Kinetics of the gas‐phase reactions of chlorine atoms with CH2F2, CH3CCl3, and CF3CFH2 over the temperature range 253–553 K

Relative rate techniques were used to study the title reactions in 930–1200 mbar of N₂ diluent. The reaction rate coefficients measured in the present work are summarized by the expressions k(Cl + CH₂F₂) = 1.19 × 10^?17 T² exp(?1023/T) cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 (253–553 K), k(Cl + CH₃CCl₃) = 2.41 × 10^?12 exp(?1630/T) cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 (253–313 K), and k(Cl + CF₃CFH₂) = 1.27 × 10^?12 exp(?2019/T) cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 (253–313 K). Results are discussed with respect to the literature data. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 41: 401–406, 2009     

Theoretical study and rate constants calculation for the reactions X + CF3CH2OCF3 (X = F,Cl, Br)

The multiple‐channel reactions X + CF₃CH₂OCF₃ (X = F, Cl, Br) are theoretically investigated. The minimum energy paths (MEP) are calculated at the MP2/6‐31+G(d,p) level, and energetic information is further refined by the MC‐QCISD (single‐point) method. The rate constants for major reaction channels are calculated by canonical variational transition state theory (CVT) with small‐curvature tunneling (SCT) correction over the temperature range 200–2000 K. The theoretical three‐parameter expressions for the three channels k_1a(T) = 1.24 × 10^?15T^1.24exp(?304.81/T), k_2a(T) = 7.27 × 10^?15T^0.37exp(?630.69/T), and k_3a(T) = 2.84 × 10^?19T^2.51 exp(?2725.17/T) cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 are given. Our calculations indicate that hydrogen abstraction channel is only feasible channel due to the smaller barrier height among five channels considered. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2012     

Ab initio chemical kinetics for the NH2 + HNOx reactions,part II: Kinetics and mechanism for NH2 + HONO

The kinetics and mechanism for the reaction of NH₂ with HONO have been investigated by ab initio calculations with rate constant prediction. The potential energy surface of this reaction has been computed by single‐point calculations at the CCSD(T)/6‐311+G(3df, 2p) level based on geometries optimized at the CCSD/6‐311++G(d, p) level. The reaction producing the primary products, NH₃ + NO₂, takes place via precomplexes, H₂N???c‐HONO or H₂N???t‐HONO with binding energies, 5.0 or 5.9 kcal/mol, respectively. The rate constants for the major reaction channels in the temperature range of 300–3000 K are predicted by variational transition state theory or Rice–Ramsperger–Kassel–Marcus theory depending on the mechanism involved. The total rate constant can be represented by k_total = 1.69 × 10^?20 × T^2.34 exp(1612/T) cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 at T = 300–650 K and 8.04 × 10^?22 × T^3.36 exp(2303/T) cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 at T = 650–3000 K. The branching ratios of the major channels are predicted: k₁ + k₃ producing NH₃ + NO₂ accounts for 1.00–0.98 in the temperature range 300–3000 K and k₂ producing OH + H₂NNO accounts for 0.02 at T > 2500 K. The predicted rate constant for the reverse reaction, NH₃ + NO₂ → NH₂ + HONO represented by 8.00 × 10^?26 × T^4.25 exp(?11,560/T) cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, is in good agreement with the experimental data. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 41: 678–688, 2009     

Standard reactions for comparative rate studies: Experiments on the dehydrochlorination reactions of 2‐chloropropane,chlorocyclopentane, and chlorocyclohexane

Single pulse shock tube studies of the thermal dehydrochlorination reactions (chlorocyclopentane → cyclopentene + HCl) and (chlorocyclohexane → cyclohexene + HCl) at temperatures of 843–1021 K and pressures of 1.4–2.4 bar have been carried out using the comparative rate technique. Rate constants have been measured relative to (2‐chloropropane → propene + HCl) and the decyclization reactions of cyclohexene, 4‐methylcyclohexene, and 4‐vinylcyclohexene. Absolute rate constants have been derived using k(cyclohexene → ethene + butadiene) = 1.4 × 10¹⁵ exp(?33,500/T) s^?1. These data provide a self‐consistent temperature scale of use in the comparison of chemical systems studied with different temperature standards. A combined analysis of the present results with the literature data from lower temperature static studies leads to

