Thermal decomposition of toluene: Overall rate and branching ratio

The two-channel thermal decomposition of toluene, C₆H₅CH₃ → C₆H₅CH₂ + H (1) and C₆H₅CH₃ → C₆H₅ + CH₃ (2), was investigated in shock tube experiments over the temperature range of 1400-1780 K at a pressure of 1.5 (±0.1) bar. Rate coefficients for reactions (1) and (2) were determined by monitoring benzyl radical (C₆H₅CH₂) absorption at 266 nm during the decomposition of toluene diluted in argon and modeling the temporal behavior of the benzyl concentration with a kinetic model. The first-order rate coefficients determined at a pressure of 1.5 bar are expressed by k₁(T) = 2.09 × 10¹⁵ exp (−87510 [cal/mol]/RT) [s⁻¹] and k₂(T) = 2.66 × 10¹⁶ exp (−97880 [cal/mol]/RT) [s⁻¹]. The resulting branching ratio, k₁/(k₁ + k₂), ranges from 0.8 at 1350 K to 0.6 at 1800 K.     

Microwave structural studies of organoselenium compounds 1. Microwave spectra, molecular structure, and methyl barrier to internal rotation of dimethyl diselenide

The rotational spectra of nine isotopomers of dimethyl diselenide, CH₃SeSeCH₃, have been measured with a molecular-beam Fourier transform microwave spectrometer. The spectra were complex due to the presence of many isotopomers in natural abundance and the splitting caused by the interactions with two methyl internal rotors. The spectra were assigned and fit to experimental precision to an effective rotational Hamiltonian for molecules with two periodic internal motions. The spectra of the symmetric isotopomers are consistent with a C₂ equilibrium structure. The rotational constants were used to determine the r_s structure of the C-Se-Se-C frame with the results r(SeSe)=2.306(3) Å, r(SeC)=1.954(6) Å, ?(CSeSe)=99.8(2)°, ?(CSeSeC)=85.2(1)°. A barrier to internal rotation of the methyl groups of 395 ± 2 cm⁻¹ was derived from the internal rotation splittings.     

Analysis of torsional splittings in the microwave spectra of dimethylether,CH3OCH3 and its isotopes,CD3OCH3 and CD3OCD3

The multiplet splitting patterns of microwave transitions in the ground state and the first two torsional excited states of CH₃OCH₃, CD₃OCD₃, and CD₃OCH₃ were analyzed in terms of the semirigid rotor models C_2vF-C_3vT-C_3vT and $\text{C}{}_3\text{F-}\text{C}{}_{\mathrm{3v}}\text{T-}\text{C}{}_{\mathrm{3v}}\text{T}\text{?}$. The following nonzero potential coefficients were obtained for CH₃OCH₃: V₃₀ = V₀₃ = 909.05 ± 0.49 cm^?1, V′₃₃ = 5.06 ± 1.60 cm^?1; for CD₃OCH₃: V₃₀(CD₃) = 897.18 ± 2.41 cm^?1, V₀₃(CH₃) = 910.45 ± 0.33 cm^?1; for CD₃OCD₃: V₃₀ = V₀₃ = 897.00 cm^?1. These results are compared to earlier microwave studies of these molecules.     

Reinvestigation of microwave spectrum of dimethyl ether and rs structures of analogous molecules

Microwave spectra of dimethyl ether and its sixteen isotopic species have been measured. For species with singlet spectra, a least-squares analysis of observed transition frequencies gave rotational and five quartic centrifugal distortion constants. For species with multiplet spectra due to the methyl internal rotation, a least-squares analysis of observed multiplet frequencies gave not only unperturbed rotational and five quartic centrifugal distortion constants but also the quantities related to the methyl internal rotation. The r_s structures from (CH₃)₂O, CH₃OCD₃, and (CD₃)₂O species as the parent species, respectively, were compared with one another. The proposed r_s structure has been established from all the species measured and was compared with the r_s-like structure obtained by a diagnostic least-squares method and with the reported structure. The r_s structure of the present molecule was compared with the reported structures of dimethyl sulfide and dimethyl silane in relation to the tilt phenomenon. The r_s structure of dimethyl sulfide was revised based on the present comparison.     

