Pyrolysis of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE). 2. Theoretical study of decomposition pathways

The thermal decomposition pathways of MTBE have been investigated using the G3B3 method. On the basis of the experimental observation and theoretical calculation, the pyrolysis channels are provided, especially for primary pyrolysis reactions. The primary decomposition pathways include formation of methanol and isobutene, CH4 elimination, H2 elimination and C-H, C-C, C-O bond cleavage reactions. Among them, the formation channel of methanol and isobutene is the lowest energy pathway, which is in accordance with experimental observation. Furthermore, the secondary pyrolysis pathways have been calculated as well, including decomposition of tert-butyl radical, isobutene, methanol and acetone. The radicals play an important role in the formation of pyrolysis products, for example, tert-butyl radical and allyl radical are major precursors for the formation of allene and propyne. Although some isomers (isobutene and 1-butene, allene and propyne, acetone and propanal) are identified in our experiment, these isomerization reaction pathways occur merely at the high temperature due to their high activation energies. The theoretical calculation can explain the experimental results reported in part 1 and shed further light on the thermal decomposition pathways.     

Thermal decomposition of poly(tert-butyl N-vinylcarbamate)

Pyrolysis of poly(tert-butyl N-vinylcarbamate) at 185–200°C in bulk yields a rigid foam containing cyclic urea units, primary amine units, and a small amount of urea crosslinks. The yield of primary amine units (ca. 13%) and the yields of carbon dioxide (ca. 57%), isobutylene (ca. 57%), and tert-butanol formed in this reaction indicate that it involves pairwise decomposition of adjacent carbamate units to form cyclic urea units, tert-butanol, carbon dioxide, and isobutylene. The vinyl amine units are formed from carbamate units that become flanked by urea units. The amounts of amine units and residual carbamate units were determined as a function of degree of pyrolysis by an ion-exchange technique and agreed with values expected for a random cyclization process. The pyrolyzed polymers are useful as ion-exchange resins and as rigid foams having good thermal stability.     

Induced decomposition of di(tert-butyl)trioxide

Thermal decomposition of di(tert-butyl)trioxide (Bu^tOOOBu^t) in a wide range of concentrations was studied by visible and IR chemiluminescence. Induced decomposition of Bu^tOOOBu^t caused by its reaction with the peroxy radicals formed in the solvent (CH₂Cl₂) was found and investigated. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 5, pp. 924–927, May, 1997.     

Chemiluminescence in the thermal decomposition of di(tert-butyl) trioxide

Intense chemiluminescence (CL) in the visible and IR regions arising during the thermal decomposition of di(tert-butyl) trioxide has been observed. The decomposition rate constants have been determined. The emitter of CL in the IR region is singlet oxygen, that of CL in the visible region is triplet excited acetone. Kinetic and spectral data and thermochemical and MNDO calculations point to a homolytic mechanism of decomposition. The formation of the CL emitters occurs in the reactions of radicals that arise upon the decay of di(tert-butyl) trioxide.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 12, pp. 2056–2059, December, 1993.     

Kinetics of radical decomposition of di(tert-butyl) trioxide

The kinetics of radical decomposition of di(tert-butyl) trioxide was studied by spectrophotometry from the consumption of an acceptor of free radicals, 2,6-di(tert-butyl)-4-methylphenol, in CFCl₃ and CH₂Cl₂ (in the latter case, in the presence of 0.1M Bu^tOOH). The activation parameters of the reaction (log(A/s ⁻¹)=14.8±1.2 and 14.1±1.6,E _a=21.6±1.4 and 20.1±1.9 kcal mol⁻¹ in CFCl₃ and CH₂Cl₂, respectively) and the probability of radical escape to the bulk (e=0.9±0.1) were determined. The known experimental and calculated values of the O−OO bond strength in trioxides were analyzed. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 1, pp. 61–65, January, 1999.     

Chemiluminescence accompanying the thermal decomposition of diethoxy(tert-butyl hydroperoxidato) aluminum

Conclusions The thermolysis of diethoxy(tert-butyl peroxide) aluminum takes place with the formation of products in electronically excited states without the participation of free radicals. One of the emitters of luminescence is acetaldehyde.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 3, pp. 524–528, March, 1988.     

Chemiluminescent studies for the kinetics of decomposition of Di-(tert-butyl)-trioxide

Thermolysis of di-(tert-butyl)-trioxide produces IR and visible chemiluminescence (CL) which may be ascribed to emission by singlet oxygen (IR-CL) and triplet acetone (vis. CL).     