• k(2‐chloropropane) = 10^{(13.98±0.08)} exp(?26, 225 ± 130) K/T) s^?1; 590–1020 K; 1–3 bar
• k(chlorocylopentane) = 10^{(13.65 ± 0.10)} exp(?24,570 ± 160) K/T) s^?1; 590–1020 K; 1–3 bar
• k(chlorocylohexane) = 10^{(14.33 ± 0.10)} exp(?25,950 ± 180) K/T) s^?1; 590–1020 K; 1–3 bar

Including systematic uncertainties, expanded standard uncertainties are estimated to be about 15% near 600 K rising to about 25% at 1000 K. At 2 bar and 1000 K, the reactions are only slightly under their high‐pressure limits, but falloff effects rapidly become significant at higher temperatures. On the basis of computational studies and Rice–Ramsperger–Kassel–Marcus (RRKM)/Master Equation modeling of these and reference dehydrochlorination reactions, reported in more detail in an accompanying article, the following high‐pressure limits have been derived:

• k_∞ (2‐chloropropane) = 5.74 × 10⁹T^1.37 exp(?25,680/T) s^?1; 600–1600 K
• k_∞ (chlorocylopentane) = 7.65 × 10⁷T^1.75 exp(?23,320/T) s^?1; 600–1600 K
• k_∞ (chlorocylohexane) = 8.25 × 10⁹T^1.34 exp(?25,010/T) s^?1; 600–1600 K

© 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

1 This article is a U.S. Government work and, as such, is in the public domain of the United States of America.

Int J Chem Kinet 44: 351–368, 2012     

Ab initio study of the OH + CH2O reaction: The effect of the OH··OCH2 complex on the H‐abstraction kinetics

Kinetics for the reaction of OH radical with CH₂O has been studied by single‐point calculations at the CCSD(T)/6‐311+G(3df, 2p) level based on the geometries optimized at the B3LYP/6‐311+G(3df, 2p) and CCSD/6‐311++G(d,p) levels. The rate constant for the reaction has been computed in the temperature range 200–3000 K by variational transition state theory including the significant effect of the multiple reflections above the OH··OCH₂ complex. The predicted results can be represented by the expressions k₁ = 2.45 × 10^‐21 T^2.98 exp (1750/T) cm³ mol^?1 s^?1 (200–400 K) and 3.22 × 10^‐18 T^2.11 exp(849/T) cm³ mol^?1 s^?1 (400–3000 K) for the H‐abstraction process and k₂ = 1.05 × 10^‐17 T^1.63 exp(?2156/T) cm³ mol^?1 s^?1 in the temperature range of 200–3000 K for the HO‐addition process producing the OCH₂OH radical. The predicted total rate constants (k₁ + k₂) can reproduce closely the recommended kinetic data for OH + CH₂O over the entire range of temperature studied. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 38: 322–326, 2006     

Analysis of the unimolecular reaction N2O5 + M ⇌ NO2 + NO3 + M

Recent experimental results on the thermal decomposition of N₂O₅ in N₂ are evaluated in terms of unimolecular rate theory. A theoretically consistent set of fall-off curves is constructed which allows to identify experimental errors or misinterpretations. Limiting rate constants k₀ = [N₂] 2.2 × 10^?3 (T/300)^?4.4 exp(?11,080/T) cm³/molec·s over the range of 220–300 K, k_∞ = 9.7 × 10¹⁴ (T/300)^+0.1 exp(?11,080/T) s^?1 over the range of 220–300 K, and broadening factors of the fall-off curve F_cent = exp(-T/250) + exp(?1050/T) over the range of 220–520 K have been derived. NO₂ + NO₃ recombination rate constants over the range of 200–300 K are k_rec,0 = [N₂] 3.7 × 10^?30 (T/300)^?4.1 cm⁶/molec²·s and k_rec,∞ = 1.6 × 10^?12 (T/300)^+0.2 cm³/molec·s.     

