Volume dependence of thermal conductivity and bulk modulus for poly(propylene glycol)

The thermal conductivity λ and heat capacity per unit volume of poly(propylene glycol) PPG (0.4 and 4.0 kg·mol⁻¹ in number-average molecular weight) have been measured in the temperature range 150–295 K at pressures up to 2 GPa using the transient hot-wire method. At 295 K and atmospheric pressure, λ = 0.147 W m⁻¹K⁻¹ for PPG (0.4 kg·mol⁻¹) and λ = 0.151 W m⁻¹K⁻¹ for PPG (4.0 kg·mol⁻¹). The temperature dependence of λ is less than 4 × 10⁻⁴ W m⁻¹K⁻² for both molecular weights. The bulk modulus has been measured in the temperature range 215–295 K up to 1.1 GPa. At atmospheric pressure, the room temperature bulk moduli are 1.97 GPa for PPG (0.4 kg·mol⁻¹) and 1.75 GPa for PPG (4.0 kg·mol⁻¹). These data were used to calculate the volume dependence of $ \lambda ,g\, = - \left( {\frac{{\partial \lambda /\lambda }}{{\partial V/V}}} \right)_T $. At room temperature and atmospheric pressure (liquid phase) we find g = 2.79 for PPG (0.4 kg·mol⁻¹) and g = 2.15 for PPG (4.0 kg·mol⁻¹). The volume dependence of g, (∂g/∂ log V)_T varies between −19 to −10 for both molecular weights. Under isochoric conditions, g is nearly independent of temperature. The difference in g between the glassy state and liquid phase is small and just outside the inaccuracy of g of about 8%. The theoretical model for λ by Horrocks and McLaughlin yields an overestimate of g by up to 120%. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 36 : 345–355, 1998     

Volume dependence of thermal conductivity and isothermal bulk modulus up to 1 GPa for poly(vinyl acetate)

The thermal conductivity λ and heat capacity per unit volume of poly(vinyl acetate) (260 kg mol⁻¹ in weight average molecular weight) have been measured in the temperature range 150–450 K at pressures up to 1 GPa using the transient hot-wire method, which yielded λ = 0.19 W m⁻¹ K⁻¹ at atmospheric pressure and room temperature. The bulk modulus K has been measured in the temperature range 150–353 K up to 1 GPa. At atmospheric pressure and room temperature, K = 4.0 GPa and (∂K/∂p)_T = 8.3. The volume data were used to calculate the volume dependence of λ, $g = - \left( {\frac{{\partial \lambda /\lambda }}{{\partial V/V}}} \right)_T .$ The values for g of the liquid and glassy states were 3.0 and 2.7, respectively, and g of the latter was almost independent of volume and temperature. Theoretical models can predict the value for g of the glassy state to within 25%. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 36: 1451–1463, 1998     

Effect of nanoscale confinement on the glass transition temperature of free-standing polymer films: Novel,self-referencing fluorescence method

The effect of nanoscale confinement on the glass transition temperature, T_g, of freely standing polystyrene (PS) films was determined using the temperature dependence of a fluorescence intensity ratio associated with pyrene dye labeled to the polymer. The ratio of the intensity of the third fluorescence peak to that of the first fluorescence peak in 1-pyrenylmethyl methacrylate-labeled PS (MApyrene-labeled PS) decreased with decreasing temperature, and the intersection of the linear temperature dependences in the rubbery and glassy states yielded the measurement of T_g. The sensitivity of this method to T_g was also shown in bulk, supported PS and poly(isobutyl methacrylate) films. With free-standing PS films, a strong effect of confinement on T_g was evident at thicknesses less than 80–90 nm. For MApyrene-labeled PS with M_n = 701 kg mol⁻¹, a 41-nm-thick film exhibited a 47 K reduction in T_g relative to bulk PS. A strong molecular weight dependence of the T_g-confinement effect was also observed, with a 65-nm-thick free-standing film exhibiting a reduction in T_g relative to bulk PS of 19 K with M_n = 701 kg mol⁻¹ and 31 K with M_n = 1460 kg mol⁻¹. The data are in reasonable agreement with results of Forrest, Dalnoki-Veress, and Dutcher who performed the seminal studies on T_g-confinement effects in free-standing PS films. The utility of self-referencing fluorescence for novel studies of confinement effects in free-standing films is discussed. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 2754–2764, 2008     

