Use of gas-phase (1)H NMR to determine the kinetics of unimolecular rearrangement of 2,2-dichloro-1-methylenecyclopropane and the bimolecular dimerization of (dichloromethylene)cyclopropane

Gas-phase (1)H NMR analysis has been applied to investigate the kinetics of the unimolecular rearrangement of 2,2-dichloro-1-methylenecyclopropane (1) to (dichloromethylene)cyclopropane (2) [k(1) = 7.9 x 10(12) exp(-34.4 +/- 0.6 kcal mol(-1)/RT)], as well as for the subsequent second-order dimerization of 2 [k(2) = 2.4 x 10(6) exp(-18.5 +/- 1.1 kcal mol(-1)/RT)] to form 7,7,8,8-tetrachlorodispiro[2.0.2.2]octane (3)     

A kinetic study of the reactions of vanadium, iron, and cobalt with sulfur dioxide

A kinetic study of the reactions of ground state V, Fe, and Co with SO2 is reported. V, Fe, and Co were produced by the 248 nm photodissociation of VCl4, ferrocene, and Co(C5H5)(CO)2, respectively, and were detected by laser-induced fluorescence. V + SO2 proceeds by an abstraction reaction with rate constants given by k=(2.33 +/- 0.57)x 10(-10) exp[-(1.14 +/- 0.19) kcal mol(-1)/RT] cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1) over the temperature range 296-571 K. Fe + SO2 was studied in the N2 buffer range of 10-185 Torr between 294 and 498 K. The limiting, low-pressure third-order rate constants are given by k(0)=(3.45 +/- 1.19)x 10(-30) exp[-(2.81 +/- 0.24) kcal mol(-1)/RT] cm6 molecule(-2) s(-1). Co + SO2 was studied in the CO2 buffer range of 5-40 Torr between 294 and 498 K. This reaction is independent of temperature over the indicated range and has a third-order rate constant of k0=(5.23 +/- 0.28)x 10(-31) cm6 molecule(-2) s(-1). Results of this work are compared to previous work on the Sc, Ti, Cr, Mn, and Ni + SO2 systems. The reaction efficiencies for the abstraction reactions depend on the ionization energies of the transition metal atoms and on the reaction exothermicities, and the reaction efficiencies of the association reactions are strongly dependent on the energies needed to promote an electron from a 4s2 configuration to a 4s1 configuration.     

High-temperature reactions of OH radicals with benzene and toluene

The rate constants for the reactions of OH radicals with benzene and toluene have been measured directly by a shock tube/pulsed laser-induced fluorescence imaging method at high temperatures. The OH radicals were generated by the thermal decomposition of nitric acid or tert-butyl hydroperoxide. The derived Arrhenius expressions for the rate constants were k(OH + benzene) = 8.0 x 10(-11) exp(-26.6 kJ mol(-1)/RT) [908-1736 K] and k(OH + toluene) = 8.9 x 10(-11) exp(-19.7 kJ mol(-1)/RT) [919-1481 K] in the units of cubic centimeters per molecule per second. Transition-state theory (TST) calculations based on quantum chemically predicted energetics confirmed the dominance of the H-atom abstraction channel for OH + benzene and the methyl-H abstraction channel for OH + toluene in the experimental temperature range. The TST calculation indicated that the anharmonicity of the C-H-O bending vibrations of the transition states is essential to reproduce the observed rate constants. Possible implications to the other analogous H-transfer reactions were discussed.     

High pressure pyrolysis of toluene. 1. Experiments and modeling of toluene decomposition

