A crossed molecular beam study on the formation of hexenediynyl radicals (H(2)CCCCCCH; C(6)H(3) (X(2)A')) via reactions of tricarbon molecules, C(3)(X(1)Sigma(g)(+)), with allene (H(2)CCCH(2); X(1)A(1)) and methylacetylene (CH(3)CCH; X(1)A(1))

Crossed molecular beams experiments have been utilized to investigate the reaction dynamics between two closed shell species, i.e. the reactions of tricarbon molecules, C(3)(X(1)Sigma(g)(+)), with allene (H(2)CCCH(2); X(1)A(1)), and with methylacetylene (CH(3)CCH; X(1)A(1)). Our investigations indicated that both these reactions featured characteristic threshold energies of 40-50 kJ mol(-1). The reaction dynamics are indirect and suggested the reactions proceeded via an initial addition of the tricarbon molecule to the unsaturated hydrocarbon molecules forming initially cyclic reaction intermediates of the generic formula C(6)H(4). The cyclic intermediates isomerize to yield eventually the acyclic isomers CH(3)CCCCCH (methylacetylene reaction) and H(2)CCCCCCH(2) (allene reaction). Both structures decompose via atomic hydrogen elimination to form the 1-hexene-3,4-diynyl-2 radical (C(6)H(3); H(2)CCCCCCH). Future flame studies utilizing the Advanced Light Source should therefore investigate the existence of 1-hexene-3,4-diynyl-2 radicals in high temperature methylacetylene and allene flames. Since the corresponding C(3)H(3), C(4)H(3), and C(5)H(3) radicals have been identified via their ionization potentials in combustion flames, the existence of the C(6)H(3) isomer 1-hexene-3,4-diynyl-2 can be predicted as well.     

Chemical dynamics of the CH(X2Π) + C2H4(X1A1g), CH(X2Π) + C2D4(X1A1g), and CD(X2Π) + C2H4(X1A1g) reactions studied under single collision conditions

The crossed beam reactions of the methylidyne radical with ethylene (CH(X(2)Π) + C(2)H(4)(X(1)A(1g))), methylidyne with D4-ethylene (CH(X(2)Π) + C(2)D(4)(X(1)A(1g))), and D1-methylidyne with ethylene (CD(X(2)Π) + C(2)H(4)(X(1)A(1g))) were conducted at nominal collision energies of 17-18 kJ mol(-1) to untangle the chemical dynamics involved in the formation of distinct C(3)H(4) isomers methylacetylene (CH(3)CCH), allene (H(2)CCCH(2)), and cyclopropene (c-C(3)H(4)) via C(3)H(5) intermediates. By tracing the atomic hydrogen and deuterium loss pathways, our experimental data suggest indirect scattering dynamics and an initial addition of the (D1)-methylidyne radical to the carbon-carbon double bond of the (D4)-ethylene reactant forming a cyclopropyl radical intermediate (c-C(3)H(5)/c-C(3)D(4)H/c-C(3)H(4)D). The latter was found to ring-open to the allyl radical (H(2)CCHCH(2)/D(2)CCHCD(2)/H(2)CCDCH(2)). This intermediate was found to be long lived with life times of at least five times its rotational period and decomposed via atomic hydrogen/deuterium loss from the central carbon atom (C2) to form allene via a rather loose exit transition state in an overall strongly exoergic reaction. Based on the experiments with partially deuterated reactants, no compelling evidence could be provided to support the formation of the cyclopropene and methylacetylene isomers under single collision conditions. Likewise, hydrogen/deuterium shifts in the allyl radical intermediates or an initial insertion of the (D1)-methylidyne radical into the carbon-hydrogen/deuterium bond of the (D4)-ethylene reactant were found to be-if at all-of minor importance. Our experiments propose that in hydrocarbon-rich atmospheres of planets and their moons such as Saturn's satellite Titan, the reaction of methylidyne radicals should lead predominantly to the hitherto elusive allene molecule in these reducing environments.     

