Reactions of primary and secondary butoxy radicals in oxygen at atmospheric pressure

The reaction pathways of n-butoxy and s-butoxy radicals have been investigated by TLC and HPLC analysis of end products, particularly peroxides and carbonyl compounds. The butoxy radicals were produced by the pyrolysis of very low concentrations of the corresponding dibutylperoxide in an atmosphere of oxygen and nitrogen, at atmospheric pressure. The decomposition reaction (3) s-BuO → C₂H₅ + CH₃CHO and the reaction (2) s-BuO + O₂ → HO₂ + CH₃COC₂H₅ have been studied, and the ratio k₃/k₂ has been determined in the temperature range 363–503 K by kinetic modeling of the formation of the observed acetaldehyde and methylethylketone. The rate constant k₃ obtained was: A good agreement was observed between experimental data and RRKM theory. The implications of the results for atmospheric chemistry and combustion are discussed. At room temperature, the reaction with O₂, yielding HO₂ radicals and methylethylketone is, by far, the main channel for s-BuO radicals. In the field of low temperature combustion, the decomposition of s-BuO radicals producing C₂H₅ and CH₃CHO is the main pathway; the route s-BuO + O₂ decreases tremendously in importance as the temperature is raised above 393 K.     

Kinetics of the reaction CH + N2 rarr; [M]⇒[M] products in the range 10–620 torr and 298–1059 K

The gas-phase reaction of CH(X² Π) radicals with molecular nitrogen was studied in the temperature range 298–1059 K at total pressures between 10 and 620 torr. CH radicals were generated by excimer laser photolysis of CHCIBr₂ at 248 nm and were detected by laser-induced fluorescence. The investigated reaction shows a strong temperature and pressure dependence. At pressures of 20, 100, and 620 torr the Arrhenius plots exhibit a strong decrease of the rate constant with increasing temperature. The rate constant is well described by, with E₀ in kJ/mol. The pressure dependence was studied at temperatures of 298, 410, 561, and 750 K. The rate constants for each temperature were fitted by the Troe formalism. From the calculated values of k₀ and k_infinity, the Arrhenius expressions, were obtained with E₀ (k₀) and E_A (k_infinity) in units of kJ/mol. Within the range of 298–750 K the temperature dependence of the broadening factor is well described by F_c = 0.029 + (173.3/T). © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Stable (BIII-Subporphyrin-5-yl)dicyanomethyl Radicals

Stable B^III-subporphyrin-substituted dicyanomethyl radicals were synthesized by S_NAr reaction of meso-bromo- or meso-chlorosubporphyrins with malononitrile followed by oxidation with PbO₂. Different from previously reported dicyanomethyl radicals that underwent σ- or π-dimer formation both in the solid state and in solutions, subporphyrin-stabilized dicyanomethyl radicals exist as monomers in solutions even at low temperature. DFT calculations revealed efficient spin delocalization over the entire subporphyrin. In the solid state, these radicals form weak π-dimers with antiferromagnetic interactions depending on the crystal packing structures.     

Temperature-dependent kinetics studies of the reactions of C2H5O2 and n-C3H7O2 radicals with NO

The rate coefficients for the gas-phase reactions of C₂H₅O₂ and n-C₃H₇O₂ radicals with NO have been measured over the temperature range of (201–403) K using chemical ionization mass spectrometric detection of the peroxy radical. The alkyl peroxy radicals were generated by reacting alkyl radicals with O₂, where the alkyl radicals were produced through the pyrolysis of a larger alkyl nitrite. In some cases C₂H₅ radicals were generated through the dissociation of iodoethane in a low-power radio frequency discharge. The discharge source was also tested for the i-C₃H₇O₂ + NO reaction, yielding k_{298 K} = (9.1 ± 1.5) × 10⁻¹² cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹, in excellent agreement with our previous determination. The temperature dependent rate coefficients were found to be k(T) = (2.6 ± 0.4) × 10⁻¹² exp{(380 ± 70)/T} cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ and k(T) = (2.9 ± 0.5) × 10⁻¹² exp{(350 ± 60)/T} cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ for the reactions of C₂H₅O₂ and n-C₃H₇O₂ radicals with NO, respectively. The rate coefficients at 298 K derived from these Arrhenius expressions are k = (9.3 ± 1.6) × 10⁻¹² cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ for C₂H₅O₂ radicals and k = (9.4 ± 1.6) × 10⁻¹² cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ for n-C₃H₇O₂ radicals. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Kinetic Study of the CCl2 Radical Recombination Reaction by Laser‐Induced Fluorescence Technique

