Reactivity of tert-butoxy radicals towards thiols,alkyl sulfides,and alkyl disulfides

Rate constants for the reactions of tert-butoxy radicals (generated by the thermal decomposition of di-tert-butylperoxyoxalate) with several sulfur containing compounds have been measured at 310 K in benzene. Hexanethiol (k = 6.5 × 10⁷M^?1s^?1) reacts considerably faster than alkyl sulfides and disulfides. For these compounds the reaction rate constants are slightly dependent on the α-hydrogen type, changing (when it is expressed per hydrogen atom) only a factor 5 for sulfides and 3 for disulfides when the α-hydrogen is changed from primary (methyl) to tertiary (isopropyl). The data obtained are compared to those found for the deactivation of the benzophenone triplet. Values of k_tert-butoxy/k_benzophenone range from ca 10^?3 (di-tert-butyl disulfide) to 7.5 (hexanethiol). The results obtained are rationalized in terms of bond strength, steric hindrance, and charge transfer contributions to the critical configuration energies.     

Kinetics and rate constants for the reaction of tri-n-butylgermanium hydride with methyl iodide and carbon tetrachloride. The combination of methyl and trichloromethyl radicals in solution.

The kinetics of the photoinitiated reductions of methyl iodide and carbon tetrachloride by tri-n-butylgermanium hydride in cyclohexane at 25°C have been studied and absolute rate constants have been measured. Rate constants for the combination of CH₃? and CCl₃? radicals are equal within experimental error and are also equal to the values found for the self-reactions of most non-polymeric radicals in low viscosity solvents, i.e. ～1–3 × 10⁹ M^?1 sec^?1. Rate constants for hydrogen atom abstraction by CH₃? and CCl₃? radicals are both ～1?2 × 10⁵ M^?1 sec^?1. Tri-n-butyltin hydride is about 10–20 times as good a hydrogen donor to alkyl radicals as is tri-n-butylgermanium hydride. The strength of the germanium–hydrogen bond, D(n-Bu₃Ge–H) is estimated to be approximately 84 kcal/mole.     

Rate constants for the reactions of isobutyl,neopentyl, cyclopentyl,and cyclohexyl radicals with molecular oxygen

Rate constants have been measured for the reactions of four hydrocarbon radicals with O₂ in the gas phase at room temperature. Laserflash photolysis was used to generate low concentrations of radicals. A photoinization mass spectrometer followed the radical loss as a function of time. The measured pseudo first-order decay rate of the radical and the absolute oxygen concentration were combined to give the absolute rate constants (in units of 10^?12 cm³ molec^?1 s^?1): isobutyl (2.9 ± 0.7); neopentyl (1.6 ± 0.3); cyclopentyl (17 ± 3); and cyclohexyl (14 ± 2). The cycloalkyl radicals have rate constants similar to those of other secondary radicals. However, the isobutyl and neopentyl radicals react more slowly than similar primary radicals. These new rate constants are compared in Figure 2 with the recently published correlation of reactive cross section with radical ionization potential.     

The free-radical reaction of tri-n-butyltin hydride with peroxides

Rate constants for the tri-n-butyltin radical ( Sn · ) induced decomposition of a number of peroxides have been measured in benzene at 10°C. The values range from ～100 M^?1 sec^?1 for di-t-butyl peroxide to 2.6 × 10⁷ M^?1 sec^?1 for di-t-butyl diperoxyisophthalate. The majority of the peroxides, including diethyl peroxide, diacetyl peroxide, and t-butyl peracetate, have rate constants of ～10⁵ M^?1 sec^?1. It is shown that di-n-alkyl disulfides are ten times as reactive toward Sn · as di-n-alkyl peroxides, although the exothermicities of these reactions are ～15 and ～39 kcal/mole, respectively. The enhanced reactivity of the disulfides is attributed to the easier formation of an intermediate or transition state with 9 electrons around sulfur, compared with an analogous species with 9 electrons around oxygen. The following bond strengths (kcal/mole) have been estimated: D[ Sn ? OR] = 77; D[ Sn ? H] = 82; D[ Sn ? SR] = 83; and D[ Sn ? OC(O)R] = 86, where R = alkyl. Rate constants for reaction of Sn · with some benzyl esters have also been measured. It has been found that t-butoxy radicals can add to benzene and abstract hydrogen from benzene at ambient temperatures.     

