New global potential energy surface of the MgH2 system and dynamics studies of the reaction H + MgH → Mg + H2

A new global potential energy surface for the ground state of MgH₂ was constructed using the permutation invariant polynomial neural network method. About 70 000 ab initio energy points were calculated via the multi‐reference configuration interaction method method with aug‐cc‐pVTZ and aug‐cc‐pVQZ basis sets, and these points were used to construct the potential energy surface (PES). To avoid basis set superposition error, the basis set was extrapolated to the complete basis set limit using the two point energy extrapolation formula. The root mean square error of the present PES is only 8.85 meV. Initial state (v = 0, j = 0) dynamics studies were performed using the time‐dependent wave packet method with a second‐order split operator for the total angular momentum J up to a value of 50. Furthermore, the reaction probability, integral cross section, and thermal rate constant are reported and compared with available theoretical studies.     

A global potential energy surface and time‐dependent quantum wave packet calculation of Au + H2 reaction

A global potential energy surface (PES) corresponding to the ground state of AuH₂ system has been constructed based on 22 853 ab initio energies calculated by the multireference configuration interaction method with a Davidson correction. The neural network method is used to fit the PES, and the root mean square error is only 1.87 meV. The topographical features of the novel global PES are compared with previous PES which is constructed by Zanchet et al. (Zanchet PES). The global minimum energy reaction paths on the two PESs both have a well and a barrier. Relative to the Au + H₂ reactants, the energy of well is 0.316 eV on the new PES, which is 0.421 eV deeper than Zanchet PES. The calculation of Au(²S) + H₂(X¹Σ_g⁺) → AuH(X¹Σ⁺) + H(²S) dynamical reaction is carried out on new PES, by the time‐dependent quantum wave packet method (TDWP) with second order split operator. The reaction probabilities, integral cross‐sections (ICSs) and differential cross‐sections are obtained from the dynamics calculation. The threshold in the reaction is about 1.46 eV, which is 0.07 eV smaller than Zanchet PES due to the different endothermic energies on the two PESs. At low collision energy (<2.3 eV), the total ICS is larger than the result obtained on Zanchet PES, which can be attributed to the difference of the wells and endothermic energies.     

Dynamical properties of S(3P) + HD reaction on 13A″state and their quantum wavepacket calculation

The time‐dependent wavepacket method is used to study the reaction dynamics of S(³P) + HD (v = 0, 1, 2) on the adiabatic 1³A″ potential energy surface constructed by Han and coworkers [J. Chem. Phys. 2012, 136, 094308]. The reaction probabilities and integral cross sections as a function of collision energy are obtained and discussed. The results calculated by using the CC and the CS approximation have been compared, which suggests that for this direct abstraction reaction, the cheaper CS approximation calculation is valid enough in the quantum calculation. The investigation also shows that the reaction probabilities and integral cross sections tend to increase with collision energy. By analyzing the v‐dependent behavior of the integral cross sections, the significant effect of the vibrational excitation of HD is found. Also found in the calculation is a significant resonance feature in the reaction probabilities versus collision energy. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Exploring the reaction dynamics of O(3P)+ (X2 )→OH+(X3Σ−)+ H(2S) reaction with time‐dependent wave packet method

The O(³P)+ reaction has been investigated by employing time‐dependent quantum wave packet with split operator method on potential energy surface of the doublet ground‐state H₂O⁺(1²A″). The reaction probabilities and integral cross sections are calculated using centrifugal sudden approximation, which basically agree with the quasi‐classical results of Paniagua et al. [Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 2014, 16, 23594]. Moreover, the effect of vibrational and rotational excitation of reactant is investigated. The results show that the vibrational and rotational excitation effects on the integral cross section are not obvious. The little differences between Coriolis coupling results and centrifugal sudden approximation ones show that the cheaper centrifugal sudden calculations here reported are effective for this reaction.     

Quasiclassical trajectory study of the reaction NH(X~3∑~-)+H→N(~4S)+H_2

The dynamics of the NH + H→N+H2 reaction has been investigated by means of the 3D quasiclassical trajectory approach by using the LEPS potential energy surface.The calculated rate coefficient is in good agreement with the experimental value.The reaction was found to occur via a direct channel.The product H2 has a cold excitation of rotational state,but has a reverse distribution of the vibrational state with a peak at v=1.Based on the potential energy surface and the trajectory analysis,the reaction mechanism has been explained successfully.     