The pyrolysis of toluene, the simplest methyl-substituted aromatic molecule, has been studied behind reflected shock waves using a single pulse shock tube. Experiments were performed at nominal high pressures of 27 and 45 bar and spanning a wide temperature range from 1200 to 1900 K. A variety of stable species, ranging from small hydrocarbons to single ring aromatics (principal soot precursors such as phenylacetylene and indene) were sampled from the shock tube and analyzed using standard gas chromatographic techniques. A detailed chemical kinetic model with 262 reactions and 87 species was assembled to simulate the stable species profiles (specifically toluene, benzene and methane) from the current high-pressure pyrolysis data sets and shock tube-atomic resonance absorption spectrometry (ARAS) H atom profiles obtained from prior toluene pyrolysis experiments performed under similar high-temperature conditions and lower pressures from 1.5 to 8 bar. The primary steps in toluene pyrolysis represent the most sensitive and dominant reactions in the model. Consequently, in the absence of unambiguous direct experimental measurements, we have utilized recent high level theoretical estimates of the barrierless association rate coefficients for these primary reactions, C6H5 + CH3 --> C6H5CH3 (1a) and C6H5CH2 + H --> C6H5CH3 (1b) in the detailed chemical kinetic model. The available data sets can be successfully reconciled with revised values for deltaH0f(298K)(C6H5CH2) = 51.5 +/- 1.0 kcal/mol and deltaH0f(298K)(C6H5) = 78.6 +/- 1.0 kcal/mol that translate to primary dissociation rate constants, reverse of 1a and 1b, represented by k(-1a,infinity) = (4.62 x 10(25))T(-2.53)exp[-104.5 x 10(3)/RT] s(-1) and k(-1b,infinity) = (1.524 x 10(16))T(-0.04)exp[-93.5 x 10(3)/RT] s(-1) (R in units of cal/(mol K)). These high-pressure limiting rate constants suggest high-temperature branching ratios for the primary steps that vary from 0.39 to 0.52 over the temperature range 1200-1800 K.     

Kinetics of the reactions of O(3P) with CCl2=CH2, (Z)-CHCl=CHCl, and CCl2=CCl2: a temperature dependence study

Absolute rate coefficients for the gas-phase reactions of ground-state oxygen atoms with CCl(2)=CH(2) (1), (Z)-CHCl=CHCl (2) and CCl(2)=CCl(2) (3) have been measured directly using the fast flow discharge technique. The experiments were carried out under pseudo-first-order conditions with [O((3)P)](0) < [chloroethene](0). The temperature dependences of the reactions of O((3)P) with CCl(2)=CH(2), (Z)-CHCl=CHCl and CCl(2)=CCl(2) were studied in the range 298-359 K. The kinetic data obtained were used to derive the following Arrhenius expressions (in units of cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1)): k(1) = (1.82 +/- 1.29) x 10(-11) exp[-(12.63 +/- 0.97) x 10(3)/RT], k(2) = (1.56 +/- 0.92) x 10(-11) exp[-(16.68 +/- 1.54) x 10(3)/RT], k(3) = (4.63 +/- 1.38) x 10(-11) exp[-(19.59 +/- 3.21) x 10(3)/RT]. This is the first temperature dependence study of the reactions of O((3)P) atoms with (Z)-CHCl=CHCl and CCl(2)=CCl(2). All the rate coefficients display a positive temperature dependence and pressure independence, which points to the importance of the irreversibility of the addition mechanism for these reactions. The obtained rate coefficients are compared with previous studies carried out mainly at room temperature. The rates of addition of O atoms and OH radicals to the double bond of alkenes at 298 K are related by the expression: log k(OH) = 0.57278 log k(O(3P)) - 4.095. A correlation is presented between the reactivity of chloroethenes toward O atoms and the second-order perturbational term of the frontier molecular orbital theory which carries the contribution of the different atomic orbitals to the HOMO of the chloroethene. To a first approximation, this correlation allows room-temperature rate coefficients to be predicted within +/-25-30% of the measured values.     

Reactions of SO3 with the O/H radical pool under combustion conditions

The reactions of SO3 with H, O, and OH radicals have been investigated by ab initio calculations. For the SO3 + H reaction (1), the lowest energy pathway involves initial formation of HSO3 and rearrangement to HOSO2, followed by dissociation to OH + SO2. The reaction is fast, with k(1) = 8.4 x 10(9)T(1.22) exp(-13.9 kJ mol(-1)/RT) cm(3) mol(-1) s(-1) (700-2000 K). The SO3 + O --> SO2 + O2 reaction (2) may proceed on both the triplet and singlet surfaces, but due to a high barrier the reaction is predicted to be slow. The rate constant can be described as k(2) = 2.8 x 10(4)T(2.57) exp(-122.3 kJ mol(-1)/RT) cm(3) mol(-1) s(-1) for T > 1000 K. The SO3 + OH reaction to form SO2 + HO2 (3) proceeds by direct abstraction but is comparatively slow, with k(3) = 4.8 x 10(4)T(2.46) exp(-114.1 kJ mol(-) 1/RT) cm(3) mol(-1) s(-1) (800-2000 K). The revised rate constants and detailed reaction mechanism are consistent with experimental data from batch reactors, flow reactors, and laminar flames on oxidation of SO2 to SO3. The SO3 + O reaction is found to be insignificant during most conditions of interest; even in lean flames, SO3 + H is the major consumption reaction for SO3.     

