Rate constants for the reactions of Cl atoms with HCOOH and with HOCO radicals

Rate constants have been measured at room temperature for the reactions of Cl atoms with formic acid and with the HOCO radical: Cl + HCOOH → HCl + HOCO (R1) Cl + HOCO → HCl + CO₂ (R2) Cl atoms were generated by flash photolysis of Cl₂ and the progress of reaction was followed by time‐resolved infrared absorption measurements using tunable diode lasers on the CO₂ that was formed either in the pair of reactions ( R1 ) plus ( R2 ), or in reaction ( R1 ) followed by O₂ + HOCO → HO₂ + CO₂ (R3) In a separate series of experiments, conditions were chosen so that the kinetics of CO₂ formation were dominated either by the rate of reaction ( R1 ) or by that of reactions ( R1 ) and ( R2 ) combined. The results of our analysis of these experiments yielded: k₁ = (1.8₃ ± 0.12) × 10⁻¹³ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ k₂ = (4.8 ± 1.0) × 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 32: 85–91, 2000     

Kinetics of C6H5 radical reactions with 2‐methylpropane, 2,3‐dimethylbutane and 2,3,4‐trimethylpentane

The absolute bimolecular rate constants for the reactions of C₆H₅ with 2‐methylpropane, 2,3‐dimethylbutane and 2,3,4‐trimethylpentane have been measured by cavity ringdown spectrometry at temperatures between 290 and 500 K. For 2‐methylpropane, additional measurements were performed with the pulsed laser photolysis/mass spectrometry, extending the temperature range to 972 K. The reactions were found to be dominated by the abstraction of a tertiary C H bond from the molecular reactant, resulting in the production of a tertiary alkyl radical: C₆H₅ + CH(CH₃)₃ → C₆H₆ + t‐C₄H₉ (1) (1) C₆H₅ + (CH₃)₂CHCH(CH₃)₂ → C₆H₆ + t‐C₆H₁₃ (2) (2) C₆H₅ + (CH₃)₂CHCH(CH₃)CH(CH₃)₂ → C₆H₆ + t‐C₈H₁₇ (3) (3) with the following rate constants given in units of cm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹: k₁ = 10^{(11.45 ± 0.18)} e^{−(1512 ± 44)/T} k₂ = 10^{(11.72 ± 0.15)} e^{−(1007 ± 124)/T} k₃ = 10^{(11.83 ± 0.13)} e^{−(428 ± 108)/T} © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 31: 645–653, 1999     

A detailed chemical kinetic model for high temperature ethanol oxidation

A detailed chemical kinetic model for ethanol oxidation has been developed and validated against a variety of experimental data sets. Laminar flame speed data (obtained from a constant volume bomb and counterflow twin‐flame), ignition delay data behind a reflected shock wave, and ethanol oxidation product profiles from a jet‐stirred and turbulent flow reactor were used in this computational study. Good agreement was found in modeling of the data sets obtained from the five different experimental systems. The computational results show that high temperature ethanol oxidation exhibits strong sensitivity to the fall‐off kinetics of ethanol decomposition, branching ratio selection for C₂H₅OH + OH ↔ Products, and reactions involving the hydroperoxyl (HO₂) radical. The multichanneled ethanol decomposition process is analyzed by RRKM/Master Equation theory, and the results are compared with those obtained from earlier studies. The ten‐parameter Troe form is used to define the C₂H₅OH(+M) ↔ CH₃ + CH₂OH(+M) rate expression as k^∞ = 5.94E23 T^−1.68 exp(−45880 K/T) (s⁻¹) k^o = 2.88E85 T^−18.9 exp(−55317 K/T) (cm³/mol/sec) F_cent = 0.5 exp(−T/200 K) + 0.5 exp(−T/890 K) + exp(−4600 K/T) and the C₂H₅OH(+M) ↔ C₂H₄ + H₂O(+M) rate expression as k^∞ = 2.79E13 T^0.09 exp(−33284 K/T) (s⁻¹) k^o = 2.57E83 T^−18.85 exp(−43509 K/T) (cm³/mol/sec) F _cent = 0.3 exp(−T/350 K) + 0.7 exp(−T/800 K) + exp(−3800 K/T) with an applied energy transfer per collision value of <ΔE_down> = 500 cm⁻¹. An empirical branching ratio estimation procedure is presented which determines the temperature dependent branching ratios of the three distinct sites of hydrogen abstraction from ethanol. The calculated branching ratios for C₂H₅OH + OH, C₂H₅OH + O, C₂H₅OH + H, and C₂H₅OH + CH₃ are compared to experimental data. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 31: 183–220, 1999     

