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).     

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     

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     

Direct ab initio dynamics calculations of the rate constants for the reaction of CHF2CF2OCH3 with Cl

A dual‐level direct dynamics method is employed to reveal the dynamical properties of the reaction of CHF₂CF₂OCH₃ (HFE‐254pc) with Cl atoms. The optimized geometries and frequencies of the stationary points and the minimum energy path (MEP) are calculated at the B3LYP/6‐311G(d,p) level by using GAUSSIAN 98 program package, and energetic information is further refined by the G3(MP2) method. Two H‐abstraction channels have been identified. For the reactant CHF₂CF₂OCH₃ and the two products, CHF₂CF₂OCH₂ and CF₂CF₂OCH₃, the standard enthalpies of formation are evaluated with the values of ?256.71 ± 0.88, ?207.79 ± 0.12, and ?233.43 ± 0.88 kcal/mol, respectively, via group‐balanced isodesmic reactions. The rate constants of the two reaction channels are evaluated by means of canonical variational transition‐state theory (CVT) including the small‐curvature tunneling (SCT) correction over a wide range of temperature from 200 to 2000 K. The calculated rate constants agree well with the experimental data, and the Arrhenius expressions for the title reaction are fitted and can be expressed as k₁ = 9.22 × 10^?19 T^2.06 exp(219/T), k₂ = 4.45 × 10^?14 T^0.90 exp(?2220/T), and k = 4.71 × 10^?22 T^3.20) exp(543/T) cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1. Our results indicate that H‐abstraction from ? CH₃ group is the main reaction pathway in the lower temperature range, while H‐abstraction from ? CHF₂ group becomes more competitive in the higher temperature range. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. 39: 221–230, 2007     

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     

Ketone photolysis in the presence of oxygen: A useful source of OH for flash photolysis kinetics experiments

Previous studies have shown a significant OH yield from the reaction of RCO radicals (generated from the photolysis of corresponding ketone) with oxygen below total pressures of 200 Torr. The potential of these reactions as a source of OH radicals for flash photolytic kinetic studies is investigated. The viability of the method was tested by measuring rate coefficients for the reaction of OH with ethanol using both acetone/O₂ mixtures and t‐butyl hydroperoxide photolysis. The results (with statistical errors at the 2σ level) are in excellent agreement with each other (k_EtOH(acetone) = (5.87 ± 0.34) × 10^?18 T² exp((515 ± 21)K/T) cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 and k_EtOH (t‐butyl hydroperoxide) = (5.27 ± 0.34) × 10^?18 T² exp((557 ± 20)K/T) cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1) and with the IUPAC recommendation. The reaction of OH with methyl ethyl ketone (2‐butanone) has also been investigated using a similar technique. The results show a strong non‐Arrhenius temperature dependence, k = (3.84 ± 0.12) × 10^?24× T⁴ × exp((1038 ± 11)/t). The merits of the ketone/oxygen OH source are contrasted with other established precursors. A major advantage of the technique is the ability to cleanly generate OD without the potential for isotopic scrambling prior to photolysis. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. 40: 504–514, 2008     

An ab initio chemical kinetic study on the reactions of H,OH, and Cl with HOClO3

The mechanisms for reactions of H, HO, and Cl with HOClO₃, important elementary processes in the early stages of the ammonium perchlorate (AP) combustion reaction, have been investigated at the CCSD(T)/6‐311+G(3df,2p)//PW91PW91/6‐311+G(3df) level of theory. The rate constants for the low‐energy channels have been calculated by statistical theory. For the reaction of H and HOClO₃, the main channels are the production of H₂ + ClO₄ (k_1a) and HO + HOClO₂ (k_1b); k_1a and k_1b can be represented as 1.07 × 10^?17 T^1.97 exp(?7484/T) and 6.08 × 10^?17T^1.96 exp(?7729/T) cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, respectively. For the HO + HOClO₃ reaction, the main pathway is the H₂O + ClO₄ (k_2a) production process, with the predicted rate constant k_2a = 1.24 × 10 ^?8 T^?2.99 exp(1664/T) for 300–500 K and k_2a = 1.27×10^?19 T^2.12 exp(?1474/T) for 500–3000 K. For the Cl + HOClO₃ reaction, the formation of HOCl + ClO₃ (k_3a) and HCl + ClO₄ (k_3b) is dominant, with k_3a = 1.33×10^?12 T^0.67 exp(?9658/T) and k_3b = 1.75×10¹⁶ T^1.63 exp(?11156/T) cm³ molecules^?1 in the range of 300–3000 K. In addition, the heats of formation of ClO₃ and HOClO₃ have been predicted based on several isodesmic and/or isogyric reactions with Δ_fH^o₀ (ClO₃) = 47.0 ± 1.0 and Δ_fH^o₀ (HOClO₃) = 5.5 ± 1.5 kcal/mol, respectively. These data may be used for kinetic simulation of the AP decomposition and combustion reaction. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 42: 253–261, 2010     

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     

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     

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     

Experimental Study of the Reactions of OH Radicals with Propane,n‐Pentane,and n‐Heptane over a Wide Temperature Range

