Thermal dissociation of ethylene glycol vinyl ether

The pyrolysis of ethylene glycol vinyl ether (EGVE), an initial product of 1,4-dioxane dissociation, was examined in a diaphragmless shock tube (DFST) using laser schlieren densitometry (LS) at 57 ± 2 and 122 ± 3 Torr over 1200-1800 K. DFST/time-of-flight mass spectrometry experiments were also performed to identify reaction products. EGVE was found to dissociate via two channels: (1) a molecular H atom transfer/C-O scission to produce C(2)H(3)OH and CH(3)CHO, and (2) a radical channel involving C-O bond fission generating ˙CH(2)CH(2)OH and ˙CH(2)CHO radicals, with the second channel being strongly dominant over the entire experimental range. A reaction mechanism was constructed for the pyrolysis of EGVE which simulates the LS profiles very well over the full experimental range. The decomposition of EGVE is clearly well into the falloff region for these conditions, and a Gorin model RRKM fit was obtained for the dominant radical channel. The results are in good agreement with the experimental data and suggest the following rate coefficient expressions: k(2,∞) = (6.71 ± 2.6) × 10(27) × T(-3.21)exp(-35512/T) s(-1); k(2)(120 Torr) = (1.23 ± 0.5) × 10(92) × T(-22.87)exp(-48?248/T) s(-1); k(2)(60 Torr) = (2.59 ± 1.0) × 10(88) × T(-21.96)exp(-46283/T) s(-1).     

Experimental and theoretical investigation of the kinetics of the reaction of atomic chlorine with 1,4-dioxane

The rate coefficients for the reaction of 1,4-dioxane with atomic chlorine were measured from T = 292-360 K using the relative rate method. The reference reactant was isobutane and the experiments were made in argon with atomic chlorine produced by photolysis of small concentrations of Cl2. The rate coefficients were put on an absolute basis by using the published temperature dependence of the absolute rate coefficients for the reference reaction. The rate coefficients for the reaction of Cl with 1,4-dioxane were found to be independent of total pressure from p = 290 to 782 Torr. The experimentally measured rate coefficients showed a weak temperature dependence, given by k(exp)(T) = (8.4(-2.3)(+3.1)) × 10(-10) exp(-(470 ± 110)/(T/K)) cm3 molecule (-1) s(-1). The experimental results are rationalized in terms of statistical rate theory on the basis of molecular data obtained from quantum-chemical calculations. Molecular geometries and frequencies were obtained from MP2/aug-cc-pVDZ calculations, while single-point energies of the stationary points were computed at CCSD(T) level of theory. The calculations indicate that the reaction proceeds by an overall exothermic addition-elimination mechanism via two intermediates, where the rate-determining step is the initial barrier-less association reaction between the chlorine atom and the chair conformer of 1,4-dioxane. This is in contrast to the Br plus 1,4-dioxane reaction studied earlier, where the rate-determining step is a chair-to-boat conformational change of the bromine-dioxane adduct, which is necessary for this reaction to proceed. The remarkable difference in the kinetic behavior of the reactions of 1,4-dioxane with these two halogen atoms can be consistently explained by this change in the reaction mechanism.     

Atmospheric chemistry of (Z)-CF3CH═CHCF3: OH radical reaction rate coefficient and global warming potential

Rate coefficients, k, for the gas-phase reaction of the OH radical with (Z)-CF(3)CH═CHCF(3) (cis-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene) were measured under pseudo-first-order conditions in OH using pulsed laser photolysis (PLP) to produce OH and laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) to detect it. Rate coefficients were measured over a range of temperatures (212-374 K) and bath gas pressures (20-200 Torr; He, N(2)) and found to be independent of pressure over this range of conditions. The rate coefficient has a non-Arrhenius behavior that is well-described by the expression k(1)(T) = (5.73 ± 0.60) × 10(-19) × T(2) × exp[(678 ± 10)/T] cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) where k(1)(296 K) was measured to be (4.91 ± 0.50) × 10(-13) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) and the uncertainties are at the 2σ level and include estimated systematic errors. Rate coefficients for the analogous OD radical reaction were determined over a range of temperatures (262-374 K) at 100 Torr (He) to be k(2)(T) = (4.81 ± 0.20) × 10(-19) × T(2) × exp[(776 ± 15)/T], with k(2)(296 K) = (5.73 ± 0.50) × 10(-13) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1). OH radical rate coefficients were also measured at 296, 345, and 375 K using a relative rate technique and found to be in good agreement with the PLP-LIF results. A room-temperature rate coefficient for the O(3) + (Z)-CF(3)CH═CHCF(3) reaction was measured using an absolute method with O(3) in excess to be <6 × 10(-21) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1). The atmospheric lifetime of (Z)-CF(3)CH═CHCF(3) due to loss by OH reaction was estimated to be ~20 days. Infrared absorption spectra of (Z)-CF(3)CH═CHCF(3) measured in this work were used to determine a (Z)-CF(3)CH═CHCF(3) global warming potential (GWP) of ~9 for the 100 year time horizon. A comparison of the OH reactivity of (Z)-CF(3)CH═CHCF(3) with other unsaturated fluorinated compounds is presented.     