Theoretical studies on the reactions CH3SCH3 with OH,CF3, and CH3 radicals

The multiple‐channel reactions OH + CH₃SCH₃ → products, CF₃ + CH₃SCH₃ → products, and CH₃ + CH₃SCH₃ → products are investigated by direct dynamics method. The optimized geometries, frequencies, and minimum energy path are all obtained at the MP2/6‐31+G(d,p) level, and energetic information is further refined by the MC‐QCISD (single‐point) method. The rate constants for eight reaction channels are calculated by the improved canonical variational transition state theory with small‐curvature tunneling contribution over the temperature range 200–3000 K. The total rate constants are in good agreement with the available experimental data and the three‐parameter expressions k₁ = 4.73 × 10^?16T^1.89 exp(?662.45/T), k₂ = 1.02 × 10^?32T^6.04 exp(933.36/T), k₃ = 3.98 × 10^?35T^6.60 exp(660.58/T) (in unit of cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1) over the temperature range of 200–3000 K are given. Our calculations indicate that hydrogen abstraction channels are the major channels and the others are minor channels over the whole temperature range. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2010     

Kinetic study of the reactions of the hydroxyl radical with ethane and propane

Absolute rate coefficients for the reactions of the hydroxyl radical with ethane (k₁, 297–300 K) and propane (k₂, 297–690 K) were measured using the flash photolysis–resonance fluorescence technique. The rate coefficient data were fit by the following temperature-dependent expressions, in units of cm³/molecule·s: k₁(T) = 1.43 × 10^?14T^1.05 exp (?911/T) and k₂(T) = 1.59 × 10^?15T^1.40 exp (-428/T). Semiquantitative separation of OH-propane reactivity into primary and secondary H-atom abstraction channels was obtained.     

The temperature dependence of the OH radical reactions with some aromatic compounds under simulated tropospheric conditions

The temperature dependence of the rate coefficients for the OH radical reactions with toluene, benzene, o-cresol, m-cresol, p-cresol, phenol, and benzaldehyde were measured by the competitive technique under simulated atmospheric conditions over the temperature range 258–373 K. The relative rate coefficients obtained were placed on an absolute basis using evaluated rate coefficients for the corresponding reference compounds. Based on the rate coefficient k(OH + 2,3-dimethylbutane) = 6.2 × 10^?12 cm³ molecule^?1s^?1, independent of temperature, the rate coefficient for toluene k_OH = 0.79 × 10^?12 exp[(614 ± 114)/T] cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 over the temperature range 284–363 K was determined. The following rate coefficients in units of cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 were determined relative to the rate coefficient k(OH + 1,3-butadiene) = 1.48 × 10^?11 exp(448/T) cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1: o-cresol; k_OH = 9.8 × 10^?13 exp[(1166 ± 248)/T]; 301–373 K; p-cresol; k_OH = 2.21 × 10^?12 exp[(943 ± 449)/T]; 301–373 K; and phenol, k_OH = 3.7 × 10^?13 exp[(1267 ± 233)/T]; 301–373 K. The rate coefficient for benzaldehyde k_OH = 5.32 × 10^?12 exp[(243 ± 85)/T], 294–343 K was determined relative to the rate coefficient k(OH + diethyl ether) = 7.3 × 10^?12 exp(158/T) cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1. The data have been compared to the available literature data and where possible evaluated rate coefficients have been deduced or updated. Using the evaluated rate coefficient k(OH + toluene) = 1.59 × 10^?12 exp[(396 ± 105)/T] cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, 213–363 K, the following rate coefficient for benzene has been determined k_OH = 2.58 × 10^?12 exp[(?231 ± 84)/T] cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 over the temperature range 274–363 K and the rate coefficent for m-cresol, k_OH = 5.17 × 10^?12 exp[(686 ± 231)/T] cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, 299–373 K was determined relative to the evaluated rate coefficient k(OH + o-cresol) = 2.1 × 10^?12 exp[(881 ± 356)/T] cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1. The tropospheric lifetimes of the aromatic compounds studied were calculated relative to that for 1,1,1-triclorethane = 6.3 years at 277 K. The lifetimes range from 6 h for m-cresol to 15.5 days for benzene. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Ab initio chemical kinetics for the NH2 + HNOx reactions,part III: Kinetics and mechanism for NH2 + HONO2

