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).     

Kinetics of the self reaction of cyclohexyl radicals

The kinetics of the self-reaction of cyclohexyl radicals was studied by laser photolysis/photoionization mass spectroscopy. Overall rate constants were obtained in direct real-time experiments in the temperature region 303-520 K and at bath gas (helium with up to 5% of radical precursors) densities (3.00-12.0) × 10(16) molecules cm(-3). Cyclohexyl radicals were produced by a combination of the 193 nm photolysis of oxalyl chloride ((CClO)(2)) with the subsequent fast reaction of Cl atoms with cyclohexane, and their initial concentrations were determined from real-time profiles of HCl. The observed overall c-C(6)H(11) + c-C(6)H(11) rate constants demonstrate negative temperature dependence, which can be described by the following expressions: k(1) = 4.8 × 10(-12) exp(+542 K/T) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), with estimated uncertainty of 16% over the 303-520 K temperature range. The fraction of disproportionation equal to 41 ± 7% was determined at 305 K; analysis of earlier experimental determinations of the disproportionation-to-recombination branching ratio leads to recommending this room-temperature value for other temperatures. The corresponding temperature dependences of the recombination (1a, bicyclohexyl product) and the disproportionation (1b, cyclohexene and cyclohexane products) channels are k(1a) = 2.8 × 10(-12) exp(+542 K/T) and k(1b) = 2.0 × 10(-12) exp(+542 K/T) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), with estimated uncertainties of 20% and 29%, respectively.     

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.     

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).     

Direct measurements of the high temperature rate constants of the reactions NCN + O, NCN + NCN, and NCN + M

The rate constant of the reaction NCN + O has been directly measured for the first time. According to the revised Fenimore mechanism, which is initiated by the NCN forming reaction CH + N(2)→ NCN + H, this reaction plays a key role for prompt NO(x) formation in flames. NCN radicals and O atoms have been quantitatively generated by the pyrolysis of NCN(3) and N(2)O, respectively. NCN concentration-time profiles have been monitored behind shock waves using narrow-bandwidth laser absorption at a wavelength of λ = 329.1302 nm. Whereas no pressure dependence was discernible at pressures between 709 mbar < p < 1861 mbar, a barely significant temperature dependence corresponding to an activation energy of 5.8 ± 6.0 kJ mol(-1) was found. Overall, at temperatures of 1826 K < T < 2783 K, the rate constant can be expressed as k(NCN + O) = 9.6 × 10(13)× exp(-5.8 kJ mol(-1)/RT) cm(3) mol(-1) s(-1) (±40%). As a requirement for accurate high temperature rate constant measurements, a consistent NCN background mechanism has been derived from pyrolysis experiments of pure NCN(3)/Ar gas mixtures, beforehand. Presumably, the bimolecular secondary reaction NCN + NCN yields CN radicals hence triggering a chain reaction cycle that efficiently removes NCN. A temperature independent value of k(NCN + NCN) = (3.7 ± 1.5) × 10(12) cm(3) mol(-1) s(-1) has been determined from measurements at pressures ranging from 143 mbar to 1884 mbar and temperatures ranging from 966 K to 1900 K. At higher temperatures, the unimolecular decomposition of NCN, NCN + M → C + N(2) + M, prevails. Measurements at temperatures of 2012 K < T < 3248 K and at total pressures of 703 mbar < p < 2204 mbar reveal a unimolecular decomposition close to its low pressure limit. The corresponding rate constants can be expressed as k(NCN + M) = 8.9 × 10(14)× exp(-260 kJ mol(-1)/RT) cm(3) mol(-1) s(-1)(±20%).     

A shock tube and theoretical study on the pyrolysis of 1,4-dioxane

The dissociation of 1, 2 and 4% 1,4-dioxane dilute in krypton was studied in a shock tube using laser schlieren densitometry, LS, for 1550-2100 K with 56 ± 4 and 123 ± 3 Torr. Products were identified by time-of-flight mass spectrometry, TOF-MS. 1,4-dioxane was found to initially dissociate via C-O bond fission followed by nearly equal contributions from pathways involving 2,6 H-atom transfers to either the O or C atom at the scission site. The 'linear' species thus formed (ethylene glycol vinyl ether and 2-ethoxyacetaldehyde) then dissociate by central fission at rates too fast to resolve. The radicals produced in this fission break down further to generate H, CH(3) and OH, driving a chain decomposition and subsequent exothermic recombination. High-level ab initio calculations were used to develop a potential energy surface for the dissociation. These results were incorporated into an 83 reaction mechanism used to simulate the LS profiles with excellent agreement. Simulations of the TOF-MS experiments were also performed with good agreement for consumption of 1,4-dioxane. Rate coefficients for the overall initial dissociation yielded k(123Torr) = (1.58 ± 0.50) × 10(59) × T(-13.63) × exp(-43970/T) s(-1) and k(58Torr) = (3.16 ± 1.10) × 10(79) × T(-19.13) × exp(-51326/T) s(-1) for 1600 < T < 2100 K.     