Thermal decomposition of the perfluorinated peroxides CF3OC(O)OOC(O)F and CF3OC(O)OOCF3

Gas phase thermal decomposition of CF(3)OC(O)OOC(O)F and CF(3)OC(O)OOCF(3) was studied at temperatures between 64 and 98 degrees C (CF(3)OC(O)OOC(O)F) and 130-165 degrees C (CF(3)OC(O)OOCF(3)) using FTIR spectroscopy to follow the course of the reaction. For both substances, the decompositions were studied with N(2) and CO as bath gases. The rate constants for the decomposition of CF(3)OC(O)OOC(O)F in nitrogen and carbon monoxide fit the Arrhenius equations k(N)2 = (3.1 +/- 0.1) x 10(15) exp[-(29.0 +/- 0.5 kcal mol(-1)/RT)] and k(CO) = (5.8 +/- 1.3) x 10(15) exp[-(29.4 +/- 0.5 kcal mol(-1)/RT)], and that for CF(3)OC(O)OOCF(3) fits the equation k = (9.0 +/- 0.9) x 10(13) exp[-(34.0 +/- 0.7 kcal mol(-1)/RT)] (all in units of inverted seconds). Rupture of the O-O bond was shown to be the rate-determining step for both peroxides, and bond energies of 29 +/- 1 and 34.0 +/- 0.7 kcal mol(-1) were obtained for CF(3)OC(O)OOC(O)F and CF(3)OC(O)OOCF(3). The heat of formation of the CF(3)OCO(2)(*) radical, which is a common product formed in both decompositions, was calculated by ab initio methods as -229 +/- 4 kcal mol(-1). With this value, the heat of formation of the title species and of CF(3)OC(O)OOC(O)OCF(3) could in turn be obtained as Delta(f) degrees (CF(3)OC(O)OOC(O)F) = -286 +/- 6 kcal mol(-1), Delta(f) degrees (CF(3)OC(O)OOCF(3)) = -341 +/- 6 kcal mol(-1), and Delta(f) degrees (CF(3)OC(O)OOC(O)OCF(3)) = -430 +/- 6 kcal mol(-1).     

Rate constants and hydrogen isotope substitution effects in the CH3 + HCl and CH3 + Cl2 reactions

The kinetics of the CH3 + Cl2 (k2a) and CD3 + Cl2 (k2b) reactions were studied over the temperature range 188-500 K using laser photolysis-photoionization mass spectrometry. The rate constants of these reactions are independent of the bath gas pressure within the experimental range, 0.6-5.1 Torr (He). The rate constants were fitted by the modified Arrhenius expression, k2a = 1.7 x 10(-13)(T/300 K)(2.52)exp(5520 J mol(-1)/RT) and k2b = 2.9 x 10(-13)(T/300 K)(1.84)exp(4770 J mol(-1)/RT) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1). The results for reaction 2a are in good agreement with the previous determinations performed at and above ambient temperature. Rate constants of the CH3 + Cl2 and CD3 + Cl2 reactions obtained in this work exhibit minima at about 270-300 K. The rate constants have positive temperature dependences above the minima, and negative below. Deuterium substitution increases the rate constant, in particular at low temperatures, where the effect reaches ca. 45% at 188 K. These observations are quantitatively rationalized in terms of stationary points on a potential energy surface based on QCISD/6-311G(d,p) geometries and frequencies, combined with CCSD(T) energies extrapolated to the complete basis set limit. 1D tunneling as well as the possibility of the negative energies of the transition state are incorporated into a transition state theory analysis, an approach which also accounts for prior experiments on the CH3 + HCl system and its various deuterated isotopic substitutions [Eskola, A. J.; Seetula, J. A.; Timonen, R. S. Chem. Phys. 2006, 331, 26].     