A study of the self reaction of CH2ClO2 and CHCl2O2 radicals at 298 K

A low‐pressure discharge‐flow system equipped with laser‐induced fluorescence (LIF) detection of NO₂ and resonance‐fluorescence detection of OH has been employed to study the self reactions CH₂ClO₂ + CH₂ClO₂ → products (1) and CHCl₂O₂ + CHCl₂O₂ → products (2), at T = 298 K and P = 1–3 Torr. Possible secondary reactions involving alkoxy radicals are identified. We report the phenomenological rate constants (k_obs) k_1obs = (4.1 ± 0.2) × 10⁻¹² cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ k_2obs = (8.6 ± 0.2) × 10⁻¹² cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ and the rate constants derived from modelling the decay profiles for both peroxy radical systems, which takes into account the proposed secondary chemistry involving alkoxy radicals k₁ = (3.3 ± 0.7) × 10⁻¹² cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ k₂ = (7.0 ± 1.8) × 10⁻¹² cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ A possible mechanism for these self reactions is proposed and QRRK calculations are performed for reactions (1), (2) and the self‐reaction of CH₃O₂, CH₃O₂ + CH₃O₂ → products (3). These calculations, although only semiquantitative, go some way to explaining why both k₁ and k₂ are a factor of ten larger than k₃ and why, as suggested by the products of reaction (1) and (2), it seems that the favored reaction pathway is different from that followed by reaction (3). The atmospheric fate of the chlorinated peroxy species, and hence the impact of their precursors (CH₃Cl and CH₂Cl₂), in the troposphere are briefly discussed. HC(O)Cl is identified as a potentially important reservoir species produced from the photooxidation of these precursors. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 31: 433–444, 1999     

Rate constants for the reactions of C2H5O,i‐C3H7O,and n‐C3H7O with NO and O2 as a function of temperature

The rate constants of the reactions of ethoxy (C₂H₅O), i‐propoxy (i‐C₃H₇O) and n‐propoxy (n‐C₃H₇O) radicals with O₂ and NO have been measured as a function of temperature. Radicals have been generated by laser photolysis from the appropriate alkyl nitrite and have been detected by laser‐induced fluorescence. The following Arrhenius expressions have been determined: (R₁) C₂H₅O + O₂ → products k₁ = (2.4 ± 0.9) × 10⁻¹⁴ exp(−2.7 ± 1.0 kJmol⁻¹/RT) cm³ s⁻¹ 295K < T < 354K p = 100 Torr (R₂) i‐C₃H₇O + O₂ → products k₂ = (1.6 ± 0.2) × 10⁻¹⁴ exp(−2.2 ± 0.2 kJmol⁻¹/RT) cm³ s⁻¹ 288K < T < 364K p = 50–200 Torr (R₃) n‐C₃H₇O + O₂ → products k₃ = (2.5 ± 0.5) × 10⁻¹⁴ exp(−2.0 ± 0.5 kJmol⁻¹/RT) cm³ s⁻¹ 289K < T < 381K p = 30–100 Torr (R₄) C₂H₅O + NO → products k₄ = (2.0 ± 0.7) × 10⁻¹¹ exp(0.6 ± 0.4 kJmol⁻¹/RT) cm³ s⁻¹ 286K < T < 388K p = 30–500 Torr (R₅) i‐C₃H₇O + NO → products k₅ = (8.9 ± 0.2) × 10⁻¹² exp(3.3 ± 0.5 kJmol⁻¹/RT) cm³ s⁻¹ 286K < T < 389K p = 30–500 Torr (R₆) n‐C₃H₇O + NO → products k₆ = (1.2 ± 0.2) × 10⁻¹¹ exp(2.9 ± 0.4 kJmol⁻¹/RT) cm³s⁻¹ 289K < T < 380K p = 30–100 Torr All reactions have been found independent of total pressure between 30 and 500 Torr within the experimental error. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 31: 860–866, 1999     