Shock tube and theoretical studies on the thermal decomposition of propane: evidence for a roaming radical channel

The thermal decomposition of propane has been studied using both shock tube experiments and ab initio transition state theory-based master equation calculations. Dissociation rate constants for propane have been measured at high temperatures behind reflected shock waves using high-sensitivity H-ARAS detection and CH(3) optical absorption. The two major dissociation channels at high temperature are C(3)H(8) → CH(3) + C(2)H(5) (eq 1a) and C(3)H(8) → CH(4) + C(2)H(4) (eq 1b). Ultra high-sensitivity ARAS detection of H-atoms produced from the decomposition of the product, C(2)H(5), in (1a), allowed measurements of both the total decomposition rate constants, k(total), and the branching to radical products, k(1a)/k(total). Theoretical analyses indicate that the molecular products are formed exclusively through the roaming radical mechanism and that radical products are formed exclusively through channel 1a. The experiments were performed over the temperature range 1417-1819 K and gave a minor contribution of (10 ± 8%) due to roaming. A multipass CH(3) absorption diagnostic using a Zn resonance lamp was also developed and characterized in this work using the thermal decomposition of CH(3)I as a reference reaction. The measured rate constants for CH(3)I decomposition agreed with earlier determinations from this laboratory that were based on I-atom ARAS measurements. This CH(3) diagnostic was then used to detect radicals from channel 1a allowing lower temperature (1202-1543 K) measurements of k(1a) to be determined. Variable reaction coordinate-transition state theory was used to predict the high pressure limits for channel (1a) and other bond fission reactions in C(3)H(8). Conventional transition state theory calculations were also used to estimate rate constants for other tight transition state processes. These calculations predict a negligible contribution (<1%) from all other bond fission and tight transition state processes, indicating that the bond fission channel (1a) and the roaming channel (1b) are indeed the only active channels at the temperature and pressure ranges of the present experiments. The predicted reaction exo- and endothermicities are in excellent agreement with the current version of the Active Thermochemical Tables. Master equation calculations incorporating these transition state theory results yield predictions for the temperature and pressure dependence of the dissociation rate constants for channel 1a. The final theoretical results reliably reproduce the measured dissociation rate constants that are reported here and in the literature. The experimental data are well reproduced over the 500-2500 K and 1 × 10(-4) to 100 bar range (errors of ～15% or less) by the following Troe parameters for Ar as the bath gas: k(∞) = 1.55 × 10(24)T(-2.034) exp(-45?490/T) s(-1), k(0) = 7.92 × 10(53)T(-16.67) exp(-50?380/T) cm(3) s(-1), and F(c) = 0.190 exp(-T/3091) + 0.810 exp(-T/128) + exp(-8829/T).     

Dissociation of 1,1,1-trifluoroethane behind reflected shock waves: shock tube/time-of-flight mass spectrometry experiments

The dissociation of 1,1,1,-trifluoroethane, a potential non-RRKM reaction, has been studied at 600 and 1200 Torr and high temperatures (1500-1840 K) using a new shock tube/time-of-flight mass spectrometer (ST/TOF-MS). These data obtained by an independent method are in good agreement with the laser schlieren, LS, experiments of Kiefer et al. [J. Phys. Chem. A 2004, 108, 2443-2450] and extend the range of that experimental dataset. The data have been simulated by both standard RRKM calculations and the non-RRKM model reported by Kiefer et al. but with = 750 cm(-1). Both the RRKM and non-RRKM calculations provide equally good fits to the ST/TOF-MS data. Neither model simulates the combined ST/TOF-MS and LS datasets particularly well. However, the non-RRKM model predicts a pressure dependency closer to that observed in the experiments than the RRKM model.     

