A diode laser study of the Cl + CH3CO reaction

Real-time kinetic measurements are reported for the Cl + CH₃CO → CH₂CO + HCl reaction. The experiments utilize infrared spectroscopy to determine the time dependence of the ketene formed via this reaction and of the CO produced from the subsequent rapid reaction between chlorine atoms and ketene. The reaction is investigated over a pressure range of 10–200 torr and a temperature range of 215–353 K. Within experimental error the rate constant under these conditions is k_5a = (1.8 ± 0.5) × 10⁻¹⁰ cm³ s⁻¹. We have also examined the Cl + CH₂CO reaction and found it to have a rate constant of k₆ = (2.5 ± 0.5) × 10⁻¹⁰ cm³ s⁻¹ independent of temperature. © John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 29: 421–429, 1997.     

Absolute rate constants for F + CH3CHO and CH3CO + O2, relative rate study of CH3CO + NO,and the product distribution of the F + CH3CHO reaction

Using a pulse-radiolysis transient UV–VIS absorption system, rate constants for the reactions of F atoms with CH₃CHO (1) and CH₃CO radicals with O₂ (2) and NO (3) at 295 K and 1000 mbar total pressure of SF₆ was determined to be k₁=(1.4±0.2)×10⁻¹⁰, k₂=(4.4±0.7)×10⁻¹², and k₃=(2.4±0.7)×10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹. By monitoring the formation of CH₃C(O)O₂ radicals (λ>250nm) and NO₂ (λ=400.5nm) following radiolysis of SF₆/CH₃CHO/O₂ and SF₆/CH₃CHO/O₂/NO mixtures, respectively, it was deduced that reaction of F atoms with CH₃CHO gives (65±9)% CH₃CO and (35±9)% HC(O)CH₂ radicals. Finally, the data obtained here suggest that decomposition of HC(O)CH₂O radicals via C C bond scission occurs at a rate of <4.7×10⁵ s⁻¹. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 30: 913–921, 1998     

Pressure dependence of the rate coefficients and product yields for the reaction of CH3CO radicals with O2

Relative rate coefficients for the reaction of acetyl (CH₃CO) radicals with O₂ (k₄) and Cl₂ (k₇) have been obtained at 298 K and 228 K as a function of total pressure, using FTIR/environmental chamber techniques. Measured values of k₄/k₇ were placed on an absolute basis using k₇=2.8×10⁻¹¹ exp(−47/T) cm³ molec⁻¹ s⁻¹. At 298 K, the value of k₄ is constant ((7±2)×10⁻¹³ cm³ molec⁻¹ s⁻¹) at pressures from 0.1 to 2 torr, then increases to a high pressure limiting value of (3.2±0.6)×10⁻¹² cm³ molec⁻¹ s⁻¹, which is approached at pressures above 300 torr. At 228 K, the low-pressure value of k₄ increases by about 20–30%, while the high pressure value remains unchanged. Experiments designed to elucidate the products of reaction (4) as a function of pressure at 298 K indicate that the reaction occurs via a concerted mechanism in which CH₃CO radicals combine with O₂ to give an excited acetylperoxy radical (CH₃COO₂*) which is increasingly stabilized at high pressure at the expense of a low pressure decomposition channel. The yield of acetylperoxy radicals from reaction (4) decreases from >95% at pressures above 100 torr, to about 90% at 60 torr, and 50% at 6 torr. Indirect evidence for formation of OH radicals from the low pressure decomposition is presented, although the carbon-containing coproduct(s) of this channel could not be identified. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 29: 655–663, 1997.     

Temperature dependence of the rate coefficients for the reaction of chlorine atoms with chloromethanes