Studies on some radical transfer reactions by entrapping the radicals as polymer end groups. I. Reaction of hydroxyl radicals with amines

The reaction of OH radicals with a number of amines has been studied by entrapping the resultant radicals as polymer end groups which have been detected and estimated by the sensitive dye partition technique. Expressions have been developed relating the average amounts of end groups per polymer molecule to the rate constant of the radical transfer reaction, the rate constants determined for reaction with n-butyl, n-hexyl, and n-octyl amine being 1.00 × 10¹⁰, 1.31 × 10¹⁰, and 1.46 × 10¹⁰ mol^?1 L s^?1, respectively, at 25°C. The order of reactivity for amines of different classes has been found to be as primary < secondary > tertiary, the rate constants for reaction with n-butyl, dibutyl, and tributyl amine being 1.00 × 10¹⁰, 1.81 × 10¹⁰, and 1.67 × 10¹⁰ mol^?1 L s^?1, respectively, at 25°C. The change in the reactivity of the amine with chain length and amine class has been explained by activation and deactivation of the CH₂ group from which H abstraction by OH radicals occurs, respectively, by the alkyl group and by the protonated amino nitrogen under the acidic condition of the medium. Between pH 1.00 and 2.17, the rate of the reaction with n-butyl amine remains practically unchanged, but from pH 2.20 to 2.72 the rate constant increases with increasing pH, indicating that deprotonation of the positively charged nitrogen starts at about pH 2.20. The method is simple and accurate and can be applied to detect and estimate very reactive radicals.     

Absolute rate constants for the reactions between amino and alkyl radicals at 298 K

The absolute rate constants for the reactions of NH₂ radicals with ethyl, isopropyl, and t-butyl radicals have been measured at 298 K, using a flash photolysis–laser resonance absorption method. Radicals were generated by flashing ammonia in the presence of an olefin. A new measurement of the NH₂ extinction coefficient and oscillator strength at 597.73 nm was performed. The decay curves were simulated by adjusting the rate constants of both the reaction of NH₂ with the alkyl radical and the mutual interactions of alkyl radicals. The results are k(NH₂ + alkyl) = 2.5 (±0.5), 2.0 (±0.4), and 2.5 (±0.5) × 10¹⁰ M^?1·s^?1 for ethyl, isopropyl, and t-butyl radicals, respectively. The best simulations were obtained when taking k(alkyl + alkyl) = 1.2, 0.6, and 0.65 × 10¹⁰M^?1·s^?1 for ethyl, isopropyl, and t-butyl radicals, respectively, in good agreement with literature values.     

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.     

Rate constants for the gas-phase reactions of the OH radical with a series of monoterpenes at 294 ± 1 K

Using a relative rate technique, rate constants for the gas-phase reactions of the OH radical with a series of monoterpenes have been determined in one atmosphere of air at 294 ± 1 K. Relative to a rate constant for the reaction of OH radicals with 2,3-dimethyl-2-butene of 1.12 × 10^?10 cm³ molecule^?1 sec^?1, the rate constants obtained were (in units of 10^?11 cm³ molecule^?1 sec^?1): α-Pinene, 5.45 ± 0.32; β-pinene, 7.95 ± 0.52; Δ³-carene, 8.70 ± 0.43; d-limonene, 16.9 ± 0.5; α-terpinene, 36.0 ± 4.0; γ-terpinene, 17.6 ± 1.8; α-phellandrene, 31.0 ± 7.1; myrcene, 21.3 ± 1.6; and ocimene (acis-, trans-mixture), 25.0 ± 1.9. These are the first quantitative kinetic data reported for many of these monoterpenes. The rate constants obtained are compared with the available literature data and with a priori estimates based on the number and configuration of substituents around the double bond(s). The tropospheric lifetimes of these monoterpenes with OH radicals, NO₃ radicals and O₃ are estimated and compared. Atmospheric lifetimes with respect to reaction with the OH radical are calculated to range from ～0.75 hr for α-terpinene to ～5 hr for α-pinene.     

New technique for generating high concentrations of gaseous OH radicals in relative rate measurements

We have developed a technique for generating high concentrations of gaseous OH radicals in a reaction chamber. The technique, which involves the UV photolysis of O₃ in the presence of water vapor, was used in combination with the relative rate method to obtain rate constants for reactions of OH radicals with selected species. A key improvement of the technique is that an O₃/O₂ (3%) gas mixture is continuously introduced into the reaction chamber, during the UV irradiation period. An important feature is that a high concentration of OH radicals [(0.53–1.2) × 10¹¹ radicals cm^?3] can be produced during the irradiation in continuous, steady‐state experiment. Using the new technique in conjunction with the relative rate method, we obtained the rate constant for the reaction of CHF₃ (HFC‐23) with OH radicals, k₁. We obtained k₁(298 K) = (3.32 ± 0.20) × 10^?16 and determined the temperature dependence of k₁ to be (0.48 ± 0.13) × 10^?12 exp[?(2180 ± 100)/T] cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 at 253–328 K using CHF₂CF₃ (HFC‐125) and CHF₂Cl (HCFC‐22) as reference compounds in CHF₃–reference–H₂O gas mixtures. The value of k₁ obtained in this study is in agreement with previous measurements of k₁. This result confirms that our technique for generating OH radicals is suitable for obtaining OH radical reaction rate constants of ～10^?16 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, provided the rate constants do not depend on pressure. In addition, it also needed to examine whether the reactions of sample and reference compound with O₃ interfere the measurement when selecting this technique. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 35: 317–325, 2003     