Kinetics of elementary steps in the reactions of atomic bromine with isoprene and 1,3-butadiene under atmospheric conditions

Laser flash photolysis of CF(2)Br(2) has been coupled with time-resolved detection of atomic bromine by resonance fluorescence spectroscopy to investigate the gas-phase kinetics of early elementary steps in the Br-initiated oxidations of isoprene (2-methyl-1,3-butadiene, Iso) and 1,3-butadiene (Bu) under atmospheric conditions. At T ≥ 526 K, measured rate coefficients for Br + isoprene are independent of pressure, suggesting that hydrogen transfer (1a) is the dominant reaction pathway. The following Arrhenius expression adequately describes all kinetic data at 526 K ≤ T ≤ 673 K: k(1a)(T) = (1.22 ± 0.57) × 10(-11) exp[(-2100 ± 280)/T] cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) (uncertainties are 2σ and represent precision of the Arrhenius parameters). At 271 K ≤ T ≤ 357 K, kinetic evidence for the reversible addition reactions Br + Iso ? Br-Iso (k(1b), k(-1b)) and Br + Bu ? Br-Bu (k(3b), k(-3b)) is observed. Analysis of the approach to equilibrium data allows the temperature- and pressure-dependent rate coefficients k(1b), k(-1b), k(3b), and k(-3b) to be evaluated. At atmospheric pressure, addition of Br to each conjugated diene occurs with a near-gas-kinetic rate coefficient. Equilibrium constants for the addition/dissociation reactions are obtained from k(1b)/k(-1b) and k(3b)/k(-3b), respectively. Combining the experimental equilibrium data with electronic structure calculations allows both second- and third-law analyses of thermochemistry to be carried out. The following thermochemical parameters for the addition reactions 1b and 3b at 0 and 298 K are obtained (units are kJ mol(-1) for Δ(r)H and J mol(-1) K(-1) for Δ(r)S; uncertainties are accuracy estimates at the 95% confidence level): Δ(r)H(0)(1b) = -66.6 ± 7.1, Δ(r)H(298)(1b) = -67.5 ± 6.6, and Δ(r)S(298)(3b) = -93 ± 16; Δ(r)H(0)(3b) = -62.4 ± 9.0, Δ(r)H(298)(3b) = -64.5 ± 8.5, and Δ(r)S(298)(3b) = -94 ± 20. Examination of the effect of added O(2) on Br kinetics under conditions where reversible adduct formation is observed allows the rate coefficients for the Br-Iso + O(2) (k(2)) and Br-Bu + O(2) (k(4)) reactions to be determined. At 298 K, we find that k(2) = (3.2 ± 1.0) × 10(-13) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) independent of pressure (uncertainty is 2σ, precision only; pressure range is 25-700 Torr) whereas k(4) increases from 3.2 to 4.7 × 10(-13) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) as the pressure increases from 25 to 700 Torr. Our results suggest that under atmospheric conditions, Br-Iso and Br-Bu react with O(2) to produce peroxy radicals considerably more rapidly than they undergo unimolecular decomposition. Hence, the very fast addition reactions appear to control the rates of Br-initiated formation of Br-Iso-OO and Br-Bu-OO radicals under atmospheric conditions. The peroxy radicals are relatively weakly bound, so conjugated diene regeneration via unimolecular decomposition reactions, though unimportant on the time scale of the reported experiments (milliseconds), is likely to compete effectively with bimolecular reactions of peroxy radicals under relatively warm atmospheric conditions as well as in 298 K competitive kinetics experiments carried out in large chambers.     