The kinetics and mechanism for the reaction of NH₂ with HONO₂ have been investigated by ab initio calculations with rate constant prediction. The potential energy surface of this reaction has been computed by single‐point calculations at the CCSD(T)/6‐311+G(3df, 2p) level based on geometries optimized at the B3LYP/6‐311+G(3df, 2p) level. The reaction producing the primary products, NH₃ + NO₃, takes place via a precursor complex, H₂N…HONO₂ with an 8.4‐kcal/mol binding energy. The rate constants for major product channels in the temperature range 200–3000 K are predicted by variational transition state or variational Rice–Ramsperger–Kassel–Marcus theory. The results show that the reaction has a noticeable pressure dependence at T < 900 K. The total rate constants at 760 Torr Ar‐pressure can be represented by k_total = 1.71 × 10^?3 × T^?3.85 exp(?96/T) cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 at T = 200–550 K, 5.11 × 10^?23 × T^+3.22 exp(70/T) cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 at T = 550–3000 K. The branching ratios of primary channels at 760 Torr Ar‐pressure are predicted: k₁ producing NH₃ + NO₃ accounts for 1.00–0.99 in the temperature range of 200–3000 K and k₂ + k₃ producing H₂NO + HONO accounts for less than 0.01 when temperature is more than 2600 K. The reverse reaction, NH₃ + NO₃ → NH₂ + HONO₂ shows relatively weak pressure dependence at P < 100 Torr and T < 600 K due to its precursor complex, NH₃…O₃N with a lower binding energy of 1.8 kcal/mol. The predicted rate constants can be represented by k_?1 = 6.70 × 10^?24 × T^+3.58 exp(?850/T) cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 at T = 200–3000 K and 760 Torr N₂ pressure, where the predicted rate at T = 298 K, 2.8 × 10^?16 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 is in good agreement with the experimental data. The NH₃ + NO₃ formation rate constant was found to be a factor of 4 smaller than that of the reaction OH + HONO₂ producing the H₂O + NO₃ because of the lower barrier for the transition state for the OH + HONO₂. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 42: 69–78, 2010     

Temperature dependence of the rate constant for the reaction OH + H2S in He,N2, and O2

The rate constants of the reaction between OH and H₂S in He, N₂, and O₂ over the temperature range 245–450 K have been determined using the discharge flow-resonance fluorescence technique. At 299 K, k₁ = (4.4 ± 0.7) × 10^?12 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1. The temperature dependence of the rate constant can be fitted either by k₁ = 5.6 × 10^?12 exp(?57/T) or by k₁ = (3.8 × 10^?19)T^2.43 exp(732/T) to within 8 and 9%, respectively. However, the non-Arrhenius behavior can be confidently confirmed. The absence of the pressure dependence and the third-body effect at low temperature suggest that the complex formation mechanism is not important over the temperature range of our study.     

Theoretical study on the degradation mechanism of methamidophos and chloramine phosphorus with OH radicals

Theoretical investigation on the gas‐phase degradation reaction mechanism of methamidophos (MAP) and chloramine phosphorus (CHP) with OH radicals is performed. The equilibrium geometries and the harmonic vibration frequencies of the stationary points are obtained at M06‐2x/6‐31+G(d,p) level, and the higher‐level energetic information is further refined at M06‐2x/6–311++G(3df,2p) level. The rate constants for the 14 reaction channels are calculated by the improved canonical variational transition state theory with small‐curvature tunneling correction over the temperature range 200–2000 K. The three‐parameter expressions of k₁(T) = 1.53 × 10^?19T^2.74exp(?1005.12/T), k₂(T) = 1.36 × 10^?20T^3.02exp(?1259.56/T) are given. The total rate constants of all reaction channels of MAP with OH radicals are in good agreement with the available experimental data. Our results indicate that the H‐abstraction reactions on methyl are the major channels for the reaction of MAP and CHP with OH radicals. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Kinetics and mechanism for the atmospheric oxidation of 1,1,2-trifluoroethane (HFC 143)