UV absorption spectra of HO2 and CH3O2 radicals and the kinetics of their mutual reactions at 298 K

We report results of a flash photolysis study of the UV, spectra of HO₂ and CH₃O₂ radicals, obtained by using a calibration technique based on the reaction Cl+NO→NOCl. We also report preliminary results from our study of the kinetics of the reaction CH₃O₂+HO₂→products at room temperature and near atmospheric pressure. Our results are consistent with the only previous direct determination of the rate constant of the second reaction: k₁ = (6.4 ± 1.0) × 10⁻¹²cm₃ molecule⁻ s⁻¹. From the same study we derive rate constants for the self-reaction of HO₂ and CH₃O₂ radicals, which agree with recommended values.     

Shock tube study of monomethylamine thermal decomposition and NH2 high temperature absorption coefficient

CH₃NH₂ thermal decomposition is shown to provide a suitable NH₂ radical source for spectroscopic and kinetic shock tube studies. Using this precursor, the absorption coefficient of the NH₂ radical at a detection wavelength of 16739.90 cm⁻¹ has been determined. In the temperature range 1600–2000K the low‐pressure absorption coefficient is described by the polynominal equation: k_NH2=3.953×10¹⁰/T ³+7.295×10⁵/T ²−1.549×10³/T [atm⁻¹ cm⁻¹] The uncertainty of the determined absorption coefficient is estimated to be ±10%. The rate of the thermal decomposition reaction CH₃NH₂+M → CH₃+NH₂+M is determined over the temperature range 1550–1900 K and at pressures near 1.6 atm. The rate coefficient was found to be: k₁=2.51×10¹⁶ exp(−28430/T) [cm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹] The uncertainty of the determined rate coefficients is estimated to be ±20%. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 31: 323–330, 1999     

A laser flash photolysis kinetic study of reactions of the Cl2− radical anion with oxygenated hydrocarbons in aqueous solution

A laser photolysis–long path laser absorption (LP‐LPLA) experiment has been used to determine the rate constants for H‐atom abstraction reactions of the dichloride radical anion (Cl₂⁻) in aqueous solution. From direct measurements of the decay of Cl₂⁻ in the presence of different reactants at pH = 4 and I = 0.1 M the following rate constants at T = 298 K were derived: methanol, (5.1 ± 0.3)·10⁴ M⁻¹ s⁻¹; ethanol, (1.2 ± 0.2)·10⁵ M⁻¹ s⁻¹; 1‐propanol, (1.01 ± 0.07)·10⁵ M⁻¹ s⁻¹; 2‐propanol, (1.9 ± 0.3)·10⁵ M⁻¹ s⁻¹; tert.‐butanol, (2.6 ± 0.5)·10⁴ M⁻¹ s⁻¹; formaldehyde, (3.6 ± 0.5)·10⁴ M⁻¹ s⁻¹; diethylether, (4.0 ± 0.2)·10⁵ M⁻¹ s⁻¹; methyl‐tert.‐butylether, (7 ± 1)·10⁴ M⁻¹ s⁻¹; tetrahydrofuran, (4.8 ± 0.6)·10⁵ M⁻¹ s⁻¹; acetone, (1.41 ± 0.09)·10³ M⁻¹ s⁻¹. For the reactions of Cl₂⁻ with formic acid and acetic acid rate constants of (8.0 ± 1.4)·10⁴ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ (pH = 0, I = 1.1 M and T = 298 K) and (1.5 ± 0.8) · 10³ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ (pH = 0.42, I = 0.48 M and T = 298 K), respectively, were derived. A correlation between the rate constants at T = 298 K for all oxygenated hydrocarbons and the bond dissociation energy (BDE) of the weakest C‐H‐bond of log k_2nd = (32.9 ± 8.9) − (0.073 ± 0.022)·BDE/kJ mol⁻¹ is derived. From temperature‐dependent measurements the following Arrhenius expressions were derived: k (Cl₂⁻ + HCOOH) = (2.00 ± 0.05)·10¹⁰·exp(−(4500 ± 200) K/T) M⁻¹ s⁻¹, E_a = (37 ± 2) kJ mol⁻¹ k (Cl₂⁻ + CH₃COOH) = (2.7 ± 0.5)·10¹⁰·exp(−(4900 ± 1300) K/T) M⁻¹ s⁻¹, E_a = (41 ± 11) kJ mol⁻¹ k (Cl₂⁻ + CH₃OH) = (5.1 ± 0.9)·10¹²·exp(−(5500 ± 1500) K/T) M⁻¹ s⁻¹, E_a = (46 ± 13) kJ mol⁻¹ k (Cl₂⁻ + CH₂(OH)₂) = (7.9 ± 0.7)·10¹⁰·exp(−(4400 ± 700) K/T) M⁻¹ s⁻¹, E_a = (36 ± 5) kJ mol⁻¹ Finally, in measurements at different ionic strengths (I) a decrease of the rate constant with increasing I has been observed in the reactions of Cl₂⁻ with methanol and hydrated formaldehyde. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 31: 169–181, 1999     