Desorption of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from soot surface: pyrene and fluoranthene

The kinetics of thermal desorption of two four-ring polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, fluoranthene, and pyrene from well-characterized laboratory-generated kerosene soot surface was studied over the temperature range 260-320 K in a low-pressure flow reactor combined with an electron-impact mass spectrometer. Two methods were used to measure the desorption rate constants: monitoring of the surface-bound fluoranthene and pyrene decays due to desorption using off-line HPLC measurements of their concentrations in soot samples, and monitoring of the desorbed molecules in the gas phase using in situ mass spectrometric detection. Results obtained with the two methods were in good agreement and yielded the following Arrhenius expressions for the desorption rate constants: k(des) (fluoranthene) = 4 x 10(14) exp[-(93900 +/- 1700)/RT] and k(des) (pyrene) = 6 x 10(14) exp[-(95200 +/- 1800)/RT] (k(des) are in units of s(-1), and activation energies are in J mol(-1)). In addition, the combined uptake coefficient of fluoranthene and pyrene on soot (calculated using specific surface area) was estimated to be near 5 x 10(-3) at T = 310 K.     

Methanation of CO over nickel: Mechanism and kinetics at high H2/CO ratios

The CO methanation reaction over nickel was studied at low CO concentrations and at hydrogen pressures slightly above ambient pressure. The kinetics of this reaction is well described by a first-order expression with CO dissociation at the nickel surface as the rate-determining step. At very low CO concentrations, adsorption of CO molecules and H atoms compete for the sites at the surface, whereas the coverage of CO is close to unity at higher CO pressures. The ratio of the equilibrium constants for CO and H atom adsorption, K(CO)/K(H), was obtained from the rate of CO methanation at various CO concentrations. K(H) was determined independently from temperature programmed adsorption/desorption of hydrogen to be K(H) = 7.7 x 10(-4) (bar(-0.5)) exp[43 (kJ/mol)/RT] and hence the equilibrium constants for adsorption of CO molecules may be calculated to be K(CO) = 3 x 10(-7) (bar(-1)) exp[122 (kJ/mol)/RT]. Furthermore, the rate of dissociation of CO at the catalyst surface was determined to be 5 x 10(9) (s(-1)) exp[-96.7 (kJ/mol)/RT] assuming that 5% of the surface nickel atoms are active for CO dissociation. The results are compared to equilibrium and rate constants reported in the literature.     

Direct measurements of the rate constants of the reactions NCN + NO and NCN + NO2 behind shock waves

The high-temperature rate constants of the reactions NCN + NO and NCN + NO(2) have been directly measured behind shock waves under pseudo-first-order conditions. NCN has been generated by the pyrolysis of cyanogen azide (NCN(3)) and quantitatively detected by sensitive difference amplification laser absorption spectroscopy at a wavelength of 329.1302 nm. The NCN(3) decomposition initially yields electronically excited (1)NCN radicals, which are subsequently transformed to the triplet ground state by collision-induced intersystem crossing (CIISC). CIISC efficiencies were found to increase in the order of Ar < NO(2) < NO as the collision gases. The rate constants of the NCN + NO/NO(2) reactions can be expressed as k(NCN+NO)/(cm(3) mol(-1)s(-1)) = 1.9 × 10(12) exp[-26.3 (kJ/mol)/RT] (±7%,ΔE(a) = ± 1.6 kJ/mol, 764 K < T < 1944 K) and k(NCN+NO(2))/(cm(3) mol(-1)s(-1)) = 4.7 × 10(12) exp[-38.0(kJ/mol)/RT] (±19%,ΔE(a) = ± 3.8 kJ/mol, 704 K < T < 1659 K). In striking contrast to reported low-temperature measurements, which are dominated by recombination processes, both reaction rates show a positive temperature dependence and are independent of the total density (1.7 × 10(-6) mol/cm(3) < ρ < 7.6 × 10(-6) mol/cm(3)). For both reactions, the minima of the total rate constants occur at temperatures below 700 K, showing that, at combustion-relevant temperatures, the overall reactions are dominated by direct or indirect abstraction pathways according to NCN + NO → CN + N(2)O and NCN + NO(2) → NCNO + NO.     

