The heterogeneous propagation of the chains in the reaction of aliphatic aldehydes oxidation

The low temperature gas-phase oxidation of CH₃CHO and C₂H₅CHO have been investigated as an example of heterogeneous-homogeneous reaction. It has been shown that with the increase of S/V (surface/volume) ratio of the reaction vessel the maximum rate of the process increases and the heterogeneous consumption of aldehyde prevails over the homogeneous one. Peroxy radicals have been discovered by EPR method in vessels with different S/V ratios. The concentration of peroxy radicals and the accumulation rate of peracid in the gas phase did not change with the increase of S/V ratio in the same interval. Under the conditions of these experiments excluding the homogeneous propagation of chains the aldehydes oxidized heterogeneously. The peroxy radicals initiate this heterogeneous process which indicate the existence of short chains on the surface. The reaction between the peroxy radicals and aldehyde on the solid surface (SiO₂, KCl/SiO₂) has been shown by EPR, IR-spectroscopy, and mass-spectrometry methods. A conclusion has been drawn that the solid surface takes part in the chain propagation stage of aldehydes oxidation. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Back Cover: Illustrating the Fate of Methyl Radical in Photocatalytic Methane Oxidation over Ag−ZnO by in situ Synchrotron Radiation Photoionization Mass Spectrometry (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 32/2023)

Photocatalysis has emerged as an ideal method for the direct activation and conversion of methane under mild conditions. In this reaction, methyl radical (⋅CH₃) was deemed a key intermediate that affected the yields and selectivity of the products. However, direct observation of ⋅CH₃ and other intermediates is still challenging. Here, a rectangular photocatalytic reactor coupled with in situ synchrotron radiation photoionization mass spectrometry (SR-PIMS) was developed to detect reactive intermediates within several hundred microseconds during photocatalytic methane oxidation over Ag−ZnO. Gas phase ⋅CH₃ generated by photogenerated holes (O⁻) was directly observed, and its formation was demonstrated to be significantly enhanced by coadsorbed oxygen molecules. Methoxy radical (CH₃O⋅) and formaldehyde (HCHO) were confirmed to be key C1 intermediates in photocatalytic methane overoxidation to CO₂. The gas-phase self-coupling reaction of ⋅CH₃ contributes to the formation of ethane, which indicates the key role of ⋅CH₃ desorption in the highly selective synthesis of ethane. Based on the observed intermediates, the reaction network initiated from ⋅CH₃ of photocatalytic methane oxidation could be clearly illustrated, which is helpful for studying the photocatalytic methane conversion processes.     

Role of Hydrogen Migrations in Carbonyl Peroxy Radicals in the Atmosphere

Carbonyl peroxy radicals (RC(O)O₂) are the ubiquitous radical intermediates in the atmospheric oxidation of volatile organic compounds. In this work, theoretical studies are carried out to explore the role of the unimolecular H-migration in the carbonyl peroxy radicals by using quantum chemistry and kinetics calculations. The results showed that H-migration could be significant in the atmosphere at least in CH₃CH₂CH₂C(O)O₂ and (CH₃)₂CHCH₂C(O)O₂ with rates of ∽0.012 and ∽0.58 s^?1 at 298 K. Subsequent reactions of CH₃CHCH₂C(O)OOH would lead to the products with multi-functional groups, which might affect the aerosol formation process; while (CH₃)₂CCH₂C(O)OOH would transform to formaldehyde and acetone in a few steps. These processes would be important for the atmospheric modelling of volatileorganic compounds under low-NO_x conditions.     

Thermochemistry and kinetics of the 2-butanone-4-yl CH3C(=O)CH2CH2• + O2 reaction system

Thermochemistry and kinetic pathways on the 2-butanone-4-yl (CH₃C(=O)CH₂CH₂•) + O₂ reaction system are determined. Standard enthalpies, entropies, and heat capacities are evaluated using the G3MP2B3, G3, G3MP3, CBS-QB3 ab initio methods, and the B3LYP/6-311g(d,p) density functional calculation method. The CH₃C(=O)CH₂CH₂• radical + O₂ association reaction forms a chemically activated peroxy radical with 35 kcal mol⁻¹ excess of energy. The chemically activated adduct can undergo RO−O bond dissociation, rearrangement via intramolecular hydrogen transfer reactions to form hydroperoxide-alkyl radicals, or eliminate HO₂ and OH. The hydroperoxide-alkyl radical intermediates can undergo further reactions forming ketones, cyclic ethers, OH radicals, ketene, formaldehyde, or oxiranes. A relatively new path showing a low barrier and resulting in reactive product sets involves peroxy radical attack on a carbonyl carbon atom in a cyclic transition state structure. It is shown to be important in ketones when the cyclic transition state has five or more central atoms.     