The kinetics of the reactions of propane, n‐pentane, and n‐heptane with OH radicals has been studied using a low‐pressure flow tube reactor (P = 1 Torr) coupled with a quadrupole mass spectrometer. The rate constants of the title reactions were determined under pseudo–first‐order conditions, monitoring the kinetics of OH radical consumption in excess of the alkanes. A newly developed high‐temperature flow reactor was validated by the study of the OH + propane reaction, where the reaction rate constant, k₁ = 5.1 × 10^?17T^1.85exp(–160/T) cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 (uncertainty of 20%), measured in a wide temperature range, 230–898 K, was found to be in excellent agreement with previous studies and current recommendations. The experimental data for the rate constants of the reactions of OH with n‐pentane and n‐heptane can be represented as three parameter expressions (in cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, uncertainty of 20%): k₂ = 5.8 × 10^?18T^2.2exp(260/T) at T= 248–900 K and k₃ = 2.7 × 10^?16T^1.7exp(138/T) at T= 248–896 K, respectively. A combination of the present data with those from previous studies leads to the following expressions: k₁ = 2.64 × 10^?17T^1.93exp(–114/T), k₂ = 9.0 × 10^?17T^1.8 exp(120/T), and k₃ = 3.75 × 10^?16 T^1.65 exp(101/T) cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, which can be recommended for k₁, k₂, and k₃ (with uncertainty of 20%) in the temperature ranges 190–1300, 240–1300, and 220–1300 K, respectively.     

Computational studies on the mechanism and kinetics of Cl reaction with C2H5I

The dual‐level direct kinetics method has been used to investigate the multichannel reactions of C₂H₅I + Cl. Three hydrogen abstraction channels and one displacement process are found for the title reaction. The calculation indicates that the hydrogen abstraction from ? CH₂? group is the dominant reaction channel, and the displacement process may be negligible because of the high barrier. The rate constants for individual reaction channels are calculated by the improved canonical variational transition‐state theory with small‐curvature tunneling correction over the temperature range of 220–1500 K. Our results show that the tunneling correction plays an important role in the rate constant calculation in the low‐temperature range. Agreement between the calculated and experimental data available is good. The Arrhenius expression k(T) = 2.33 × 10^?16 T^1.83 exp(?185.01/T) over a wide temperature range is obtained. Furthermore, the kinetic isotope effects for the reaction C₂H₅I + Cl are estimated so as to provide theoretical estimation for future laboratory investigation. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2010     

New technique for generating high concentrations of gaseous OH radicals in relative rate measurements

We have developed a technique for generating high concentrations of gaseous OH radicals in a reaction chamber. The technique, which involves the UV photolysis of O₃ in the presence of water vapor, was used in combination with the relative rate method to obtain rate constants for reactions of OH radicals with selected species. A key improvement of the technique is that an O₃/O₂ (3%) gas mixture is continuously introduced into the reaction chamber, during the UV irradiation period. An important feature is that a high concentration of OH radicals [(0.53–1.2) × 10¹¹ radicals cm^?3] can be produced during the irradiation in continuous, steady‐state experiment. Using the new technique in conjunction with the relative rate method, we obtained the rate constant for the reaction of CHF₃ (HFC‐23) with OH radicals, k₁. We obtained k₁(298 K) = (3.32 ± 0.20) × 10^?16 and determined the temperature dependence of k₁ to be (0.48 ± 0.13) × 10^?12 exp[?(2180 ± 100)/T] cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 at 253–328 K using CHF₂CF₃ (HFC‐125) and CHF₂Cl (HCFC‐22) as reference compounds in CHF₃–reference–H₂O gas mixtures. The value of k₁ obtained in this study is in agreement with previous measurements of k₁. This result confirms that our technique for generating OH radicals is suitable for obtaining OH radical reaction rate constants of ～10^?16 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, provided the rate constants do not depend on pressure. In addition, it also needed to examine whether the reactions of sample and reference compound with O₃ interfere the measurement when selecting this technique. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 35: 317–325, 2003     

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.     

Hydroxyl radical reactions with halogenated ethanols in aqueous solution: Kinetics and thermochemistry