Reinvestigation of Microwave Spectrum of Ethylsilane: II. Vibrationally Excited States and Internal Rotations

Microwave spectra of ethylsilane and its three deuterated species in vibrationally excited states have been measured. A least-squares analysis of the observed frequencies gave rotational constants and three of the quartic centrifugal distortion constants. The barriers to the internal rotation of both the methyl and silyl groups and the coefficients of the potential cross terms were solved from splittings of the multiplets.The averages of CH₃ and SiH₃ barriers were determined to be 2634±16 and 1992±21 cal/mol and the potential cross terms, V₁₂ and V′₁₂, were estimated to be −55 and −111 cal/mol, respectively, for the four species.     

Microwave spectra, molecular structure and theoretical calculation of two isotopic species of acetyl isocyanate CD3C(O)NCO and CH3C(O)NCO

The microwave spectra of two isotopic species of acetyl isocyanate, ¹³CH₃C(O)NCO and CD₃C(O)NCO, were observed in order to determine the r_o structure and confirmation of the molecular conformation. These isotopic species were prepared by reacting acetyl-2-¹³C-chloride or acetyl-d₃ chloride with sliver cyanate. The rotational spectra of A-level in 26.5-60.0 GHz region have been observed by Stark-modulated microwave spectrometer. Some absorption lines in E-level were observed in ¹³CH₃C(O)NCO. The rotational constants in the ground vibrational state were determined to be A = 10654.8(18), B = 2177.32(2), and C = 1827.65(2) MHz for ¹³CH₃C(O)NCO, and A = 9713.90(6), B = 2042.04(2), and C = 1722.78(2) MHz for CD₃C(O)NCO, respectively. The values of ΔI (= I_c − I_a − I_b) of the ¹³C species (−3.024(13) uŲ) and the d₃ species (−6.163(3) uŲ) indicate that the molecule has C_s symmetry. The r_s coordinates of the carbon atom in the methyl group were determined to be |a| = 2.183(3), |b| = 0.706(9), and |c| = 0.080(87) Å. The determined coordinates were in agreement with those calculated for the cis form, in which the carbonyl group is eclipsed by the NCO group. The six structural parameters of the cis form were adjusted by fitting to the observed rotational constants. The observed rotational constants of the cis form were in better agreement with those calculated using the QCISD/6-31G (d, p) level rather than those calculated using the MP2/6-31G (d, p) level. The barrier of internal rotation of the methyl group was determined as 4.283(16) kJ mol⁻¹ in ¹³CH₃C(O)NCO. The structural tendencies and the relationship between ∠RNC and ¹⁴N quadrupole coupling constants (χ_cc) were discussed.     

Effect of surface preparation on the properties of Au/p-Cd1−xZnxTe

The effect of bromine methanol (BM) etching and NH₄F/H₂O₂ passivation on the Schottky barrier height between Au contact and semi-insulated (SI) p-Cd_1−xZn_xTe (x ≈ 0.09-0.18) was studied through current-voltage (I-V) and capacitance-voltage (C-V) measurements. Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy technique was utilized to determine the Zn concentration. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) for surface composition analysis showed that BM etched sample surface left a Te⁰-rich layer, however, which was oxidized to TeO₂ and the surface [Te]/([Cd] + [Zn]) ratio restored near-stoichiometry after NH₄F/H₂O₂ passivation. According to I-V measurement, barrier height was 0.80 ± 0.02-0.85 ± 0.02 eV for Au/p-Cd_1−xZn_xTe with BM etching, however, it increased to 0.89 ± 0.02-0.93 ± 0.02 eV with NH₄F/H₂O₂ passivation. Correspondingly, it was about 1.34 ± 0.02-1.43 ± 0.02 eV and 1.41 ± 0.02-1.51 ± 0.02 eV by C-V method.     

Shock tube measurements of ignition delay times and OH time-histories in dimethyl ether oxidation