The rate constant for the reaction of the hydroxyl radical with 1,2,2-trifuoroethane has been determined over the temperature range 278–323 K using a relative rate technique. The results provide a value of k(OH + CH₂FCHF₂) = 2.65 × 10^?12 exp(?1542 ± 500/T) cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 based on k(OH + CH₃CCl₃) = 1.2 × 10^?12 exp(?1400 ± 200/T) cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 for the rate constant of the reference reaction. The chlorine atom initiated photooxidation of CH₂CHF₂ was investigated from 255 to 330 K and as a function of O₂ pressure at 1 atmosphere total pressure using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The major carbon-containing products were CHFO and CF₂O suggesting that the alkoxy radicals CH₂FCF₂O and CHF₂CHFO, formed in the reaction, react predominantly by carbon-carbon bond cleavage. The results indicate that formation of CHF₂CFO from the reaction of CHF₂CHFO radicals with O₂ will be unimportant under all atmospheric conditions. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

The thermal decomposition of water

The reflected shock tube technique with multipass absorption spectrometric detection of OH‐radicals at 308 nm, corresponding to a total path length of 1.749 m, has been used to study the reaction H₂O + M → H + OH + M between 2196 and 2792 K using 0.3, 0.5, and 1% H₂O, diluted in Kr. As a result of the increased sensitivity for OH‐radical detection, the existing database for this reaction could be extended downward by ～500 K. Combining the present work with that of Homer and Hurle, the composite rate expression for water dissociation in either Ar or Kr bath gas is k_{1,Ar(or Kr)} = (2.43 ± 0.57) × 10^?10 exp(?47117 ± 633 K/T) cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 over the T‐range of 2196–3290 K. Applying the Troe factorization method to data for both forward and reverse reactions, the rate behavior could be expressed to within <±18% over the T‐range, 300–3400 K, by the three‐parameter expression k_1,Ar = 1.007 × 10⁴ T^?3.322 exp(?60782 K/T) cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 A large enhancement due to H₂O with H₂O collisional activation has been noted previously, and both absolute and relative data have been considered allowing us to suggest k₁, H₂ O = 1.671 × 10² T^?2.440 exp(?60475 K/T) cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 for the rate constants with H₂O bath gas over the T‐range, 300–3400 K. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 38: 211–219, 2006     

High‐temperature dissociation of ethyl radicals and ethyl iodide

The decomposition of ethyl iodide and subsequent dissociation of ethyl radicals have been investigated behind incident shock waves in a diaphragmless shock tube by laser‐schlieren (LS) densitometry (1150–1870 K, 55 ± 2 Torr and 123 ± 3 Torr). The LS density‐gradient profiles were simulated assuming that the initial dissociation of C₂H₅I proceeded by 87% C–I fission and 13% HI elimination. Excellent agreement was found between the simulations and experimental profiles. Rate coefficients for the C–I scission reaction were obtained and show strong falloff. Gorin model RRKM (Rice, Ramsperger, Kassel, and Marcus) calculations are in excellent agreement with the experimental data with E₀ = 55.0 kcal/mol, which is in very good agreement with recent thermochemical measurements and evaluations. However, E₀ is approximately 2.7 kcal/mol higher than previous estimates. First‐order rate coefficients for dissociation of C₂H₅I were determined to be k_55Torr = 8.65 × 10⁶⁸ T^?16.65 exp(?37,890/T) s^?1, k_123Torr = 3.01 × 10⁶⁹ T^?16.68 exp(?38,430/T) s^?1, k_∞ = 2.52 × 10¹⁹ T^?1.01 exp(?28,775/T) s^?1. Rates of dissociation for ethyl radicals were also obtained, and these are in very good agreement with theoretical predictions (Miller J. A. and Klippenstein S. J. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2004, 6, 1192–1202). The simulations show that at low temperatures ethyl radicals are consumed through recombination reactions as well as dissociation, whereas at high temperatures, dissociation dominates. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 44: 433–443, 2012     