An experimental setup that coupled IR multiple‐photon dissociation (IRMPD) and laser‐induced fluorescence (LIF) techniques was implemented to study the kinetics of the recombination reaction of dichlorocarbene radicals, CCl₂, in an Ar bath. The CCl₂ radicals were generated by IRMPD of CDCl₃. The time dependence of the CCl₂ radicals’ concentration in the presence of Ar was determined by LIF. The experimental conditions achieved allowed us to associate the decrease in the concentration of radicals to the self‐recombination reaction to form C₂Cl₄. The rate constant for this reaction was determined in both the falloff and the high‐pressure regimes at room temperature. The values obtained were k₀ = (2.23 ± 0.89) × 10^?29 cm⁶ molecules^?2 s^?1 and k_∞ = (6.73 ± 0.23) × 10^?13 cm³ molecules^?1 s^?1, respectively.     

An ESR study of PMMA mechanoradicals and of their interaction with oxygen

Analysis of ESR spectra of mechanoradicals from poly(methyl methacrylate) reveals that after mechanical degradation in vacuo at 77°K, the sample contains two types of primary radicals? CH₂? C(CH₃)(COOCH₃) (I) and CH₂? C(CH₃)(COOCH₃)? CH₂ (II) produced by the breaking of the polymer chain, and secondary radicals ? CH₂? C(CH₃)(COOCH₃)? CH? C(CH₃)? (COOCH₃)? CH₂? (III). With increasing temperature, radical I remains stable while II reacts with methylene hydrogen of the polymer chain giving rise to the secondary radical III, which decays and finally disappears as the temperature rises. After admission of oxygen at 113°K, the polymer radicals react with oxygen with formation of polymer peroxy radicals ROO. and diamagnetic dimers. With increasing temperature the latter dissociate again to the original polymer peroxy radicals which gradually decay, if the temperature is increased further. The present results are compared with earlier ones obtained on poly(ethylene glycol methacrylate) (PGMA).     

Radiolyse des hydrocarbures. 21e communication. Mécanismes radicalaires et non-radicalaires dans les n-alcanes en phase liquide

Contributions of radical and non-radical processes have been determined in the formation of radiolysis products of n-heptane, n-octane, n-nonane and n-decane in a large range of temperature. Calculations are based on the combination and the dismutation of radicals, both reactions having nearly the same importance. Hydrogen abstraction reactions become important above – 25°. Intermediate molecular weight products and dimers are formed by statistical combination of the various radicals resulting from C? C and C? H scission. At low temperature, low molecular weight products are formed by both radical and non-radical processes, the second one being more important (3/4 for alcanes and 2/3 for olefins). The yield of radicals increases with the chain length of the irradiated n-alkane and amounts to 4.5 for n-heptane and 6.8 for n-decane at – 25°. This increase is due only to radicals from C? H scission, while the yield of radicals from C? C scission remains constant. Scission of CH₂? CH₂ bonds is favored for bonds inside the molecule, but this affect diminishes with chain length and CH₂? CH₂ rupture is equally probable at all positions for n-alcanes heavier than decane. Methyl C? H scission is 2.7 times less probable than methylene C? H scission. The radiolysis of mixtures of protonated and deuterated n-alcanes is shown to be able to give information concerning basic processes in radiation chemistry.     