Ignition delay times and OH concentration time-histories were measured in DME/O₂/Ar mixtures behind reflected shock waves. Initial reflected shock conditions covered temperatures (T₅) from 1175 to 1900 K, pressures (P₅) from 1.6 to 6.6 bar, and equivalence ratios (?) from 0.5 to 3.0. Ignition delay times were measured by collecting OH^∗ emission near 307 nm, while OH time-histories were measured using laser absorption of the R₁(5) line of the A-X(0,0) transition at 306.7 nm. The ignition delay times extended the available experimental database of DME to a greater range of equivalence ratios and pressures. Measured ignition delay times were compared to simulations based on DME oxidation mechanisms by Fischer et al. [7] and Zhao et al. [9]. Both mechanisms predict the magnitude of ignition delay times well. OH time-histories were also compared to simulations based on both mechanisms. Despite predicting ignition delay times well, neither mechanism agrees with the measured OH time-histories. OH Sensitivity analysis was applied and the reactions DME ↔ CH₃O + CH₃ and H + O₂ ↔ OH + O were found to be most important. Previous measurements of DME ↔ CH₃O + CH₃ are not available above 1220 K, so the rate was directly measured in this work using the OH diagnostic. The rate expression k[1/s] =  1.61 × 10⁷⁹T^−18.4 exp(−58600/T), valid at pressures near 1.5 bar, was inferred based on previous pyrolysis measurements and the current study. This rate accurately describes a broad range of experimental work at temperatures from 680 to 1750 K, but is most accurate near the temperature range of the study, 1350-1750 K. When this rate is used in both the Fischer et al. and Zhao et al. mechanisms, agreement between measured OH and the model predictions is significantly improved at all temperatures.     

Structural, sorption and thermodynamic correlations from a layered barium phenylarsonate/n-alkyldiamine system

The barium phenylarsonate compound, Ba(HO₃AsC₆H₅)₂·2H₂O, has the ability to intercalate n-alkyldiamine molecules, H₂N(CH₂)_nNH₂ (n=2-5). The amount intercalated (n_f) from a batchwise procedure and the variation of the original basal distance (d) of 1245 ppm determined through X-ray diffractions, gave linear correlations as a function of the number of carbon atoms in the aliphatic chain (n_c): n_f=(2.66±0.06)−(0.13±0.02)n_c and d=(2168±65)+(114±14)n_c. The intercalation process was calorimetrically followed to give exothermic enthalpy and negative Gibbs energy, reflecting spontaneous intercalation reactions at the solid/liquid interface. The displacement of solvent molecules bonded to amine and of those on the matrix during the intercalation increases the disorder to result in positive entropy, giving a favorable set of thermodynamic data for this system.     

Influence of aliphatic spacer group on adsorption mechanisms of phosphonate derivatives of l-phenylalanine: Surface-enhanced Raman, Raman, and infrared studies

The nature of phosphonopeptides containing N-terminal l-phenylalanine (l-Phe), namely l-Phe-dl-NH-CH(CH(CH₃)₂)-PO₃H₂ (A), l-Phe-l-NH-CH(CH₃)-PO₃H₂ (B), and l-Phe-dl-NH-CH(CH₂CH₂COOH)-PO₃H₂ (C) (Fig. 1 presents molecular structure of these molecules), adsorbed on electrochemically roughened and colloidal silver surfaces has been explored by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). To reveal adsorption mechanism of these species on the basis of their SERS spectra at first Fourier-transform Raman (FT-RS) and absorption infrared (FT-IR) spectra of non-adsorbed molecules were measured. Examination of enhancement, frequency shifts, and changes in relative intensities of SERS bands due to adsorption and surface roughens variation reveals that the tilted compounds adsorb on the electrochemically roughened silver substrate in similar way, while they behave differently on the colloidal silver surface. A stronger enhancement of in-plane ring vibrations of the l-Phe ring, i.e., ν₃ and ν_18b (B₂), over these of the A₂ symmetry in all SERS spectra on the electrochemically roughened silver substrate suggests that the ring interacts with this surface adopting slightly deflect orientation from the perpendicular one. Also, enhancement of PO and -CH₂-/-CH₃ fragments vibrations points out that they are involved in adsorption process on this substrate. This conclusion was drawn on the basis of the enhancement of 1274-1279 and 1138-1152 (ν(PO)), 1393-1400 (δ(CH) + ρ_b(CNH₂) + ν(C-C_O) + δ(CH₃)), ∼1455 (δ(CCH₃/CCH₂) + ρ_b(CH₃/CH₂), and 1505-1512 cm⁻¹ (δ(CH₂) + Phe(ν_19a)) bands. Although a relative intensity ratio of these bands in the presented SERS spectra is different. On the other hand, on the colloidal silver nanoparticles, the aromatic ring of all molecules is lying flat or takes almost parallel orientation to this surface. Besides, A interacts also via P-terminal group (568, 765, 827, 1040, and 1150 cm⁻¹), whereas B mainly through NH₂-C-(CO)-CNH-(712 and 1255 cm⁻¹). In the case of C, it adsorbs on the silver colloidal surface mainly through the aromatic ring of l-Phe, while other fragments of the molecule are in close proximity to this surface as comes off the weak enhancement of bands due to the aliphatic vibrations.     