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 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.     

H atom attack on propene

The reaction of propene (CH(3)CH═CH(2)) with hydrogen atoms has been investigated in a heated single-pulsed shock tube at temperatures between 902 and 1200 K and pressures of 1.5-3.4 bar. Stable products from H atom addition and H abstraction have been identified and quantified by gas chromatography/flame ionization/mass spectrometry. The reaction for the H addition channel involving methyl displacement from propene has been determined relative to methyl displacement from 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene (135TMB), leading to a reaction rate, k(H + propene) → H(2)C═CH(2) + CH(3)) = 4.8 × 10(13) exp(-2081/T) cm(3)/(mol s). The rate constant for the abstraction of the allylic hydrogen atom is determined to be k(H + propene → CH(2)CH═CH(2) + H(2)) = 6.4 × 10(13) exp(-4168/T) cm(3)/(mol s). The reaction of H + propene has also been directly studied relative to the reaction of H + propyne, and the relationship is found to be log[k(H + propyne → acetylene + CH(3))/k(H + propene → ethylene + CH(3))] = (-0.461 ± 0.041)(1000/T) + (0.44 ± 0.04). The results showed that the rate constant for the methyl displacement reaction with propene is a factor of 1.05 ± 0.1 larger than that for propyne near 1000 K. The present results are compared with relevant earlier data on related compounds.     

High-temperature measurements of the reactions of OH with a series of ketones: acetone, 2-butanone, 3-pentanone, and 2-pentanone

The overall rate constants for the reactions of hydroxyl radicals (OH) with a series of ketones, namely, acetone (CH(3)COCH(3)), 2-butanone (C(2)H(5)COCH(3)), 3-pentanone (C(2)H(5)COC(2)H(5)), and 2-pentanone (C(3)H(7)COCH(3)), were studied behind reflected shock waves over the temperature range of 870-1360 K at pressures of 1-2 atm. OH radicals were produced by rapid thermal decomposition of the OH precursor tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) and were monitored by the narrow line width ring dye laser absorption of the well-characterized R(1)(5) line in the OH A-X (0, 0) band near 306.69 nm. The overall rate constants were inferred by comparing the measured OH time histories with the simulated profiles from the detailed mechanisms of Pichon et al. (2009) and Serinyel et al. (2010). These measured values can be expressed in Arrhenius form as k(CH3COCH3+OH) = 3.30 × 10(13) exp(-2437/T) cm(3) mol(-1) s(-1), k(C2H5COCH3+OH )= 6.35 × 10(13) exp(-2270/T) cm(3) mol(-1) s(-1), k(C2H5COC2H5+OH) = 9.29 × 10(13) exp(-2361/T) cm(3) mol(-1) s(-1), and k(C3H7COCH3+OH) = 7.06 × 10(13) exp(-2020/T) cm(3) mol(-1) s(-1). The measured rate constant for the acetone + OH reaction from the current study is consistent with three previous experimental studies from Bott and Cohen (1991), Vasudevan et al. (2005), and Srinivasan et al. (2007), within ±20%. Here, we also present the first direct high-temperature rate constant measurements of 2-butanone + OH, 3-pentanone + OH, and 2-pentanone + OH reactions. The measured values for the 2-butanone + OH reaction are in close accord with the theoretical calculation from Zhou et al. (2011), and the measured values for the 3-pentanone + OH reaction are in excellent agreement with the estimates (by analogy with the H-atom abstraction rate constants from alkanes) from Serinyel et al. Finally, the structure-activity relationship from Kwok and Atkinson (1995) was used to estimate these four rate constants, and the estimated values from this group-additivity model show good agreement with the measurements (within ~25%) at the present experimental conditions.     