Disproportionation reactions between alkyl and fluoroalkyl radicals. VII. Difluoromethyl with perfluoro-n-propyl and methyl radicals

Mixtures of 1,1,3,3-tetrafluoroacetone and perfluorodi-n-propyl ketone have been photolyzed together over the temperature range 50° to 200°C, and the disproportionation/combination ratio for n-C₃F₇ and CF₂H radicals has been determined to be Δ(n-C₃F₇, CF₂H) = 0.072 ± 0.003. A reevaluation of existing data on CH₃ and CF₂H radicals leads to a value of Δ(CH₃, CF₂H) = 0.35. The large variations in Δ for the reactions of alkyl and perfluoroalkyl radicals with CF₂H radicals are discussed. © John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

High‐temperature reaction of C2 with NO including product channel measurements

The reaction of C₂ radicals with NO was studied behind reflected shock waves in the temperature range 3150 K≤T≤3950 K. The shock‐induced pyrolysis of acetylene, highly diluted in argon, was used as a well defined source for C₂ radicals, which were detected by ring‐dye‐laser absorption spectroscopy (RDLAS) at 516.646 nm. The perturbation of the C₂ by the addition of NO to the initial mixtures results in a fast removal of the C₂ radicals, which is mainly caused by the reaction: ((R5)) for which the overall rate coefficient was obtained. The product channels of this reaction were studied by additional measurements of O‐atoms, N‐atoms, and CN radicals. O and N were detected using atomic resonance absorption spectroscopy (ARAS) and the CN radicals were followed by their emission using a spectrograph and an intensified CCD‐camera. The reactions leading to the product channels C₂N+O (R5a) and to C₂O+N (R5b) were identified as the main channels with a branching ratio of k_5a/k₅=70% and k_5b/k₅=30%, while the channel leading to CN+CO (R5c) was found to be neglectable. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 31: 11–21, 1999     

Shock-tube study of thermal decomposition of propene in the presence of deuterium

The thermal decomposition of propene in the presence of D₂ was studied in a single-pulse shock tube in the temperature range of 1200–1400°K. The main decomposition products were methane, ethylene, allene, and propyne. Furthermore, deuterated species were observed of each product and of propene, with characteristic compositions that were dependent on propene conversion. Geometrical isomers of monodeuterated propene, as the result of H-D exchange, were analyzed by microwave spectroscopy. From these observations, the reactivities of n- and isopropyl radicals at high temperatures were determined. The former was found to be an intermediate of methane and ethylene and the latter was found to be responsible for the formation of the deuterated propene as follows: The rate constant ratio k_n/k_i was estimated to be 0.5–0.8, which was more than ten times greater than that obtained at room temperature. It was also found that allene or propyne was produced from allyl radicals and that acetylene was produced from vinyl radicals. In addition, the rate constant of the hydrogen abstraction by the hydrogen atom from C₃H₆ was found to be six times greater than that by the hydrogen atom from D₂.     

Radical reactions in the coordination field of transition metals. VII—H-transfer between phenolic and aryl-aminic H-donors and their radicals

An ESR method for studying the mechanism of H-transfer reactions between H-donors of different reactivity (A₁H, A₂H…) and their free radicals (A₁; A₂^.…) in non-polar solvents at ambient temperature is presented. The new technique is based on a pulsed initiation of various secondary phenoxy or nitroxy radicals in binary mixtures of hindered phenols, unhindered phenols, partially hindered thiobisphenols and diphenylamine, employing a high concentration of free RO₂^. and coordinated (Co^III)RO₂^. tert-butyl peroxy radicals generated in the redox-reaction of Co(acac)₂ with tert-butyl hydroperoxide. The consecutive H-transfer reactions proceed to equilibrium until the most stable radicals are formed. In this way criteria are obtained for ranking the compared free and coordinated phenoxy radicals according to their relative stabilities. The secondarily generated phenoxy radicals from unhindered phenols after coordination to Co^III are stabilized and cannot take part in further H-transfer reactions.     

Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Study of Radical Pairs and Isolated Radicals Trapped in Irradiated Long-Chain Hydrocarbons at Low Temperatures

The intrinsic characteristics of radical pairs produced in squalane and in cetane receiving high gamma-dose are extensively studied with the EPR technique at temperatures from 77°K up to 150°K. The spectra of the paired radicals occur at g=4 with a very low transition probability in contrast to that of isolated radicals which appear at g=2 A well-resolved hyperfine spectrum corresponding to the species (CH₃CH₂.CH₂CH₃) is observed in cetane. The isothermal decay rates of radical pairs in cetane below 100°K are significantly slow; however, the decay kinetics at 150°K is first order with rate constant=1.86 min^?1. A relatively slower decay rate is obtained for isolated radicals suggesting that the decay mechanism of paired radicals is through geminate recombination. The relative inter-radical distance in radical pairs is known from a decay curve as a function of temperature. The yields of radical pairs are low in both matrices, only few percents of those of isolated radicals. The formation mechanisms of paired radicals with direct radiolytic bond scission process are discussed in connection with the experimental observations.     

