Rate constants for the reactions of OH radicals with CH3OCF2CF3, CH3OCF2CF2CF3, and CH3OCF(CF3)2

The rate constants for the reactions of OH radicals with CH₃OCF₂CF₃, CH₃OCF₂CF₂CF₃, and CH₃OCF(CF₃)₂ have been measured over the temperature range 250–430 K. Kinetic measurements have been carried out using the flash photolysis, laser photolysis, and discharge flow methods combined respectively with the laser induced fluorescence technique. The influence of impurities in the samples was investigated by using gas‐chromatography. The following Arrhenius expressions were determined: k(CH₃OCF₂CF₃) = (1.90) × 10⁻¹² exp[−(1510 ± 120)/T], k(CH₃OCF₂CF₂CF₃) = (2.06) × 10⁻¹² exp[−(1540 ± 80)/T], and k(CH₃OCF(CF₃)₂) = (1.94) × 10⁻¹² exp[−(1450 ± 70)/T] cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 31: 846–853, 1999     

Kinetics for the gas‐phase reactions of OH radicals with the hydrofluoroethers CH2FCF2OCHF2, CHF2CF2OCH2CF3, CF3CHFCF2OCH2CF3, and CF3CHFCF2OCH2CF2CHF2 at 268–308 K

Rate constants were determined for the reactions of OH radicals with the hydrofluoroethers (HFEs) CH₂FCF₂OCHF₂(k₁), CHF₂CF₂OCH₂CF₃ (k₂), CF₃CHFCF₂OCH₂CF₃(k₃), and CF₃CHFCF₂OCH₂CF₂CHF₂(k₄) by using a relative rate method. OH radicals were prepared by photolysis of ozone at UV wavelengths (>260 nm) in 100 Torr of a HFE–reference–H₂O–O₃–O₂–He gas mixture in a 1‐m³ temperature‐controlled chamber. By using CH₄, CH₃CCl₃, CHF₂Cl, and CF₃CF₂CF₂OCH₃ as the reference compounds, reaction rate constants of OH radicals of k₁ = (1.68) × 10^?12 exp[(?1710 ± 140)/T], k₂ = (1.36) × 10^?12 exp[(?1470 ± 90)/T], k₃ = (1.67) × 10^?12 exp[(?1560 ± 140)/T], and k₄ = (2.39) × 10^?12 exp[(?1560 ± 110)/T] cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 were obtained at 268–308 K. The errors reported are ± 2 SD, and represent precision only. We estimate that the potential systematic errors associated with uncertainties in the reference rate constants add a further 10% uncertainty to the values of k₁–k₄. The results are discussed in relation to the predictions of Atkinson's structure–activity relationship model. The dominant tropospheric loss process for the HFEs studied here is considered to be by the reaction with the OH radicals, with atmospheric lifetimes of 11.5, 5.9, 6.7, and 4.7 years calculated for CH₂FCF₂OCHF₂, CHF₂CF₂OCH₂CF₃, CF₃CHFCF₂OCH₂CF₃, and CF₃CHFCF₂OCH₂CF₂CHF₂, respectively, by scaling from the lifetime of CH₃CCl₃. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 35: 239–245, 2003     

Effects of CH3OH‐H2O and CH3OH solvents on rate of reaction of phthalimide with piperidine