Rate constants for the gas-phase reactions of OH and O3 with β-ocimene, β-myrcene, and α- and β-farnesene as a function of temperature

The rate constants for the gas-phase reactions of hydroxyl radicals and ozone with the biogenic hydrocarbons β-ocimene, β-myrcene, and α- and β-farnesene were measured using the relative rate technique over the temperature ranges 313-423 (for OH) and 298-318 K (for O?) at about 1 atm total pressure. The OH radicals were generated by photolysis of H?O?, and O? was produced from the electrolysis of O?. Helium was used as the diluent gas. The reactants were detected by online mass spectrometry, which resulted in high time resolution, allowing large amounts of data to be collected and used in the determination of the Arrhenius parameters. The following Arrhenius expressions have been determined for these reactions (in units of cm3 molecules?1 s?1): for β-ocimene + OH, k = (4.35(-0.66)(+0.78)) × 10?11 exp[(579 ± 59)/T]; for β-ocimene + O?, k = (3.15(-0.95)(+1.36)) × 10?1? exp[-(626 ± 110)/T]; for β-myrcene + O?, k = (2.21(-0.66)(+0.94)) × 10?1? exp[-(520 ± 109)/T]; for α-farnesene + OH, k(OH) = (2.19 ± 0.11) × 10?1? for 23-413 K; for α-farnesene + O?, k = (3.52(-2.54)(+9.09)) × 10?12 exp[-(2589 ± 393)/T]; for β-farnesene + OH, k(OH) = (2.88 ± 0.15) × 10?1? for 323-423 K; for β-farnesene + O?, k = (1.81(-1.19)(+3.46)) × 10?12 exp[-(2347 ± 329)/T]. The Arrhenius parameters here are the first to be reported. The reactions of α- and β-farnesene with OH showed no significant temperature dependence. Atmospheric residence times due to reactions with OH and O? were also presented.     

Abstraction kinetics of H-atom by OH radical from pinonaldehyde (C10H16O2): ab initio and transition-state theory calculations

The kinetics and abstraction rate coefficients of hydroxyl radical (OH) reaction with pinonaldehyde were computed using G3(MP2) theory and transition-state theory (TST) between 200 and 400 K. Structures of the reactants, reaction complexes (RCs), product complexes (PCs), transition states (TSs), and products were optimized at the MP2(FULL)/6-31G* level of theory. Fifteen transition states were identified for the title reaction and confirmed by intrinsic reaction coordinate (IRC) calculations. The contributions of all the individual hydrogens in the substrate molecule to the total reaction are computed. The quantum mechanical tunneling effect was computed using Wigner's and Eckart's methods (both symmetrical and unsymmetrical methods). The reaction exhibits a negative temperature dependent rate coefficient, k(T) = (1.97 ± 0.34) × 10(-13) exp[(1587 ± 48)/T] cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), k(T) = (3.02 ± 0.56) × 10(-13) exp[(1534 ± 52/T] cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), and k(T) = (4.71 ± 1.85) × 10(-14) exp[(2042 ± 110)/T] cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) with Wigner's, Eckart's symmetrical, and Eckart's unsymmetrical tunneling corrections, respectively. Theoretically calculated rate coefficients are found to be in good agreement with the experimentally measured ones and other theoretical results. It is shown that hydrogen abstraction from -CHO position is the major channel, whereas H-abstraction from -COCH(3) is negligible. The atmospheric lifetime of pinonaldehyde is computed to be few hours and found to be in excellent agreement with the experimentally estimated ones.     

High‐temperature dissociation of ethyl radicals and ethyl iodide

The decomposition of ethyl iodide and subsequent dissociation of ethyl radicals have been investigated behind incident shock waves in a diaphragmless shock tube by laser‐schlieren (LS) densitometry (1150–1870 K, 55 ± 2 Torr and 123 ± 3 Torr). The LS density‐gradient profiles were simulated assuming that the initial dissociation of C₂H₅I proceeded by 87% C–I fission and 13% HI elimination. Excellent agreement was found between the simulations and experimental profiles. Rate coefficients for the C–I scission reaction were obtained and show strong falloff. Gorin model RRKM (Rice, Ramsperger, Kassel, and Marcus) calculations are in excellent agreement with the experimental data with E₀ = 55.0 kcal/mol, which is in very good agreement with recent thermochemical measurements and evaluations. However, E₀ is approximately 2.7 kcal/mol higher than previous estimates. First‐order rate coefficients for dissociation of C₂H₅I were determined to be k_55Torr = 8.65 × 10⁶⁸ T^?16.65 exp(?37,890/T) s^?1, k_123Torr = 3.01 × 10⁶⁹ T^?16.68 exp(?38,430/T) s^?1, k_∞ = 2.52 × 10¹⁹ T^?1.01 exp(?28,775/T) s^?1. Rates of dissociation for ethyl radicals were also obtained, and these are in very good agreement with theoretical predictions (Miller J. A. and Klippenstein S. J. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2004, 6, 1192–1202). The simulations show that at low temperatures ethyl radicals are consumed through recombination reactions as well as dissociation, whereas at high temperatures, dissociation dominates. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 44: 433–443, 2012     

