Direct quantum mechanical calculation of the F + H2 → HF + H thermal rate constant

Accurate full-dimensional quantum mechanical thermal rate constant values have been calculated for the F+H₂→HF+H reaction on the Stark–Werner ab initio potential energy surface. These calculations are based on a flux correlation functions and employ a rigorous statistical sampling scheme to account for the overall rotation and the MCTDH scheme for the wave packet propagation. Our results shed some light on discrepancies on the thermal rate found for previous flux correlation based calculations with respect to accurate reactive scattering results. The resonance pattern of the all-J cumulative reaction probability is analyzed in terms of the partial wave contributions.     

Hydroformylation of propylene in supercritical CO2 + H2O and supercritical propylene + H2O

Hydroformylation of propylene has been carried out in supercritical CO₂ + H₂O and in supercritical propylene + H₂O mixtures using Rh(acac)(CO)₂ and triphenylphosphine trisulfonate trisodium salt (TPPTS), P(m-C₆H₄SO₃Na)₃, as catalyst. Visual observation of the reaction mixtures indicates that in both systems a single phase is present at supercritical temperatures and pressures so that the reaction occurs under homogeneous conditions. After reaction is complete, a biphasic system is formed when the pressure and temperature are reduced to ambient. This facilitates separation of the products in the organic phase and the rhodium catalyst in the aqueous phase. The rhodium concentration in the organic phase was found to be negligible (1.0 × 10⁻⁶ mg/ml). Furthermore, compared with traditional hydroformylation technology, the supercritical reactions also show better activity and selectivity.     

Theoretical kinetic study of two competing paths in the H2O2 + O(P) → HO2 + OH reaction

Ab initio-TST calculations were carried out to study the kinetics of the title reaction. The H atom and the OH abstraction paths leading to the same products HO₂ and OH have been considered. The ZPE and BSSE corrected classical barrier heights were predicted to be 7.4 and 17.3 kcal/mol, respectively. Calculated thermal rate constants over the temperature range 300–5000 K showed that the H-abstraction path was the most likely to occur for temperatures below 2500 K which confirms the result found in a previous study [Y. Tarchouna, M. Bahri, N. Jaïdane, Z. Ben Lakdar, J. Mol. Struct. (Theochem), 189 (2003) 664]. The contribution of OH abstraction path to the reaction was predicted to be important for high temperatures.     

Theoretical study of stereodynamics for the O(D) + D2 → OD + D reaction

A quasi-classical trajectory method (QCT) running on the ¹A′ and ¹A″ potential energy surfaces (PESs) given by Dobbyn and Knowles [A.J. Dobbyn, P.J. Knowles, Mol. Phys. 91 (1997) 1107] has been employed to study the dynamical stereochemistry of the chemical reaction O(¹D) + D₂ → OD + D, especially the vector correlations between products and reagents. The results indicate that product rotational angular momentum j′ is not only aligned, but also oriented along the direction perpendicular to the scattering plane on both PESs, with different rotational polarization behaviors of product OD for the two PESs and for different collision energies. Calculations show that the alignment effect of products become weaker with an increase of the collision energy on the ¹A′ PES but is not sensitive to the collision energy on the ¹A″ PES. When the collision energy increases, the product OD mainly tends to the forward scattering on the ¹A′ PES and displays a switch from the backward scattering to the forward one on the ¹A″ PES. These differences are probably attributed to the different characteristics of the two PESs.     

The rate constant for the reaction O3 + NO2 → O2 + NO3 over the temperature range 259–362 °K

The rate constant for the reaction of ozone with nitrogen dioxide has been measured over the temperature range 259 to 362°K, using a stopped-flow system coupled to a beam sampling mass spectrometer. A fit of the data to the Arrhenius equation gave: k = (9.44 ± 2.46) × 10¹⁰ exp[(?2509 ± 76)/T] cm³ mol^?1 sec^?1.     

Refined heat capacity of LaPO4 in the temperature range 0–1600 K

In the present work temperature dependence of heat capacity of cesium tantalum tungsten oxide has been measured first in the range from 7 to 350 K and then between 330 and 630 K, respectively, by precision adiabatic vacuum and dynamic calorimetry. The experimental data were used to calculate standard thermodynamic functions, namely the heat capacity C_p° (T), enthalpy H°(T) − H°(0), entropy S°(T) − S°(0) and Gibbs function G°(T) − H°(0), for the range from T → 0 to 630 K. The structure of CsTaWO₆ is refined by the Rietveld method: space group F d3m, Z = 8, a = 10.3793(2) Å, V = 1118.14(4) Å³. The high-temperature X-ray diffraction was used for the determination of temperature of phase transition and coefficient of thermal expansion.     