Rate constants for the gas-phase reactions of OH radicals with a series of bi- and tricycloalkanes at 299 ± 2 K: Effects of ring strain

Relative rate constants for the gas-phase reactions of OH radicals with a series of bi- and tricyclic alkanes have been determined at 299 ± 2 K, using methyl nitrite photolysis in air as a source of OH radicals. Using a rate constant for the reaction of OH radicals with cyclohexane of 7.57 × 10^?12 cm³/molec·s, the rate constants obtained are (× 10¹² cm³/molec·s): bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane, 5.53 ± 0.15; bicyclo[2.2.2]octane, 14.8 ± 1.0; bicyclo[3.3.0]octane, 11.1 ± 0.6; cis-bicyclo[4.3.0]nonane, 17.3 ± 1.3; trans-bicyclo[4.3.0]nonane, 17.8 ± 1.3; cis-bicyclo[4.4.0]decane, 20.1 ± 1.4; trans-bicyclo[4.4.0]decane, 20.6 ± 1.2; tricyclo[5.2.1.0^2,6]decane, 11.4 ± 0.4; and tricyclo[3.3.1.1^3,7]decane, 23.2 ± 2.1. These data show that overall ring strain energies of ?4–5 kcal mol^?1 have no significant effect on the rate constants, but that larger ring strain results in the rate constants being decreased, relative to those expected for the strain-free molecules, by ratios which increase approximately exponentially with the overall ring strain.     

Formation of alkyl nitrates from the reaction of branched and cyclic alkyl peroxy radicals with NO

The yields of C₅ and C₆ alkyl nitrates from neopentane, 2-methylbutane, 2-methylpentane, 3-methylpentane, and cyclohexane have been measured in irradiated CH₃ONONO-alkane-air mixtures at 298 ± 2 K and 735-torr total pressure. Additionally, OH radical rate constants for neopentyl nitrate, 3-nitro-2-methylbutane, 2-nitro-2-methylpentane, 2-nitro-3-methylpentane, and cyclohexyl nitrate, relative to that for n-butane, have been determined at 298 ± 2 K. Using a rate constant for the reaction of OH radicals with n-butane of 2.58 × 10^?12 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, these OH radical rate constants are (in units of 10^?12 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1): neopentyl nitrate, 0.87 ± 0.21; cyclohexyl nitrate, 3.35 ± 0.36; 3-nitro-2-methylbutane, 1.75 ± 0.06; 2-nitro-2-methylpentane, 1.75 ± 0.22; and 2-nitro-3-methylpentane, 3.07 ± 0.08. After accounting for consumption of the alkyl nitrates by OH radical reaction and for the yields of the individual alkyl peroxy radicals formed in the reaction of OH radicals with the alkanes studied, the alkyl nitrate yields (which reflect the fraction of the individual RO₂ radicals reacting with NO to form RONO₂) determined were: neopentyl nitrate, 0.0513 ± 0.0053; cyclohexyl nitrate, 0.160 ± 0.015; 3-nitro-2-methylbutane, 0.109 ± 0.003; 2-nitro-2methylbutane, 0.0533 ± 0.0022; 2-nitro-2-methylpentane, 0.0350 ± 0.0096; 3- + 4-nitro-2-methylpentane, 0.165 ± 0.016; and 2-nitro-3-methylpentane, 0.140 ± 0.014. These results are discussed and compared with previous literature values for the alkyl nitrates formed from primary and secondary alkyl peroxy radicals generated from a series of n-alkanes.     

Absolute rate constants for hydrogen abstraction from hydrocarbons by the trichloromethylperoxyl radical

Absolute rate constants have been measured for the reactions of trichloromethylperoxyl radicals with cyclohexane, cyclohexene, and hexamethylbenzene. The CCl₃O₂ radicals were produced by pulse radiolysis of air-saturated CCl₄ solutions containing various amounts of the hydrocarbons. The rate constants were determined by competition with the one-electron oxidation of metalloporphyrins, using the rate of formation of the metalloporphyrin radical cation absorption to monitor the reaction by kinetic spectrophotometry. The rate constants for hydrogen abstraction from cyclohexane, cyclohexene, and hexamethylbenzene were found to be 1 × 10³, 1.0 × 10⁵, and 7.5 × 10⁴ M^?1 s^?1, respectively.     