High‐Temperature Rate Constants for H + Tetramethylsilane and H + Silane and Implications about Structure–Activity Relationships for Silanes

The shock‐tube technique has been used to investigate the reactions H + SiH₄ → H₂ + SiH₃ (R1) and H + Si(CH₃)₄ → Si(CH₃)₃CH₂ + H₂ (R2) behind reflected shock waves. C₂H₅I was used as a thermal in situ source for H atoms. For reaction (R1), the experiments covered a temperature range of 1170–1251 K and for (R2) 1227–1320 K. In both cases, the pressures were near 1.5 bar. In these experiments, H atoms were monitored with atomic resonance absorption spectrometry. Fits to the H‐atom temporal concentration profiles applying postulated chemical kinetic reaction mechanisms were used for determining the rate constants k₁ and k₂. Experimental rate constants were well represented by the Arrhenius equations k₁(T) = 2.75 × 10⁻⁹ exp(−37.78 kJ mol⁻¹/RT) cm³ s⁻¹ and k₂(T) = 1.17 × 10⁻⁷ exp(−86.82 kJ mol⁻¹/RT) cm³ s⁻¹. Transition state theory (TST) calculations based on CBS‐QB3 and G4 levels of theory show good agreement with experimentally obtained rate constants; the experimental values for k₁ and k₂ are ∼40% lower and ∼50% larger than theoretical predictions, respectively. For the development of a mechanism describing the thermal decomposition of tetramethylsilane (Si(CH₃)₄; TMS), also TST‐based rate constants for reaction CH₃ + Si(CH₃)₄ → Si(CH₃)₃CH₂ + CH₄ (R3) were calculated. A comparison between experimental and theoretical rate constants k₂ and k₃ with available rate constants from the literature indicates that Si(CH₃)₄ has very similar reactivity toward H abstractions like neopentane (C(CH₃)₄), which is the analog hydrocarbon to TMS. Based on these results, the possibility of drawing reactivity analogies between hydrocarbons and structurally similar silicon‐organic compounds for H‐atom abstractions is discussed.     

Kinetics of the reactions of CH3O with Cl and CIO

The kinetics of the reactions CH₃O + Cl → H₂CO + HCl (1) and CH₃O + ClO → H₂CO + HOCl (2) have been studied using the discharge-flow techniques. CH₃O was monitored by laser-induced fluorescence, whereas mass spectrometry was used for the detection or titration of other species. The rate constants obtained at 298 K are: k₁ = (1.9 ± 0.4) × 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ and k₂ = (2.3 ± 0.3) × 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹. These data are useful to interpret the results of the studies of the reactions of CH₃O₂ with Cl and ClO which, at least partly, produce CH₃O radicals. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Rate constants and Arrhenius parameters for the reactions of Cl atoms with the halogenated ethers: CF3CH2OCHF2, CF3CHClOCHF2, and CF3CH2OCClF2