Thermal energy rate constants for the reactions NO2 + Cl2 → Cl2 + NO2, Cl2 + NO2 → Cl + NO2Cl,SH + NO2 → NO2 + SH,SH + Cl2 → Cl2 + SH,and S + NO2 → NO2 + S

It is found that charge-transfer on NO⁻₂ with Cl₂ is fast at thermal energy. The Cl⁻₂ ion reacts with NO₂ to produce Cl⁻ and NO₂Cl, and SH⁻ charge-transfers rapidly with both Cl₂ and NO₂. From the exothermicities implied it is deduced that EA (SH)<EA (NO₂)< EA (Cl₂) or EA (NO₂) = 2.38 ± 0.06 eV and EA (Cl₂ = 2.46 ± 0.14 eV.     

Kinetics of the reactions of isopropoxy radicals with NO,NO2, and O2

A fluorescence excitation spectrum of (CH₃)₂CHO (isopropoxy radical) is reported following photolysis of isopropyl nitrite at 355 nm. Rate constants for the reaction of isopropoxy with NO, NO₂, and O₂ have been measured as a function of pressure (1–50 Torr) and temperature (25–110°C) by monitoring isopropoxy radical concentrations using laser-induced fluorescence. We have obtained the following Arrhenius expressions for the reaction of isopropoxy with NO and O₂ respectively: (1.22±0.28)×10^?11 exp[(+0.62±0.14 kcal)/RT]cm²/s and (1.51±0.70)×10^?14 exp[(?0.39±0.28)kcal/RT]cm³/s where the uncertainties represent 2σ. The results with NO₂ are more complex, but indicate that reaction with NO₂ proceeds more rapidly than with NO contrary to previous reports. The pressure dependence of the thermal decomposition of the isopropoxy radical was studied at 104 and 133°C over a 300 Torr range using nitrogen as a buffer gas. The reaction is in the fall-off region over the entire range. Upper limits for the reaction of isopropoxy with acetaldehyde, isobutane, ethylene, and trimethyl ethylene are reported.We have performed the first LIF study of the isopropoxy radical. Arrhenius parameters were measured for the reaction of i-PrO with O₂, NO, NO₂, using direct radical measurement techniques. All reactions are in their high-pressure limits at a few Torr of pressure. The rate constant for the reactions of i-PrO with NO and NO₂ reactions exhibit a small negative activation energy. Studies of the i-PrO + NO₂ reaction produce data which indicate that O(³P) reacts rapidly with i-PrO. Unimolecular decomposition studies of i-PrO indicate that the reaction is in the fall-off region between 1 and 300 Torr of N₂ and the high-pressure limit is above 1 atmosphere of N₂.     

High-pressure phase behaviour of the binary system {CO2 + cis-decalin} from (292.75 to 373.75) K

The phase behaviour of the {CO₂ (1) + cis-decalin (2)} binary system has been experimentally studied at temperatures ranging from (292.75 to 373.75) K. Saturation pressures, ranging from (15.9 to 490.5) bar, were obtained using a variable volume high-pressure cell by visual observation of phase transitions at constant overall composition. For this system, no literature data are available and the results obtained in this study reveal the occurrence of vapor–liquid, liquid–liquid, and vapor–liquid–liquid phase transitions in the investigated temperature range. A total of 133 experimental points are reported including bubble points, dew points, liquid–liquid phase equilibria, and coordinates of the three-phase line. The experimental data can be reasonably predicted by the PPR78 model in which the temperature-dependent binary interaction parameter is calculated by a group contribution method.     

Kinetics of the reaction of NH2 with NO2

The absolute rate constant of the reaction of NH₂ with NO₂ has been measured using a flash-photolysis laser resonance-fluorescence technique. The value obtained at room temperature is k₁ = 2.3 (± 0.2) × 10^?11 cm³ molecule ^?1 s^?1. A negative temperature coefficient has been found between 298 and 505 K for this reaction, k₁ = 3.8 × 10^?8 × T^?1.30 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1. It is thought that this is the major reaction of NH₂ in the troposphere.     

Theoretical study of the stereodynamics of the reactions O(D) + H2, D2 and HD

Calculations of the dynamics of the reactions O(¹D) + H₂ → OH + H, O(¹D) + HD → OH + D, O(¹D) + HD → OD + H and O(¹D) + D₂ → OD + D have been performed using the quasi-classical trajectory (QCT) method with symplectic integration. The theoretical calculations were carried out on the ground state 1A′ potential energy surfaces (PES) by Dobbyn and Knowles. The distributions of the dihedral angle P(_r), the angle between k and j′, P(θ_r), and the product vibrational state are presented. The results show that the intermediate geometrical structures and lifetimes of the reactive collisions play a vital role in these reactions.     