Experimental evidence for the pressure dependence of the reaction rate constant between acetic acid and hydroxyl radicals

The reaction rate constant of acetic acid with the hydroxyl radical is measured at 93 Torr with our high-pressure flow system (HPFS) and found to display a negative temperature dependence that can be described by the Arrhenius expression, k(T) = (2.44 ± 0.22) × 10(-14) exp ((1027 ± 24)/T)) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1). Compared with our previously reported 7 Torr data, we find a noticeable pressure dependence. This dependence is observed to increase with decreasing temperature. This finding is consistent with a termolecular reaction mechanism. It is the first experimental evidence of the pressure dependence for this rate constant. A kinetics model is constructed, and the model results agree qualitatively with our experimental data. The extrapolated rate constant of the title reaction would be faster than previously believed at conditions of the upper troposphere/lower stratosphere, suggesting that the importance of acetic acid in its impact on HO(x) chemistry is currently underestimated.     

Kinetics and mechanisms of the allyl + allyl and allyl + propargyl recombination reactions

The kinetics and mechanisms of the self-reaction of allyl radicals and the cross-reaction between allyl and propargyl radicals were studied both experimentally and theoretically. The experiments were carried out over the temperature range 295-800 K and the pressure range 20-200 Torr (maintained by He or N(2)). The allyl and propargyl radicals were generated by the pulsed laser photolysis of respective precursors, 1,5-hexadiene and propargyl chloride, and were probed by using a cavity ring-down spectroscopy technique. The temperature-dependent absorption cross sections of the radicals were measured relative to that of the HCO radical. The rate constants have been determined to be k(C(3)H(5) + C(3)H(5)) = 1.40 × 10(-8)T(-0.933) exp(-225/T) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) (Δ log(10)k = ± 0.088) and k(C(3)H(5) + C(3)H(3)) = 1.71 × 10(-7)T(-1.182) exp(-255/T) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) (Δ log(10)k = ± 0.069) with 2σ uncertainty limits. The potential energy surfaces for both reactions were calculated with the CBS-QB3 and CASPT2 quantum chemical methods, and the product channels have been investigated by the steady-state master equation analyses based on the Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel-Marcus theory. The results indicated that the reaction between allyl and propargyl radicals produces five-membered ring compounds in combustion conditions, while the formations of the cyclic species are unlikely in the self-reaction of allyl radicals. The temperature- and pressure-dependent rate constant expressions for the important reaction pathways are presented for kinetic modeling.     

Kinetic studies on the temperature dependence of the BrO + BrO reaction using laser flash photolysis

The BrO self-reaction, BrO + BrO → products (1), has been studied using laser flash photolysis coupled with UV absorption spectroscopy over the temperature range T = 266.5-321.6 K, under atmospheric pressure. BrO radicals were generated via laser photolysis of Br(2) in the presence of excess ozone. Both BrO and O(3) were monitored via UV absorption spectroscopy using charge-coupled device (CCD) detection. Simultaneous fitting to both temporal concentration traces allowed determination of the rate constant of the two channels of , BrO + BrO → 2Br + O(2) (1a); BrO + BrO → Br(2) + O(2) (1b), hence the calculation of the overall rate of and the branching ratio, α: k(1a)/cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) = (1.92 ± 1.54) × 10(-12) exp[(126 ± 214)/T], k(1b)/cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) = (3.4 ± 0.8) × 10(-13) exp[(181 ± 70)/T], k(1)/cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) = (2.3 ± 1.5) × 10(-12) exp(134 ± 185 /T) and α = k(1a)/k(1) = (0.84 ± 0.09) exp[(-7 ± 32)/T]. Errors are 1σ, statistical only. Results from this work show a weaker temperature dependence of the branching ratio for channel (1a) than that found in previous work, leading to values of α at temperatures typical of the Polar Boundary Layer higher than those reported by previous studies. This implies a shift of the partitioning between the two channels of the BrO self-reaction towards the bromine atom and hence directly ozone-depleting channel (1a).     