Rate constants have been determined for the reactions of Cl atoms with the halogenated ethers CF₃CH₂OCHF₂, CF₃CHClOCHF₂, and CF₃CH₂OCClF₂ using a relative‐rate technique. Chlorine atoms were generated by continuous photolysis of Cl₂ in a mixture containing the ether and CD₄. Changes in the concentrations of these two species were measured via changes in their infrared absorption spectra observed with a Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer. Relative‐rate constants were converted to absolute values using the previously measured rate constants for the reaction, Cl + CD₄ → DCl + CD₃. Experiments were carried out at 295, 323, and 363 K, yielding the following Arrhenius expressions for the rate constants within this range of temperature:Cl + CF₃CH₂OCHF₂: k = (5.1₅ ± 0.7) × 10⁻¹² exp(−1830 ± 410 K/T) cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ Cl + CF₃CHClOCHF₂: k = (1.6 ± 0.2) × 10⁻¹¹ exp(−2450 ± 250 K/T) cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ Cl + CF₃CH₂OCClF₂: k = (9.6 ± 0.4) × 10⁻¹² exp(−2390 ± 190 K/T) cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ The results are compared with those obtained previously for the reactions of Cl atoms with other halogenated methyl ethyl ethers. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 33: 165–172, 2001     

Kinetics of the reactions of CH3O with Br and BrO at 298 K

A discharge flow reactor coupled to a laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) detector and a mass spectrometer was used to study the kinetics of the reactions CH₃O+Br→products (1) and CH₃O+BrO→products (2). From the kinetic analysis of CH₃O by LIF in the presence of an excess of Br or BrO, the following rate constants were obtained at 298 K: k₁=(7.0±0.4)×10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ and k₂=(3.8±0.4)×10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹. The data obtained are useful for the interpretation of other laboratory studies of the reactions of CH₃O₂ with Br and BrO. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 30: 249–255, 1998.     

Kinetics of the reactions of atomic chlorine with methanol and the hydroxymethyl radical with molecular oxygen at 298 K

The rate constants for the reactions Cl + CH₃OD → CH₂OD + HCl (1) and CH₂OH + O₂ → HO₂ + H₂CO (2) have been determined in a discharge flow system near 1 torr pressure with detection of radical and molecular species using collision-free sampling mass spectrometry. The rate constant k₁, determined from the decay of CH₃OD in the presence of excess Cl, is (5.1 ± 1.0) × 10^?11 cm³ s^?1. This is in reasonable agreement with the only previous measurement of k₁. The CH₂OH radical was produced by reaction (1) and its reaction with O₂ was studied by monitoring the decay of the CH₂OH radical in the presence of excess O₂. The result is k₂ = (8.6 ± 2.0) × 10^?12 cm³ s^?1. Previous estimates of k₂ have differed by nearly an order of magnitude, and our value for k₂ supports the more recent high values.     

Kinetic studies of the self‐reaction and reaction with HO2 of a tertiary β‐brominated peroxy radical between 298 and 393 K

The kinetics of reactions of the tertiary β‐brominated peroxy radical BrC(CH₃)₂C(CH₃)₂O₂ (2‐bromo‐1,1,2‐trimethylpropylperoxy) have been studied using the laser flash photolysis technique, photolysing HBr at 248 nm in the presence of O₂ and 2,3‐dimethylbut‐2‐ene. At room temperature, a rate constant of (2.0 ± 0.8) × 10⁻¹⁴ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ was determined for the BrC(CH₃)₂C(CH₃)₂O₂ self‐reaction. The reaction of BrC(CH₃)₂C(CH₃)₂O₂ with HO₂ was investigated in the temperature range 306–393 K, yielding the following Arrhenius expression: k(BrC(CH₃)₂C(CH₃)₂O₂ + HO₂) = (2.04 ± 0.25) × 10⁻¹² exp[(501 ± 36)K/T] cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹, giving by extrapolation (1.10 ± 0.13) × 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ at 298 K. These results confirm the enhancement of the peroxy radical self‐reaction reactivity upon β‐substitution, which is similar for Br and OH substituents. In contrast, no significant effect of substituent has been observed on the rate constant for the reactions of peroxy radicals with HO₂. The global uncertainty factors on rate constants are equal to nearly 2 for the self‐reaction and to 1.35 for the reaction with HO₂. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 33: 41–48, 2001     