The effects of saturation and velocity selective population in two-step 6S1/2 → 6P3/2 → 6D5/2 laser excitation in cesium

Excited states population distributions created by two-step 6S_1/2 → 6P_3/2 → 6D_5/2 laser excitation in room temperature cesium vapor were quantitatively analyzed applying absorption and saturation spectroscopy. A simple method for the determination of the excited state population in a single excitation step that is based on the measurements of the saturated and unsaturated absorption coefficients was proposed and tested. It was shown that only ≈ 2% of the ground state population could be transferred to the first excited state by pumping the Doppler broadened line with a single-mode narrow-line laser. With complete saturation of the second excitation step, the population amounting to only ≈ 1% of the ground state can be eventually created in the 6D_5/2 state. The fluorescence intensity emerging at 7P_3/2 → 6S_1/2 transition, subsequent to the radiative decay of 6D_5/2 population to the 7P_3/2 state, was used to assess the efficiency of the population transfer in the chosen two-step excitation scheme. The limitations imposed on the sensitivity of such resonance fluorescence detector caused by velocity-selective excitation in the first excitation step were pointed out and the way to overcome this obstacle is proposed.     

Preparation and characterization of lithium ion-conducting glass-ceramics in the Li1 + xCrxGe2 − x(PO4)3 system

Li₂O–Cr₂O₃–GeO₂–P₂O₅ based glasses were synthesized by a conventional melt-quenching method and successfully converted into glass-ceramics through heat treatment. Experimental results of DTA, XRD, ac impedance techniques and FESEM indicated that Li_1.4Cr_0.4Ge_1.6(PO₄)₃ glass-ceramics treated at 900 °C for 12 h in the Li_1 + xCr_xGe_2 − x(PO₄)₃ (x = 0–0.8) system exhibited the best glass stability against crystallization and the highest ambient conductivity value of 6.81 × 10⁻⁴ S/cm with an activation energy as low as 26.9 kJ/mol. In addition, the Li_1.4Cr_0.4Ge_1.6(PO₄)₃ glass-ceramics displayed good chemical stability against lithium metal at room temperature. The good thermal and chemical stability, excellent conducting property, easy preparation and low cost make it promising to be used as solid-state electrolytes for all-solid-state lithium batteries.     

Rate coefficients for CS reactions with O2, O3 and NO2 AT 298 K

CS radicals have been produced by photodissociation of CS₂ at 193 nm and their disappearance monitored by LIF. The vibrationally excited CS radicals rapidly relax to CS(ν = 0). At 298 K, the rate coefficients for CS(ν = 0) reactions with O₂, O₃ and NO₂ are (2.9 ± 0.4) × 10_?19, (3.0 ± 0.4) × 10^?16 and (7.6 ± 1.1) × 10^?17 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 respectively. The quenching of CS(A ¹II)_ν=0 by He has a rate coefficient of (1.3 ± 0.2) × 10^?12 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1.     

Thermodynamic evaluation and optimization of the (Na2CO3 + Na2SO4 + Na2S + K2CO3 + K2SO4 + K2S) system

A critical evaluation of all phase diagram and thermodynamic data were performed for the solid and liquid phases of the (Na₂CO₃ + Na₂SO₄ + Na₂S + K₂CO₃ + K₂SO₄ + K₂S) system and optimized model parameters were obtained. The Modified Quasichemical Model in the Quadruplet Approximation was used for modelling the liquid phase. The model evaluates first- and second-nearest-neighbour short-range ordering, where the cations (Na⁺ and K⁺) are assumed to mix on a cationic sublattice, while anions $({\text{CO}}_3^{2-}\text{,}{\text{SO}}_4^{2-}\text{,}\text{and}{\text{S}}^{2-})$ are assumed to mix on an anionic sublattice. The Compound Energy Formalism was used for modelling the solid solutions of (Na, K)₂(CO₃, SO₄, S). The models can be used to predict the thermodynamic properties and phase equilibria in multicomponent heterogeneous systems. The experimental data from the literature were reproduced within experimental error limits.     

Energy-loss studies on ion-pair formation reactions for the K + NO2 system

The energy loss spectra of K⁺ ions produced in fast potassium atom—NO₂ molecule collisions were studied over the collision energy region 10–40 eV. The energy loss spectra for the K + NO₂ system showed five peaks. The first two peaks at about 3.0 eV are ascribed to the ground-states NO^?₂ with vibrational excitation. The remaining three peaks are ascribed to the electronically excited states of NO^?₂.     