Pseudo‐first‐order rate constants (k_obs) for the cleavage of phthalimide in the presence of piperidine (Pip) vary linearly with the total concentration of Pip ([Pip]_T) at a constant content of methanol in mixed aqueous solvents containing 2% v/v acetonitrile. Such linear variation of k_obs against [Pip]_T exists within the methanol content range 10%–∼80% v/v. The change in k_obs with the change in [Pip]_T at 98% v/v CH₃OH in mixed methanol‐acetonitrile solvent shows the relationship: k_obs = k[Pip]_T + k[Pip], where respective k and k represent apparent second‐order and third‐order rate constants for nucleophilic and general base‐catalyzed piperidinolysis of phthalimide. The values of k_obs, obtained within [Pip]_T range 0.02–0.40 M at 0.03 M NaOH and 20 as well as 50% v/v CH₃OH reveal the relationship: k_obs = k₀/(1 + {k_n[Pip]/k_OX[⁻OX]_T}), where k₀ is the pseudo‐first‐order rate constant for hydrolysis of phthalimide, k_n and k_OX represent nucleophilic second‐order rate constants for the reaction of Pip with phthalimide and for the XO⁻‐catalyzed cyclization of N‐piperidinylphthalamide to phthalimide, respectively, and [⁻OX]_T = [NaOH] + [⁻OX_re], where [⁻OX_re] = [⁻OH_re] + [CH₃O_re⁻]. The reversible reactions of Pip with H₂O and CH₃OH produce ⁻OH_re and CH₃O_re⁻ ions. The effects of mixed methanol‐water solvents on the rates of piperidinolysis of PTH reveal a nonlinear decrease in k with the increase in the content of methanol. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 33: 29–40, 2001     

Kinetics of the gas‐phase reaction of Cl atoms with CF2ClCFClH at 263–313 K

Relative rate techniques were used to measure k(Cl + CF₂ClCFClH) = (1.4) × 10⁻¹¹ exp[−(2360 ± 400)/T] cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹; k(Cl + CF₂ClCFClH) = 5.1 × 10⁻¹⁵ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ at 298 K. This result is discussed with respect to the available data. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 31: 785–788, 1999     

Kinetics of Cl(2P) reactions with CF3CHCl2, CF3CHFCl,and CH3CFCl2

The rate coefficients for the removal of Cl atoms by reaction with three HCFCs, CF₃CHCl₂ (HCFC-123), CF₃CHFCl (HCFC-124), and CH₃CFCl₂ (HCFC 141b), were measured as a function of temperature between 276 and 397 K. CH₃CF₂Cl (HCFC-142b) was studied only at 298 K. The Arrhenius expressions obtained are: k₁ = (3.94 ± 0.84)× 10^?12 exp[?(1740 ± 100)/T] cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 for CF₃CHCl₂ (HCFC 123); k₂ = (1.16 ± 0.41) × 10^?12 exp[?(1800 ± 150)/T] cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 for CF₃CHFCl (HCFC 124); and k₃ = (1.6 ± 1.1) × 10^?12 exp[?(1800 ± 500)/T] cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 for CH₃CFCl₂ (HCFC 141b). In case of HCFC 141b, non-Arrhenius behavior was observed at temperatures above ca. 350 K and is attributed to the thermal decomposition of CH₂CFCl₂ product into Cl + CH₂CFCl. In case of HCFC-142b, only an upper limit for the 298 K value of the rate coefficient was obtained. The atmospheric significance of these results are discussed. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Rate constants for the gas‐phase reaction of CF3CF2CF2CF2CF2CHF2 with OH radicals at 250–430 K

The rate constants k₁ for the reaction of CF₃CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₂CHF₂ with OH radicals were determined by using both absolute and relative rate methods. The absolute rate constants were measured at 250–430 K using the flash photolysis–laser‐induced fluorescence (FP‐LIF) technique and the laser photolysis–laser‐induced fluorescence (LP‐LIF) technique to monitor the OH radical concentration. The relative rate constants were measured at 253–328 K in an 11.5‐dm³ reaction chamber with either CHF₂Cl or CH₂FCF₃ as a reference compound. OH radicals were produced by UV photolysis of an O₃–H₂O–He mixture at an initial pressure of 200 Torr. Ozone was continuously introduced into the reaction chamber during the UV irradiation. The k₁ (298 K) values determined by the absolute method were (1.69 ± 0.07) × 10^?15 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 (FP‐LIF method) and (1.72 ± 0.07) × 10^?15 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 (LP‐LIF method), whereas the K₁ (298 K) values determined by the relative method were (1.87 ± 0.11) × 10^?15 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 (CHF₂Cl reference) and (2.12 ± 0.11) × 10^?15 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 (CH₂FCF₃ reference). These data are in agreement with each other within the estimated experimental uncertainties. The Arrhenius rate constant determined from the kinetic data was K₁ = (4.71 ± 0.94) × 10^?13 exp[?(1630 ± 80)/T] cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1. Using kinetic data for the reaction of tropospheric CH₃CCl₃ with OH radicals [k₁ (272 K) = 6.0 × 10^?15 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, tropospheric lifetime of CH₃CCl₃ = 6.0 years], we estimated the tropospheric lifetime of CF₃CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₂CHF₂ through reaction with OH radicals to be 31 years. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 36: 26–33, 2004     