Disproportionation reactions between alkyl and fluoroalkyl radicals. V. Perfluoro-n-propyl and ethyl radicals revisited

A redetermination of the disproportionation/combination ratio for n–C₃F₇ and C₂H₅ radicals gives a value of Δ(n–C₃F₇, C₂H₅) = 0.13 ± 0.01, independent of the temperature. The radicals were produced by the photolysis of n–C₃F₇COC₂H₅. The previous determinations of this ratio are discussed and are found to be largely incorrect. The values for Δ(CF₃, C₂H₅) and Δ(C₂F₅, C₂H₅) are also re-evaluated, and the recommended values are 0.10 ± 0.02 and 0.12 ± 0.02, respectively. Systems involving perfluoroalkyl and ethyl radicals are complicated due to rapid perfluororadical addition to the ethylene formed in the disproportionation process. The extent of this reaction, and its consequences, are discussed and evaluated. The role of the propionyl (C₂H₅CO) radical in the room temperature photolysis is also assessed. However, it is found that the Δ values determined by the intercept method used in this work are not affected by the secondary reactions that occur. It is concluded that high cross-combination ratios are general to perfluoroalkyl-alkyl radical interactions. For C₃F₇ and C₂H₅ radicals the ratio is 2.7–2.8. Above 100°C ratios exceed 3 due to secondary reactions.     

Generation and High‐Resolution Photoelectron Spectroscopy of Small Organic Radicals in Cold Supersonic Expansions

A general method of generating radicals in cold supersonic expansions in the gas phase is presented. The method relies on excimer laser photolysis of suitable precursor molecules in a thin quartz capillary mounted at the orifice of a pulsed gas nozzle and can easily be combined with vacuum‐UV photoionization mass spectrometry and high‐resolution photoelectron spectroscopy to study the reactivity and the rovibronic energy level structure of neutral radicals and their ions, as well as to determine highly accurate adiabatic ionization energies. The characteristics of the radical source are described in detail, and its performance is illustrated by mass spectrometric and high‐resolution photoelectron spectroscopic investigations of NH₂, CH₂, CH₃, C₂H, C₂H₃, and C₂H₅. The radical source is not only suitable to produce cold samples (rotational temperature of ca. 30 K) of radicals of moderate reactivity, such as NH₂, CH₃, or C₂H₅, but it is also useful to prepare highly reactive radicals (e.g., C₂H) for spectroscopic investigations.     

Kinetics of the reactions of NCO with NO and NO2

The rate coefficients of the reactions of NCO radicals with NO and NO₂: (1) NCO + NO → products (293–836 K) and : (2) NCO + NO₂ → products (294–774 K) were measured by means of laser photolysis and laser induced fluorescence technique in the indicated temperature ranges. NCO radicals were produced from the reaction of CN, from photodissociation of ICN or BrCN, with O₂. The concentration of NCO was monitored with a dye laser set at 414.95 nm. We determined k₁ = 1.73 × 10^?5 T^?2.01 exp(?470/T) cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 that agrees with published results at room temperature and confirms the temperature dependence of an early report. A non-Arrhenius negative temperature dependence of k₂ was observed in this work that agrees satisfactorily with results for a shock tube¹⁸ near 1250 K. We obtained k₂ = 6.4 × 10^?10 T^?0.646 exp(164/T) cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 for 1250 K ≥ T ≥ 294 K by combining data of these two measurements. Our result at 294 K and the temperature dependence disagree with results of two previous investigations. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

ESR single-crystal study of radical and radical-pair formation in some γ-irradiated vinyl monomers