Rate coefficients for so reactions with O2 and O3 over the temperature range 230 to 420 K

SO was produced from SO₂ by pholodissociation with an ArFlaser (193 nm). SO₂ chemiluminescence from the SO + O₃ reaction was used to monitor the decay of SO and determine rate coefficients for SO reactions with O₂ and O₃ over the temperature range 230–420 K. The rate expressions are k_O2=(2.4^+2.6_?0.9) x 10^?13 exp[(?2370⁺²⁰⁰_?250)/T] and k_o3=(4.8^+1.6_?0.8) × 10^?12 exp[(?1170⁺⁸⁰_?120)/T] cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1.     

Thermodynamic evaluation and optimization of the (NaCl + Na2SO4 + Na2CO3 + KCl + K2SO4 + K2CO3) system

A complete, critical evaluation of all phase diagrams and thermodynamic data was performed for all condensed phases of the (NaCl + Na₂SO₄ + Na₂CO₃ + KCl + K₂SO₄ + K₂CO₃) system, and optimized parameters for the thermodynamic solution models were obtained. The Modified Quasichemical Model in the Quadruplet Approximation was used for modelling the liquid phase. The model evaluates first- and second-nearest-neighbour short-range order, where the cations (Na⁺ and K⁺) were assumed to mix on a cationic sublattice, while anions $({\text{CO}}_3^{2-}\text{,}{\text{SO}}_4^{2-}\text{,}\text{and}{\text{Cl}}^{-})$ were assumed to mix on an anionic sublattice. The thermodynamic properties of the solid solutions of (Na,K)₂(SO₄,CO₃) were modelled using the Compound Energy Formalism, and (Na,K)Cl was modelled using a substitutional model in previous studies. Phase transitions in the common-cation ternary systems (NaCl + Na₂SO₄ + Na₂CO₃) and (KCl + K₂SO₄ + K₂CO₃) were studied experimentally using d.s.c./t.g.a. The experimental results were used as input for evaluating the phase equilibrium in the common-cation ternary systems. The models can be used to predict the thermodynamic properties and phase equilibria in multicomponent heterogeneous systems. The experimental data from the literature are reproduced within experimental error limits.     

X-ray study of Hg2Cl2Br2 and HgCl2HgBr2 reactions in solid state

The reactions (I) Hg₂Cl₂(s) + Br₂(g) and (II) HgCl₂(s) + HgBr₂(s) have been investigated by an X-ray method. Both the reactions yield two forms of the mixed halide HgClBr, designated as α-HgClBr and β-HgClBr. The cell parameters of the two are as follows:α-HgClBr: $\text{a = 6.196}\text{A}\text{?}$, $\text{b = 13.12}\text{A}\text{?}$, $\text{c = 4.37}\text{A}\text{?}$, z = 4, ? = 5.91 g/cm³. The powder pattern and cell parameters are similar to that of HgCl₂. Therefore it is probable that the chlorine atoms, in the linear halogenHghalogen molecules of HgCl₂ structure have been replaced by bromines, and since the radius of the bromine atom is larger than that of chlorine, the lattice is larger in this case.β-HgClBr: $\text{a = 6.78}\text{A}\text{?}$, $\text{b = 13.175}\text{A}\text{?}$, $\text{c = 4.17}\text{A}\text{?}$, z = 4, ? = 5.40. These parameters are the same as those reported in the literature for β-Hg(ClBr)₂, and its X-ray powder pattern is similar to HgCl₂. Therefore this phase also has linear halogenHghalogen molecules but the distribution of Cl and Br atoms is perhaps random.Heating the products (I) and (II) up to the melting point increases the amount of α phase and decreases the β phase, whereas crystallization increases the β phase. DTA study has supported the X-ray findings.     

Quasiclassical trajectory scattering calculations for the OH + O → H + O2 reaction: Cross sections and rate constants

We report quasiclassical trajectory studies of the OH + O → H + O₂ reaction using a recently developed ab initio potential energy surface for the ground electronic state of HO₂. The total reaction probability is in good agreement with the quantum result. Integral cross sections show no energy threshold and decrease as the collision energy increases. Rate constants have been calculated in the (1–500 K) temperature range. They exhibit a negative temperature dependence for temperatures above 50 K, and the thermal rate constant is in quantitative agreement with the most recent experimental data. The reactivity is slightly enhanced by rotational excitation of OH.