N,N-difluorotris(tert-butyl)silylamine-the first organosilyl difluoroamine. Synthesis and computational studies

The synthesis and characterization of the first stable trialkyl(difluoroamino)silane, R3SiNF2, as well as of R3SiNHF and R3SiN(CH3)F in moderate yields are reported. The (difluoroamino)silane has promise as a new synthon for the introduction of the -NF2 group into a variety of electrophilic inorganic and organic substrates. Activation barriers and relative energies were calculated for the unimolecular decompositions of Me3SiCF3 and t-Bu3SiNF2 using density functional theory (B3LYP/6-31G). The calculated activation energies confirm the long-assumed kinetic stability of Me3SiCF3.     

过氧化苯甲酸叔丁酯的热分解动力学研究及SADT推算

研究了过氧化苯甲酸叔丁酯的热分解动力学及不同包装规格下的自加速分解温度(SADT),利用C600微量热仪测试了过氧化苯甲酸叔丁酯的热分解特征,得到升温速率分别为0.1 K/min、0.2 K/min、0.5 K/min、1 K/min下热流随时间的变化曲线,并使用Friedman等转化率法对所得的实验数据进行分析处理,得到了过氧化苯甲酸叔丁酯的分解反应活化能、指前因子等热动力学参数,推算了不同包装规格的过氧化苯甲酸叔丁酯的SADT。结果表明TBPB分解活化能及指前因子随转化率变化而变化,活化能范围为42-135.5 kJ/mol,指前因子范围为0.25-33.5,在25L聚乙烯桶包装下的SADT为59℃,50L下为52℃,200L下为46℃。     

Free-radical chain decomposition of ozone initiated by di(tert-butyl) trioxide

Di(tert-butyl) trioxide in a solution of CFCl₃ (Freon-11) at –23 °C exists in equilibrium with the tert-butoxyl and tert-butylperoxyl radicals virtually without irreversible decomposition. The above radicals decompose ozone to dioxygen with a high effective rate constant, which is proprotional to the square root of the Bu^tOOOBu^t concentration. The kinetic scheme describing the found relationships was proposed.     

Effect of medium on the rate constant of decomposition of di(tert-butyl)trioxide

It was found that the medium affects the rate constant of the thermal decomposition of di(tert-butyl)trioxide. In all solvents studied, the decomposition occurred according to the first-order law. The effect of the solvent on the rate constant was analyzed within the framework of the Koppel-Palm equation.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 6, pp. 1167–1168, June, 1995.The authors are grateful to O. N. Makarova for help in this work.This study was financially supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (Grant No. 93-03-5231).     

Dimeric (tris(tert-butyl)silyl)phosphanyl (tris(tert-butyl)silyl)phosphanediyl gallane: a molecule with a Ga-P-Ga heteroallyl system

The metathesis reaction of potassium (tris(tert-butyl)silyl)phosphanide with GaCl(3) in a molar ratio of 1:1 leads to the formation of [Cl(2)GaP(H)Si(t)Bu(3)](2) (1) as a mixture of cis and trans isomers with very large (1)J(P,H) and (2)J(P,P) coupling constants. The molecular structure of 1 shows a Ga(2)P(2) cycle with nearly planar coordinated phosphorus atoms under neglection of the hydrogen atoms and Ga-P distances of 239 pm. The reaction of GaCl(3) with 3 equiv of potassium (tris(tert-butyl)silyl)phosphanide as well as the reaction of 1 with 2 equiv of KP(H)Si(t)Bu(3) yields [(t)Bu(3)SiP(H)Ga(mu-PSi(t)Bu(3))](2) (2). The central moiety comprises a four-membered Ga(2)P(2) cycle with one planar P atom and extremely short Ga-P bonds of approximately 226 pm, the other being in a pyramidal environment with an angle sum of 298.4 degrees. The structure of 2 can be described as a GaPGa heteroallyl system which is bonded to a phosphanidyl substituent. This idea and its dependency on the steric demand of the trialkylsilyl groups are investigated by DFT calculations on different isomers of 2.     

Kinetics of the thermal decomposition of bis(trifluoromethyl) peroxydicarbonate,CF3OC(O)OOC(O)OCF3

Thermal decomposition of bis(trifluoromethyl) peroxydicarbonate has been studied. The mechanism of decomposition is a simple bond fission, homogeneous first‐order process when the reaction is carried out in the presence of inert gases such as N₂ or CO. An activation energy of 28.5 kcal mol^?1 was determined for the temperature range of 50–90°C. Decomposition is accelerated by nitric oxide because of a chemical attack on the peroxide forming substances different from those formed with N₂ or CO. An interpretation on the influence of the substituents in different peroxides on the O? O bond is given. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 35: 15–19, 2003     