Thermal isomerization and cyclization of 1-naphthylacetylene: Experimental results, quantum chemical and transition state theory calculations

The isomerization of 1-naphthylacetylene diluted in argon was studied behind reflected shock waves in a 2 in i.d. single pulse shock tube over the temperature range 1000-1250 K and overall densities of ∼3 × 10⁻⁵ mol/cm³. The only reaction product found in the post shock mixtures was acenaphthylene. The first order rate constant of the isomerization was found to be k = 2.08 × 10¹² exp(−54.2 × 10³/RT) s⁻¹, where R is expressed in units of cal/K mol. Potential energy surfaces of the cyclization reaction 1-naphthylacetylene → acenaphthylene and the isomerization 1-naphthylacetylene → 2-naphthylacetylene were calculated using the Becke three-parameter hybrid method with Lee-Yang-Parr correlation functional approximation (B3LYP). Structure, energy and frequency calculations were carried out with the Dunning correlation consistent polarized double ζ (cc-pVDZ) basis set. The rate constant (k_∞) for the 1-naphthylacetylene → acenaphthylene cyclization was calculated using transition state theory, the value obtained is k_∞ = 3.52 × 10¹² exp(−55.9 × 10³/RT) s⁻¹, where R is expressed in units of cal/K mol. The agreement between the experiment and the calculations is very good. RRKM calculations were done to transfer k_∞ to the pressure of the single pulse shock tube experiments. In view of high temperature and the large molecule involved the deviation from k_∞ is very small. The isomerization 1-naphthylacetylene → 2-naphthylacetylene proceeds via the formation of an unstable intermediate 1,2-naphthalenocyclobutene and has a high barrier of ∼83.5 kcal/mol. In view of this high barrier, the isomerization cannot compete with the cyclization that proceeds with a barrier of ∼56 kcal/mol.     

A new torsion-rotation fitting program for molecules with a sixfold barrier: Application to the microwave spectrum of toluene

A new program is described for fitting rotation-torsion energy levels in molecules like toluene, in which the frame (C₆H₅) has C_2v symmetry and the methyl top has C_3v symmetry, i.e., for molecules where the internal rotation barrier is expanded in cos6nα, where α is the internal rotation angle and n = 1,2,…. The program is based on the theoretical framework developed by Sørensen and Pedersen in their application of the Longuet-Higgins permutation-inversion group G₁₂ to the microwave spectrum of CH₃NO₂. It is specifically designed for sixfold barrier molecules, and allows the user to select almost any symmetry-allowed torsion-rotation term for inclusion in the fitting Hamiltonian. This program leads to a very successful fit of transitions in the microwave spectrum of toluene characterized by J ? 30, K_a ? 12, and by the free-rotor quantum number ∣m∣ ? 3. In these fits we included both published and rather extensive unpublished new measurements, for which fits using other torsion-rotation programs have not been very successful. The fit presented here uses 28 parameters to give an overall standard deviation of 7.4 kHz for 372 line frequencies, and results in a much improved value for the sixfold barrier for toluene, V₆ = 13.832068(3) cal mol⁻¹.     

Iron isotope effect on Tc in optimally-doped (Ba,K)Fe2As2 (Tc = 38 K) and SmFeAsO1−y (Tc = 54 K) superconductors

We report the iron isotope effect on a transition temperature (T_c) in an optimally-doped (Ba,K)Fe₂As₂ (T_c = 38 K) and SmFeAsO_1−y (T_c = 54 K) superconductors. In order to obtain the reliable isotope shift in T_c, twin samples with different iron isotope mass are synthesized in the same conditions (simultaneously) under high-pressure. We have found that (Ba,K)Fe₂As₂ shows an inverse iron isotope effect α_Fe = −0.18 ± 0.03 while SmFeAsO_1−y shows a small iron isotope effect α_Fe = −0.02 ± 0.01, where the isotope exponent α is defined by T_c ∼ M^−α (M is the isotopic mass). The results show that α_Fe changes in the iron-based superconductors depending on the system. The distinct iron isotope effects imply the exotic coupling mechanism in the iron-based superconductors.     