Atmospheric chemistry of CCl2FCH2CF3 (HCFC-234fb): Kinetics and mechanism of reactions with Cl atoms and OH radicals

The atmospheric chemistry of CCl₂FCH₂CF₃ (HFCF-234fb) was examined using FT-IR/relative-rate methods. Hydroxyl radical and chlorine atom rate coefficients of k(CCl₂FCH₂CF₃+OH)= (2.9 ± 0.8) × 10⁻¹⁵ cm³ molecule^–1 s^–1 and k(CCl₂FCH₂CF₃+Cl)= (2.3 ± 0.6) × 10⁻¹⁷ cm³ molecule^–1 s^–1 were determined at 297 ± 2 K. The OH rate coefficient determined here is two times higher than the previous literature value. The atmospheric lifetime for CCl₂FCH₂CF₃ with respect to reaction with OH radicals is approximately 21 years using the OH rate coefficient determined in this work, estimated Arrhenius parameters and scaling it to the atmospheric lifetime of CH₃CCl₃. The chlorine atom initiated oxidation of CCl₂FCH₂CF₃ gives C(O)F₂ and C(O)ClF as stable secondary products. The halogenated carbon balance is close to 80% in our system. The integrated IR absorption cross-section for CCl₂FCH₂CF₃ is 1.87 × 10⁻¹⁶ cm molecule⁻¹ (600–1600 cm⁻¹) and the radiative efficiency was calculated to 0.26 W m⁻² ppb¹. A 100-year Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 1460 was determined, accounting for an estimated stratospheric lifetime of 58 years and using a lifetime-corrected radiative efficiency estimation.     

Reaction of CF3 radicals with H2O and D2O

The reaction of CF₃ radicals with H₂O (D₂O) has been studied over the range of 533–723 K using the photolysis and the pyrolysis of CF₃I as the free radical source. Arrhenius parameters for the reactions where X = H or D, relative to CF₃ radical recombination are given by where k/k is in cm^3/2/mol^1/2·s^1/2 and θ = 2.303RT/cal/mol. The activation energy and the primary kinetic isotope effect have been compared with those derived from the BEBO method.     

Analysis of the kinetics of the thermal and chemically activated elimination of HF from 1,1,1-trifluoroethane: the C?C bond dissociation energy and the heat of formation of 1,1,1-trifluoroethane

The thermal, unimolecular elimination of HF from CH₃CF₃ was studied by three different groups over the temperature range 1000° to 1800°K. While the reported kinetic parameters varied greatly, it is shown here that these data may be satisfactorily correlated in terms of a four-center transition state. This correlation results in ΔE = 69.2 kcal/mol, and log (k/s^?1) = 14.6 – 72.6/θ. These results may then be combined with the kinetics of the chemically activated elimination of HF from CH₃CF₃ formed by the recombination of methyl and trifluoromethyl radicals. The data from three different laboratories are shown to be in excellent agreement. These data, combined with extant thermal data, yield as a best value DH(CH₃? CF₃) = 99.6 ± 1.1 kcal/mol. This gives the unexpectedly high value of DH₂₉₈°(CH₃? CF₃) = 101.2 ± 1.1 kcal/mol. It is suggested that dipoledipole interactions, primarily in CH₃CF₃, account for this surprisingly strong C? C bond dissociation energy. These results also yield δH(CH₃CF₃; g, 298) = ?178.6 ± 1.5 kcal/mol.     