FTIR spectroscopic study of the Cl- and Br-atom initiated oxidation of ethene

The reaction mechanism of the halogen (Cl and Br)-atom initiated oxidation of C₂H₄ was studied using the long path FTIR spectroscopic method in 700 torr of air at 296 ± 2 K. Among the major halogen-containing products were X? CH₂CHO, X? CH₂CH₂OH, and X? CH₂CH₂OOH (X = Cl or Br) which were shown to be formed via the self-reaction of the X? CH₂CH₂OO radicals, i.e., 2X? CH₂CH₂OO → 2X? CH₂CH₂O + O₂; (a) 2X? CH₂CH₂OO → X? CH₂CHO + X? CH₂CH₂OH + O₂ and (b) followed by X? CH₂CH₂O + O₂ → X? CH₂CHO + HO₂ and X? CH₂CH₂OO + HO₂ → X? CH₂CH₂OOH + O₂. From the observed yields of X? CH₂CHO and X? CH₂CH₂OH the branching ratios for reactions (a) and (b) were determined to be k_a/k_b = 1.35 ± 0.07(2σ) for both X = Cl and Br. In addition, the O₂-dependence of the rate constant for the Br + C₂H₄ reaction was determined by the relative rate technique as a function of O₂ partial pressure from 140 to 700 torr at 700 torr total pressure of N₂/O₂ diluent. Rate constants for the reactions of Cl-atoms with Cl-CH₂CHO and Br-atoms with Br-CH₂CHO were also determined to be [4.3 ± 0.2(2sigma;)] × 10^?11 and less than or equal to [1.83 ± 0.11(2σ)] × 10^?13 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, respectively.     

Oxidation of dimethyl ether: Absolute rate constants for the self reaction of CH3OCH2 radicals,the reaction of CH3OCH2 radicals with O2, and the thermal decomposition of CH3OCH2 radicals

The rate constant for the reaction of CH₃OCH₂ radicals with O₂ (reaction (1)) and the self reaction of CH₃OCH₂ radicals (reaction (5)) were measured using pulse radiolysis coupled with time resolved UV absorption spectroscopy. k₁ was studied at 296K over the pressure range 0.025–1 bar and in the temperature range 296–473K at 18 bar total pressure. Reaction (1) is known to proceed through the following mechanism: CH₃OCH₂ + O₂ ↔ CH₃OCH₂O₂^# → CH₂OCH₂O₂H^# → 2HCHO + OH (k_prod) CH₃OCH₂ + O₂ ↔ CH₃OCH₂O₂^# + M → CH₃OCH₂O₂ + M (k_RO2) k = k_RO2 + k_prod, where k_RO2 is the rate constant for peroxy radical production and k_prod is the rate constant for formaldehyde production. The k₁ values obtained at 296K together with the available literature values for k₁ determined at low pressures were fitted using a modified Lindemann mechanism and the following parameters were obtained: k_RO2,0 = (9.4 ± 4.2) × 10⁻³⁰ cm⁶ molecule⁻² s⁻¹, k_RO2,∞ = (1.14 ± 0.04) × 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹, and k_prod,0 = (6.0 ± 0.5) × 10⁻¹² cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹, where k_RO2,0 and k_RO2,∞ are the overall termolecular and bimolecular rate constants for formation of CH₃OCH₂O₂ radicals and k_prod,0 represents the bimolecular rate constant for the reaction of CH₃OCH₂ radicals with O₂ to yield formaldehyde in the limit of low pressure. k_RO2,∞ = (1.07 ± 0.08) × 10⁻¹¹ exp(−(46 ± 27)/T) cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ was determined at 18 bar total pressure over the temperature range 296–473K. At 1 bar total pressure and 296K, k₅ = (4.1 ± 0.5) × 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ and at 18 bar total pressure over the temperature range 296–523K, k₅ = (4.7 ± 0.6) × 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹. As a part of this study the decay rate of CH₃OCH₂ radicals was used to study the thermal decomposition of CH₃OCH₂ radicals in the temperature range 573–666K at 18 bar total pressure. The observed decay rates of CH₃OCH₂ radicals were consistent with the literature value of k₂ = 1.6 × 10¹³exp(−12800/T)s⁻¹. The results are discussed in the context of dimethyl ether as an alternative diesel fuel. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Studies on the oxidation mechanism of H2S based on direct examination of the key reactions