Rate coefficients for the reaction of Cl atoms with CH₃Cl (k₁), CH₂Cl₂ (k₂), and CHCl₃ (k₃) have been determined over the temperature range 222–298 K using standard relative rate techniques. These data, when combined with evaluated data from previous studies, lead to the following Arrhenius expressions (all in units of cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹): k₁ = (2.8 ± 0.3) × 10⁻¹¹ exp(−1200 ± 150/T); k₂ = (1.5 ± 0.2) × 10⁻¹¹ exp(−1100 ± 150/T); k₃ = (0.48 ± 0.05) × 10⁻¹¹ exp(−1050 ± 150/T). Values for k₁ are in substantial agreement with previous measurements. However, while the room temperature values for k₂ and k₃ agree with most previous data, the activation energies for these rate coefficients are substantially lower than previously recommended values. In addition, the mechanism of the oxidation of CH₂Cl₂ has been studied. The dominant fate of the CHCl₂O radical is decomposition via Cl‐atom elimination, even at the lowest temperatures studied in this work (218 K). However, a small fraction of the CHCl₂O radicals are shown to react with O₂ at low temperatures. Using an estimated value for the rate coefficient of the reaction of CHCl₂O with O₂ (1 × 10⁻¹⁴ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹), the decomposition rate coefficient for CHCl₂O is found to be about 4 × 10⁶ s⁻¹ at 218 K, with the barrier to its decomposition estimated at 6 kcal/mole. As part of this work, the rate coefficient for Cl atoms with HCOCl was also been determined, k₇ = 1.4 × 10⁻¹¹ exp(−885/T) cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹, in agreement with previous determinations. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 31: 515–524, 1999     

1,1,1,3,3,-pentafluorobutane (HFC-365mfc): atmospheric degradation and contribution to radiative forcing

The rate constant for the reaction of the hydroxyl radical with 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluorobutane (HFC-365mfc) has been determined over the temperature range 278–323K using a relative rate technique. The results provide a value of k(OH+CF₃CH₂CF₂CH₃)=2.0×10⁻¹²exp(−1750±400/T) cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ based on k(OH+CH₃CCl₃)=1.8×10⁻¹² exp (−1550±150/T) cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ for the rate constant of the reference reaction. Assuming the major atmospheric removal process is via reaction with OH in the troposphere, the rate constant data from this work gives an estimate of 10.8 years for the tropospheric lifetime of HFC-365mfc. The overall atmospheric lifetime obtained by taking into account a minor contribution from degradation in the stratosphere, is estimated to be 10.2 years. The rate constant for the reaction of Cl atoms with 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluorobutane was also determined at 298±2 K using the relative rate method, k(Cl+CF₃CH₂CF₂CH₃)=(1.1±0.3)×10⁻¹⁵ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹. The chlorine initiated photooxidation of CF₃CH₂CF₂CH₃ was investigated from 273–330 K and as a function of O₂ pressure at 1 atmosphere total pressure using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Under all conditions the major carbon-containing products were CF₂O and CO₂, with smaller amounts of CF₃O₃CF₃. In order to ascertain the relative importance of hydrogen abstraction from the (SINGLE BOND)CH₂(SINGLE BOND) and (SINGLE BOND)CH₃ groups in CF₃CH₂CF₂CH₃, rate constants for the reaction of OH radicals and Cl atoms with the structurally similar compounds CF₃CH₂CCl₂F and CF₃CH₂CF₃ were also determined at 298 K k(OH+CF₃CH₂CCl₂F)=(8±3)×10⁻¹⁶ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹; k(OH+CF₃CH₂CF₃)=(3.5±1.5)×10⁻¹⁶ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹; k(Cl+CF₃CH₂CCl₂F)=(3.5±1.5)×10⁻¹⁷ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹]; k(Cl+CF₃CH₂CF₃)<1×10⁻¹⁷ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹. The results indicate that the most probable site for H-atom abstraction from CF₃CH₂CF₂CH₃ is the methyl group and that the formation of carbonyl compounds containing more than a single carbon atom will be negligible under atmospheric conditions, carbonyl difluoride and carbon dioxide being the main degradation products. Finally, accurate infrared absorption cross-sections have been measured for CF₃CH₂CF₂CH₃, and jointly used with the calculated overall atmospheric lifetime of 10.2 years, in the NCAR chemical-radiative model, to determine the radiative forcing of climate by this CFC alternative. The steady-state Halocarbon Global Warming Potential, relative to CFC-11, is 0.17. The Global Warming Potentials relative to CO₂ are found to be 2210, 790, and 250, for integration time-horizons of 20, 100, and 500 years, respectively. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Kinetics of the reactions of CH3O with Cl and CIO