Reaction of hydroxyl radicals with C4H5N (pyrrole): temperature and pressure dependent rate coefficients

Absolute (pulsed laser photolysis, 4-639 Torr N(2) or air, 240-357 K) and relative rate methods (50 and 760 Torr air, 296 K) were used to measure rate coefficients k(1) for the title reaction, OH + C(4)H(5)N → products (R1). Although the pressure and temperature dependent rate coefficient is adequately represented by a falloff parametrization, calculations of the potential energy surface indicate a complex reaction system with multiple reaction paths (addition only) in the falloff regime. At 298 K and 760 Torr (1 Torr = 1.33 mbar) the rate coefficient obtained from the parametrization is k(1) = (1.28 ± 0.1) × 10(-10) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), in good agreement with the value of (1.10 ± 0.27) × 10(-10) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) obtained in the relative rate study (relative to C(5)H(8), isoprene) at this temperature and pressure. The accuracy of the absolute rate coefficient determination was enhanced by online optical absorption measurements of the C(4)H(5)N concentration at 184.95 nm using a value σ(184.95nm) = (1.26 ± 0.02) × 10(-17) cm(2) molecule(-1), which was determined in this work.     

Atmospheric chemistry of isoflurane, desflurane, and sevoflurane: kinetics and mechanisms of reactions with chlorine atoms and OH radicals and global warming potentials

The smog chamber/Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) technique was used to measure the rate coefficients k(Cl + CF(3)CHClOCHF(2), isoflurane) = (4.5 ± 0.8) × 10(-15), k(Cl + CF(3)CHFOCHF(2), desflurane) = (1.0 ± 0.3) × 10(-15), k(Cl + (CF(3))(2)CHOCH(2)F, sevoflurane) = (1.1 ± 0.1) × 10(-13), and k(OH + (CF(3))(2)CHOCH(2)F) = (3.5 ± 0.7) × 10(-14) cm(3) molecule(-1) in 700 Torr of N(2)/air diluent at 295 ± 2 K. An upper limit of 6 × 10(-17) cm(3) molecule(-1) was established for k(Cl + (CF(3))(2)CHOC(O)F). The laser photolysis/laser-induced fluorescence (LP/LIF) technique was employed to determine hydroxyl radical rate coefficients as a function of temperature (241-298 K): k(OH + CF(3)CHFOCHF(2)) = (7.05 ± 1.80) × 10(-13) exp[-(1551 ± 72)/T] cm(3) molecule(-1); k(296 ± 1 K) = (3.73 ± 0.08) × 10(-15) cm(3) molecule(-1), and k(OH + (CF(3))(2)CHOCH(2)F) = (9.98 ± 3.24) × 10(-13) exp[-(969 ± 82)/T] cm(3) molecule(-1); k(298 ± 1 K) = (3.94 ± 0.30) × 10(-14) cm(3) molecule(-1). The rate coefficient of k(OH + CF(3)CHClOCHF(2), 296 ± 1 K) = (1.45 ± 0.16) × 10(-14) cm(3) molecule(-1) was also determined. Chlorine atoms react with CF(3)CHFOCHF(2) via H-abstraction to give CF(3)CFOCHF(2) and CF(3)CHFOCF(2) radicals in yields of approximately 83% and 17%. The major atmospheric fate of the CF(3)C(O)FOCHF(2) alkoxy radical is decomposition via elimination of CF(3) to give FC(O)OCHF(2) and is unaffected by the method used to generate the CF(3)C(O)FOCHF(2) radicals. CF(3)CHFOCF(2) radicals add O(2) and are converted by subsequent reactions into CF(3)CHFOCF(2)O alkoxy radicals, which decompose to give COF(2) and CF(3)CHFO radicals. In 700 Torr of air 82% of CF(3)CHFO radicals undergo C-C scission to yield HC(O)F and CF(3) radicals with the remaining 18% reacting with O(2) to give CF(3)C(O)F. Atmospheric oxidation of (CF(3))(2)CHOCH(2)F gives (CF(3))(2)CHOC(O)F in a molar yield of 93 ± 6% with CF(3)C(O)CF(3) and HCOF as minor products. The IR spectra of (CF(3))(2)CHOC(O)F and FC(O)OCHF(2) are reported for the first time. The atmospheric lifetimes of CF(3)CHClOCHF(2), CF(3)CHFOCHF(2), and (CF(3))(2)CHOCH(2)F (sevoflurane) are estimated at 3.2, 14, and 1.1 years, respectively. The 100 year time horizon global warming potentials of isoflurane, desflurane, and sevoflurane are 510, 2540, and 130, respectively. The atmospheric degradation products of these anesthetics are not of environmental concern.     