Carboranes and baskets from reaction of B4H10 with allene

The reaction of the boron hydride B4H10 with allene was studied at the CCSD(T)/6-311+G(d)//MP2/6-31G(d) level. The mechanism is surprisingly complex with 44 transition states and several branching points located. The four carboranes and one basket that have been observed experimentally are all connected by pathways that have very similar free energies of activation. In addition, two new structures, a basket (2,4-(CH2CH2CH2)B4H8, 5a) and a "classical" structure (1,4-(Me2C)bisdiborane, 7), which might be obtained from the B4H10 + C3H4 reaction under the right conditions (hot/cold, quenched, etc.) have been identified. The first branch point in the reaction is the competition between H2 elimination from B4H10 (DeltaG(298 K) = 32.2 kcal/mol) and the hydroboration of allene by B4H10 (DeltaG(298 K) = 31.3 kcal/mol). The next branch point in the hydroboration mechanism controls the formation of 2,4-(MeCHCH2)B4H8 (1) (DeltaG(298 K) = 31.5 kcal/mol) and arachno-1,2/arachno-1,3-Me2-1-CB4H7 (8 and 8a) (DeltaG(298 K) = 34.3 kcal/mol). Another branch point in the H2-elimination mechanism controls the formation of 1-Me-2,5-micro-CH2-1-CB4H7 (29) (DeltaG(298 K) = 0.1 kcal/mol) and 2,5-micro-CHMe-1-CB4H7 (25/26) (DeltaG(298 K) = 7.3 kcal/mol). Formation of 2-Me-2,3-C2B4H7, a carborane observed in the reaction of methylacetylene with B4H10, is calculated to be blocked by a high barrier for H2 elimination. All free energies are relative to B4H10 + allene. An interesting reaction step discovered is the "reverse hydroboration step" in which a hydrogen atom is transferred from carbon back to boron, which allows a CH hydrogen to shuttle between the terminal and central carbon of allene.     

Kinetics of the unimolecular decomposition of the 2-chloroallyl radical

The thermal decomposition of the 2-chloroallyl radical, CH(2)CClCH(2) --> CH(2)CCH(2) + Cl (1), was studied using the laser photolysis/photoionization mass spectrometry technique. Rate constants were determined in time-resolved experiments as a function of temperature (720-840 K) and bath gas density ([He] = (3-12) x 10(16), [N(2)] = 6 x 10(16) molecule cm(-3)). C(3)H(4) was observed as a primary product of reaction 1. The rate constants of reaction 1 are in the falloff, close to the low-pressure limit, under the conditions of the experiments. The potential energy surface (PES) of reaction 1 was studied using a variety of quantum chemical methods. The results of the study indicate that the minimum energy path of the CH(2)CClCH(2) dissociation proceeds through a PES plateau corresponding to a weakly bound Cl-C(3)H(4) complex; a PES saddle point exists between the equilibrium CH(2)CClCH(2) structure and the Cl-C(3)H(4) complex. The results of quantum chemical calculations, the rate constant values obtained in the experimental study, and literature data on the reverse reaction of addition of Cl to allene were used to create a model of reactions 1 and -1. The experimental dependences of the rate constants on temperature and pressure were reproduced in RRKM/master equation calculations. The reaction model provides expressions for the temperature dependences of the high-pressure-limit and the low-pressure-limit rate constants and the falloff broadening factors (at T = 300-1600 K): k(infinity)(1) = 1.45 x 10(20)T(-1.75) exp(-19609 K/T) s(-1), k(infinity)(-)(1) = 8.94 x 10(-10)T(-0.40) exp(481 K/T) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), k(1)(0)(He) = 5.01 x 10(-32)T(-12.02) exp(-22788 K/T) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), k(1)(0)(N(2)) = 2.50 x 10(-32)T(-11.92) exp(-22756 K/T) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), F(cent)(He) = 0.46 exp(-T/1001 K) + 0.54 exp(-T/996 K) + exp(-4008 K/T), and F(cent)(N(2)) = 0.37 exp(-T/2017 K) + 0.63 exp(-T/142 K) + exp(-4812 K/T). The experimental data are not sufficient to specify all the parameters of the model; consequently, some of the model parameters were obtained from quantum chemical calculations and from analogy with other reactions of radical decomposition. Thus, the parametrization is most reliable under conditions close to those used in the experiments.     

Absolute rate coefficient of the OH + CH(3)C(O)OH reaction at T = 287-802 K. The two faces of pre-reactive H-bonding

The rate constants for the reaction OH + CH3C(O)OH --> products (1) were determined over the temperature range 287-802 K at 50 and 100 Torr of Ar or N2 bath gas using pulsed laser photolysis generation of OH by CH3C(O)OH photolysis at 193 nm coupled with OH detection by pulsed laser-induced fluorescence. The rate coefficient displays a complex temperature dependence with a sharp minimum at 530 K, indicating the competition between a reaction proceeding through a pre-reactive H-bonded complex to form CH3C(O)O + H2O, expected to prevail at low temperatures, and a direct methyl-H abstraction channel leading to CH2C(O)OH + H2O, which should dominate at high temperatures. The temperature dependence of the rate constant can be described adequately by k1(287-802 K) = 2.9 x 10(-9) exp{-6030 K/T} + 1.50 x 10(-13) exp{515 K/T} cm3 molecule(-1)(s-1), with a value of (8.5 +/- 0.9) x 10-13 cm3 molecule(-1)(s-1) at 298 K. The steep increase in rate constant in the range 550-800 K, which is reported for the first time, implies that direct abstraction of a methyl-H becomes the dominant pathway at temperatures greater than 550 K. However, the data indicates that up to about 800 K direct methyl-H abstraction remains adversely affected by the long-range H-bonding attraction between the approaching OH radical and the carboxyl -C(O)OH functionality.     

