ρ_p⁺ of −1.47±0.17, supporting a concerted mechanism.     

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.     

Rate constants for the gas‐phase β‐myrcene + OH and isoprene + OH reactions as a function of temperature

Rate constants for the gas‐phase reactions of the hydroxyl radical with the biogenic hydrocarbons, β‐myrcene and isoprene, were measured using the relative rate technique over the temperature range 313–413 K and at ～1 atm total pressure. OH was produced by the photolysis of H₂O₂, and helium was the diluent gas. The reactants were detected by online mass spectrometry, which resulted in high time resolution allowing for large amounts of data to be collected and used in the determination of the Arrhenius parameters. Many experiments were performed over the temperature range of interest, leading to more accurate parameters than previous investigations. The following Arrhenius expression has been determined for these reactions (in units of cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1): for isoprene k = (3.14) × 10^?11 exp [(338 ± 19)/T] and for β‐myrcene k = (9.19) × 10^?12 exp[(1071 ± 82)/T]. The Arrhenius plot for the isoprene + OH reaction indicates curvature in this relationship and is given by k = (3.47 ± 0.14) × 10^?17 T² exp [(1036 ± 14)/T]. Our measured rate constant for the β‐myrcene + OH reaction at 298 K is higher, but not significantly, than current literature values. This is the first report of β‐myrcene's rate constant with OH as a function of temperature. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 41: 407–413, 2009     

Kinetics of the gas‐phase reactions of chlorine atoms with CH2F2, CH3CCl3, and CF3CFH2 over the temperature range 253–553 K

Relative rate techniques were used to study the title reactions in 930–1200 mbar of N₂ diluent. The reaction rate coefficients measured in the present work are summarized by the expressions k(Cl + CH₂F₂) = 1.19 × 10^?17 T² exp(?1023/T) cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 (253–553 K), k(Cl + CH₃CCl₃) = 2.41 × 10^?12 exp(?1630/T) cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 (253–313 K), and k(Cl + CF₃CFH₂) = 1.27 × 10^?12 exp(?2019/T) cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 (253–313 K). Results are discussed with respect to the literature data. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 41: 401–406, 2009     

Thermolysis of 3‐alkyl‐3‐methyl‐1,2‐dioxetanes: Activation parameters and chemiexcitation yields

3‐Methyl‐3‐(3‐pentyl)‐1,2‐dioxetane 1 and 3‐methyl‐3‐(2,2‐dimethyl‐1‐propyl)‐1,2‐dioxetane 2 were synthesized in low yield by the α‐bromohydroperoxide method. The activation parameters were determined by the chemiluminescence method (for 1 ΔH‡ = 25.0 ± 0.3 kcal/mol, ΔS‡ = −1.0 entropy unit (e.u.), ΔG‡ = 25.3 kcal/mol, k₁ (60°C) = 4.6 × 10⁻⁴s⁻¹; for 2 ΔH‡ = 24.2 ± 0.2 kcal/mol, ΔS‡ = −2.0 e.u., ΔG‡ = 24.9 kcal/mol, k₁ (60°C) = 9.2 × 10⁻⁴s⁻¹. Thermolysis of 1–2 produced excited carbonyl fragments (direct production of high yields of triplets relative to excited singlets) (chemiexcitation yields for 1: ϕ^T = 0.02, ϕ ≤ 0.0005; for 2: ϕ^T = 0.02, ϕ^S ≤ 0.0004). The results are discussed in relation to a diradical‐like mechanism. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 12:459–462, 2001     

Gas-phase elimination kinetics of 1-substituted ethyl acetates. Effect of polar substituents at the α carbon of secondary acetates

The gas-phase elimination of several polar substituents at the α carbon of ethyl acetates has been studied in a static system over the temperature range of 310–410°C and the pressure range of 39–313 torr. These reactions are homogeneous in both clean and seasoned vessels, follow a first-order rate law, and are unimolecular. The temperature dependence of the rate coefficients is given by the following Arrhenius equations: 2-acetoxypropionitrile, log k₁ (s^?1) = (12.88 ± 0.29) – (203.3 ± 2.6) kJ/mol (2.303RT)^?1; for 3-acetoxy-2-butanone, log ±₁(s^?1) = (13.40 ± 0.20) – (202.8 ± 2.4) kJ/mol (2.303RT)^?1; for 1,1,1-trichloro-2-acetoxypropane, log ?₁ (s^?1) = (12.12 ± 0.50) – (193.7 ± 6.0) kJ/mol (2.303RT)^?; for methyl 2-acetoxypropionate, log ?₁ (s^?1) = (13.45 ± 0.05) – (209.5 ± 0.5) kJ/mol (2.303RT)^?1; for 1-chloro-2-acetoxypropane, log ?₁ (s^?1) = (12.95 ± 0.15) – (197.5 ± 1.8) kJ/mol (2.303RT)^?1; for 1-fluoro-2-acetoxypropane, log ?₁ (s^?1) = (12.83 ± 0.15)– (197.8 ± 1.8) kJ/mol (2.303RT)^?1; for 1-dimethylamino-2-acetoxypropane, log ?₁ (s^?1) = (12.66 ± 0.22) –(185.9 ± 2.5) kJ/mol (2.303RT)^?1; for 1-phenyl-2-acetoxypropane, log ?₁ (s^?1) = (12.53 ± 0.20) – (180.1 ± 2.3) kJ/mol (2.303RT)^?1; and for 1-phenyl?3?acetoxybutane, log ?₁ (s^?1) = (12.33 ± 0.25) – (179.8 ± 2.9) kJ/mol (2.303RT)^?1. The C_α? O bond polarization appears to be the rate-determining process in the transmition state of these pyrolysis reactions. Linear correlations of electron-releasing and electron-withdrawing groups along strong σ bonds have been projected and discussed. The present work may provide a general view on the effect of alkyl and polar substituents at the C_α? O bond in the gas-phase elimination of secondary acetates.