Temperature-dependent rate coefficients for the gas-phase OH + furan-2,5-dione (C4H2O3, maleic anhydride) reaction

Rate coefficients, k₁(T), for the gas-phase reaction of the OH radical with furan-2,5-dione (maleic anhydride (MA), C₄H₂O₃), a biomass burning related compound, were measured under pseudo–first-order conditions in OH using the pulsed laser photolysis–laser-induced fluorescence method over a range of temperature (283-374 K) and bath gas pressure (50-200 Torr; He or N₂). k₁(T) was found to be independent of pressure over this range with k₁(283-374 K) = (1.55 ± 0.20) × 10⁻¹² exp[(−410 ± 44)/T) cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ and k₁(296 K) = (3.93 ± 0.28) × 10⁻¹³ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹, where the uncertainties are 2σ and the preexponential term includes the estimated systematic error. The atmospheric lifetime of MA with respect to OH reactive loss is estimated to be ∼15 days. The present results are compared with a previous room temperature relative rate study of the OH + MA reaction, and the significant discrepancy between the studies is discussed; the present results are approximately a factor of 4 lower. It is also noteworthy that the experimentally measured k₁(296 K) value obtained in this work is nearly a factor of 110 less than estimated by a structure activity relationship based on trends in ionization potential. Based in part on a computational evaluation, an atmospheric degradation mechanism of MA is proposed.     

Ionic and excited intermediates in pulse-irradiated polypropylene doped with aromatics

A pulse radiolysis study of isotactic polypropylene (PP) film has been carried out with the main aims of investigating charge trapping in an undoped system and solute radical ion generation in an pyrene (Py) doped matrix. In PP, pulse radiolysis gives electron–positive hole pairs. The electron can be stabilized in the undoped system as a trapped electron, e. The transient absorption spectrum of e in the near-IR (up to 1800 nm) was observed in the temperature range 30–100 K. This IR absorption was not detected in the case of oxidized PP. In such a matrix electrons can be scavenged by oxidation products generating respective radical-anions (absorption in the UV RANGE, λ < 350 nm). In a doped matrix transient absorption bands centered at 450 and 500 nm were observed which can be assigned to the Py radical cation and anion, respectively. The recombination of these ionic species leads to monomer excited-state formation observed during and after the 17 ns pulse. Contrary to the Py-doped polyethylene no excimer emission was detected at room temperature even if Py content in PP was close to 0.02 mol dm⁻³. The rate of Py radical-ion decay was found to be temperature dependent. Two linear parts of the Arrhenius plot were observed which intersected at ca. 240 K, the glass transition temperature, T_g, for PP. The activation energies calculated for two parts of Arrhenius plot were equal to 111 and ca. 0.78 kJ mol⁻¹ for T > T_g and T < T_g, respectively. Some preliminary results concerning the ionic processes in PP containing two solutes (Py, 3,3′-dimethyldiphenyl) were presented. The mechanism of ionic recombination in PP will be proposed and discussed. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 1217–1226, 1998     

On the plasticization of poly(2,6-dimethyl phenylene oxide) by CO2

Change in the glass transition temperature, T_g, of poly(2,6-dimethyl phenylene oxide), PPO, due to the dissolved CO₂ has been measured as a function of the gas pressure, p, using a high-pressure DSC cell. At 61.2 atm, the highest pressure studied, T_g is depressed by 31.6°C. The depression in T_g is found to be linear with pressure, with dT_g/dp of ?0.5°C atm^?1. The experimental results are in fair agreement with those calculated from a quasilattice solid-solution model for polymer-diluent systems. The present results, however, differ markedly from a recent investigation on PPO-CO₂ system which reported a depression in T_g of 226°C at 60 atm and a dT_g/dp of ?3.8°C atm^?. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Ultra-high Tg and ultra-low coefficient of thermal expansion polyimide films based on hydrogen bond interaction