Combustion chemistry: important features of the C3H5 potential energy surface, including allyl radical, propargyl + H2, allene + H, and eight transition states

The C(3)H(5) potential energy surface (PES) encompasses molecules of great significance to hydrocarbon combustion, including the resonantly stabilized free radicals propargyl (plus H(2)) and allyl. In this work, we investigate the interconversions that take place on this PES using high level coupled cluster methodology. Accurate geometries are obtained using coupled cluster theory with single, double, and perturbative triple excitations [CCSD(T)] combined with Dunning's correlation consistent quadruple-ζ basis set cc-pVQZ. The energies for these stationary points are then refined by a systematic series of computations, within the focal point scheme, using the cc-pVXZ (X = D, T, Q, 5, 6) basis sets and correlation treatments as extensive as coupled cluster with full single, double, and triple excitation and perturbative quadruple excitations [CCSDT(Q)]. Our benchmarks provide a zero-point vibrational energy (ZPVE) corrected barrier of 10.0 kcal mol(-1) for conversion of allene + H to propargyl + H(2). We also find that the barrier for H addition to a terminal carbon atom in allene leading to propenyl is 1.8 kcal mol(-1) lower than that for the addition to a central atom to form the allyl radical.     

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.     

Rate constants for the reactions between OH and perfluorinated alkenes

The rate constants for the reactions of OH radicals with fully fluorinated alkenes containing different numbers of -CF(3) groups next to olefinic carbon, CF(2)═CF(2), CF(2)═CFCF(3), CF(3)CF═CFCF(3), and (CF(3))(2)C═CFC(2)F(5), were measured between 230 and 480 K using the flash photolysis resonance fluorescence technique to give the following expressions: k(C(2)F(4))(250-480 K) = 1.32 × 10(-12) × (T/298 K)(0.9) × exp(+600 K/T) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), k(C(3)F(6))(230-480 K) = 9.75 ×10(-14) × (T/298 K)(1.94) × exp(+922 K/T) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), k(trans-C(4)F(8))(230-370 K) = 7.50 × 10(-14) × (T/298 K)(1.68) × exp(+612 K/T) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), k(cis-C(4)F(8))(230-370 K) = 2.99 × 10(-14) × (T/298 K)(2.61) × exp(+760 K/T) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), and k(C(6)F(12))(250-480 K) = 2.17 × 10(-15) × (T/298 K)(3.90) × exp(+1044 K/T) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1). The kinetics of the OH reaction in an industrial sample of octofluoro-2-propene (a mixture of the cis- and trans-isomers of CF(3)CF═CFCF(3)) was studied to determine the "effective" reaction rate constant for the typically industrial mixture: k()(230-480 K) = 7.89 × 10(-14) × (T/298 K)(1.71) × exp(+557 K/T) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1). On the basis of these results, the atmospheric lifetimes were estimated to be 1.2, 5.3, 21, 34, and 182 days for CF(2)═CF(2), CF(3)CF═CF(2), trans-CF(3)CF═CFCF(3), cis-CF(3)CF═CFCF(3), and (CF(3))(2)C═CFC(2)F(5), respectively. The general pattern of halolalkene reactivity toward OH is discussed.     

A kinetic study of Mg+ and Mg-containing ions reacting with O3, O2, N2, CO2, N2O and H2O: implications for magnesium ion chemistry in the upper atmosphere