Time‐dependent quantum study of H(2S) + FO(2Π) → OH(2Π) + F(2P) reaction on the 13A′ and 13A″ states

The dynamics of the H(²S) + FO(²Π) → OH(²Π) + F(²P) reaction on the adiabatic potential energy surface of the 1³A′ and 1³A″ states is investigated. The initial state selected reaction probabilities for total angular momentum J = 0 have been calculated by using the quantum mechanical real wave packet method. The integral cross sections and initial state selected reaction rate constants have been obtained from the corresponding J = 0 reaction probabilities by means of the simple J‐Shifting technique. The initial state‐selected reaction probabilities and reaction cross section do not manifest any sharp oscillations and the initial state selected reaction rate constants are sensitive to the temperature. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 2010     

Real wave packet and flux analysis studies of the H + F2 → HF + F reaction

The H + F₂ → HF + F reaction on ground state potential energy surface is investigated using the quantum mechanical real wave packet and Flux analysis method based on centrifugal sudden approximation. The initial state selected reaction probabilities for total angular momentum J = 0 have been calculated by both methods while the probabilities for J > 0 have been calculated by Flux analysis method. The initial state selected reaction probabilities, integral cross sections and rate coefficients have been calculated for a broad range of collision energy. The results show a large rotational enhancement of the reaction probability. Some resonances were seen in the state‐to‐state reaction probabilities while state‐to‐all reaction probabilities and the reaction cross section do not manifest any oscillations and the initial state selected reaction rate constants are sensitive to the temperature. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2012     

Quantum reaction dynamics of C(1D) + HD → CH(CD) + D(H) on the ground state potential energy surface

We present accurate quantum dynamic calculations of the reaction C(¹D) + HD on the latest version of the potential energy surface [Zhang et al., J. Chem. Phys. 140, 234301 (2014)]. Using a Chebyshev real wave packet method with full Coriolis coupling, we obtain the initial state‐specified ( ) reaction probabilities, integral cross sections, and rate constants. The resulting probabilities display oscillatory structures due to numerous long‐lived resonances supported by the deep potential well. The calculated rate constants and CD/CH product branching ratio at room temperature are in reasonably good agreement with the experimental measurements.     

Quantum wave packet and quasiclassical trajectory studies of the reaction H(2S) + CH(X2Π; v = 0, j = 1) → C(1D) + H2(X1 ): Coriolis coupling effects and stereodynamics

The quantum mechanics (QM) and quasiclassical trajectory (QCT) calculations have been carried out for the title reaction with the ground minimal allowed rotational state of CH (j = 1) on the 1 ¹A′ potential energy surface. For the reaction probability at total angular momentum J = 0, a similar trend of the QM and QCT calculations is observed, and the QM results are larger than the latter almost in the whole considered energy range (0.1–1.5 eV). The QCT integral cross sections are larger than the QM results with centrifugal sudden approximation, while smaller than those from QM method including Coriolis coupling for collision energies bigger than 0.25 eV. The quantum wave‐packet computations show that the Coriolis coupling effects get more and more pronounced with increasing of J. In addition to the scalar properties, the stereodynamical properties, such as the average rotational alignment factor <P₂( j′?k )>, the angular distributions P(θ_r), P(?_r), P(θ_r,?_r), and the polarization‐dependent generalized differential cross sections have been explored in detail by QCT approach. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

A comparison of attack angle dependence of exchange channel of reaction H + HS (v = 0, 1; j = 0) on 3A″ and 3A′ surfaces

In this theoretical work, we report quasiclassical dynamics predictions for the attack angle‐dependence exchange processes for the H + HS (v = 0, 1; j = 0) reaction by using the new triplet 3A″ and 3A′ potential energy surfaces, respectively. The calculated quasiclassical reaction probabilities of exchange reaction channel of reaction H(D)′ + H(D)S for J = 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 are in good agreement with quantum wave packet results over the collision energy range from 0.1 to 2.0 eV on 3A″ surfaces. The attack angle dependence reaction probability of the title reactions at J = 0 are calculated, respectively, on the two surfaces. The reaction probability was found to be strongly dependent on the attack angle. It may be ascribe to the significant difference of the effective potential barrier height in the two reactions. Besides, the reaction probabilities of exchange reaction channel of reaction H(D)′ + H(D)S for J = 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 are also predicted on 3A′ surfaces. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Mechanical properties of polypropylene (PP) + high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) binary blends: Non‐isothermal degradation kinetics of PP + HDPE (80/20) Blends