Organolanthanide mediated catalytic cycles: a computational perspective

In this perspective the contribution of recent theoretical studies to our understanding of lanthanide (Ln) catalysis is explored. In general, the results of computational studies have proven consistent with available experimental evidence. Considerable success has been obtained in elucidating the mechanisms for C-H bond activation (sigma-bond metathesis in particular) and the addition of C-X bonds across an unsaturated functionality (and the hydroamination of alkenes in particular). Ln catalysts are computationally challenging because relativistic effects are important, and large ligands are required to restrict high coordination numbers, in addition to limiting facile redistribution processes. Thus, key technical issues relating to the computational investigation of organolanthanide complexes are discussed. Increasing computational resources have seen studies expand from the optimisation of simple molecules to the study of catalytic cycles where the Ln is coordinated by larger and more complex ligands. The ability of theoretical studies to complement experimental developments by supplying a deeper understanding of the mechanistic process is reviewed with emphasis on the elucidation of transition state structures, intermediates, spectator ligand coordination, and negative entropy steps. Recent computational investigations of the catalytic cycle for Ln mediated hydroamination are a focus, as these have provided substantial and detailed rationalisations for the regio- and stereo-selectivity of inter- and intra-molecular hydroamination. Examination of transition state geometries and electronic structure appears to offer insights that could be used to facilitate the rational design of new Ln-based catalysts.     

Original phenyl-P(O) bond cleavage at palladium(0): a combined experimental and computational study

The reaction of the diphosphine-phosphine oxide ligand {[o-iPr(2)P-(C(6)H(4))](2)P(O)Ph} with Pd(PtBu(3))(2) proceeds with cleavage of the Ph-P(O) bond to give an original κ(P,P(O),P)-pincer complex. According to DFT calculations, this oxidative addition occurs via a three-center P,C(ipso),Pd transition state.     

A theoretical and computational study of the anion, neutral, and cation Cu(H(2)O) complexes

An ab initio investigation of the potential energy surfaces and vibrational energies and wave functions of the anion, neutral, and cation Cu(H(2)O) complexes is presented. The equilibrium geometries and harmonic frequencies of the three charge states of Cu(H(2)O) are calculated at the MP2 level of theory. CCSD(T) calculations predict a vertical electron detachment energy for the anion complex of 1.65 eV and a vertical ionization potential for the neutral complex of 6.27 eV. Potential energy surfaces are calculated for the three charge states of the copper-water complexes. These potential energy surfaces are used in variational calculations of the vibrational wave functions and energies and from these, the dissociation energies D(0) of the anion, neutral, and cation charge states of Cu(H(2)O) are predicted to be 0.39, 0.16, and 1.74 eV, respectively. In addition, the vertical excitation energies, that correspond to the 4 (2)P<--4 (2)S transition of the copper atom, and ionization potentials of the neutral Cu(H(2)O) are calculated over a range of Cu(H(2)O) configurations. In hydrogen-bonded, Cu-HOH configurations, the vertical excitation and ionization energies are blueshifted with respect to the corresponding values for atomic copper, and in Cu-OH(2) configurations where the copper atom is located near the oxygen end of water, both quantities are redshifted.     

Interanionic (-)O-H...O(-) interactions: a solid-state and computational study of the ring and chain motifs

The (-)O-H...O(-) interaction formed by the anions HCO3-, HCO4, HC4O4 and HC5O5- (HA-), obtained upon monodeprotonation of the corresponding carbonic, oxalic, squaric and croconic acids (H2A), has been investigated theoretically and experimentally. The ring (RING) and chain (CHAIN) hydrogen bond motifs established between these anions have been analysed in terms of geometry and energy and their occurrence in crystalline salts investigated by searching the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD) and the Inorganic Chemistry Structural Database (ICSD). It has been shown that hydrogen carbonates form RINGs, with the notable exception of NaHCO3, while only CHAINs are known for hydrogen oxalates. Hydrogen squarates and hydrogen croconates can form both RINGs and CHAINs. The structures of Rb- and Cs- hydrogen croconates, which present the two alternative motifs, have been discussed together with that of the hydrated salt NaHC5O5.H2O. The relationship between RING and CHAIN has been examined in the light of ab initio calculations. A rigorous quantum chemical study of the nature of the interanionic (-)O-H...O(-) interaction in both vacuum and condensed phase has shown that the interaction energy is dominated by the electrostatic component which becomes attractive at short O...O distances (less than 2.5 A) if the net ionic charge on the anion is delocalised away from the -OH group. It has been demonstrated that the RING motif is slightly metastable with respect to dissociation in the gas phase, but becomes stable in the crystal owing to the influence of the Madelung field. However, the CHAIN motif is unstable both in the gas phase and in the crystal. It is argued that interanionic (-)O-H...O(-) interactions ought to be regarded as stabilising bonding interactions rather than proper intermolecular hydrogen bonds because the RING and CHAIN aggregates are not energetically stable on an absolute scale of bonding energy (i.e., in the absence of counterions). The presence of very short non-hydrogen-bridged O...O contacts resulting from charge compression of polyatomic anions bridged by alkali cations is also discussed.