Formation of NO from N2/O2 Mixtures in a Flow Reactor: Toward an Accurate Prediction of Thermal NO

We have conducted flow reactor experiments for NO formation from N₂/O₂ mixtures at high temperatures and atmospheric pressure, controlling accurately temperature and reaction time. Under these conditions, atomic oxygen equilibrates rapidly with O₂. The experimental results were interpreted by a detailed chemical model to determine the rate constant for the reaction N₂ + O ? NO + N (R1). We obtain k₁ = 1.4 × 10¹⁴ exp(?38,300/T) cm³ mol^?1 s^?1 at 1700–1800 K, with an error limit of ±30%. This value is 25% below the recommendation of Baulch et al. for k₁, while it corresponds to a value k_1b of the reverse reaction 25% above the Baulch et al. evaluation. Combination of our results with literature values leads to a recommended rate constant for k_1b of 9.4 × 10¹² T^0.14 cm³ mol^?1 s^?1 over 250–3000 K. This value, which reconciles the differences between the forward and reverse rate constant, is recommended for use in kinetic modeling.     

The rate constants of the gas-phase reactions K + Cl ⇆ K+ + Cl− and KCl + M ⇆ K+ + Cl− + M from measurements in atmospheric pressure flames

Mass spectrometric studies of the ions present in H₂/O₂/N₂ flames with potassium and chlorine added have demonstrated that ionization can occur in the forward steps of K + Cl ? K⁺ + Cl^? (II), KCl + M ? K⁺ + Cl^? + M (IV), where M is any third body. Variations of [K⁺] with time in these systems have been measured and establish that the rate coefficients (in ml molecule^?1 s^?1) of the ion-producing steps are k₂ = 5 × 10^?10T^{?$\text{1}\text{2}$} exp(?10 500/T) and k₄ = 2.2 × 10⁷T^?3.5 × exp(?60 800/T). Coefficients for ion-ion recombination have been obtained from k₂ and k₄ using the equilibrium constants of (II) and (IV) and are k_?2 = 1.7 × 10^?9T^{?$\text{1}\text{2}$} and k_?4 = 1.1 × 10^?17T^?3, with each one in the ml molecule^?1 s^?1 system of units. Replacement of the N₂ in one of these flames with sufficient Ar to maintain the temperature constant leaves the measured k₂ and k_?2 unchanged, but lowers the observed k₄ and k_?4. This confirms that ion-recombination in the backward step in (II) is a two-body process, whereas in (IV) it is termolecular.     

Temperature‐dependent rate coefficients and mechanism for the gas‐phase reaction of chlorine atoms with acetone

The rate coefficient for the gas‐phase reaction of chlorine atoms with acetone was determined as a function of temperature (273–363 K) and pressure (0.002–700 Torr) using complementary absolute and relative rate methods. Absolute rate measurements were performed at the low‐pressure regime (～2 mTorr), employing the very low pressure reactor coupled with quadrupole mass spectrometry (VLPR/QMS) technique. The absolute rate coefficient was given by the Arrhenius expression k(T) = (1.68 ± 0.27) × 10^?11 exp[?(608 ± 16)/T] cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 and k(298 K) = (2.17 ± 0.19) × 10^?12 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1. The quoted uncertainties are the 2σ (95% level of confidence), including estimated systematic uncertainties. The hydrogen abstraction pathway leading to HCl was the predominant pathway, whereas the reaction channel of acetyl chloride formation (CH₃C(O)Cl) was determined to be less than 0.1%. In addition, relative rate measurements were performed by employing a static thermostated photochemical reactor coupled with FTIR spectroscopy (TPCR/FTIR) technique. The reactions of Cl atoms with CHF₂CH₂OH (3) and ClCH₂CH₂Cl (4) were used as reference reactions with k₃(T) = (2.61 ± 0.49) × 10^?11 exp[?(662 ± 60)/T] and k₄(T) = (4.93 ± 0.96) × 10^?11 exp[?(1087 ± 68)/T] cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, respectively. The relative rate coefficients were independent of pressure over the range 30–700 Torr, and the temperature dependence was given by the expression k(T) = (3.43 ± 0.75) × 10^?11 exp[?(830 ± 68)/T] cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 and k(298 K) = (2.18 ± 0.03) × 10^?12 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1. The quoted errors limits (2σ) are at the 95% level of confidence and do not include systematic uncertainties. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 42: 724–734, 2010     