Reactions of CH3O2 radicals on solid surface

The reaction probability of CH₃O₂ radicals with NO₂, CH₄, C₃H₆, and CH₃CHO on the solid surface of KCl in flow at low pressure and temperature range of 297–353 K has been studied. The chosen conditions allowed excluding homogeneous interaction of radicals. The heterogeneous radical decay of peracetic acid served as a source of CH₃O₂ radicals. On the basis of ESR measurements of CH₃O₂ radicals with the above‐mentioned compounds, a heterogeneous reaction mechanism has been identified. The reactivity of NO₂ was greatest for the compounds studied. The effective activation energy was evaluated to be 10.4 ± 0.8 kJ/mol for the reaction of RO₂ radicals with NO₂ and ?21.3 ± 2.8 kJ/mol for methane. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 36: 591–595, 2004     

An ESR study of PMMA mechanoradicals and of their interaction with oxygen

Analysis of ESR spectra of mechanoradicals from poly(methyl methacrylate) reveals that after mechanical degradation in vacuo at 77°K, the sample contains two types of primary radicals? CH₂? C(CH₃)(COOCH₃) (I) and CH₂? C(CH₃)(COOCH₃)? CH₂ (II) produced by the breaking of the polymer chain, and secondary radicals ? CH₂? C(CH₃)(COOCH₃)? CH? C(CH₃)? (COOCH₃)? CH₂? (III). With increasing temperature, radical I remains stable while II reacts with methylene hydrogen of the polymer chain giving rise to the secondary radical III, which decays and finally disappears as the temperature rises. After admission of oxygen at 113°K, the polymer radicals react with oxygen with formation of polymer peroxy radicals ROO. and diamagnetic dimers. With increasing temperature the latter dissociate again to the original polymer peroxy radicals which gradually decay, if the temperature is increased further. The present results are compared with earlier ones obtained on poly(ethylene glycol methacrylate) (PGMA).     

Interaction between Peroxy Radicals and Acetaldehyde on Solid Surfaces and Its Role in the Oxidation of Aldehydes

Heterogeneous interaction between peroxy radicals and acetaldehyde in a capillary reactor treated with boric acid was studied. The possibility of a reaction occurring between adsorbed peroxy radicals and acetaldehyde was confirmed. Based on a comparison of these data and those obtained for other surfaces along with the ignition and slow oxidation of aldehydes in reactors with identical surfaces, it was concluded that the oxidation of aldehydes includes not only a homogeneous component but a heterogeneous component as well.     

Degradation of poly(vinyl chloride) by u.v. radiation—II: Mechanism

The mechanism of the light-induced degradation of solid poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) has been investigated, and an overall reaction scheme has been developed, based on values of the quantum yields for the primary photoproducts. Only a very small fraction (0.2%) of the excited polyenes induces the degradation of PVC, primarily by photocleavage of the allylic CCl bond. The high instability of β-chloroalkyl radicals is responsible for the chain dehydrochlorination that leads to formation of polyenes. In the absence of O₂, chain scissions and crosslinking are postulated to originate mainly from α-chloroalkyl radicals through β-cleavage of CC bonds and radical coupling, respectively. In the presence of O₂, the chain dehydrochlorination still proceeds, together with an oxidative chain process which yields, via peroxy and alkoxy radicals, hydroperoxides, ketones and peroxide crosslinks. Cleavage of the polymer backbone results most probably from the decomposition of tertiary alkoxy radicals by a carbon-carbon β-scission process.     

Reaction of peroxide radicals with methane on the titanium oxide surface: Effects of the composition of the initial mixture

The reaction of TiO₂-adsorbed methyl peroxide radicals with methane, accompanied by transfer of the products into the gas phase at ∼20°C, was studied by the kinetic methods and EPR spectroscopy. In a definite range of methane concentrations, the reaction was accompanied by an increase in the total concentration of free radicals; i.e., these active species became not only regenerated, but also multiplied. The increase in the number of peroxide radicals was explained by the chain consumption of methane initiated by the reaction being studied.     