Crossed molecular beam studies of the reactions of allyl radicals, C3H5(X2A2), with methylacetylene (CH3CCH(X1A1)), allene (H2CCCH2(X1A1)), and their isotopomers

The chemical dynamics of the reaction of allyl radicals, C(3)H(5)(X(2)A(2)), with two C(3)H(4) isomers, methylacetylene (CH(3)CCH(X(1)A(1))) and allene (H(2)CCCH(2)(X(1)A(1))) together with their (partially) deuterated counterparts, were unraveled under single-collision conditions at collision energies of about 125 kJ mol(-1) utilizing a crossed molecular beam setup. The experiments indicate that the reactions are indirect via complex formation and proceed via an addition of the allyl radical with its terminal carbon atom to the terminal carbon atom of the allene and of methylacetylene (alpha-carbon atom) to form the intermediates H(2)CCHCH(2)CH(2)CCH(2) and H(2)CCHCH(2)CHCCH(3), respectively. The lifetimes of these intermediates are similar to their rotational periods but too short for a complete energy randomization to occur. Experiments with D4-allene and D4-methylacetylene verify explicitly that the allyl group stays intact: no hydrogen emission was observed but only the release of deuterium atoms from the perdeuterated reactants. Further isotopic substitution experiments with D3-methylacetylene combined with the nonstatistical nature of the reaction suggest that the intermediates decompose via hydrogen atom elimination to 1,3,5-hexatriene, H(2)CCHCH(2)CHCCH(2), and 1-hexen-4-yne, H(2)CCHCH(2)CCCH(3), respectively, via tight exit transition states located about 10-15 kJ mol(-1) above the separated products. The overall reactions were found to be endoergic by 98 +/- 4 kJ mol(-1) and have characteristic threshold energies to reaction between 105 and 110 kJ mol(-1). Implications of these findings to combustion and interstellar chemistry are discussed.     

Reaction dynamics of phenyl radicals (C6H5, X2A') with methylacetylene (CH3CCH(X1A1)), allene (H2CCCH2(X1A1)), and their D4-isotopomers

Crossed molecular beam experiments were utilized to untangle the reaction dynamics to form 1-phenylmethylacetylene [CH(3)CCC(6)H(5)] and 1-phenylallene [C(6)H(5)HCCCH(2)] in the reactions of phenyl radicals with methylacetylene and allene, respectively, over a range of collision energies from 91.4 to 161.1 kJ mol(-1). Both reactions proceed via indirect scattering dynamics and are initiated by an addition of the phenyl radical to the terminal carbon atom of the methylacetylene and allene reactants to form short-lived doublet C(9)H(9) collision complexes CH(3)CCHC(6)H(5) and C(6)H(5)H(2)CCCH(2). Studies with isotopically labeled reactants and the information on the energetics of the reactions depict that the energy randomization in the decomposing intermediates is incomplete. The collision complexes undergo atomic hydrogen losses via tight exit transition states leading to 1-phenylmethylacetylene [CH(3)CCC(6)H(5)] and 1-phenylallene [C(6)H(5)HCCCH(2)]. The possible role of both C(9)H(8) isomers as precursors to PAHs in combustion flames and in the chemistry of circumstellar envelopes of dying carbon stars is discussed.     

Ab initio studies of alkyl radical reactions: Combination and disproportionation reactions of CH3 with C2H5, and the decomposition of chemically activated C3H8