Bimolecular self-reactions of ketyl radicals of acetophenone and diphenylaminyl radicals

The rate constants of self-reactions of ketyl radicals of acetophenone in n-heptane [2k = (3.2 ± 0.5) × 10⁹ M^?1 s^?1] and diphenylaminyl radicals in toluene [2k = (3.3 ± 0.5) × 10⁷ M^?1 s^?1] have been determined at 298 K using the flash photolysis technique. The rate constant of ketyl radicals is equal to the calculated diffusion constant and, therefore, this reaction is diffusion-controlled. The aminyl radical recombination rate is independent of the viscosity of the toluene/vaseline oil binary mixture (0.55 ? η ? 12 cP) and this reaction is activation-controlled. Reactivity anisotropy averaging due to the cage effect has been considered for ketyl and some other radicals. On the basis of the analysis it has been proposed that ketyl recombination involves formation of not only pinacol, but also iso-pinacols.     

Kinetics of the reactions of O3 and OH radicals with furan and thiophene at 298 ± 2 K

Rate constants for the reactions of O₃ and OH radicals with furan and thiophene have been determined at 298 ± 2 K. The rate constants obtained for the O₃ reactions were (2.42 ± 0.28) × 10^?18 cm³/molec·s for furan and <6 ×10^?20 cm³/molec·s for thiophene. The rate constants for the OH radical reactions, relative to a rate constant for the reaction of OH radicals with n-hexane of (5.70 ± 0.09) × 10^?12 cm³/molec·s, were determined to be (4.01 ± 0.30) × 10^?11 cm³/molec·s for furan and (9.58 ± 0.38) × 10^?12 cm³/molec·s for thiophene. There are to date no reported rate constant data for the reactions of OH radicals with furan and thiophene or for the reaction of O₃ with furan. The data are compared and discussed with respect to those for other alkenes, dialkenes, and heteroatom containing organics.     

Rate constants for the reactions of benzyl and methyl-substituted benzyl radicals with O2 and NO

Rate constants for reactions of benzyl, o-niethylbenzyl and p-meihylbenzyl radicals with O₂ and NO have been measured at room temperature. The radicals were generated by UV flash photolysis and the time decay measured by absorption at ≈ 300 nm. The rate constants are: benzyl (0.99 ± 0.07 and 9.5 ± 1.2), o-methylbenzyl (1.2 ± 0.07 and 8.6 ± 0.8) and p-mithyl-benzyl (1.1= 0.10 and 8.9 = 0.9) for O₂ and NO respectively in units of 10^?12 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1.     

Relative rate constant measurements for the gas-phase reactions of hydroxyl radicals with 4-methyl-2-pentanone,trans-4-octene,and trans-2-heptene

The relative OH reaction rates from the simulated atmospheric oxidation of 4-methyl-2-pentanone, trans-4-octene, and trans-2-heptene have been measured. Reactions were carried out at 297 ± 2 K in 100-liter FEP Teflon®-film bags. The OH radicals were produced from the photolysis of methyl nitrite. The measured rate constants (×10¹¹ cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1) were as follows: 6.77 ± 0.50 for trans-4-octene, 1.40 ± 0.07 for 4-methyl-2-pentanone, and 6.70 ± 0.23 for trans-2-heptene using an absolute rate constant of 2.63 × 10¹¹ cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 for the reaction of OH with propene; the principal reference organic. © John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Kinetics of the gas-phase reactions of NO3 radicals with a series of alkynes,haloalkenes, and α,β-unsaturated aldehydes

Rate constants for the gas-phase reactions of NO₃ radicals with a series of alkynes, haloalkenes, and α,β-unsaturated aldehydes have been determined at 298 ± 2 K using a relative rate technique. Using rate constants for the reactions of NO₃ radicals with ethene and propene of (1.1 ± 0.5) × 10^?16 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 and (7.5 ± 1.6) × 10^?15 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, respectively, the following rate constants (in units of 10^?16 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1) were obtained: acetylene, ≤0.23; propyne, 0.94 ± 0.44; vinyl chloride, 2.3 ± 1.1; 1,1-dichloroethene, 6.6 ± 3.1; cis-1,2-dichloroethene, 0.75 ± 0.35; trans-1,2-dichloroethene, 0.57 ± 0.27; trichloroethene, 1.5 ± 0.7; tetrachloroethene, <0.4; allyl chloride, 2.9 ± 1.3; acrolein, 5.9 ± 2.8; and crotonaldehyde, 41 ± 9. The atmospheric implications of these data are discussed.     