Studies of the kinetics and thermochemistry of the forward and reverse reaction Cl + C6H6 = HCl + C6H5

The laser flash photolysis resonance fluorescence technique was used to monitor atomic Cl kinetics. Loss of Cl following photolysis of CCl4 and NaCl was used to determine k(Cl + C6H6) = 6.4 x 10(-12) exp(-18.1 kJ mol(-1)/RT) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) over 578-922 K and k(Cl + C6D6) = 6.2 x 10(-12) exp(-22.8 kJ mol(-1)/RT) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) over 635-922 K. Inclusion of literature data at room temperature leads to a recommendation of k(Cl + C6H6) = 6.1 x 10(-11) exp(-31.6 kJ mol(-1)/RT) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) for 296-922 K. Monitoring growth of Cl during the reaction of phenyl with HCl led to k(C6H5 + HCl) = 1.14 x 10(-12) exp(+5.2 kJ mol(-1)/RT) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) over 294-748 K, k(C6H5 + DCl) = 7.7 x 10(-13) exp(+4.9 kJ mol(-1)/RT) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) over 292-546 K, an approximate k(C6H5 + C6H5I) = 2 x 10(-11) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) over 300-750 K, and an upper limit k(Cl + C6H5I) < or = 5.3 x 10(-12) exp(+2.8 kJ mol(-1)/RT) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) over 300-750 K. Confidence limits are discussed in the text. Third-law analysis of the equilibrium constant yields the bond dissociation enthalpy D(298)(C6H5-H) = 472.1 +/- 2.5 kJ mol(-1) and thus the enthalpy of formation Delta(f)H(298)(C6H5) = 337.0 +/- 2.5 kJ mol(-1).     

Experimental and computational studies of the phenyl radical reaction with propyne.

The kinetics for the gas-phase reaction of phenyl radical with propyne has been measured by cavity ring-down spectrometry (CRDS), and the mechanism and initial product branching have been elucidated with the help of quantum chemical calculations. Absolute rate constants measured by the CRDS technique can be expressed by the following Arrhenius equation: (k/cm(3) mol(-1) s(-1)): k(propyne)(T=301-428 K)=(3.68+/-0.92) x 10(11)exp[-(1685+/-80)/T]. The experiment is unable to distinguish between the possible reactive channels, but theory indicates that phenyl radicals preferably add to the unsaturated terminal carbon atom in propyne under our experimental conditions. Theoretical kinetic calculations, employing high-level G2M(RCC, RMP2) and G3 energetic and IRCMax(RCCSD(T)//B3LYP-DFT) molecular parameters, reproduce the total experimental rate constants within a factor of three. Calculated total and branching rate constants are provided for high-T kinetic modeling. Addition reactions of phenyl to C3H4 are estimated to be less important molecular-growth pathways in high-T conditions (T>1000 K) in comparison to the C6H5 + C2H2 reaction.     

Experimental and theoretical studies of the kinetics of the reactions of OH and OD with 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol between 300 and 415 K at low pressure

The rate constants for the reactions of OH and OD with 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol (MBO) have been measured at 2, 3, and 5 Torr total pressure over the temperature range 300-415 K using a discharge-flow system coupled with laser induced fluorescence detection of OH. The measured rate constants at room temperature and 5 Torr for the OH + MBO reaction in the presence of O2 and the OD + MBO reaction are (6.32 +/- 0.27) and (6.61 +/- 0.66) x 10(-11) cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1), respectively, in agreement with previous measurements at higher pressures. However, the rate constants begin to show a pressure dependence at temperatures above 335 K. An Arrhenius expression of k0 = (2.5 +/- 7.4) x 10(-32) exp[(4150 +/- 1150)/T] cm6 molecule(-2) s(-1) was obtained for the low-pressure-limiting rate constant for the OH + MBO reaction in the presence of oxygen. Theoretical calculations of the energetics of the OH + MBO reaction suggest that the stability of the different HO-MBO adducts are similar, with predicted stabilization energies between 27.0 and 33.4 kcal mol(-1) relative to the reactants, with OH addition to the internal carbon predicted to be 1-4 kcal mol(-1) more stable than addition to the terminal carbon. These stabilization energies result in estimated termolecular rate constants for the OH + MBO reaction using simplified calculations based on RRKM theory that are in reasonable agreement with the experimental values.     