Internal hydrogen bond,torsional motion,and molecular properties of 2-methoxyethylamine by microwave spectroscopy: Methyl barrier to internal rotation for 2-methoxyethanol

The microwave spectra of four substituted isotopic species of 2-methoxyethylamine (NH₂, NHD, NDH, ND₂) have been assigned. The molecule is found to exist in a gauche form with an intramolecular hydrogen bond of the NH?O type. The four possible sets of the amino hydrogen r_s corrdinates give different H?H distances, probably because the -NH₂ group is involved in large amplitude vibrations and because of changes in the heavy atom positions arising from the deuteration of the hydrogen bond. For the most abundant species many vibrational states have been analyzed and assigned to the two possible CO torsions in the molecule. A value V₃ = 3150 ± 50 cal/mol was found for the methyl torsional barrier and V₁ = 9 ± 3 kcal/mol for the other CO torsional barrier. A third set of observed vibrational satellites is probably assignable to the CC torsion. The determination of the dipole moment and of the quadrupole coupling constants gave values which were not in good agreement with those predicted from nonhydrogen bonded molecules. In addition a value V₃ = 3100 ± 100 cal/mol was calculated for the CH₃ torsional barrier in the related 2-methoxyethanol, using previous experimental data (Canad. J. Chem.50, 1149–1156 (1972)).     

Binding of rare earth metal complexes with an ofloxacin derivative to bovine serum albumin and its effect on the conformation of protein

The water-soluble Pr (Ⅲ) and Nd (Ⅲ) complexes with an ofloxacin derivative have been prepared and characterized. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction showed that the Pr (III) and Nd (III) complexes have the similar molecular structure. Under physiological pH condition, the effects of [PrL(NO₃)₂(CH₃OH)](NO₃) and [NdL(NO₃)₂(CH₃OH)](NO₃) on bovine serum albumin (BSA) were examined using fluorescence spectroscopy in combination with UV-vis absorbance and circular dichroism (CD) spectra. The result reveals that the quenching mechanism of fluorescence of BSA by two complexes is a static quenching process and the number of binding sites is about 1 for both. The thermodynamic parameters (ΔH=−14.52 kJ mol⁻¹, ΔS=56.54 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹ for [PrL(NO₃)₂(CH₃OH)](NO₃) and ΔH=−24.63 kJ mol⁻¹, ΔS=22.07 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹ for [NdL(NO₃)₂(CH₃OH)](NO₃)) indicate that hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions are the main binding force in the complexes-BSA system. The binding average distance between complexes and BSA was obtained on the basis of Förster's theory. In addition, it was proved by the CD spectra that the BSA secondary structure was changed in the presence of complexes in an aqueous solution.     

Fast relaxation of the metastable helium state 2S0 in collisions with molecules and collisional lasing on the He (2P1-2S0) transition

In the present study, the laser absorption method was used to measure the rates of quenching of the metastable state He(2¹S₀), the lower laser level in the self-terminating helium laser, with H₂O, NH₃, N₂O, and CO₂ molecules. For the above molecules, the quenching rate constants were found to equal (1.2 ± 0.3)10^− 9, (0.8 ± 0.2)10^− 9, (1.9 ± 0.2)10^− 9 and (2.2 ± 0.4)10^− 9 cm³ s^− 1. Under excitation with long (up to 750 ns) open discharge generated electron beam pulses, lasing on the transition He (2¹P₁⁰-2¹S₀) was examined. In the mixtures He-H₂O and He-NH₃, lasing durations almost equal to the pump-pulse duration were obtained. In the mixtures of He with CO₂ and N₂O, no lasing prolonged in comparison with pure helium was found. The data obtained were explained considering two quenching mechanisms for the state He(2¹S₀): in collisions with molecules and in collisions with plasma electrons having low energies due to fast relaxation of the vibrational states of H₂O and NH₃ molecules.     