High-accuracy measurements of OH(•) reaction rate constants and IR and UV absorption spectra: ethanol and partially fluorinated ethyl alcohols

Rate constants for the gas phase reactions of OH(?) radicals with ethanol and three fluorinated ethyl alcohols, CH(3)CH(2)OH (k(0)), CH(2)FCH(2)OH (k(1)), CHF(2)CH(2)OH (k(2)), and CF(3)CH(2)OH (k(3)) were measured using a flash photolysis resonance-fluorescence technique over the temperature range 220 to 370 K. The Arrhenius plots were found to exhibit noticeable curvature for all four reactions. The temperature dependences of the rate constants can be represented by the following expressions over the indicated temperature intervals: k(0)(220-370 K) = 5.98 × 10(-13)(T/298)(1.99) exp(+515/T) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), k(0)(220-298 K) = (3.35 ± 0.06) × 10(-12) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) [for atmospheric modeling purposes, k(0)(T) is essentially temperature-independent below room temperature, k(0)(220-298 K) = (3.35 ± 0.06) × 10(-12) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1)], k(1)(230-370 K) = 3.47 × 10(-14)(T/298)(4.49) exp(+977/T) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), k(2)(220-370 K) = 3.87 × 10(-14)(T/298)(4.25) exp(+578/T) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), and k(3)(220-370 K) = 2.48 × 10(-14)(T/298)(4.03) exp(+418/T) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1). The atmospheric lifetimes due to reactions with tropospheric OH(?) were estimated to be 4, 16, 62, and 171 days, respectively, under the assumption of a well-mixed atmosphere. UV absorption cross sections of all four ethanols were measured between 160 and 215 nm. The IR absorption cross sections of the three fluorinated ethanols were measured between 400 and 1900 cm(-1), and their global warming potentials were estimated.     

Site-specific rate coefficients for reaction of OH with ethanol from 298 to 900 K

The rate coefficients for reactions of OH with ethanol and partially deuterated ethanols have been measured by laser flash photolysis/laser-induced fluorescence over the temperature range 298-523 K and 5-100 Torr of helium bath gas. The rate coefficient, k(1.1), for reaction of OH with C(2)H(5)OH is given by the expression k(1.1) = 1.06 × 10(-22)T(3.58)?exp(1126/T) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), and the values are in good agreement with previous literature. Site-specific rate coefficients were determined from the measured kinetic isotope effects. Over the temperature region 298-523 K abstraction from the hydroxyl site is a minor channel. The reaction is dominated by abstraction of the α hydrogens (92 ± 8)% at 298 K decreasing to (76 ± 9)% with the balance being abstraction at the β position where the errors are 2σ. At higher temperatures decomposition of the CH(2)CH(2)OH product from β abstraction complicates the kinetics. From 575 to 650 K, biexponential decays were observed, allowing estimates to be made for k(1.1) and the fractional production of CH(2)CH(2)OH. Above 650 K, decomposition of the CH(2)CH(2)OH product was fast on the time scale of the measured kinetics and removal of OH corresponds to reaction at the α and OH sites. The kinetics agree (within ±20%) with previous measurements. Evidence suggests that reaction at the OH site is significant at our higher temperatures: 47-53% at 865 K.     

Kinetics of the CN + CS2 and CN + SO2 reactions

Diode infrared laser absorption spectroscopy was used to measure the rate constant (k(1)) of the CN + CS(2) reaction for the first time. k(1) was determined to be substantially pressure dependent with a value k(1) = (7.1 ± 0.2 to 41.9 ± 2.9) × 10(-12) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) over 2-40 Torr at 298 K. The potential energy surface (PES) of the reaction was calculated using an ab initio method at B3LYP/6-311++G(d, p)//CCSD(T)/6-311++G(d, p) level of theory. Both experimental and computational results suggest that collision stabilization of the adduct NCSCS may dominate the reaction. The rate constant of the CN + SO(2) reaction was measured to be very slow with an upper limit of k(2) ≤ 3.1 × 10(-14) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), in disagreement with an earlier reported measurement. The PES of this reaction reveals an entrance barrier against formation of the low energy adduct NCOSO, in agreement with the experimental result.     