To tolerate high processing temperature during the fabrication of low-temperature polycrystalline silicon thin-film transistors (LTPS–TFT) in flexible OLED devices, the polyimide (PI) films, which are used as substrate, should have ultra-high glass transition temperature (T_g > 450°C) and ultra-low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE at 0–5 ppm K⁻¹). In this paper, two novel heterocyclic monomers, namely, N,N'-(xanthone-2,7-diyl)bis(4-aminobenzamide) (p-DAXBA) and N,N'-(xanthone-2,7-diyl)bis(3-aminobenzamide) (m-DAXBA), which contain a xanthone moiety, are prepared and polycondensed with pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA), respectively. PI films (PIa and PIb) with intrinsic high T_g and low CTE are designed from the perspective of rigid conjugate xanthone structure and hydrogen bonding interaction. It is found that the PIa films prepared by p-DAXBA have better linear structure of molecular chains and show relatively higher T_g and lower CTE. The T_g of PIa-40 is greater than 450°C, and CTE can reach as low as 2.7 ppm K⁻¹, tensile strength of 179 MPa, modulus of 5.67 GPa, indicating potential application prospect as a flexible OLED substrate.     

Investigation of transitions and relaxation processes in polystyrene by using positron annihilation

The glass transition and relaxation processes in polystyrene resins with the number average molecular weight ranging from 7.0·10² to 9.8·10⁴ were studied with the positron annihilation technique. The pick-off annihilation lifetime of ortho-positronium (₃) and its intensity (I ₃) were measured in the temperature range from 20 to 430 K. The glass transition temperature (T _g) was determined as an onset temperature coefficient of ₃.T _g shows the molecular weight dependence in these samples. BelowT _g, local motions were detected by measurements ofI ₃. The local motions could be observed above 100 K in this experiment.I ₃ show the minimum at around 250 K and it does not show molecular weight dependence.     

Enhanced translational diffusion of rubrene and tetracene in polysulfone

Translational diffusion of tetracene and rubrene in bisphenol A polysulfone (T_g = 460 K) was measured using a holographic fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) technique. In the temperature range from 493 to 462 K, probe translation was diffusive and the translational diffusion coefficients varied from 10⁻⁸ to 10⁻¹³ cm²/s. Surprisingly, the observed translational diffusion coefficients showed a weaker temperature dependence than the rotational correlation times of the same probes. Rotational correlation times have the same temperature dependence as the viscoelastic relaxation times characteristic of the rubberlike modulus, while translational relaxation times decouple from the viscoelastic relaxation times. On average, probe molecules are translating larger and larger distances per probe rotation time as the temperature is lowered to T_g. These results can be explained qualitatively in terms of spatially heterogeneous segmental dynamics in the polysulfone matrix. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Kinetics of the gas‐phase reactions of Cl atom with selected C2–C5 unsaturated hydrocarbons at 283 < T < 323 K

The reaction of Cl atoms with a series of C₂–C₅ unsaturated hydrocarbons has been investigated at atmospheric pressure of 760 Torr over the temperature range 283–323 K in air and N₂ diluents. The decay of the hydrocarbons was followed using a gas chromatograph with a flame ionization detector (GC‐FID), and the kinetic constants were determined using a relative rate technique with n‐hexane as a reference compound. The Cl atoms were generated by UV photolysis (λ ≥ 300 nm) of Cl₂ molecules. The following absolute rate constants (in units of 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹, with errors representing ±2σ) for the reaction at 295 ± 2 K have been derived from the relative rate constants combined to the value 34.5 × 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ for the Cl + n‐hexane reaction: ethene (9.3 ± 0.6), propyne (22.1 ± 0.3), propene (27.6 ± 0.6), 1‐butene (35.2 ± 0.7), and 1‐pentene (48.3 ± 0.8). The temperature dependence of the reactions can be expressed as simple Arrhenius expressions (in units of 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹): k_ethene = (0.39 ± 0.22) × 10⁻¹¹ exp{(226 ± 42)/T}, k_propyne = (4.1 ± 2.5) × 10⁻¹¹ exp{(118 ± 45)/T}, k_propene = (1.6 ± 1.8) × 10⁻¹¹ exp{(203 ± 79)/T}, k_1‐butene = (1.1 ± 1.3) × 10⁻¹¹ exp{(245 ± 90)/T}, and k_1‐pentene = (4.0 ± 2.2) × 10⁻¹¹ exp{(423 ± 68)/T}. The applicability of our results to tropospheric chemistry is discussed. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 32: 478–484, 2000     