Torsion-rotation global analysis and database for the CH3OH isotopomer of methanol

Fourier-transform far-infrared spectra of CH₃¹⁸OH in the 15-470 cm⁻¹ region have been analyzed by means of the Ritz assignment program. The far-infrared data have been combined with the literature microwave and millimeter-wave measurements in a full global fitting of the first three torsional states (ν_t = 0, 1, and 2) of the CH₃¹⁸OH ground vibrational state. The fitted dataset includes 550 microwave and millimeter-wave lines and more than 17 000 Fourier-transform transitions covering the quantum number ranges J ? 30, K ? 15, and ν_t ? 2. With incorporation of 79 adjustable parameters, the global fit achieved convergence with an overall weighted standard deviation of 1.072, essentially to within the assigned measurement uncertainties of ±50 kHz for almost all of the microwave and millimeter-wave lines and ±6 MHz (0.0002 cm⁻¹) to ±15 MHz (0.0005 cm⁻¹) for the Fourier-transform far-infrared measurements. Based on the global fit results, a database has been compiled containing transition frequencies, quantum numbers, lower state energies and transition strengths. This database will provide support for present and future astronomical studies, such as the on-going Orion surveys in preparation for the launch of the Herschel Space Observatory, in identifying isotopic methanol contributions to interstellar spectra.     

Effect of Bi2O3 on EPR, optical transmission and DC conductivity of vanadyl doped alkali bismuth borate glasses

Glasses with composition xBi₂O₃·(30−x)M₂O·70B₂O₃ (M=Li, Na) containing 2 mol% V₂O₅ have been prepared over the range 0≤x≤15 (x is in mol%). The electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of VO²⁺ of these glasses have been recorded in the X-band (≈9.3 GHz) at room temperature (RT≈300 K). Spin Hamiltonian parameters, g_∥, g_⊥, A_∥, A_⊥, dipolar hyperfine coupling parameter, P, and Fermi contact interaction parameter, K, have been calculated. The molecular orbital coefficients, α² and γ², have been calculated by recording the optical transmission spectra. In xBi₂O₃·(30−x)Li₂O·70B₂O₃ glasses there is decrease in the tetragonality of the V⁴⁺O₆ complex for x up to 6 mol% whereas for x≥6 mol%, tetragonality increases. In xBi₂O₃·(30−x)Na₂O·70B₂O₃ glasses there is increase in the tetragonality of the V⁴⁺O₆ complex with increasing x. The 3d_xy orbit expands with increase in Bi₂O₃:M₂O ratio. Values of the theoretical optical basicity, Λ_th, have also been reported. The DC conductivity increases with increase in temperature. The order of conductivity is 10⁻⁵ ohm⁻¹ m⁻¹ at low temperature and 10⁻³ ohm⁻¹ m⁻¹ at high temperature. The DC conductivity decreases and the activation energy increases with increase in Bi₂O₃:M₂O ratio.     

The conductance and capacitance-frequency characteristics of Au/pyronine-B/p-type Si/Al contacts

The rectifying junction characteristics of the organic compound pyronine-B (PYR-B) film on a p-type Si substrate have been studied. The PYR-B has been evaporated onto the top of p-Si surface. The barrier height and ideality factor values of 0.67 ± 0.02 eV and 2.02 ± 0.03 for this structure have been obtained from the forward bias current-voltage (I-V) characteristics. The energy distribution of the interface states and their relaxation time have been determined from the forward bias capacitance-frequency and conductance-frequency characteristics in the energy range of ((0.42 ± 0.02) − E_v)-((0.66 ± 0.02) − E_v) eV. The interface state density values ranges from (4.21 ± 0.14) × 10¹³ to (3.82 ± 0.24) × 10¹³ cm⁻² eV⁻¹. Furthermore, the relaxation time ranges from (1.65 ± 0.23) × 10⁻⁵ to (8.12 ± 0.21) × 10⁻⁴ s and shows an exponential rise with bias from the top of the valance band towards the midgap.     

Kinetics for the reaction of phenyl radical with phenylacetylene and styrene

The kinetics for the reactions of C₆H₅ with phenylacetylene and styrene have been measured by CRDS in the temperature range 297-409 K under an Ar pressure of 3.6 Torr. The total rate constants can be given by the following Arrhenius expressions (in units of cm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹): k₁(C₆H₅ + C₆H₅C₂H) = 10^13.0±0.1exp [−(2430 ± 150)/RT] and k₂(C₆H₅ + C₆H₅C₂H₃) = 10^13.3±0.1 exp [−(2570 ± 180)/T]. Additional DFT and MP2 calculations have been carried out to assist our interpretation of the measured kinetic data. The addition of C₆H₅ to the terminal CH_x (x = 1 or 2) sites is predicted to be the dominant channel for both reactions. The calculated bimolecular rate constants are in reasonable agreement with experimental values for the temperature range studied.