Rate constants and Arrhenius parameters for the reactions of Cl atoms with the halogenated ethers: CF3CH2OCHF2, CF3CHClOCHF2, and CF3CH2OCClF2

Rate constants have been determined for the reactions of Cl atoms with the halogenated ethers CF₃CH₂OCHF₂, CF₃CHClOCHF₂, and CF₃CH₂OCClF₂ using a relative‐rate technique. Chlorine atoms were generated by continuous photolysis of Cl₂ in a mixture containing the ether and CD₄. Changes in the concentrations of these two species were measured via changes in their infrared absorption spectra observed with a Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer. Relative‐rate constants were converted to absolute values using the previously measured rate constants for the reaction, Cl + CD₄ → DCl + CD₃. Experiments were carried out at 295, 323, and 363 K, yielding the following Arrhenius expressions for the rate constants within this range of temperature:Cl + CF₃CH₂OCHF₂: k = (5.1₅ ± 0.7) × 10⁻¹² exp(−1830 ± 410 K/T) cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ Cl + CF₃CHClOCHF₂: k = (1.6 ± 0.2) × 10⁻¹¹ exp(−2450 ± 250 K/T) cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ Cl + CF₃CH₂OCClF₂: k = (9.6 ± 0.4) × 10⁻¹² exp(−2390 ± 190 K/T) cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ The results are compared with those obtained previously for the reactions of Cl atoms with other halogenated methyl ethyl ethers. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 33: 165–172, 2001     

Rate constants for some reactions of free radicals with haloacetates in aqueous solution

The kinetics of the acqueous-phase reactions of the free radicals ·OH, ·Cl, and SO· with the halogenated acetates, CH₂FCOO^?, CHF₂COO^?, CF₃COO^?, and with CH₂ClCOO^?, CHCl₂COO^?, CCl₃COO^? were investigated. Generally, the reactivity decreases with increasing halogen substitution and is in the order k(·OH) > k(SO·) > k(·Cl), but there is no general relation between the effect on reactivity of chlorine and fluorine substitution. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Redshifts and blueshifts of OH vibrations

Ab initio calculations of potential energy, dipole moment, equilibrium OH distance, force constants, and anharmonic frequencies, and correlation between these quantities, are presented for a water molecule and an OH^? ion in a uniform electric field of varying field strength. It is explained why a bound H₂O molecule in nature always experiences a frequency downshift with respect to the free molecule, and a bound OH^?1 ion, either a downshift or an upshift. The frequency-field variation is well accounted for by the expression Δν_OH α ?E‖ · (d μ/dr_OH + 1/2 · ?μ/?r_OH). A frequency maximum occurs at the field strength where ?μ‖^tot/?r_OH ～ 0. Two cases can be discerned: (1) the frequency maximum falls at a positive field strength when dμ/dr_OH is positive (this is the situation for OH^?), and (2) the maximum frequency falls at a negative field when dμ/dr_OH is negative (this occurs for water). In general, for an OH bond in a bonding situation where the intermolecular interactions are dominated by electrostatic forces, the nonlinearity of the frequency shift with respect to an applied field is governed by how close to the frequency maximum one is, i.e., by both dμ/dr_OH and ?μ/?r_OH. Correlation curves between the external linear force constant, k^ext, and r_OH,e are closely linear over the whole field range studied here, whereas the frequency vs. r_OH,e and force constants vs. r_OH,e correlation curves form two approximately linear, parallel branches, corresponding to “before” and “after” the maximum in the frequency vs. field curves. Each branch of the ν vs. r_OH,e curves has a slope of ～ ? 16,000 cm^?1/Å. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Redshifts and blueshifts of OH vibrations