The kinetics of the reactions CH₃O + Cl → H₂CO + HCl (1) and CH₃O + ClO → H₂CO + HOCl (2) have been studied using the discharge-flow techniques. CH₃O was monitored by laser-induced fluorescence, whereas mass spectrometry was used for the detection or titration of other species. The rate constants obtained at 298 K are: k₁ = (1.9 ± 0.4) × 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ and k₂ = (2.3 ± 0.3) × 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹. These data are useful to interpret the results of the studies of the reactions of CH₃O₂ with Cl and ClO which, at least partly, produce CH₃O radicals. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

UV absorption spectra of HO2 and CH3O2 radicals and the kinetics of their mutual reactions at 298 K

We report results of a flash photolysis study of the UV, spectra of HO₂ and CH₃O₂ radicals, obtained by using a calibration technique based on the reaction Cl+NO→NOCl. We also report preliminary results from our study of the kinetics of the reaction CH₃O₂+HO₂→products at room temperature and near atmospheric pressure. Our results are consistent with the only previous direct determination of the rate constant of the second reaction: k₁ = (6.4 ± 1.0) × 10⁻¹²cm₃ molecule⁻ s⁻¹. From the same study we derive rate constants for the self-reaction of HO₂ and CH₃O₂ radicals, which agree with recommended values.     

Kinetics of the reactions of chlorine atoms with CH3ONO and CH3ONO2

The kinetics of the reactions of Cl atoms with CH₃ONO and CH₃ONO₂ have been studied using relative rate techniques. In 700 Torr of nitrogen diluent at 295 ± 2K, k(Cl + CH₃ONO) = (2.1 ± 0.2) × 10⁻¹² and k(Cl + CH₃ONO₂) = (2.4 ± 0.2) × 10⁻¹³ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹. The result for k(Cl + CH₃ONO₂) is in good agreement with the literature data. The result for k(Cl + CH₃ONO) is a factor of 4.5 lower than that reported previously. It seems likely that in the previous study most of the loss of CH₃ONO which was attributed to reaction with Cl atoms was actually caused by photolysis leading to an overestimate of k(Cl + CH₃ONO). © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 31: 357–359, 1999     

Kinetics and products of propargyl (C3H3) radical self‐reactions and propargyl‐methyl cross‐combination reactions

Propargyl (HCC CH₂) and methyl radicals were produced through the 193‐nm excimer laser photolysis of mixtures of C₃H₃Cl/He and CH₃N₂CH₃/He, respectively. Gas chromatographic and mass spectrometric (GC/MS) product analyses were employed to characterize and quantify the major reaction products. The rate constants for propargyl radical self‐reactions and propargyl‐methyl cross‐combination reactions were determined through kinetic modeling and comparative rate determination methods. The major products of the propargyl radical combination reaction, at room temperature and total pressure of about 6.7 kPa (50 Torr) consisted of three C₆H₆ isomers with 1,5‐hexadiyne(CHC CH₂ CH₂ CCH, about 60%); 1,2‐hexadiene‐5yne (CH₂CC CH₂ CCH, about 25%); and a third isomer of C₆H₆ (∼15%), which has not yet been, with certainty, identified as being the major products. The rate constant determination in the propargyl‐methyl mixed radical system yielded a value of (4.0 ± 0.4) × 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ for propargyl radical combination reactions and a rate constant of (1.5 ± 0.3) × 10⁻¹⁰ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ for propargyl‐methyl cross‐combination reactions. The products of the methyl‐propargyl cross‐combination reactions were two isomers of C₄H₆, 1‐butyne (about 60%) and 1,2‐butadiene (about 40%). © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 32: 118–124, 2000     

Oxidation of dimethyl ether: Absolute rate constants for the self reaction of CH3OCH2 radicals,the reaction of CH3OCH2 radicals with O2, and the thermal decomposition of CH3OCH2 radicals