Single crystals of methyl methacrylate (MMA), methyl acrylate (MA), and acrolein (A) have been prepared by a low-temperature technique. After irradiation with γ-rays at 77°K the paramagnetic species were identified by ESR spectroscopy. MMA gave a seven-line single spectrum from radicals formed by hydrogen addition. The hyperfine coupling constants are slightly anisotropic with a mean value of 22 G. Radical pairs were observed as ΔM_s = 1 and ΔM_s = 2 transitions; the hyperfine coupling was 11 G. From the strongly anisotropic dipolar interaction, upper limits for the distances between the pair components were calculated to be 5.45 Å and 6.3 Å. MA gave a five-line main spectrum with the same hyperfine coupling values and two radical pairs, one with a distance 5.9 Å between the components. In a there was also a strongly anisotropic interaction. The hyperfine coupling of the ΔM_s = 2 transition was 9.8 G. The number of radical pairs compared to the total number of radicals increases only slightly with the radiation dose. This makes it likely that pair formation occurs in the spurs and blobs formed by the γ-radiation. At an increased temperature the radical pairs disappeared; the spectrum of MMA changed to that characteristic of propagating polymer radicals.     

Radiation-induced solid-state polymerization of methacrylic acid. I. Crystalline transition of the monomer

The anomalous crystalline transition of methacrylic acid found by broad-line NMR measurements was studied in connection with the build-up and decay of trapped radicals. The build-up of radicals is smaller and the decay rate of the trapped radicals is faster in the low-temperature range (phase II), which gave the narrower maximum slope distance ΔH_msl of the NMR spectrum, than those in the higher temperature range (phase I), which gave the broader ΔH_msl. From these experiments it was concluded that in phase I the crystals have a more closely packed structure, resulting in a more rigid matrix for the trapped radicals than those in phase II. This interpretation is consistent with the temperature dependence of the ESR spectrum of the trapped propagating radicals previously reported. The existence of the crystalline transition was also confirmed by DSC measurements, and the effects of the crystallization conditions on the transition were investigated and were discussed with reference to the results of broad line NMR measurements.     

Reaction mechanism and modeling study for the oxidation by SO2 of o‐xylene and p‐xylene in Claus process

Claus process, comprising of a furnace and a catalytic unit, is used to produce sulfur from H₂S. The aromatic contaminants (benzene, toluene, and xylenes) in H₂S feed form soot, and clog and deactivate the catalysts. Xylenes are known to be the most damaging ones. Therefore, there is a need to oxidize them in the furnace to enhance catalyst life. This article presents a kinetics study on the oxidation of o‐ and p‐xylene radicals by SO₂ (an oxidant that is already present in the furnace) using density functional theory and a composite method. The mechanism begins with H‐abstraction from xylenes to form xylyl radicals, followed by exothermic addition of SO₂ to them. The breakage of O S bond in the xylyl‐SO₂ adducts leads to the loss of SO molecule, while the remaining O atom on them helps in their oxidation. The isomerization study shows that less‐stable dimethylphenyl radicals have a high tendency to isomerize to resonantly stabilized methylbenzyl radicals. However, methylbenzyl radicals have lower reactivity toward SO₂ than dimethylphenyl radicals. The reaction rate constants were found using transition state theory. The reactor simulations reveal that p‐xylene has lower reactivity toward SO₂ than o‐xylene, and CO, SO, and CHO are the main by‐products of oxidation.     

Relation of the decay of free radicals in irradiated polyethylene to the molecular motion of the polymer and the configurations of the free radicals

Decay reactions of the free radicals produced in irradiated polyethylene (high-density and low-density materials) were examined in connection with the molecular motion of the matrix polymer. Three temperature regions, in which the free radicals decay very rapidly, at around 120, 200, and 250°K, were designated T_A, T_L, and T_B, respectively. The decay of the free radicals at these temperatures had activation energies in high-density polyethylene of 0.4 kcal/mole for T_A, 9.4 kcal/mole for T_L, and 18.4 kcal/mole for T_B. In low-density polyethylene these quantities were 0.7 kcal/mole for T_A, 23.1 kcal/mole for T_L, and 24.8 kcal/mole for T_B. Comparison of time constants for the decay reactions and for molecular motion of the matrix polymer indicate that the decay in T_A and T_B is closely related to molecular motion in the amorphous regions of the polymer. The decay of the free radicals at T_L in high-density polyethylene is due to molecular motion associated with local mode relaxation at lamellar surfaces, while that of low-density polyethylene is due to local mode relaxation in the completely amorphous region. Steric configurations of the free radicals which decay in the respective temperature regions were also investigated.