Ab initio calculations of potential energy, dipole moment, equilibrium OH distance, force constants, and anharmonic frequencies, and correlations between these quantities, are presented for a water molecule and an OH^? ion in a uniform electric field of varying field strength. It is explained why a bound H₂O molecule in nature always experiences a frequency downshift with respect to the free molecule, and a bound OH^? ion either a downshift or an upshift. The frequency-field variation is well accounted for by the expression Δν_OH ∝ ?E_∥·(dμ/dr_OH + 1/2 · ?μ/?r_OH). A frequency maximum occurs at the field strength where ?μ/?r_OH ～ 0. Two cases can be discerned: (1) the frequency maximum falls at a positive field strength when dμ/dr_OH is negative (this is the situation for OH^?), and (2) the maximum frequency falls at a negative field when dμ/dr_OH is positive (this occurs for water). In general, for an OH bond in a bonding situation where the intermolecular interactions are dominated by electrostatic forces, the nonlinearity of the frequency shift with respect to an applied field is governed by how close to the frequency maximum one is, i.e., by both dμ/dr_OH and ?μ/?r_OH. Correlation curves between the external linear force constant, k^ext, and r_OH,e are closely linear over the whole field range studied here, whereas the frequency vs. r_OH,e and force constants vs. r_OH,e correlation curves form two approximately linear, parallel branches, corresponding to “before” and “after” the maximum in the frequency vs. field curves. Each branch of the v vs. r_OH,e curves has a slope of ～ ?16,000 cm^?1/Å. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

The kinetics and the mechanism of the thermal gas-phase reaction between bis(trifluoromethyl)trioxide,CF3O3CF3 and 1,1-dichlorodifluoroethylene,CF2CCI2

The thermal addition of CF₃O₃CF₃(T) to CF₂CCl₂(E) has been investigated between 49.6 and 69.5°C. The initial pressure of CF₃O₃CF₃ was varied between 7 and 240 torr and that of CF₂CCl₂ between 4 and 600 torr. Four products of formula CF₃O(E)_j OOCF₃, where j = 1 → 4 are formed. The sum of the products Σ CF₃O(E)_jOOCF₃ is equal to the amount of trioxide decomposed. The reaction is homogeneous. Its rate is not affected by the total pressure and the presence of inert gas. It is a free radical telomerization with four basic steps: thermal decomposition of CF₃O₃CF₃ into CF₃O^. and CF₃O₂^., chain initiation by addition of CF₃O^. to olefin incorporated in, and telomeric radicals termination. The consumption of alkene is well represented by the equation: where (d[E]/d[T]) = is the mean chain length of telomerization. varies from 1.45 at 1.5 torr of E to 3.3 at 400 torr of E. Above this pressure E has no influence on . The estimated value of the constant for the addition of telomeric radicals to alkene is:      

1,1,1,3,3,-pentafluorobutane (HFC-365mfc): atmospheric degradation and contribution to radiative forcing

The rate constant for the reaction of the hydroxyl radical with 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluorobutane (HFC-365mfc) has been determined over the temperature range 278–323K using a relative rate technique. The results provide a value of k(OH+CF₃CH₂CF₂CH₃)=2.0×10⁻¹²exp(−1750±400/T) cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ based on k(OH+CH₃CCl₃)=1.8×10⁻¹² exp (−1550±150/T) cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ for the rate constant of the reference reaction. Assuming the major atmospheric removal process is via reaction with OH in the troposphere, the rate constant data from this work gives an estimate of 10.8 years for the tropospheric lifetime of HFC-365mfc. The overall atmospheric lifetime obtained by taking into account a minor contribution from degradation in the stratosphere, is estimated to be 10.2 years. The rate constant for the reaction of Cl atoms with 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluorobutane was also determined at 298±2 K using the relative rate method, k(Cl+CF₃CH₂CF₂CH₃)=(1.1±0.3)×10⁻¹⁵ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹. The chlorine initiated photooxidation of CF₃CH₂CF₂CH₃ was investigated from 273–330 K and as a function of O₂ pressure at 1 atmosphere total pressure using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Under all conditions the major carbon-containing products were CF₂O and CO₂, with smaller amounts of CF₃O₃CF₃. In order to ascertain the relative importance of hydrogen abstraction from the (SINGLE BOND)CH₂(SINGLE BOND) and (SINGLE BOND)CH₃ groups in CF₃CH₂CF₂CH₃, rate constants for the reaction of OH radicals and Cl atoms with the structurally similar compounds CF₃CH₂CCl₂F and CF₃CH₂CF₃ were also determined at 298 K k(OH+CF₃CH₂CCl₂F)=(8±3)×10⁻¹⁶ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹; k(OH+CF₃CH₂CF₃)=(3.5±1.5)×10⁻¹⁶ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹; k(Cl+CF₃CH₂CCl₂F)=(3.5±1.5)×10⁻¹⁷ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹]; k(Cl+CF₃CH₂CF₃)<1×10⁻¹⁷ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹. The results indicate that the most probable site for H-atom abstraction from CF₃CH₂CF₂CH₃ is the methyl group and that the formation of carbonyl compounds containing more than a single carbon atom will be negligible under atmospheric conditions, carbonyl difluoride and carbon dioxide being the main degradation products. Finally, accurate infrared absorption cross-sections have been measured for CF₃CH₂CF₂CH₃, and jointly used with the calculated overall atmospheric lifetime of 10.2 years, in the NCAR chemical-radiative model, to determine the radiative forcing of climate by this CFC alternative. The steady-state Halocarbon Global Warming Potential, relative to CFC-11, is 0.17. The Global Warming Potentials relative to CO₂ are found to be 2210, 790, and 250, for integration time-horizons of 20, 100, and 500 years, respectively. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Density functional study of S(N) 2 substitution reactions for CH(3) Cl + CX(1) X(2•-) (X(1) X(2) = HH, HF, HCl, HBr, HI, FF, ClCl, BrBr, and II)