This paper reports the first quantitative ab initio prediction of the disproportionation/combination ratio of alkyl+alkyl reactions using CH3+C2H5 as an example. The reaction has been investigated by the modified Gaussian-2 method with variational transition state or Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel-Marcus calculations for several channels producing (1) CH4+CH2CH2, (2) C3H8, (3) CH4CH3CH, (4) H2+CH3CHCH2, (5) H2+CH3CCH3, and (6) C2H6+CH2 by H-abstraction and association/decomposition mechanisms through singlet and triplet potential energy paths. Significantly, the disproportionation reaction (1) producing CH4+C2H4 was found to occur primarily by the lowest energy path via a loose hydrogen-bonding singlet molecular complex, H3CHC2H4, with a 3.5 kcal/mol binding energy and a small decomposition barrier (1.9 kcal/mol), instead of a direct H-abstraction process. Bimolecular reaction rate constants for the formation of the above products have been calculated in the temperature range 300-3000 K. At 1 atm, formation of C3H8 is dominant below 1200 K. Over 1200 K, the disproportionation reaction becomes competitive. The sum of products (3)-(6) accounts for less than 0.3% below 1500 K and it reaches around 1%-4% above 2000 K. The predicted rate constant for the disproportionation reaction with multiple reflections above the complex well, k1=5.04 x T(0.41) exp(429/T) at 200-600 K and k1=1.96 x 10(-20) T(2.45) exp(1470/T) cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1) at 600-3000 K, agrees closely with experimental values. Similarly, the predicted high-pressure rate constants for the combination reaction forming C3H8 and its reverse dissociation reaction in the temperature range 300-3000 K, k2(infinity)=2.41 x 10(-10) T(-0.34) exp(259/T) cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1) and k(-2)(infinity)=8.89 x 10(22) T(-1.67)exp(-46 037/T) s(-1), respectively, are also in good agreement with available experimental data.     

Potential energy surface and product branching ratios for the reaction of dicarbon, C(2)(X(1)Sigma(g)(+)), with methylacetylene, CH(3)CCH(X(1)A(1)): an ab initio/RRKM study

Ab initio calculations of the potential energy surface for the C(2)(X(1)Sigma(g)(+)) + CH(3)CCH(X(1)A(1)) reaction have been carried at the G2M level of theory. The calculations show that the dicarbon molecule in the ground singlet electronic state can add to methylacetylene without a barrier producing a three-member or a four-member ring intermediate, which can rapidly rearrange to the most stable H(3)CCCCCH isomer on the C(5)H(4) singlet surface. This isomer can then lose a hydrogen atom (H) or molecular hydrogen (H(2)) from the CH(3) group with the formation of H(2)CCCCCH and HCCCCCH, respectively. Alternatively, H atom migrations and three-member-ring closure/opening rearrangements followed by H and H(2) losses can lead to other isomers of the C(5)H(3) and C(5)H(2) species. According to the calculated energetics, the C(2)(X(1)Sigma(g)(+)) + CH(3)CCH reaction is likely to be a major source of the C(5)H(3) radicals (in particular, the most stable H(2)CCCCCH and HCCCHCCH isomers, which are relevant to the formation of benzene through the reactions with CH(3)). Among heavy-fragment product channels, only C(3)H(3) + C(2)H and c-C(3)H(2) + C(2)H(2) might compete with C(5)H(3) + H and C(5)H(2) + H(2). RRKM calculations of reaction rate constants and product branching ratios depending on the reactive collision energy showed that the major reaction products are expected to be H(2)CCCCCH + H (64-66%) and HCCCHCCH + H (34-30%), with minor contributions from HCCCCCH + H(2) (1-2%), HCCCHCC + H(2) (up to 1%), C(3)H(3) + C(2)H (up to 1%), and c-C(3)H(2) + C(2)H(2) (up to 0.1%) if the energy randomization is complete. The calculations also indicate that the C(2)(X(1)Sigma(g)(+)) + CH(3)CCH(X(1)A(1)) reaction can proceed by direct H-abstraction of a methyl hydrogen to form C(3)H(3) + C(2)H almost without a barrier.     

High pressure pyrolysis of toluene. 1. Experiments and modeling of toluene decomposition

The pyrolysis of toluene, the simplest methyl-substituted aromatic molecule, has been studied behind reflected shock waves using a single pulse shock tube. Experiments were performed at nominal high pressures of 27 and 45 bar and spanning a wide temperature range from 1200 to 1900 K. A variety of stable species, ranging from small hydrocarbons to single ring aromatics (principal soot precursors such as phenylacetylene and indene) were sampled from the shock tube and analyzed using standard gas chromatographic techniques. A detailed chemical kinetic model with 262 reactions and 87 species was assembled to simulate the stable species profiles (specifically toluene, benzene and methane) from the current high-pressure pyrolysis data sets and shock tube-atomic resonance absorption spectrometry (ARAS) H atom profiles obtained from prior toluene pyrolysis experiments performed under similar high-temperature conditions and lower pressures from 1.5 to 8 bar. The primary steps in toluene pyrolysis represent the most sensitive and dominant reactions in the model. Consequently, in the absence of unambiguous direct experimental measurements, we have utilized recent high level theoretical estimates of the barrierless association rate coefficients for these primary reactions, C6H5 + CH3 --> C6H5CH3 (1a) and C6H5CH2 + H --> C6H5CH3 (1b) in the detailed chemical kinetic model. The available data sets can be successfully reconciled with revised values for deltaH0f(298K)(C6H5CH2) = 51.5 +/- 1.0 kcal/mol and deltaH0f(298K)(C6H5) = 78.6 +/- 1.0 kcal/mol that translate to primary dissociation rate constants, reverse of 1a and 1b, represented by k(-1a,infinity) = (4.62 x 10(25))T(-2.53)exp[-104.5 x 10(3)/RT] s(-1) and k(-1b,infinity) = (1.524 x 10(16))T(-0.04)exp[-93.5 x 10(3)/RT] s(-1) (R in units of cal/(mol K)). These high-pressure limiting rate constants suggest high-temperature branching ratios for the primary steps that vary from 0.39 to 0.52 over the temperature range 1200-1800 K.     