In this study, the mechanical properties and non‐isothermal degradation kinetics of polypropylene (PP), high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) with dilauroyl peroxide and their blends in different mixture ratios were investigated. The effects of adding dilauroyl peroxide (0–0.20 wt%) on the mechanical and thermal properties of PP + HDPE blends have been studied. On the other hand, the kinetics of the thermal degradation and thermal oxidative degradation of PP + HDPE (80/20 wt%) blends were studied in different atmospheres, to analyze their thermal stability. The kinetic and thermodynamic parameters such as the activation energy, E_a, the pre‐exponential factor, A, the reaction order, n, the entropy change, the enthalpy change, and the free energies of activated complex related to PP, HDPE, and blend systems were calculated by means of the several methods on the basis of the single heating rate. A computer program was developed for automatically processing the data to estimate the reaction parameters by using different models. Most appropriate method was determined for each decomposition step according to the least‐squares linear regression. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Influence of collision energy and reagent vibrational excitation on the dynamics of the reaction H + LiH

We present a detailed quasiclassical trajectory (QCT) study of the dynamics corresponding to the reaction H + LiH proceeding via depletion and H‐exchange paths on a new potential energy surface of the electronic ground state. The effects of collision energy and reagent initial vibrational excitation on the reaction probability and cross sections are studied over a wide range of collision energies. The QCT‐calculated reaction probability and cross sections are in good agreement with previous time‐dependent wave packet results. More importantly, we found that the vibrational excitation of LiH molecule inhibits the LiH depletion reaction, whereas it promotes the H‐exchange reaction. In addition, the differential cross sections calculated for the depletion reaction at different collision energies and excitation states indicate a strong forward scattering of the product molecule H₂. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

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     

A Fukui function‐guided genetic algorithm. Assessment on structural prediction of Sin (n = 12–20) clusters

Theoretical studies are essential for the structural characterization of clusters, when it comes to rationalize their unique size‐dependent properties and composition. However, the rapid growth of local minima on the potential energy surface (PES), with respect to cluster size, makes the candidate identification a challenging undertaking. In this article, we introduce a hybrid strategy to explore the PES of clusters. This proposal involves the use of a biased initial population of a genetic algorithm procedure. Each individual in this population is built by assembling small fragments, according to the best matching of the Fukui function. The performance of a genetic algorithm procedure. The performance of the method is assessed on the PES exploration of medium‐sized Si_n clusters (n = 12–20). The most relevant results are: (a) the method converges at almost half of the time used by the canonical version of the GA and, (b) in all the studied cases, with the exception of Si₁₃ and Si₁₆, the method allowed to identify the global minimum (GM) and other important low‐lying structures. Additionally, the apparent deficiency of the proposal to identify the GM was corrected when a Si atom, or other low‐lying isomers, were considered to build the clusters. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

A barrier‐free atomic radical‐molecule reaction: N (2D) NO2 (2A1) mechanistic study

The reaction of N (²D) radical with NO₂ molecule has been studied theoretically using density functional theory and ab initio quantum chemistry method. Singlet electronic state [N₂O₂] potential energy surfaces (PES) are calculated at the CCSD(T)/aug‐cc‐pVDZ//B3LYP/6‐311+G(d) + ZPE and G3B3 levels of theory. All the involved transition states for generation of (2NO) and (O₂ + N₂) lie much lower than the reactants. Thus, the novel reaction N + NO₂ can proceed effectively even at low temperatures and it is expected to play a role in both combustion and interstellar processes. On the basis of the analysis of the kinetics of all pathways through which the reactions proceed, we expect that the competitive power of reaction pathways may vary with experimental conditions for the title reaction. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2008     

Full six-dimensional nonadiabatic quantum dynamics calculation for the energy pooling reaction O(2)(a (1)Delta)+O(2)(a (1)Delta)-->O(2)(b (1)Sigma)+O(2)(X (3)Sigma)

Six new potential energy surfaces of four singlet states and two triplet states for the title oxygen molecule reaction along with the spin-orbit coupling among them have been constructed from the complete active space second-order perturbation theory with a 6-311+G(d) basis. Accurate integral cross sections are calculated with a full six-dimensional nonadiabatic time-dependent quantum wave packet method. The thermal rate constant based on the integral cross sections agrees well with the result of the experimental measurements, and the intersystem crossing effects are also discussed in this electronic energy-transfer process.     