A systematic investigation on the S_N2 displacement reactions of nine carbene radical anions toward the substrate CH₃Cl has been theoretically carried out using the popular density functional theory functional BHandHLYP level with different basis sets 6‐31+G (d, p)/relativistic effective core potential (RECP), 6‐311++G (d, p)/RECP, and aug‐cc‐pVTZ/RECP. The studied models are CX¹X^2?? + CH₃Cl → X²X¹CH₃C^? + Cl^?, with CX¹X^2?? = CH₂^??, CHF^??, CHCl^??, CHBr^??, CHI^??, CF₂^??, CCl₂^??, CBr₂^??, and CI₂^??. The main results are proposed as follows: (a) Based on natural bond orbital (NBO), proton affinity (PA), and ionization energy (IE) analysis, reactant CH₂^?? should be a strongest base among the anion‐containing species (CX¹X^2??) and so more favorable nucleophile. (b) Regardless of frontside attacking pathway or backside one, the S_N2 reaction starts at an identical precomplex whose formation with no barrier. (c) The back‐S_N2 pathway is much more preferred than the front‐S_N2 one in terms of the energy gaps [ΔE(front)?ΔE(back)], steric demand, NBO population analysis. Thus, the back‐S_N2 reaction was discussed in detail. On the one hand, based on the energy barriers (ΔE and ΔE) analysis, we have strongly affirmed that the stabilization of back attacking transition states (b‐TSs) presents increase in the order: b‐TS‐CI₂ < b‐TS‐CBr₂ < b‐TS‐CCl₂ < b‐TS‐CHI < b‐TS‐CHBr < b‐TS‐CHCl < b‐TS‐CF₂ < b‐TS‐CHF < b‐TS‐CH₂. On the other hand, depended on discussions of the correlations of ΔE with influence factors (PA, IE, bond order, and ΔE), we have explored how and to what extent they affect the reactions. Moreover, we have predicted that the less size of substitution (α‐atom) required for the gas‐phase reaction with α‐nucleophile is related to the α‐effect and estimated that the reaction with the stronger PA nucleophile, holding the lighter substituted atom, corresponds to the greater exothermicity given out from reactants to products. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2012     

Computational schemes for modeling proton transfer in biological systems: Calculations on the hydrogen bonded complex [CH3OH · H · NH3]+

Different schemes are explored for the calculation of the proton transfer process in the hydrogen bonded cation [CH₃OH · H · NH₃]⁺. Results from ab-initio calculations with the STO-3G, 3-21G and 4-31G basis sets, are compared in search for an efficient reliable scheme to study the potential energy curves for the proton transfer. The curve constructed from the lowest energies calculated with the frozen optimized geometries of the two possible pairs of proton donor and acceptor fragments, (i.e., CH₃OH/NH₃ and CH₃OH/NH) is in good agreement with that obtained when all the fragments of the hydrogen bonded complex are completely optimized simultaneously.     