Reactions between Mg(+) and O(3), O(2), N(2), CO(2) and N(2)O were studied using the pulsed laser photo-dissociation at 193 nm of Mg(C(5)H(7)O(2))(2) vapour, followed by time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence of Mg(+) at 279.6 nm (Mg(+)(3(2)P(3/2)-3(2)S(1/2))). The rate coefficient for the reaction Mg(+) + O(3) is at the Langevin capture rate coefficient and independent of temperature, k(190-340 K) = (1.17 ± 0.19) × 10(-9) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) (1σ error). The reaction MgO(+) + O(3) is also fast, k(295 K) = (8.5 ± 1.5) × 10(-10) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), and produces Mg(+) + 2O(2) with a branching ratio of (0.35 ± 0.21), the major channel forming MgO(2)(+) + O(2). Rate data for Mg(+) recombination reactions yielded the following low-pressure limiting rate coefficients: k(Mg(+) + N(2)) = 2.7 × 10(-31) (T/300 K)(-1.88); k(Mg(+) + O(2)) = 4.1 × 10(-31) (T/300 K)(-1.65); k(Mg(+) + CO(2)) = 7.3 × 10(-30) (T/300 K)(-1.59); k(Mg(+) + N(2)O) = 1.9 × 10(-30) (T/300 K)(-2.51) cm(6) molecule(-2) s(-1), with 1σ errors of ±15%. Reactions involving molecular Mg-containing ions were then studied at 295 K by the pulsed laser ablation of a magnesite target in a fast flow tube, with mass spectrometric detection. Rate coefficients for the following ligand-switching reactions were measured: k(Mg(+)·CO(2) + H(2)O → Mg(+)·H(2)O + CO(2)) = (5.1 ± 0.9) × 10(-11); k(MgO(2)(+) + H(2)O → Mg(+)·H(2)O + O(2)) = (1.9 ± 0.6) × 10(-11); k(Mg(+)·N(2) + O(2)→ Mg(+)·O(2) + N(2)) = (3.5 ± 1.5) × 10(-12) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1). Low-pressure limiting rate coefficients were obtained for the following recombination reactions in He: k(MgO(2)(+) + O(2)) = 9.0 × 10(-30) (T/300 K)(-3.80); k(Mg(+)·CO(2) + CO(2)) = 2.3 × 10(-29) (T/300 K)(-5.08); k(Mg(+)·H(2)O + H(2)O) = 3.0 × 10(-28) (T/300 K)(-3.96); k(MgO(2)(+) + N(2)) = 4.7 × 10(-30) (T/300 K)(-3.75); k(MgO(2)(+) + CO(2)) = 6.6 × 10(-29) (T/300 K)(-4.18); k(Mg(+)·H(2)O + O(2)) = 1.2 × 10(-27) (T/300 K)(-4.13) cm(6) molecule(-2) s(-1). The implications of these results for magnesium ion chemistry in the atmosphere are discussed.     

Direct measurements of the rate constants of the reactions NCN + NO and NCN + NO2 behind shock waves

The high-temperature rate constants of the reactions NCN + NO and NCN + NO(2) have been directly measured behind shock waves under pseudo-first-order conditions. NCN has been generated by the pyrolysis of cyanogen azide (NCN(3)) and quantitatively detected by sensitive difference amplification laser absorption spectroscopy at a wavelength of 329.1302 nm. The NCN(3) decomposition initially yields electronically excited (1)NCN radicals, which are subsequently transformed to the triplet ground state by collision-induced intersystem crossing (CIISC). CIISC efficiencies were found to increase in the order of Ar < NO(2) < NO as the collision gases. The rate constants of the NCN + NO/NO(2) reactions can be expressed as k(NCN+NO)/(cm(3) mol(-1)s(-1)) = 1.9 × 10(12) exp[-26.3 (kJ/mol)/RT] (±7%,ΔE(a) = ± 1.6 kJ/mol, 764 K < T < 1944 K) and k(NCN+NO(2))/(cm(3) mol(-1)s(-1)) = 4.7 × 10(12) exp[-38.0(kJ/mol)/RT] (±19%,ΔE(a) = ± 3.8 kJ/mol, 704 K < T < 1659 K). In striking contrast to reported low-temperature measurements, which are dominated by recombination processes, both reaction rates show a positive temperature dependence and are independent of the total density (1.7 × 10(-6) mol/cm(3) < ρ < 7.6 × 10(-6) mol/cm(3)). For both reactions, the minima of the total rate constants occur at temperatures below 700 K, showing that, at combustion-relevant temperatures, the overall reactions are dominated by direct or indirect abstraction pathways according to NCN + NO → CN + N(2)O and NCN + NO(2) → NCNO + NO.     

Ab initio chemical kinetic study on the reactions of ClO with C2H2 and C2H4

The mechanisms for the reactions of ClO with C(2)H(2) and C(2)H(4) have been investigated at the CCSD(T)/CBS level of theory. The results show that in both systems, the interaction between the Cl atom of the ClO radical and the triple and double bonds of C(2)H(2) and C(2)H(4) forms prereaction van der Waals complexes with the O-Cl bond pointing perpendicularly toward the π-bonds, both with 2.1 kcal/mol binding energies. The mechanism is similar to those of the HO-C(2)H(2)/C(2)H(4) systems. The rate constants for the low energy channels have been predicted by statistical theory. For the reaction of ClO and C(2)H(2), the main channels are the production of CH(2)CO + Cl (k(1a)) and CHCO + HCl (k(1b)), with k(1a) = 1.19 × 10(-15)T(1.18) exp(-5814/T) and k(1b) = 6.94 × 10(-21) × T(2.60) exp(-6587/T) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1). For the ClO + C(2)H(4) reaction, the main pathway leads to C(2)H(4)O + Cl (k(2a)) with the predicted rate constant k(2a) = 2.13 × 10(-17)T(1.52) exp(-3849/T) in the temperature range of 300-3000 K. These rate constants are pressure-independent below 100 atm.     