Kinetic Evaluation of Hyperbranched A2 + B3 Polycondensation Reactions

The kinetics of hyperbranched A₂ + B₃ systems is discussed theoretically with respect to the development of the 7 different structural units, the degree of branching, DB, and the monomer sequences considering the adjacent groups of a structural unit. For A₂ + B₃ systems, the comonomer ratio, the relative rate constants and the process conditions have an influence on the resulting structure as shown by numerical simulations. With increasing A:B ratios f_A/B, the degree of branching will be increased. Also the relative reaction rate constants have a strong impact on the distribution of structural units, especially when the reaction rate constants for the pathway of the B₃ monomer are changed. On the other hand, differences in the reaction rate constants for the pathway of the A₂ monomer do not have any influence on the degree of branching. The simulation indicates that slow addition of either both monomers or just the B₃ monomer has the strongest effect on the resulting DB. In all cases, the conversion is a critical issue to obtain high molecular weight products.

Degree of branching (DB) versus conversion of A‐functionalities (p_A) for various monomer compositions.     

Direct Ab Initio Dynamics Study on the Reaction of CH3CHF2 (HFC‐152a) with the Cl Atom

A direct ab initio dynamics method is used to investigate the hydrogen‐abstraction reaction CH₃CHF₂+Cl. One transition state is located for α‐H abstraction, and two are identified for β‐H abstraction. The potential‐energy surface (PES) is obtained at the G3(MP2)//MP2/6‐311G(d, p) level. Furthermore, the rate constants of the three channels are evaluated by using canonical variational transition‐state theory (CVT) with small‐curvature tunneling (SCT) contributions over a wide temperature range of 200–2500 K. The dynamic calculations show that the reaction proceeds mainly by α‐H abstraction over the whole temperature range. The calculated rate constants and branching ratios are both in good agreement with the available experimental values.     

Theoretical Study on Electron Transfer Matrix Element in Oxidation of α—Amino Carbon—Centered Radical by O2

As a successive work of our previous paper,^1the electron transfer matrix element(Vrp)in the oxidation of the simplified model molecule of α-amino carbon-centered radical by O2 has been investigated with ab initio calculation at the level of UHF/6-31 G**.Based on the optimized geometries of the reactgant and the ion-pair complex obtained previously,the reaction heat and the iuner reorganization energy have been obtained by constructing the potential energy curves of reactant and product states considering the solvent effect with the conductor-like screening model(COSMO).The solvent reorganization energy has been estimated using Lippert-Mataga relationship.The calculated results show that the value of Vrp is several times larger than that of RT,which means that the model reaction is an adiabatic one.Theoretical investigation indicates that the solvent effect on the direct electron transfer (ET) process of oxidation of α-amino carbon-centered radical by oxygen is remarkable.     

Direct ab initio dynamics study of the reaction of C2(A3Πu) with CH4

The reaction of C₂(A³Π_u) with CH₄ has been investigated over a wide temperature range 200–3,000 K by direct ab initio dynamics method at the BMC‐CCSD//BB1K/6‐311+G(2d,2p) level of theory. The optimized geometries and frequencies of the stationary points are calculated at the BB1K/6‐311+G(2d,2p) level, and then the energy profiles of the reactions are refined using the BMC‐CCSD method. The activation barrier height for H‐abstraction reaction was calculated to be 4.44 kcal/mol in temperature range (337–605 K), and the electron transfer behavior was also analyzed by quasi‐restricted molecular orbital method in detail. The canonical variational transition‐state theory (CVT) with the small curvature tunneling (SCT) correction method is used to calculate the rate constants over a wide temperature range 200–3,000 K. The theoretical results shows that variational effect is to some extent large in lower temperature range, and small curvature and tunneling effect play important roles to the H‐atom abstraction only at lower temperatures. The CVT/SCT rate constants are in good agreement with the available experimental results. Our theoretical study is expected to provide a direct insight into the reaction mechanism and may be useful for estimating the kinetics of the title reaction over a wide temperature range where no experimental data are available so far. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2012