Gas phase rate coefficients and activation energies for the reaction of butanal and 2‐methyl‐propanal with nitrate radicals

Rate coefficients have been determined for the reaction of butanal and 2‐methyl‐propanal with NO₃ using relative and absolute methods. The relative measurements were accomplished by using a static reactor with long‐path FTIR spectroscopy as the analytical tool. The absolute measurements were made using fast‐flow–discharge technique with detection of NO₃ by optical absorption. The resulting average coefficients from the relative rate experiments were k = (1.0 ± 0.1) × 10⁻¹⁴ and k = (1.2 ± 0.2) × 10⁻¹⁴ (cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹) for butanal and 2‐methyl‐propanal, respectively. The results from the absolute measurements indicated secondary reactions involving NO₃ radicals and the primary formed acyl radicals. The prospect of secondary reactions was investigated by means of mathematical modeling. Calculations indicated that the unwanted NO₃ radical reactions could be suppressed by introducing molecular oxygen into the flow tube. The rate coefficients from the absolute rate experiments with oxygen added were and k = (1.2 ± 0.1) × 10⁻¹⁴ and = (0.9 ± 0.1) × 10⁻¹⁴ (cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹) for butanal and 2‐methyl‐propanal. The temperature dependence of the reactions was studied in the range between 263 and 364 K. Activation energies for the reactions were determined to 12 ± 2 kJ mole⁻¹ and 14 ± 1 kJ mole⁻¹ for butanal and 2‐methyl‐propanal, respectively. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 32: 294–303, 2000     

Stability of disubstituted copper complexes in the gas phase analyzed by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

A series of nitrogen ligand (L)/copper complexes of the type [Cu^IL]⁺, [Cu^IIL(X)]⁺ and [Cu^IL₂]⁺ (X = Cl^–, BF, acac^–, CH₃COO^– and SO₃CF) was studied in the gas phase by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. The following ligands (L) were employed: 1,12‐diazaperylene (dap), 1,1′‐bisisoquinoline (bis), 2,2′‐bipyridine (bpy), 1,10‐phenanthroline (phen), 2,11‐disubstituted 1,12‐diazaperylenes (dap), 3,3′‐disubstituted 1,1′‐ bisisoquinoline (bis), 5,8‐dimethoxy‐substituted diazaperylene (meodap), 6,6′‐ dimethoxy‐substituted bisisoquinoline (meobis) and 2,9‐dimethyl‐1,10‐phenanthroline (dmphen). Collision‐induced decomposition measurements were applied to evaluate the relative stabilities of the different copper complexes. The influence of the spatial arrangement of the ligands, of the type of substituents and of the counter ion of the copper salts employed for the complexation was examined. Correlations were found between the binding constants of the [ML₂]⁺ complexes in solution and the relative stabilities of the analogous complexes in the gas phase. Furthermore, complexation with the ligands 2,11‐dialkylated 1,12‐diazaperylenes [alkyl = ethyl (dedap) and isopropyl (dipdap)] was studied in the solvents CH₃OH and CH₃CN. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Symmetry breaking and its influence on the correlation energy for CF and CF ions

We have studied symmetry breaking in three open-shell systems: CF (D_2d and C_2v) and CF (D_3h) molecular ions. These different Hartree–Fock solutions are employed as starting points to calculate the correlation energy of these ions with perturbative, configuration interaction, and density functional methods. When symmetry-broken or symmetry-adapted wave functions are used, the correlation energy obtained with each method changes the order of stability of CF for a determined symmetry. Density functional methods produce higher correlation energies although they do not alter the order of stability of Hartree–Fock calculations. The behavior of correlation energy with different methods and the characteristics of the symmetry of wave functions are compared. A study of appearance energies for three different channels of the decomposition reaction of ionized carbon tetrafluoride are considered by using different methods with symmetry-broken or symmetry-adapted wave functions to calculate correlation energies. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.