Rate constants for anilidyl radical cyclization reactions

[reaction: see text] N-Aryl-5,5-diphenyl-4-pentenamidyl radicals (3) were produced by 266 nm laser-flash photolysis of the corresponding N-(phenylthio) derivatives, and the rate constants for the cyclizations of these radicals were measured directly. The 5-exo cyclization reactions were fast (k(c) > 2 x 10(5) s(-1)), and radicals 3 generally behaved as electrophilic reactants with a Hammett correlation of rho = 1.9 for five of the six radicals studied. However, the p-methoxyphenyl-substituted radical 3f cyclized much faster than expected from the Hammett analysis. Variable temperature studies of parent radical 3a (aryl = phenyl) gave an Arrhenius function with log k = 9.2 - 4.4/2.3RT (kcal/mol). The rate constant for the reaction of p-ethylphenyl-substituted anilidyl radical 3b with Bu(3)SnH at 65 degrees C was k(T) = 4 x 10(5) M(-1) s(-1).     

Experimental and computational studies of the phenyl radical reaction with allene

The kinetics for the gas-phase reaction of phenyl radicals with allene has been measured by cavity ring-down spectrometry (CRDS), and the mechanism and initial product branching have been elucidated with the help of quantum-chemical calculations. The absolute rate constant measured by the CRDS technique can be expressed by the following Arrhenius equation: kallene (T=301-421 K)=(4.07+/-0.38)x10(11) exp[-(1865+/-85)/T] cm3 mol(-1) s(-1). Theoretical calculations, employing high level G2M energetic and IRCMax(RCCSD(T)//B3LYP-DFT) molecular parameters, indicate that under our experimental conditions the most preferable reaction channel is the addition of phenyl radicals to the terminal carbon atoms in allene. Predicted total rate constants agree with the experimental values within 40%. Calculated total and branching rate constants are provided for high-T kinetic modeling.     

Hypohalite ion catalysis of the disproportionation of chlorine dioxide

The disproportionation of chlorine dioxide in basic solution to give ClO2- and ClO3- is catalyzed by OBr- and OCl-. The reactions have a first-order dependence in both [ClO2] and [OX-] (X = Br, Cl) when the ClO2- concentrations are low. However, the reactions become second-order in [ClO2] with the addition of excess ClO2-, and the observed rates become inversely proportional to [ClO2-]. In the proposed mechanisms, electron transfer from OX- to ClO2(k1OBr- = 2.05 +/- 0.03 M(-1) x s(-1) for OBr(-)/ClO2 and k1OCl-= 0.91 +/- 0.04 M(-1) x s(-1) for OCl-/ClO2) occurs in the first step to give OX and ClO2-. This reversible step (k1OBr-/k(-1)OBr = 1.3 x 10(-7) for OBr-/ClO2, / = 5.1 x 10(-10) for OCl-/ClO2) accounts for the observed suppression by ClO2-. The second step is the reaction between two free radicals (XO and ClO2) to form XOClO2. These rate constants are = 1.0 x 10(8) M(-1) x s(-1) for OBr/ClO2 and = 7 x 10(9) M(-1) x s(-1) for OCl/ClO2. The XOClO2 adduct hydrolyzes rapidly in the basic solution to give ClO3- and to regenerate OX-. The activation parameters for the first step are DeltaH1(++) = 55 +/- 1 kJ x mol(-1), DeltaS1(++) = - 49 +/- 2 J x mol(-1) x K(-1) for the OBr-/ClO2 reaction and DeltaH1(++) = 61 +/- 3 kJ x mol(-1), DeltaS1(++) = - 43 +/- 2 J x mol(-1) x K(-1) for the OCl-/ClO2 reaction.     

Quantum chemical study of the mechanism of reaction between NH (X 3sigma-) and H2, H2O, and CO2 under combustion conditions