High-pressure calorimetric study of plasticization of poly(methyl methacrylate) by methane,ethylene, and carbon dioxide

Glass transition in the system poly(methyl methacrylate)/compressed gas was studied as a function of the gas pressure p using a high-pressure Tian-Calvet heat flow calorimeter. Measurements were made on PMMA-CH₄-C₂H₄, and ;-CO₂ at pressures to 200 atm. All three gases plasticize the polymer leading to depression of the glass transition temperature T_g. Trends in the T_g depression were the same as those reported for the solubility of these gases in PMMA; the higher the solubility the larger the depression in T_g. CO₂ was found to be the most effective plasticizer producing a depression of about 40°C at a pressure of about 37 atm. In the low-pressure limit, the pressure coefficient of the glass transition temperature (dT_g/dp) was found to be about −0.2°C atm^-1 for PMMA-CH₄, the same as that observed for polystyrene-CH₄. For PMMA-C₂H₄, the pressure coefficient was −0.7°C atm^-1, which is lower than the value of −0.9°C atm^-1 observed for PS-C₂H₄. The pressure coefficient for PMMA-CO₂ was found to be about −1.2°C atm^-1, which is larger than the value of −0.9°C atm^-1 observed for PS-CO₂. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Rate coefficients for the reactions of OH with butanols from 298 K to temperatures relevant for low-temperature combustion

Rate coefficients for the reactions of OH with n, s, and iso-butanol have been measured over the temperature range 298 to ∼650 K. The rate coefficients display significant curvature over this temperature range and bridge the gap between previous low-temperature measurements with a negative temperature dependence and higher temperature shock tube measurements that have a positive temperature dependence. In combination with literature data, the following parameterizations are recommended: k_{1,OH + n-butanol}(T) = (3.8 ± 10.4) × 10⁻¹⁹T^{2.48 ± 0.37}exp ((840 ± 161)/T) cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ k_{2,OH + s-butanol}(T) = (3.5 ± 3.0) × 10⁻²⁰T^{2.76 ± 0.12}exp ((1085 ± 55)/T) cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ k_{3,OH + i-butanol}(T) = (5.1 ± 5.3) × 10⁻²⁰T^{2.72 ± 0.14}exp ((1059 ± 66)/T) cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ k_{4,OH + t-butanol}(T) = (8.8 ± 10.4) × 10⁻²²T^{3.24 ± 0.15}exp ((711 ± 83)/T) cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ Comparison of the current data with the higher shock tube measurements suggests that at temperatures of ∼1000 K, the OH yields, primarily from decomposition of β-hydroxyperoxy radicals, are ∼0.3 (n-butanol), ∼0.3 (s-butanol) and ∼0.2 (iso-butanol) with β-hydroxyperoxy decompositions generating OH, and a butene as the main products. The data suggest that decomposition of β-hydroxyperoxy radicals predominantly occurs via OH elimination.     

Thermal expansion of epoxide–amine networks in the glassy state

The dilatometric curves of 21 epoxide–amine network samples made from five distinct epoxide–amine pairs, with variable amine/epoxide functional ratio values for three of these pairs, were recorded in the 200 K to T_g (glass‐transition temperature) − 50 K temperature range. The curves display a quasiparabolic shape consistent with an expansion law derived from a thermodynamic study [Bongkee, C. Polym Eng Sci 1985, 25(18), 135]: where V and V₀ are the volumes at T and 0 K, respectively, and A is a coefficient that varied for the studied samples between 2.5 × 10⁻⁷ and 5.0 × 10⁻⁷ K⁻². A tentative study of the structure–property relationships in this field revealed that A does not depend significantly on the crosslink density, the cohesive energy density, the T_g, or the local mobility. In contrast, A seems to be sharply related to the chain flexibility, which essentially depends on the aromatic content in the studied structural series. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 38: 537–543, 2000     

Molecular dynamics simulation of the structure and thermodynamic properties of liquid rubidium at pressures of up to 10 GPa and temperatures of up to 3500 K