C3H3+ isomers: temperature dependencies of production in the H3+ reaction with allene and loss by dissociative recombination with electrons

A technique has been developed to simultaneously determine recombination rate coefficients, alpha e, and initial concentrations of ion types that coexist in a flowing afterglow plasma. This was tested using the H3(+) + allene reaction in which two different C3H3+ isomers are produced. Use of an electrostatic Langmuir probe enabled the C3H3+ isomer branching ratios for propargyl and cyclic C3H3+ from this allene reaction and their alpha e to be determined over the temperature range 172-489 K. The study showed that the cyclic C3H3+ to propargyl C3H3+ branching ratios from the allene reaction varied from 50/50 at 172 K to 18/82 at 489 K. Over this temperature range, the alpha e for both isomers change only slightly. The room temperature alpha e values for propargyl and cyclic C3H3+ are (1.15 +/- 0.2) x 10(-7) and (8.00 +/- 0.1) x 10(-7) cm3/s, respectively. The data are discussed relative to current theories and in relation to fuel-rich flame chemistry, interstellar molecular synthesis, and modeling of Titan's atmosphere.     

Determination of the rate constants for the NH2(X2B1) + NH2(X2B1) and NH2(X2B1) + H Recombination reactions with collision partners CH4, C2H6, CO2, CF4, and SF6 at low pressures and 296 K. Part 2

The recombination rate constants for the reactions NH2(X2B1) + NH2(X2B1) + M → N2H4 + M and NH2(X2B1) + H + M → NH3 + M, where M was CH4, C2H6, CO2, CF4, or SF6, were measured in the same experiment over presseure ranges of 1-20 and 7-20 Torr, respectively, at 296 ± 2 K. The NH2 radical was produced by the 193 nm laser photolysis of NH3. Both NH2 and NH3 were monitored simultaneously following the photolysis laser pulse. High-resolution time-resolved absorption spectroscopy was used to monitor the temporal dependence of both species: NH2 on the (1)2(21) ← (1)3(31) rotational transition of the (0,7,0)A2A1 ← (0,0,0)X2B1 electronic transition near 675 nm and NH3 in the IR on either of the inversion doublets of the qQ3(3) rotational transition of the ν1 fundamental near 2999 nm. The NH2 self-recombination clearly exhibited falloff behavior for the third-body collision partners used in this work. The pressure dependences of the NH2 self-recombination rate constants were fit using Troe’s parametrization scheme, k(inf), k(0), and F(cent), with k(inf) = 7.9 × 10(-11) cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1), the theoretical value calculated by Klippenstein et al. (J. Phys. Chem. A113, 113, 10241). The individual Troe parameters were CH4, k(0)(CH4) = 9.4 × 10(-29) and F(cent)(CH4) = 0.61; C2H6, k(0)(C2H6) = 1.5 × 10(-28) and F(cent)(C2H6) = 0.80; CO2, k(0)(CO2) = 8.6 × 10(-29) and F(cent)(CO2) = 0.66; CF4, k(0)(CF4) = 1.1 × 10(-28) and F(cent)(CF4) = 0.55; and SF6, k(0)(SF6) = 1.9 × 10(-28) and F(cent)(SF6) = 0.52, where the units of k0 are cm6 molecule(-2) s(-1). The NH2 + H + M reaction rate constant was assumed to be in the three-body pressure regime, and the association rate constants were CH4, (6.0 ± 1.8) × 10(-30); C2H6, (1.1 ± 0.41) × 10(-29); CO2, (6.5 ± 1.8) × 10(-30); CF4, (8.3 ± 1.7) × 10(-30); and SF6, (1.4 ± 0.30) × 10(-29), with units cm6 molecule(-1) s,(-1) and the systematic and experimental errors are given at the 2σ confidence level.     