Reactions of ground-state NH (3sigma-) radicals with H2, H2O, and CO2 have been investigated quantum chemically, whereby the stationary points of the appropriate reaction potential energy surfaces, that is, reactants, products, intermediates, and transition states, have been identified at the G3//B3LYP level of theory. Reaction between NH and H2 takes place via a simple abstraction transition state, and the rate coefficient for this reaction as derived from the quantum chemical calculations, k(NH + H2) = (1.1 x 10(14)) exp(-20.9 kcal mol(-1)/RT) cm3 mol(-1) s(-1) between 1000 and 2000 K, is found to be in good agreement with experiment. For reaction between triplet NH and H2O, no stable intermediates were located on the triplet reaction surface although several stable species were found on the singlet surface. No intersystem crossing seam between triplet NH + H2O and singlet HNO + H2 (the products of lowest energy) was found; hence there is no evidence to support the existence of a low-energy pathway to these products. A rate coefficient of k(NH + H2O) = (6.1 x 10(13)) exp(-32.8 kcal mol(-1)/RT) cm3 mol(-1) s(-1) between 1000 and 2000 K for the reaction NH (3sigma-) + H2O --> NH2 (2B) + OH (2pi) was derived from the quantum chemical results. The reverse rate coefficient, calculated via the equilibrium constant, is in agreement with values used in modeling the thermal de-NO(x) process. For the reaction between triplet NH and CO2, several stable intermediates on both triplet and singlet reaction surfaces were located. Although a pathway from triplet NH + CO2 to singlet HNO + CO involving intersystem crossing in an HN-CO2 adduct was discovered, no pathway of sufficiently low activation energy was discovered to compare with that found in an earlier experiment [Rohrig, M.; Wagner, H. G. Proc. Combust. Inst. 1994, 25, 993.].     

Thermal decomposition of ClOOCl

ClOOCl was prepared in situ in a temperature controlled photoreactor (v = 420 L) by photolyzing OClO/N2 mixtures in the wavelength range 300-500 nm at temperatures between 242 and 261 K and total pressures between 2 and 480 mbar. After switching off the lights, excess NO2 was added, and IR and UV spectra were monitored simultaneously as a function of time. By spectral stripping of all other known UV absorbers (in particular, other chlorine oxides and chlorine nitrate), we determined rate constants k-1 of the reaction ClOOCl (+M) --> ClO + ClO (+M) from the first-order decay of the residual UV absorption of ClOOCl at 246 and 255 nm. k-1,0 = [N2] x 7.6 x 10(-9) exp[(-53.6 +/- 6.0) kJ mol(-1)/RT] cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1) (2sigma) was derived for the low-pressure limiting rate constant. Application of Troe's expression for the limiting low-pressure rate constants of unimolecular decomposition reactions leads to E0 = Delta(r)H0(0)(ClOOCl-->ClO+ClO) = 66.4 +/- 3.0 kJ mol(-1). k-1,0 started to fall off from the pressure proportional low pressure behavior at p approximately 30 mbar; however, reliable extrapolation to the high pressure limit was not possible. The decomposition rate constants of ClOOCl were directly measured for the first time, and they are higher, depending on temperature and pressure, by factors between 1.5 and 4.2 as compared to experimental data on k-1 by Nickolaisen et al. [J. Phys. Chem. 1994, 98, 155] which were derived from the approach of ClO to thermal equilibrium with its dimer ClOOCl. Combination of the present dissociation rate constants with recommended temperature and pressure dependent data on the reverse reaction (k1) demonstrate inconsistencies between the dissociation and recombination rate constants. Summarizing laboratory data on k1 and k-1 above 250 K and field measurements on the ClO + ClO <= => ClOOCl equilibrium in the nighttime polar stratosphere close to 200 K, the expression Kc = k1/k-1 = 3.0 x 10(-27) exp(8433 K/T) cm3 molecule(-1) is derived for the temperature range 200-300 K.     

Rate coefficients for the reaction of OH with a series of unsaturated alcohols between 263 and 371 K

Rate coefficients for the gas-phase reactions of OH radicals with four unsaturated alcohols, 3-methyl-3-buten-1-ol (k1), 2-buten-1-ol (k2), 2-methyl-2-propen-1-ol (k3) and 3-buten-1-ol (k4), were measured using two different techniques, a conventional relative rate method and the pulsed laser photolysis-laser induced fluorescence technique. The Arrhenius rate coefficients (in units of cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1)) over the temperature range 263-371 K were determined from the kinetic data obtained as k1 = (5.5 +/- 1.0) x 10(-12) exp [(836 +/- 54)/T]; k2 = (6.9 +/- 0.9) x 10(-12) exp [(744 +/- 40)/T]; k3 = (10 +/- 1) x 10(-12) exp [(652 +/- 27)/T]; and k4 = (4.0 +/- 0.4) x 10(-12) exp [(783 +/- 32)/T]. At 298 K, the rate coefficients obtained by the two methods for each of the alcohols studied were in good agreement. The results are presented and compared with those obtained previously for the same and related reactions of OH radicals. Reactivity factors for substituent groups containing the hydroxyl group are determined. The atmospheric implications for the studied alcohols are considered briefly.