A consistent model for the thermal decomposition of NCN3 and the singlet– triplet relaxation of NCN

The thermal decomposition of cyanogen azide (NCN₃) and the subsequent collision‐induced intersystem crossing (CIISC) process of cyanonitrene (NCN) have been investigated by monitoring excited electronic state ¹NCN and ground state ³NCN radicals. NCN was generated by the pyrolysis of NCN₃ behind shock waves and by the photolysis of NCN₃ at room temperature. Falloff rate constants of the thermal unimolecular decomposition of NCN₃ in argon have been extracted from ¹NCN concentration–time profiles in the temperature range 617 K <T< 927 K and at two different total densities: k(ρ ≈ 3 × 10^?6 mol/cm³)/s^?1=4.9 × 10⁹ × exp (?71±14 kJ mol^?1/RT) (± 30%); k(ρ ≈ 6 × 10^?6 mol/cm³)/s^?1=7.5 × 10⁹ × exp (‐71±14 kJ mol^?1/RT) (± 30%). In addition, high‐temperature ¹NCN absorption cross sections have been determined in the temperature range 618 K <T< 1231 K and can be expressed by σ /(cm²/mol)= 1.0 × 10⁸ ?6.3 × 10⁴ K^?1 × T (± 50%). Rate constants for the CIISC process have been measured by monitoring ³NCN in the temperature range 701 K <T< 1256 K resulting in k_CIISC (ρ ≈ 1.8 ×10^?6 mol/cm³)/ s^?1=2.6 × 10⁶× exp (‐36±10 kJ mol^?1/RT) (± 20%), k_CIISC (ρ ≈ 3.5×10^?6 mol/cm³)/ s^?1 = 2.0 × 10⁶ × exp (?31±10 kJ mol^?1/RT) (± 20%), k_CIISC (ρ ≈ 7.0×10^?6 mol/cm³)/ s^?1=1.4 × 10⁶ × exp (?25±10 kJ mol^?1/RT) (± 20%). These values are in good agreement with CIISC rate constants extracted from corresponding ¹NCN measurements. The observed nonlinear pressure dependences reveal a pressure saturation effect of the CIISC process. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 45: 30–40, 2013     

Theoretical Studies of the Reactions CFxH3−xCOOR+Cl and CF3COOCH3+OH

The mechanism and kinetics of the reactions of CF₃COOCH₂CH₃, CF₂HCOOCH₃, and CF₃COOCH₃ with Cl and OH radicals are studied using the B3LYP, MP2, BHandHLYP, and M06‐2X methods with the 6‐311G(d,p) basis set. The study is further refined by using the CCSD(T) and QCISD(T)/6‐311++G(d,p) methods. Seven hydrogen‐abstraction channels are found. All the rate constants, computed by a dual‐level direct method with a small‐curvature tunneling correction, are in good agreement with the experimental data. The tunneling effect is found to be important for the calculated rate constants in the low‐temperature range. For the reaction of CF₃COOCH₂CH₃+Cl, H‐abstraction from the CH₂ group is found to be the dominant reaction channel. The standard enthalpies of formation for the species are also calculated. The Arrhenius expressions are fitted within 200–1000 K as k_T(1)=8.4×10^?20T ^2.63exp(381.28/T), k_T(2)=2.95×10^?21T ^3.13exp(?103.21/T), k_T(3)=1.25×10^?23T ^3.37exp(791.98/T), and k_T(4)=4.53×10^?22T ^3.07exp(465.00/T).