Aging and degradation of polyolefins. I. Peroxide-initiated oxidations of atactic polypropylene

Efficiencies of polymer radical production by thermal decomposition of di-tert-butylperoxy oxalate (DBPO) have been measured in bulk atactic polypropylene (PP) at 25–55°C; they range from 1 to 26%, depending on [DBPO], temperature, and presence of oxygen. Most of the polymer radicals thus produced disproportionate in the absence of oxygen but form peroxy radicals in its presence. Most of the pairs of peroxy radicals interact by a first-order reaction in the polymer cage. The fraction that escapes gives hydroperoxide in a reaction that is half order in rate of initiation. In interactions of polymer peroxy radicals, in or out of the cage, about one-third give dialkyl peroxides and immediate chain termination, two-thirds give alkoxy radicals. About one-third of the later cleave at 45°C; the rest abstract hydrogen to give hydroxy groups and new polymer and polymer peroxy radicals. The primary peroxy radicals from cleavage account for the rest of the chain termination. Cleavage of alkoxy radicals and crosslinking of PP through dialkyl peroxides nearly compensate. Up to 70% of the oxygen absorbed has been found in hydroperoxides. The formation of these can be completely inhibited, but cage reactions are unaffected by inhibitors. Concentrations of free polymer peroxy radicals have been measured by electron spin resonance and found to be very high, about 10^?3M at 58–63°C. Comparison with results on 2,4-dimethylpentane indicate that rate constants for both chain propagation and termination in the polymer are much smaller than those for the model hydrocarbon but that the ratio, k_p/(2k_t)^½, is about the same.     

Experimental and kinetic study of shock initiated ignition in homogeneous methane–hydrogen–air mixtures at engine‐relevant conditions

The ignition delay time of two stoichiometric methane/hydrogen/air mixtures has been measured in a shock tube facility at pressures from 16 to 40 atm and temperatures from 1000 to 1300 K. Overall, the observed reduction in ignition delay with some methane replaced by hydrogen is relatively small given the large concentration of hydrogen involved in the current study. With a high hydrogen mole fraction (35% of the total fuel), a reduction of the ignition‐promoting effect was observed with reduced temperature. A detailed chemical kinetic mechanism was used to simulate ignitions of test mixtures behind reflected shocks. An analysis of the mechanism indicates that at higher temperatures, the rapid decomposition of hydrogen molecules leads to a quick formation of H radical pools, which promote the chain branching through H + O₂ ? O + OH. At lower temperatures, the branching efficiency of hydrogen is low; a weak effect of hydrogen on methane ignition could be result from the reaction between H₂ and methylperoxy CH₃O₂, which contributes extra H radicals to the reaction system. The effects of hydrogen also decrease with increasing pressure; this is related to the negative pressure dependence of hydrogen at the second ignition limit. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 38: 221–233, 2006     

The Catalytic Oxidative Coupling of Methane

One of the great challenges in the field of heterogeneous catalysis is the conversion of methane to more useful chemicals and fuels. A chemical of particular importance is ethene, which can be obtained by the oxidative coupling of methane. In this reaction CH₄ is first oxidatively converted into C₂H₆, and then into C₂H₄. The fundamental aspects of the problem involve both a heterogeneous component, which includes the activation of CH₄ on a metal oxide surface, and a homogeneous gas-phase component, which includes free-radical chemistry. Ethane is produced mainly by the coupling of the surface-generated CH radicals in the gas phase. The yield of C₂H₄ and C₂H₆ is limited by secondary reactions of CH radicals with the surface and by the further oxidation of C₂H₄, both on the catalyst surface and in the gas phase. Currently, the best catalysts provide 20% CH₄ conversion with 80% combined C₂H₄ and C₂H₆ selectivity in a single pass through the reactor. Less is known about the nature of the active centers than about the reaction mechanism; however, reactive oxygen ions are apparently required for the activation of CH₄ on certain catalysts. There is spectroscopic evidence for surface O^? or O ions. In addition to the oxidative coupling of CH₄, cross-coupling reactions, such as between methane and toluene to produce styrene, have been investigated. Many of the same catalysts are effective, and the cross-coupling reaction also appears to involve surface-generated radicals. Although a technological process has not been developed, extensive research has resulted in a reasonable understanding of the elementary reactions that occur during the oxidative coupling of methane.     