The models of rubidium at temperatures of up to 3500 K, degrees of compression of up to Y = V/V₀ = 0.3, and pressures of up to 32 GPa were constructed by molecular dynamics (MD) using the interparticle potential ЕАМ. The thermodynamic properties of the MD models agree satisfactorily with experiment in the range of parameters under study at rubidium densities higher than 0.86 g/cm³. The behavior of the models in the range of the van der Waals loop was analyzed; the calculated critical temperature of rubidium T_c is ～2250 ± 25 K, density ～0.41 g/cm³, pressure ～0.019 GPa, and compressibility factor Z = pV/RT ≈ 0.137. The states with the unity factor Z = 1 were observed at pressures of up to 0.30 GPa (at ～3000 K); the temperature dependence of the density of the models with Z = 1 is nearly linear, and the Boyle temperature is T_B ≈ 10160 K. The ratio T_c/T_B = 0.221 is close to this value for cesium (0.23) and mercury (0.276). In the temperature and pressure ranges under study, the inversion of the Joule–Thomson coefficient did not take place, but should be observed at pressures of ?0.3 GPa and elevated temperatures. It was found that the diffusion coefficient D(T) dependences do not straighten in the usually used coordinates within wide temperature ranges. It was concluded that the structure of the liquid smoothly changes when the rubidium models are compressed and this reveals in the change of the degree of asymmetry of the first peak of the radial distribution function.     

Thermal properties of freezing bound water restrained by sodium lignosulfonate-based polyurethane hydrogels

In order to develop a new functional product from lignin, sodium lignosulfonate (LS)-based polyurethane (LSPU) hydrogels were prepared from LS and hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) derivatives in water. Isocyanate/hydroxyl group ratio (NCO/OH ratio) was varied from 0.05 to 0.8 mol mol⁻¹, and water content (W_c = mass of water/mass of dry sample) of the obtained LSPU hydrogels was varied from 0 to 3.0 g g⁻¹. Phase transition behavior of hydrogels with various W_c’s was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry (TG). In DSC heating curve of LSPU hydrogels, glass transition, cold crystallization, melting and liquid crystallization were observed. Cold crystallization, two melting peaks and variation of melting enthalpy indicate that three kinds of water, i.e., non-freezing water, freezing bound water and free water, exist in LSPU hydrogel. Glass transition temperature (T_g) decreased from 230 to 190 K in a W_c range where non-freezing water was formed in the hydrogel. T_g increased when freezing bound water was formed in the system. T_g leveled off in a W_c range where normal ice was formed. The effect of NCO/OH ratio on molecular motion of LSPU hydrogel is examined based on T_g and heat capacity difference at T_g (ΔC_p). Water vaporization curve measured by TG also indicates the presence of bound water which evaporates at a temperature higher than ca. 410 K. By atomic force microscopic observation, the size of molecular bundle of LSPU hydrogel is calculated and compared with that of LS-water system. By cross-linking, the height of molecular bundle decreased from ca. 3–1 nm and lignin molecules extend in a flat structure.

     

Kinetics of OH reactions with furan,thiophene, and tetrahydrothiophene

The kinetics of OH reactions with furan (k₁), thiophene (k₂), and tetrahydrothiophene (k₃), have been investigated over the temperature range 254–425 K. OH radicals were produced by flash photolysis of water vapor at λ > 165 nm and detected by timeresolved resonance fluorescence spectroscopy. The following Arrhenius expressions adequately describe the measured rate constants as a function of temperature (units are cm³ molecule^?1 S^?1): k₁ = (1.33 ± 0.29) × 10^?11 exp[(333 ± 67)/T], k₂ = (3.20 ± 0.70) × 10^?12 exp[(325 ± 71)/T], k₃ = (1.13 ± 0.35) × 10^?11 exp[(166 ± 97)/T]. The results are compared with previous investigations and their implications regarding reaction mechanisms and atmospheric residence times are discussed.     