Combined DFT, QCISD(T), and G2 mechanism investigation for the reactions of carbon monophosphide CP with unsaturated hydrocarbons allene CH2CCH2 and methylacetylene CH3CCH

The possible reaction product distribution and mechanism of carbon monophosphide CP with unsaturated hydrocarbons allene CH(2)CCH(2) and methylacetylene CH(3)CCH are investigated at the B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p), QCISD(T)/6-311++G(2df,2p), and G2 levels of theory. Corresponding reactants, products, intermediates, and interconversion and dissociation transition states are located on the reaction potential energy profiles. Computation results show that in the reaction of CP with CH(2)CCH(2) the dominant reaction product should be species CH(2)CCHCP. Also, we can suggest species HCCCH(2)CP as a secondary reaction product despite of only minor contribution to reaction products. In the reaction of CP with CH(3)CCH, the primary and secondary products are suggested to be two important molecules HCCCP and CH(3)CCCP, respectively. The predicted mechanisms for the two reactions are not in parallel with the reactions of CN with allene CH(2)CCH(2) and methylacetylene CH(3)CCH given in previous studies. The present calculations provide some useful information for future possible experimental isolation and observation for some interesting unsaturated carbon-phosphorus-bearing species.     

Liquid-liquid distribution of ion-associates of dichlorocuprate(I) with quaternary ammonium counter-ions

The dichlorocuprate(I) anion CuCl(-)(2) can be extracted as its ion-associates Q(+).CuCl(-)(2) with quaternary ammonium cations (Q(+)) into chloroform. The extraction constants K(ex) have been determined, and the log K(ex) values found for the various counter-ions used are 1.93 for (C(3)H(7))(4)N(+), 4.10 for (C(4)H(9))(4)N(+), 6.57 for (C(5)H(11))(4)N(+), 1.57 for C(8)H(17)N(+) (CH(3))(3), 2.83 for C(10)H(21)N(+) (CH(3))(3) 4.12 for C(12)H(25)N(+) (CH(3))(3) and 5.21 for C(14)H(29)N(+)(CH(3))(3), respectively. A linear relationship was found between log K(ex) and the total number of carbon atoms in Q(+); from the slope of the line, the contribution of a methylene group to log K(ex) was calculated to be 0.59. The extractability with alkyltrimethylammonium cations was larger than that with symmetrical tetra-alkylammonium cations and the difference in log K(ex) for two cations (one of each type) with the same number of carbon atoms was about 0.4. From the extraction constants obtained, the extractability of CuCl(-)(2) was found to lie between that of ReO(-)(4) and ClO(-)(4).     

Deuterium kinetic isotope effects on the gas-phase reactions of C2H with H2(D2) and CH4(CD4)

Kinetics of the ethynyl (C(2)H) radical reactions with H(2), D(2), CH(4) and CD(4) was studied over the temperature range of 295-396 K by a pulsed laser photolysis/chemiluminescence technique. The C(2)H radicals were generated by ArF excimer-laser photolysis of C(2)H(2) or CF(3)C(2)H and were monitored by the chemiluminescence of CH(A(2)Δ) produced by their reaction with O(2) or O((3)P). The measured absolute rate constants for H(2) and CH(4) agreed well with the available literature data. The primary kinetic isotope effects (KIEs) were determined to be k(H(2))/k(D(2)) = 2.48 ± 0.14 and k(CH(4))/k(CD(4)) = 2.45 ± 0.16 at room temperature. Both of the KIEs increased as the temperature was lowered. The KIEs were analyzed by using the variational transition state theory with semiclassical small-curvature tunneling corrections. With anharmonic corrections on the loose transitional vibrational modes of the transition states, the theoretical predictions satisfactorily reproduced the experimental KIEs for both C(2)H + H(2)(D(2)) and C(2)H + CH(4)(CD(4)) reactions.     

Thermal decomposition of ethanol. III. A computational study of the kinetics and mechanism for the CH3+C2H5OH reaction

The mechanism for the CH3+C2H5OH reaction has been investigated by the modified Gaussian-2 method based on the geometric parameters of the stationary points optimized at the B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) level of theory. Five transition states have been identified for the production of CH4+CH3CHOH (TS1), CH4+CH3CH2O (TS2), CH4+CH2CH2OH (TS3), CH3OH+CH3CH2 (TS4), and CH3CH2OCH3+H (TS5) with the corresponding barriers 12.0, 13.2, 16.0, 44.7, and 49.9 kcal/mol, respectively. The predicted rate constants and branching ratios for the three lower-energy H-abstraction reactions were calculated using the conventional and variational transition state theory with quantum-mechanical tunneling corrections for the temperature range 300-3000 K. The predicted total rate constant, kt=8.36 x 10(-76) T(20.00) exp(5258/T) cm3 mol(-1) s(-1) (300-600 K) and 6.10 x 10(-25) T(4.10)exp(-4058/T) cm3 mol(-1) s(-1) (600-3000 K), agrees closely with existing experimental data in the temperature range 403-523 K. Similarly, the predicted rate constants for CH3+CH3CD2OH and CD3+C2H5OD are also in reasonable agreement with available low temperature kinetic data.     