Thermoluminescence of irradiated polystyrene

Thermoluminescence of irradiated polystyrene has been studied in the temperature range 100 to 440°K. Three glow peaks with maximum at 160, 221, and 378°K have been observed. These peaks are analyzed by different methods and the activation energies which were obtained are compared. The activation energies are found to be 0.22, 0.48, and 1.45 eV for the peaks with maxima at 160, 221, and 378°K, respectively. Second-order kinetics is appropriate to all these cases. The glow peaks are attributed to the decay of the free radicals formed on irradiation and subsequent thermal stimulation. The peak with the maximum at 160°K is attributed to electron trapping by the carbonyl groups or peroxy radicals formed on irradiation. The curve with the peak at 221°K is attributed to the cyclohexadienyl radical, and the curve with the peak at 378°K is attributed to the chain radical ? CH₂? C (C₆H₅)? CH₂? . The centers responsible for the observed thermoluminescence are identified by correlation with electron spin resonance (ESR) data obtained on the same samples.     

The Atmospheric Oxidation Mechanism of Benzyl Alcohol Initiated by OH Radicals: The Addition Channels

Benzyl alcohol (BA) is present in indoor atmospheres, where it reacts with OH radicals and undergoes further oxidation. A theoretical study is carried out to elucidate the reaction mechanism and to identify the main products of the oxidation of BA that is initiated by OH radicals. The reaction is found to proceed by H‐abstraction from the CH₂ group (25 %) and addition to the ipso (60 %) and ortho (15 %) positions of the aromatic ring. The BA–OH adducts react further with O₂ via the bicyclic radical intermediates—the same way as for benzene—forming mainly 3‐hydroxy‐2‐oxopropanal and butenedial. If NO_x is low, the bicyclic peroxy radicals undergo intramolecular H‐migration, forming products containing OH, OOH, and CH₂OH/CHO functional groups, and contribute to secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the autoxidation of pentaerythrityl tetraheptanoate at 180–220°C

A kinetic and mechanistic study of the autoxidation of liquid pentaerythrityl tetraheptanoate (PETH) at 180–220°C has been carried out utilizing a stirred-flow reactor. The results are consistent with the occurrence of a chain reaction scheme similar to that proposed for n-hexadecane autoxidation, namely, the formation of monohydroperoxides by the intermolecular abstraction reaction (3), the formation of α,γ- and α,δ-dihydroperoxides and α,γ- and α,δ-hydroperoxyketones by intramolecular peroxy radical abstraction reactions (4) and (4*), the bimolecular termination of peroxy radicals, reaction (6), and the rapid conversion of α,γ-hydroperoxyketones to the corresponding cleavage acids and methyl ketones, reaction (7). Comparisons of various rate parameters for the n-hexadecane and PETH systems reveal that the values of k₇ and (k₃/H atom)/(2 k₆)^1/2 are within experimental uncertainties identical for the two systems at 180°C. The proposed reaction scheme includes the concurrent formation of hydroxy radicals and hydroperoxyketone species. The results of kinetic analysis and the experimentally observed isomer distributions of primary and secondary monohydroperoxide products at high and low oxygen pressures suggest that ≈60% of the hydrogen abstractions from PETH at high oxygen pressures occur by hydroxy radicals.     

Pulse radiolysis and fourier transform infrared study of neopentyl peroxy radicals in the gas phase at 297 K

The ultraviolet absorption spectrum of the neopentyl peroxy radical (CH₃)₃CCH₂O₂, and the kinetics and products of its self reaction have been studied in the gas phase at 298 K. Absorption cross sections were quantified over the wavelength range 230–290 nm. The measured cross section at 250 nm was; Errors represent statistical (2σ) together with our estimate of potential systematic errors(15%). The kinetics of the decay of the UV absorption following the generation of the neopentyl peroxy radicals was complicated by the rapid decomposition of the (CH₃)₃CCH₂O radicals formed in channel (4a). By measuring the yield of t-butyl peroxy radicals, the branching ratio k_4a/(k_4a + k_4b) was determined to be 0.39 ± 0.03. The rate constant for the self reaction of neopentyl peroxy radicals was k₄ = (1.07 ± 0.22) × 10^?12 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1. Quoted errors represent 2σ. These results are discussed with respect to the available literature data. © John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

The interaction of radiation-generated radicals with myoglobin in aqueous solution—V. The indirect action of 2-methyl-2-hydroxypropyl radicals on oxymyoglobin