High accuracy measurements of OH reaction rate constants and IR absorption spectra: substituted 2-propanols

Rate constants for the gas phase reactions of OH radicals with 2-propanol and three fluorine substituted 2-propanols, (CH(3))(2)CHOH (k(0)), (CF(3))(2)CHOH (k(1)), (CF(3))(2)C(OH)CH(3) (k(2)), and (CF(3))(3)COH (k(3)), were measured using a flash photolysis resonance-fluorescence technique over the temperature range 220-370 K. The Arrhenius plots were found to exhibit noticeable curvature for all four reactions. The temperature dependences of the rate constants can be represented by the following expressions: k(0)(T) = 1.46 × 10(-11) exp{-883/T} + 1.30 × 10(-12) exp{+371/T} cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1); k(1)(T) = 1.19 × 10(-12) exp{-1207/T} + 7.85 × 10(-16) exp{+502/T } cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1); k(2)(T) = 1.68 × 10(-12) exp{-1718/T} + 7.32 × 10(-16) exp{+371/T} cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1); k(3)(T) = 3.0 × 10(-20) × (T/298)(11.3) exp{+3060/T} cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1). The atmospheric lifetimes due to reactions with tropospheric OH were estimated to be 2.4 days and 1.9, 6.3, and 46 years, respectively. UV absorption cross sections were measured between 160 and 200 nm. The IR absorption cross sections of the three fluorinated compounds were measured between 450 and 1900 cm(-1), and their global warming potentials were estimated.     

Kinetics study of OH radical reactions with n-octane, n-nonane, and n-decane at 240-340 K using the relative rate/discharge flow/mass spectrometry technique

The kinetics of the reactions of hydroxyl radical with n-octane (k1), n-nonane (k2), and n-decane (k3) at 240-340 K and a total pressure of approximately 1 Torr has been studied using relative rate combined with discharge flow and mass spectrometer (RR/DF/MS) technique. The rate constant for these reactions was found to be positively dependent on temperature, with an Arrhenius expression of k1 = (2.27 +/- 0.21) x 10(-11)exp[(-296 +/- 27)/T], k2 = (4.35 +/- 0.49) x 10(-11)exp[(-411 +/- 32)/T], and k3 = (2.26 +/- 0.28) x 10(-11)exp[(-160 +/- 36)/T] cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1) (uncertainties taken as 2sigma), respectively. Our results are in good agreement with previous studies at and above room temperature using different techniques. Assuming that the reaction of alkane with hydroxyl radical is the predominant form for loss of these alkanes in the troposphere, the atmospheric lifetime for n-octane, n-nonane, and n-decane is estimated to be about 43, 35, and 28 h, respectively.     

An experimental and computational study of the reaction of ground-state sulfur atoms with carbon disulfide

The pulsed laser photolysis/resonance fluorescence technique was used to study the reaction of S((3)P(J)) with CS(2) in an Ar bath gas. Over 290-770 K pressure-dependent kinetics were observed and low- and high-pressure limiting rate constants were derived as k(0) = (11.5-0.0133 T/K) × 10(-31) cm(6) molecule(-2) s(-1) (error limits ± 20%) and k(∞) = (2.2 ± 0.6) × 10(-12) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1). Equilibration observed at 690-770 K yields a CS(2)-S bond dissociation enthalpy of 131.7 ± 4.0 kJ mol(-1) at 298 K. This agrees with computed thermochemistry for a spin-forbidden C(2V) adduct, estimated at the coupled-cluster single double triple level extrapolated to the infinite basis set limit. A pressure-independent pathway, assigned to abstraction, was observed from 690 to 1040 K and can be summarized as 1.14 × 10(-10) exp(-37.0 kJ mol(-1)/RT) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) with error limits of ± 40%. The results are rationalized in terms of a computed potential energy surface and transition state theory and Troe's unimolecular formalism.