Dinuclear zinc(II) complexes of tetraiminodiphenol macrocycles and their interactions with carboxylate anions and amino acids. Photoluminescence, equilibria, and structure

The reaction equilibria [H(4)L](2+) + Zn(OAc)(2) right harpoon over left harpoon [Zn(H(2)L)](2+) + 2HOAc (K(1)) and [Zn(H(2)L)](2+) + Zn(OAc)(2) right harpoon over left harpoon [Zn(2)L](2+) + 2HOAc (K(2)), involving zinc acetate and the perchlorate salts of the tetraiminodiphenol macrocycles [H(4)L(1)(-)(3)](ClO(4))(2), the lateral (CH(2))(n)() chains of which vary between n = 2 and n = 4, have been studied by spectrophotometric and spectrofluorimetric titrations in acetonitrile. The photoluminescence behavior of the complexes [Zn(2)L(1)](ClO(4))(2), [Zn(2)L(2)(H(2)O)(2)](ClO(4))(2), [Zn(2)L(2)(mu-O(2)CR)](ClO(4)) (R = CH(3), C(6)H(5), p-CH(3)C(6)H(4), p-OCH(3)C(6)H(4), p-ClC(6)H(4), p-NO(2)C(6)H(4)), and [Zn(2)L(3)(mu-OAc)](ClO(4)) have been investigated. The X-ray crystal structures of the complexes [Zn(2)L(2)(H(2)O)(2)](ClO(4))(2), [Zn(2)L(3)(mu-OAc)](ClO(4)), and [Zn(2)L(2)(mu-OBz)(OBz)(H(3)O)](ClO(4)) have been determined. The complex [Zn(2)L(2)(mu-OBz)(OBz)(H(3)O)](ClO(4)) in which the coordinated water molecule is present as the hydronium ion (H(3)O(+)) on deprotonation gives rise to the neutral dibenzoate-bridged compound [Zn(2)L(2)(mu-OBz)(2)].H(2)O. The equilibrium constants (K) for the reaction [Zn(2)L(2)(H(2)O)(2)](2+) + A(-) right harpoon over left harpoon [Zn(2)L(2)A](+) + 2H(2)O (K), where A(-) = acetate, benzoate, or the carboxylate moiety of the amino acids glycine, l-alanine, l-histidine, l-valine, and l-proline, have been determined spectrofluorimetrically in aqueous solution (pH 6-7) at room temperature. The binding constants (K) evaluated for these systems vary in the range (1-8) x 10(5).     

Reaction of phenyl radical with propylene as a possible source of indene and other polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: an ab initio/RRKM-ME study

Ab initio G3(MP2,CC)//B3LYP/6-311G** calculations have been performed to investigate the potential energy surface (PES) and mechanism of the reaction of phenyl radical with propylene followed by kinetic RRKM-ME calculations of rate constants and product branching ratios at various temperatures and pressures. The reaction can proceed either by direct hydrogen abstraction producing benzene and three C(3)H(5) radicals [1-propenyl (CH(3)CHCH), 2-propenyl (CH(3)CCH(2)), and allyl (CH(2)CHCH(2))] or by addition of phenyl to the CH or CH(2) units of propylene followed by rearrangements on the C(9)H(11) PES producing nine different products after H or CH(3) losses. The H abstraction channels are found to be kinetically preferable at temperatures relevant to combustion and to contribute 55-75% to the total product yield in the 1000-2000 K temperature range, with the allyl radical being the major product (~45%). The relative contributions of phenyl addition channels are calculated to be ~35% at 1000 K, decreasing to ~15% at 2000 K, with styrene + CH(3) and 3-phenylpropene + H being the major products. Collisional stabilization of C(6)H(5) + C(3)H(6) addition complexes is computed to be significant only at temperatures up to 1000-1200 K, depending on the pressure, and maximizes at low temperatures of 300-700 K reaching up to 90% of the total product yield. At T > 1200 K collisional stabilization becomes negligible, whereas the dissociation products, styrene plus methyl and 3-phenylpropene + H, account for up to 45% of the total product yield. The production of bicyclic aromatic species including indane C(9)H(10) is found to be negligible at all studied conditions indicating that the phenyl addition to propylene cannot be a source of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) on the C(9)H(11) PES. Alternatively, the formation of a PAH molecule, indene C(9)H(8), can be accomplished through secondary reactions after activation of a major product of the C(6)H(5) + C(3)H(6) addition reaction, 3-phenylpropene, by direct hydrogen abstraction by small radicals, such as H, OH, CH(3), etc. It is shown that at typical combustion temperatures 77-90% of C(9)H(9) radicals formed by H-abstraction from 3-phenylpropene undergo a closure of a cyclopentene ring via low barriers and then lose a hydrogen atom producing indene. This results in 7.0-14.5% yield of indene relative to the initial C(6)H(5) + C(3)H(6) reactants within the 1000-2000 K temperature range.     