Chain transfer for vinyl monomers polymerized in N-allylstearamide

Apparent transfer constants have been determined for styrene, methyl methacrylate vinyl acetate, and diethyl maleate polymerized in N-allylstearamide at 90°C. Regression coefficients for transfer were: methyl methacrylate, 0.301 × 10^?3; styrene, with no added initiator, 0.582 × 10^?3; styrene, initiated with benzoyl peroxide, 0.830 × 10^?3; vinyl acetate, 62.01 × 10^?3; and diethyl maleate, 2.24 × 10^?3. Rates of polymerization were retarded for both styrene and methyl methacrylate. Vinyl monomer and comonomer disappearance followed an increasing exponential dependence on both initiator and monomer concentration. Although degradative chain transfer probably caused most of the retardation, the cross-termination effect was not eliminated as a contribution factor. Rates for the vinyl acetate copolymerization were somewhat retarded, even though initiator consumption was large because of induced decomposition. The kinetic and transfer data indicated that the reactive monomers added radicals readily, but that rates were lowered by degradative chain transfer. Growing chains were terminated at only moderate rates of transfer. Unreactive monomers added radicals less easily, producing reactive radicals, which transferred rapidly, so that molecular weights were lowered precipitously. Although induced initiator decomposition occurred, rates were still retarded by degradative chain transfer. A simple empirical relation was found between the reciprocal number-average degree of polymerization, 1/X?_n1 and the mole fraction of allylic comonomer entering the copolymer F₂, which permitted estimation of the molecular weight of copolymers of vinyl monomers with allylic comonomers. This equation should be applicable when monomer transfer constants for each homopolymer are known and when osmometric molecular weights of one or two copolymers of low allylic content have been determined.     

A relative rate study of the reaction of bromine atoms with a variety of organic compounds at 295 K

The relative rate technique has been used to determine rate constants for the reaction of bromine atoms with a variety of organic compounds. Decay rates of the organic species were measured relative to i-butane or acetaldehyde or both. Using rate constants of 1.74 × 10^?15 and 3.5 × 10^?12 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 for the reaction of Br with i?butane and acetaldehyde respectively, the following rate constants were derived, in units of cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1: 2, 3?dimethylbutane, (6.40 ± 0.77) × 10^?15; cyclopentane, (1.16 ± 0.18) × 10^?15, ethene, (≤2.3 × 10^?13); propene, (3.85 ± 0.41) × 10^?12; trans-2-butene, (9.50 ± 0.76) × 10^?12, acetylene, (5.15 ± 0.19) × 10^?15; and propionaldehyde, (9.73 ± 0.91) × 10^?12. Quoted errors represent 2σ and do not include possible systematic errors due to errors in the reference rate constants. Experiments were performed at 295 ± 2 K and atmospheric pressure of synthetic air or nitrogen. The results are discussed with respect to the mechanisms of these reactions and their utility in serving as a laboratory source of alkyl and alkyl peroxy radicals.     

Kinetics of the reaction of OH radicals with a series of ethers under simulated atmospheric conditions at 295 K

Ethers are being increasingly used as motor fuel additives to increase the octane number and to reduce CO emissions. Since their reaction with hydroxyl radicals (OH) is a major loss process for these oxygenated species in the atmoshpere, we have conducted a relative rate study of the kinetics of the reactions of OH radicals with a series of ethers and report the results of these measurements here. Experiments were performed under simulated atmospheric conditions; atmospheric pressure (? 740 torr) in synthetic air at 295 K. Using rate constants of 2.53 × 10^?12, and 1.35 × 10^?11 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 for the reaction of OH radicals with n-butane and diethyl ether, the following rate constants were derived, in units of 10^?11 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1: dimethylether, (0.232 ± 0.023); di-n-propylether, (1.97 ± 0.08); di-n-butylether, (2.74 ± 0.32); di-n-pentylether, (3.09 ± 0.26); methyl-t-butylether, (0.324 ± 0.008); methyl-n-butylether, (1.29 ± 0.03); ethyl-n-butylether, (2.27 ± 0.09); and ethyl-t-butylether, (0.883 ± 0.026). Quoted errors represent 2σ from the least squares analysis and do not include any systematic errors associated with uncertainties in the reference rate constants used to place our relative measurements on an absolute basis. The implications of these results for the atmospheric chemistry of ethers are discussed.