Laser flash photolysis combined with competition kinetics with SCN^? as the reference substance has been used to determine the rate constants of OH radicals with three fluorinated and three chlorinated ethanols in water as a function of temperature. The following Arrhenius expressions have been obtained for the reactions of OH radicals with (1) 2‐fluoroethanol, k₁(T) = (5.7 ± 0.8) × 10¹¹ exp((?2047 ± 1202)/T) M^?1 s^?1, (2) 2,2‐difluoroethanol, k₂(T) = (4.5 ± 0.5) × 10⁹ exp((?855 ± 796)/T) M^?1 s^?1, (3) 2,2,2‐trifluoroethanol, k₃(T) = (2.0 ± 0.1) × 10¹¹ exp((?2400 ± 790)/T) M^?1 s^?1, (4) 2‐chloroethanol, k₄(T) = (3.0 ± 0.2) × 10¹⁰ exp((?1067 ± 440)/T) M^?1 s^?1, (5) 2, 2‐dichloroethanol, k₅(T) = (2.1 ± 0.2) × 10¹⁰ exp((?1179 ± 517)/T) M^?1 s^?1, and (6) 2,2,2‐trichloroethanol, k₆(T) = (1.6 ± 0.1) × 10¹⁰ exp((?1237 ± 550)/T) M^?1 s^?1. All experiments were carried out at temperatures between 288 and 328 K and at pH = 5.5–6.5. This set of compounds has been chosen for a detailed study because of their possible environmental impact as alternatives to chlorofluorocarbon and hydrogen‐containing chlorofluorocarbon compounds in the case of the fluorinated alcohols and due to the demonstrated toxicity when chlorinated alcohols are considered. The observed rate constants and derived activation energies of the reactions are correlated with the corresponding bond dissociation energy (BDE) and ionization potential (IP), where the BDEs and IPs of the chlorinated ethanols have been calculated using quantum mechanical calculations. The errors stated in this study are statistical errors for a confidence interval of 95%. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 40: 174–188, 2008     

Kinetics and mechanism of the gas‐phase OH hydrogen abstraction reaction from methionine: A quantum mechanical approach

Unrestricted density functional theory (BHandHLYP) calculations have been performed, using the 6‐311G(d,p) basis sets, to study the gas‐phase OH hydrogen abstraction reaction from methionine. The structures of the different stationary points are discussed. Ring‐like structures are found for all the transition states. Reaction profiles are modeled including the formation of prereactive complexes, and negative net activation energy is obtained for the gamma H‐abstraction channel. A complex mechanism is proposed, and the rate coefficients are calculated using transition state theory over the temperature range 250–350 K. The rate coefficients are proposed for the first time and it was found that in gas phase the hydrogen abstraction occurs almost exclusively from the gamma site. The large overall rate coefficient for the methionine + OH reaction compared to other free amino acids could explain the significant role of methionine in the oxidative processes. The following expressions in [L/(mol s)] are obtained for the alpha, beta, and gamma H‐abstraction channels, and for the overall temperature‐dependent rate constants, respectively: k_α = (3.42 ± 0.11) × 10⁸ exp[(?1118 ± 9)/T], k_β = (1.13 ± 0.03) × 10⁸ exp[(?1070 ± 8)/T], k_γ = (2.11 ± 0.26) × 10⁷ exp[(2049 ± 34)/T], and k_tot = (2.12 ± 0.26) × 10⁷ exp[(2047 ± 34)/T]. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 35: 212–221, 2003     

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.     

Kinetics and Products of the Reactions of Ethyl and n‐Propyl Nitrates with OH Radicals

The kinetics of the reactions of ethyl (1) and n‐propyl (2) nitrates with OH radicals has been studied using a low‐pressure flow tube reactor combined with a quadrupole mass spectrometer. The rate constants of the title reactions were determined under pseudo–first‐order conditions from kinetics of OH consumption in high excess of nitrates. The overall rate constants, k₁ = 1.14 × 10^?13 (T/298)^2.45 exp(193/T) and k₂ = 3.00 × 10^?13 (T/298)^2.50 exp(205/T) cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 (with conservative 15% uncertainty), were determined at a total pressure of 1 Torr of helium over the temperature range (248–500) and (263–500) K, respectively. The yields of the carbonyl compounds, acetaldehyde and propanal, resulting from the abstraction by OH of an α‐hydrogen atom in ethyl and n‐propyl nitrates, followed by α‐substituted alkyl radical decomposition, were determined at T = 300 K to be 0.77 ± 0.12 and 0.22 ± 0.04, respectively.     

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     

Quantum chemical/vRRKM study on the thermal decomposition of cyclopentadiene

Thermal decomposition of cyclopentadiene to c‐C₅H₅ (cyclopentadienyl radical) + H (1) and the reverse bimolecular reaction (?1) are studied quantum‐chemically at the G2M level of theory. The dissociation pathway has been mapped out following the minimum energy path on the potential energy surface (PES) calculated by the density functional UB3LYP/6‐311G(d,p) method. Using isodesmic reaction analysis, the standard enthalpy of formation for c‐C₅H₅ is found to be 62.5 ± 1.3 kcal mol^?1, and the c‐C₅H₅? H bond dissociation energy is estimated as D°₂₉₈(c‐C₅H₅? H) = 82.5 ± 0.9 kcal mol^?1, in excellent agreement with the recent experimental values. Variational rate constants are computed on the basis of a scaled UB3LYP dissociation potential that fits the isodesmic/experimental enthalpy of Reaction (1). At the high pressure limit, k₁^∞ = 1.55 × 10¹⁸ T^?0.8 exp(?42300/T) s^?1 and k_?1^∞ = 2.67 × 10¹⁴ exp(?245/T) cm³ mol^?1 s^?1. The fall‐off effects are evaluated by a weak collision master equation/RRKM analysis. Calculated T, P‐dependent rate constants are in very good agreement with the most reliable experimental measurements. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 36: 139–151 2004