High-temperature rate constants for CH3OH + Kr --> products, OH + CH3OH --> products, OH + (CH3)(2)CO --> CH2COCH3 + H2O, and OH + CH3 --> CH) + H2O

The reflected shock tube technique with multipass absorption spectrometric detection of OH radicals at 308 nm (corresponding to a total path length of approximately 4.9 m) has been used to study the dissociation of methanol between 1591 and 2865 K. Rate constants for two product channels [CH3OH + Kr --> CH3 + OH + Kr (1) and CH3OH + Kr --> 1CH2 + H2O + Kr (2)] were determined. During the course of the study, it was necessary to determine several other rate constants that contributed to the profile fits. These include OH + CH3OH --> products, OH + (CH3)2CO --> CH2COCH3 + H2O, and OH + CH3 --> 1,3CH2 + H2O. The derived expressions, in units of cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), are k(1) = 9.33 x 10(-9) exp(-30857 K/T) for 1591-2287 K, k(2) = 3.27 x 10(-10) exp(-25946 K/T) for 1734-2287 K, kOH+CH3OH = 2.96 x 10-16T1.4434 exp(-57 K/T) for 210-1710 K, k(OH+(CH3)(2)CO) = (7.3 +/- 0.7) x 10(-12) for 1178-1299 K and k(OH+CH3) = (1.3 +/- 0.2) x 10(-11) for 1000-1200 K. With these values along with other well-established rate constants, a mechanism was used to obtain profile fits that agreed with experiment to within <+/-10%. The values obtained for reactions 1 and 2 are compared with earlier determinations and also with new theoretical calculations that are presented in the preceding article in this issue. These new calculations are in good agreement with the present data for both (1) and (2) and also for OH + CH3 --> products.     

Unimolecular thermal fragmentation of ortho-benzyne

The ortho-benzyne diradical, o-C(6)H(4) has been produced with a supersonic nozzle and its subsequent thermal decomposition has been studied. As the temperature of the nozzle is increased, the benzyne molecule fragments: o-C(6)H(4)+Delta--> products. The thermal dissociation products were identified by three experimental methods: (i) time-of-flight photoionization mass spectrometry, (ii) matrix-isolation Fourier transform infrared absorption spectroscopy, and (iii) chemical ionization mass spectrometry. At the threshold dissociation temperature, o-benzyne cleanly decomposes into acetylene and diacetylene via an apparent retro-Diels-Alder process: o-C(6)H(4)+Delta-->HC triple bond CH+HC triple bond C-C triple bond CH. The experimental Delta(rxn)H(298)(o-C(6)H(4)-->HC triple bond CH+HC triple bond C-C triple bond CH) is found to be 57+/-3 kcal mol(-1). Further experiments with the substituted benzyne, 3,6-(CH(3))(2)-o-C(6)H(2), are consistent with a retro-Diels-Alder fragmentation. But at higher nozzle temperatures, the cracking pattern becomes more complicated. To interpret these experiments, the retro-Diels-Alder fragmentation of o-benzyne has been investigated by rigorous ab initio electronic structure computations. These calculations used basis sets as large as [C(7s6p5d4f3g2h1i)H(6s5p4d3f2g1h)] (cc-pV6Z) and electron correlation treatments as extensive as full coupled cluster through triple excitations (CCSDT), in cases with a perturbative term for connected quadruples [CCSDT(Q)]. Focal point extrapolations of the computational data yield a 0 K barrier for the concerted, C(2v)-symmetric decomposition of o-benzyne, E(b)(o-C(6)H(4)-->HC triple bond CH+HC triple bond C-C triple bond CH)=88.0+/-0.5 kcal mol(-1). A barrier of this magnitude is consistent with the experimental results. A careful assessment of the thermochemistry for the high temperature fragmentation of benzene is presented: C(6)H(6)-->H+[C(6)H(5)]-->H+[o-C(6)H(4)]-->HC triple bond CH+HC triple bond C-C triple bond CH. Benzyne may be an important intermediate in the thermal decomposition of many alkylbenzenes (arenes). High engine temperatures above 1500 K may crack these alkylbenzenes to a mixture of alkyl radicals and phenyl radicals. The phenyl radicals will then dissociate first to benzyne and then to acetylene and diacetylene.