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).     

Shock tube/laser absorption measurements of the reaction rates of OH with ethylene and propene

Reaction rates of hydroxyl (OH) radicals with ethylene (C?H?) and propene (C?H?) were studied behind reflected shock waves. OH + ethylene → products (rxn 1) rate measurements were conducted in the temperature range 973-1438 K, for pressures from 2 to 10 atm, and for initial concentrations of ethylene of 500, 751, and 1000 ppm. OH + propene → products (rxn 2) rate measurements spanned temperatures of 890-1366 K, pressures near 2.3 atm, and initial propene concentrations near 300 ppm. OH radicals were produced by shock-heating tert-butyl hydroperoxide, (CH?)?-CO-OH, and monitored by laser absorption near 306.7 nm. Rate constants for the reactions of OH with ethylene and propene were extracted by matching modeled and measured OH concentration time-histories in the reflected shock region. Current data are in excellent agreement with previous studies and extend the temperature range of OH + propene data. Transition state theory calculations using recent ab initio results give excellent agreement with our measurements and other data outside our temperature range. Fits (in units of cm3/mol/s) to the abstraction channels of OH + ethylene and OH + propene are k? = 2.23 × 10? (T)(2.745) exp(-1115 K/T) for 600-2000 K and k? = 1.94 × 10? (T)(2.229) exp(-540 K/T) for 700-1500 K, respectively. A rate constant determination for the reaction TBHP → products (rxn 3) was also obtained in the range 745-1014 K using OH data from behind both incident and reflected shock waves. These high-temperature measurements were fit with previous low-temperature data, and the following rate expression (0.6-2.6 atm), applicable over the temperature range 400-1050 K, was obtained: k? (1/s) = 8.13 × 10?12 (T)(7.83) exp(-14598 K/T).     

Reaction OH + OH studied over the 298-834 K temperature and 1-100 bar pressure ranges

Self-reaction of hydroxyl radicals, OH + OH → H(2)O + O (1a) and OH + OH → H(2)O(2) (1b), was studied using pulsed laser photolysis coupled to transient UV-vis absorption spectroscopy over the 298-834 K temperature and 1-100 bar pressure ranges (bath gas He). A heatable high-pressure flow reactor was employed. Hydroxyl radicals were prepared using reaction of electronically excited oxygen atoms, O((1)D), produced in photolysis of N(2)O at 193 nm, with H(2)O. The temporal behavior of OH radicals was monitored via transient absorption of light from a dc discharge in H(2)O/Ar low-pressure resonance lamp at ca. 308 nm. The absolute intensity of the photolysis light was determined by accurate in situ actinometry based on the ozone formation in the presence of molecular oxygen. The results of this study combined with the literature data indicate that the rate constant of reaction 1a, associated with the pressure independent component, decreases with temperature within the temperature range 298-414 K and increases above 555 K. The pressure dependent rate constant for (1b) was parametrized using the Troe expression as k(1b,inf) = (2.4 ± 0.6) × 10(-11)(T/300)(-0.5) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), k(1b,0) = [He] (9.0 ± 2.2) × 10(-31)(T/300)(-3.5±0.5) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), F(c) = 0.37.     

Shock wave study on the thermal unimolecular decomposition of allyl radicals

We present the first direct study on the thermal unimolecular decomposition of allyl radicals. Experiments have been performed behind shock waves, and the experimental conditions covered temperatures ranging from 1125 K up to 1570 K and pressures between 0.25 and 4.5 bar. Allyl radicals have been generated by thermal decomposition of allyl iodide, and H-atom resonance absorption spectroscopy has been used to monitor the reaction progress. A marked pressure dependence of the rate constant has been observed which is in agreement with the results from a master equation analysis. However, our experimental results as well as our Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel-Marcus calculations seem to contradict the results of Deyerl et al. (J. Chem. Phys. 1999, 110, 1450) who investigated the unimolecular decomposition of allyl radicals upon photoexcitation and tried to deduce specific rate constants for the unimolecular dissociation in the electronic ground state. At pressures around 1 bar we extracted the following rate equation: k(T) = 5.3 x 10(79)(T/K)(-19.29) exp[(-398.9 kJ/mol)/RT] s(-1). The uncertainty of the rate constant calculated from this equation is estimated to be 30%.