By conducting an excimer laser photolysis (193 and 248 nm) behind shock waves, three elementary reactions important in the oxidation of H₂S have been examined, where, H, O, and S atoms have been monitored by the atomic resonance absorption spectrometry. For HS + O₂ → products (1), the rate constants evaluated by numerical simulations are summarized as: k₁ = 3.1 × 10⁻¹¹exp|-75 kJ mol⁻¹/RT| cm³molecule⁻¹s⁻¹ (T = 1400-1850 K) with an uncertainty factor of about 2. Direct measurements of the rate constants for S + O2 → SO + O (2), and SO + O₂ → SO₂ + O (3) yield k₂ = (2.5 ± 0.6) × 10⁻¹¹ exp|-(15.3 ± 2.5) kJ mol⁻¹/RT| cm³molecule⁻¹s⁻¹ (T = 980-1610 K) and, k₃ = (1.7 ± 0.9) × 10⁻¹² exp|-(34 ± 11) kJ mol⁻¹/RT| cm³molecule⁻¹s⁻¹ (T = 1130-1640 K), respectively. By summarizing these data together with the recent experimental results on the H(SINGLE BOND)S(SINGLE BOND)O reaction systems, a new kinetic model for the H₂S oxidation process is constructed. It is found that this simple reaction scheme is consistent with the experimental result on the induction time of SO₂ formation obtained by Bradley and Dobson. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 29: 57–66, 1997.     

Sensitive detection of NH2 in shock tube experiments using frequency modulation spectroscopy

Frequency modulation detection of NH₂ in shock tube kinetic experiments is demonstrated with sensitivities of 0.5 ppm in a single pass and 0.25 ppm in a double pass configuration (1500 K, 1.3 atm, detection bandwidth 1 MHz, 15 cm shock tube diameter). This corresponds to a minimum detectable absorption of 0.01% and 0.005%, respectively, which represents an improvement of more than a factor of 20 when compared to conventional laser absorption detection. The feasibility of quantitative absolute concentration measurements is demonstrated using CH₃NH₂ as a precursor for the preparation of known NH₂ concentrations. The uncertainty for absolute concentration measurements is estimated to be ±10% if a suitable precursor for direct shock tube calibration measurements can be used, and ±15% if an alternative calibration scheme based on the detection of the signal generated by a scanning etalon in reflective mode is used. FM detection has been applied to determine the rate coefficient of the thermal decomposition of CH₃NH₂: CH₃NH₂ + M → CH₃+NH₂+M over the temperature range 1530–1975 K and at pressures near 1.3 atm. The rate coefficient was found to be: k₁=8.17×10¹⁶ exp(−30710/T) (±20%) [cm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹] This is in good agreement with a recent determination using conventional laser absorption detection of the NH₂ radical. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 31: 445–453, 1999     

Direct measurements of the reaction H + CH2O → H2 + HCO behind shock waves by means of Vis–UV detection of formaldehyde

The combination of sensitive detection of formaldehyde by 174 nm absorption and use of ethyl iodide as a hydrogen atom source allowed direct measurements of the reaction H + CH₂O → H₂ + HCO behind shock waves. The rate constant was determined for temperatures from 1510 to 1960 K to be k₂ = 6.6 × 10¹⁴ exp(?40.6 kJ mol^?1/RT) cm³ mol^?1 s^?1 (Δ log k₂ = ± 0.22) Considering the low uncertainty in k₂, which accounts both for experimental and mechanism‐induced contributions, this result supports the upper range of previously reported, largely scattered high temperature rate constants. Vis–UV light of 174 nm was generated by a microwave N₂ discharge lamp. At typical reflected shock wave conditions of 1750 K and 1.3 atm, as low as 33 ppm formaldehyde could be detected. High temperature absorption cross sections of CH₂O and other selected species have been determined. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 34: 374–386, 2002     

Kinetics of the reactions of the IO radical with dimethyl sulfide,methanethiol, ethylene,and propylene

The reactions of IO radicals with CH₃SCH₃, CH₃SH, C₂H₄, and C₃H₆ have been studied using the discharge flow method with direct detection of IO radicals by mass spectrometry. The absolute rate constants obtained at 298 K are the following: IO + CH₃SCH₃ → products (1): k₁ = (1.5 ± 0.2) × 10^?14; IO + CH₃SH → products (2): k₂ = (6.6 ± 1.3) × 10^?16; IO + C₂H₄ →products (3): k₃ < 2 × 10^?16; IO + C₃H₆ → products (4): k₄ < 2 × 10^?16 (units are cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1). CH₃S(O)CH₃ and HOI were found as products of reactions (1) and (2), respectively. The present lower value of k₁ compared to our previous determination is discussed.