Low‐Temperature Heat Capacities and Standard Molar Enthalpy of Formation of Gramine (C11H14N2)

Low‐temperature heat capacities of gramine (C₁₁H₁₄N₂) were measured by a precision automated adiabatic calorimeter over the temperature range from 78 to 401 K. A polynomial equation of heat capacities as a function of temperature was fitted by least squares method. Based on the fitted polynomial, the smoothed heat capacities and thermodynamic functions of the compound relative to the standard reference temperature 298.15 K were calculated and tabulated at 5 K intervals. The constant‐volume energy of combustion of the compound at T=298.15 K was measured by a precision oxygen‐bomb combustion calorimeter as Δ_cU=−(35336.7±13.9) J·g⁻¹. The standard molar enthalpy of combustion of the compound was determined to be Δ_cH_m⁰=−(6163.2±2.4) kJ·mol⁻¹, according to the definition of combustion enthalpy. Finally, the standard molar enthalpy of formation of the compound was calculated to be Δ;_cH_m⁰=−(166.2±2.8) kJ·mol⁻¹ in accordance with Hess law.     

Polyimides with low coefficient of thermal expansion derived from diamines containing benzimidazole and amide: Synthesis,properties, and the N-substitution effect

Three novel diamines, incorporating benzimidazole and amide moieties, namely 4-amino-N-(5-amino-benzimidazol-2-yl)-benzamide (6a), 4-amino-N-(5-amino-1- methyl-benzimidazol-2-yl)-benzamide (6b), and 4-amino-N-(5-amino-1-phenyl -benzimidazol-2-yl)-benzamide (6c), were designed and synthesized. A series of poly(benzimidazole-amide-imide) (PBIAI) films were prepared from the resulting diamines and 4,4-biphthalic dianhydride (BPDA). These flexible polyimides (PIs) showed high glass transition temperatures (T_g = 353–379°C), low coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE = 3.7–12.3 ppm K⁻¹) and good mechanical properties (σ = 152–207 MPa and E = 4.5–7.7 GPa), promising candidates for applications in flexible-display substrates. Furthermore, the data guided a feasible method to enhance T_g and reduce CTE by introducing benzimidazole and amide units into PI main chains, and the effect of different N-substituents on performance was revealed.     

Simulated Dilatometry and Static Deformation Prediction of Glass Transition and Mechanical Properties of Polyacetylene and Poly(para‐phenylene vinylene)

Thermophysical and mechanical properties of two conjugated polymers, poly(p‐phenylene vinylene) (PPV) and polyacetylene (PA), are predicted using molecular dynamics simulations and compared with results obtained from differential scanning calorimetry, nanoindentation, and dynamic mechanical analysis experiments. Glass transition temperature (T_g) is calculated from the changes in the slopes of the specific volume versus temperature and cohesive energy density versus temperature plots, obtained from constant pressure and constant temperature simulations (NPT ensemble). The effects of temperature on the torsion angle distributions and characteristic ratio are analyzed. PPV is found to have a T_g of 416 ± 8 K. PA does not exhibit a glass transition in the temperature range of 120 to 500 K. Using the static deformation method, the values of Young's modulus are calculated to be 1.81 ± 0.34 GPa for PA and 9.20 ± 0.57 GPa for PPV at 298 K. These values are in good agreement with the experimental measurements, validating the suitability of these techniques in the prediction of the polymer properties.

     

A computational study of the reaction kinetics of methyl radicals with trifluorohalomethanes

Ab initio calculations have been used to characterize the transition states for halogen abstraction by CH₃ in reactions with CF₄, CF₃Cl, CF₃Br, and CF₃I (1–4). Geometries and frequencies were obtained at the HF/6-31G(d) and MP2=full/6-31G(d) levels of theory. Energy barriers were computed via the Gaussian-2 methodology, and the results were employed in transition state theory analyses to obtain the rate constants over 298–2500 K. There is good accord with literature measurements in the approximate temperature range 360–500 K for reactions (2–4), and the computed activation energies are accurate to within ±6 kJ mol⁻¹. Recommended rate constant expressions for use in combustion modeling are k;₁=1.6×10⁻¹⁹ (T/K)^2.41 exp(−13150 K/T), k₂=8.4×10⁻²⁰(T/K)^2.34 exp(−5000 K/T), k₃=4.6×10⁻¹⁹ (T/K)^2.05 exp(−3990 K/T), and k₄=8.3×10⁻¹⁹ (T/K)^2.18 exp(−1870 K/T) cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹. The results are discussed in the context of flame suppression chemistry. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 30: 179–184, 1998.