The interaction of radiation-generated 2-methyl-2-hydroxypropyl radicals (derived from t-butyl alcohol) with oxymyoglobin has been examined at pH 7.3. In N₂O-saturated solutions, oxymyoglobin is converted to the ferri and ferryl derivatives of myoglobin; the production of ferrylmyoglobin is essentially eliminated when catalase is present in solution during irradiation. In deaerated solutions containing catalase, oxymyoglobin is converted to both ferro- and ferrimyoglobin during irradiation. When added O₂ is initially present, all compositional changes occur after irradiation; the presence of catalase diminishes, but does not eliminate, the extent of these postirradiation conversions of oxymyoglobin to the ferri and ferryl derivatives. These observations are interpreted in terms of the scavenging of the 2-methyl-2-hydroxypropyl radicals by O₂ to generate their peroxy analogs, which causes a displacement of the equilibrium between oxy- and ferromyoglobin. The peroxy radicals decay to produce H₂O₂, an organic peroxide, and other products. These peroxides subsequently react with ferromyoglobin to produce the ferryl form; the rate of the reaction increases with decreasing [O₂] as [ferromyoglobin] increases. This reaction is sufficiently fast in deaerated solution that substantial conversion of ferromyoglobin to ferrylmyoglobin occurs during the time of irradiation. The formation of the ferryl derivative in the presence of unconverted ferromyoglobin drives a concurrent synproportion reaction which produces ferrimyoglobin. Overall, no direct interaction of 2-methyl-2-hydroxypropyl radicals, nor their peroxy analogs, with myoglobin is indicated; all reactivity is accountable by the peroxide products of these radicals.     

Updating the Chemiluminescence Oxygen‐Aftereffect Method for Determining the Rate Constant of the Peroxy‐Radical Self‐Reaction: Oxidation of Cyclohexene

Updating the facile chemiluminescence oxygen‐aftereffect method, most suitable for determining the rate constant (k_t) of the peroxy‐radical self‐reaction (main chemiluminescence channel), pertained to considering the sensitivity of such a method toward a disturbing influence of the peroxy radicals of the initiator of the chain oxidation process. Such a disturbance may derive from the side chemiluminescent reaction, which involves peroxy radicals of both hydrocarbon and initiator. To examine the applicability and limitations of the chemiluminescence method under present scrutiny, cyclohexene was used as the model oxidizable hydrocarbon substrate. Computer simulations of the reaction and chemiluminescence kinetics have demonstrated the validity of the considered methodology at the value of the rate constant of the propagation of the overall chain process by peroxy radicals of the initiator higher than 1 m ^?1 s^?1. Despite that the chemiluminescence time profile and the stationary level of the total chemiluminescence intensity depend on the kinetics of the side chemiluminescence channel and on the ratio of the excited‐state generation yields in the mentioned reaction channel and in the main chemiluminescence process, the value of k_t assessed by the oxygen‐aftereffect method has been found independent of variation of these characteristics.     

Atmospheric peroxy radicals: ROXMAS,a new mass-spectrometric methodology for speciated measurements of HO2 and ∑RO2 and first results

ROXMAS (ROx Chemical Conversion/CIMS), a novel method for atmospheric speciated measurements of HO₂ and the sum of organic peroxy radicals (∑RO₂) developed by MPI-K, has been successfully deployed in a field campaign on Monte Cimone, Italy, June-July 2000. The method relies on amplifying chemical conversion of peroxy radicals to gaseous sulfuric acid via the chain reaction with NO and SO₂ and detection of the sulfuric acid by CIMS. Speciated measurements have been realized by diluting atmospheric air in either N₂ or O₂ buffer, thus exploiting the dependence of the conversion efficiency of RO₂ to HO₂ on [O₂], [NO], and [SO₂]. Speciated measurements of HO₂ and RO₂ are required to provide further insight into radical partitioning and thus to elucidate further the mechanisms of the oxidation of volatile organic compounds in the troposphere. This methodology yields useful speciated results for atmospheric conditions where CH₃O₂ makes a major contribution to total RO₂. Under other conditions it gives an upper limit for [HO₂] and a lower limit for [∑RO₂].     

Radical reactions with selected organic compounds in the gas phase

Several organic compounds for which radical reactions prior to ionization under chemical ionization (CH₄) have been discussed were subjected to gas-phase reactions with methyl and ethyl radicals. The results and their implications for proposed reaction mechanisms in a methane plasma will be discussed.