The rate constant for the reaction of CH₃OCH₂ radicals with O₂ (reaction (1)) and the self reaction of CH₃OCH₂ radicals (reaction (5)) were measured using pulse radiolysis coupled with time resolved UV absorption spectroscopy. k₁ was studied at 296K over the pressure range 0.025–1 bar and in the temperature range 296–473K at 18 bar total pressure. Reaction (1) is known to proceed through the following mechanism: CH₃OCH₂ + O₂ ↔ CH₃OCH₂O₂^# → CH₂OCH₂O₂H^# → 2HCHO + OH (k_prod) CH₃OCH₂ + O₂ ↔ CH₃OCH₂O₂^# + M → CH₃OCH₂O₂ + M (k_RO2) k = k_RO2 + k_prod, where k_RO2 is the rate constant for peroxy radical production and k_prod is the rate constant for formaldehyde production. The k₁ values obtained at 296K together with the available literature values for k₁ determined at low pressures were fitted using a modified Lindemann mechanism and the following parameters were obtained: k_RO2,0 = (9.4 ± 4.2) × 10⁻³⁰ cm⁶ molecule⁻² s⁻¹, k_RO2,∞ = (1.14 ± 0.04) × 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹, and k_prod,0 = (6.0 ± 0.5) × 10⁻¹² cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹, where k_RO2,0 and k_RO2,∞ are the overall termolecular and bimolecular rate constants for formation of CH₃OCH₂O₂ radicals and k_prod,0 represents the bimolecular rate constant for the reaction of CH₃OCH₂ radicals with O₂ to yield formaldehyde in the limit of low pressure. k_RO2,∞ = (1.07 ± 0.08) × 10⁻¹¹ exp(−(46 ± 27)/T) cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ was determined at 18 bar total pressure over the temperature range 296–473K. At 1 bar total pressure and 296K, k₅ = (4.1 ± 0.5) × 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ and at 18 bar total pressure over the temperature range 296–523K, k₅ = (4.7 ± 0.6) × 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹. As a part of this study the decay rate of CH₃OCH₂ radicals was used to study the thermal decomposition of CH₃OCH₂ radicals in the temperature range 573–666K at 18 bar total pressure. The observed decay rates of CH₃OCH₂ radicals were consistent with the literature value of k₂ = 1.6 × 10¹³exp(−12800/T)s⁻¹. The results are discussed in the context of dimethyl ether as an alternative diesel fuel. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Rate constant for the reaction of Cl with CHCl3

The rate constant for the reaction of Cl with CHCl₃ was measured relative to the Cl reaction with CH₄ and CH₃Cl using long path FTIR. The measured rate constant at 298 K and 1 atm total pressure was (1.21 ± 0.13) × 10⁻¹³ cm³ molecule ⁻¹s⁻¹ (2σ) about 60% larger than the currently recommended value (although within the large error bars). The implications of the Cl + CHCl₃ reaction for relative rate studies chloromethane reactivity, and tropospheric chemistry are discussed. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Rate coefficients for the reactions of chlorine atoms with methanol and acetaldehyde

Rate coefficients have been measured for the reactions of Cl atoms with methanol (k₁) and acetaldehyde (k₂) using both absolute (laser photolysis with resonance fluorescence) and relative rate methods at 295 ± 2 K. The measured rate coefficients were (units of 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹): absolute method, k₁ = (5.1 ± 0.4), k₂ = (7.3 ± 0.7); relative method k₁ = (5.6 ± 0.6), k₂ = (8.4 ± 1.0). Based on a critical evaluation of the literature data, the following rate coefficients are recommended: k₁ = (5.4 ± 0.9) × 10⁻¹¹ and k₂ = (7.8 ± 1.3) × 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ (95% confidence limits). The results significantly improve the confidence in the database for reactions of Cl atoms with these oxygenated organics. Rate coefficients were also measured for the reactions of Cl₂ with CH₂OH, k₅ = (2.9 ± 0.6) × 10⁻¹¹ and CH₃CO, k₆ = (4.3 ± 1.5) × 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹, by observing the regeneration of Cl atoms in the absence of O₂. Based on these results and those from a previous relative rate study, the rate coefficient for CH₃CO + O₂ at the high pressure limit is estimated to be (5.7 ± 1.9) × 10⁻¹² cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 31: 776–784, 1999     

Kinetics and mechanism of the Cl + CO reaction in air

Long-path FTIR spectroscopy was used to study the kinetics and mechanism of the reaction of Cl atoms with CO in air. The relative rate constants at 298 K and 760 torr for the forward direction of the reaction of Cl with ¹³CO and the reaction of Cl¹³CO with O₂ were k₁ = (3.4 ± 0.8) × 10⁻¹⁴ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ and k₂ = (4.3 ± 3.2) × 10⁻¹³ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹, respectively (all uncertainty limits are 2σ). The rate constant for the net loss of ¹³CO due to reaction with Cl in 1 atm of air at 298 K was k_Cl+COobs = (3.0 ± 0.6) × 10⁻¹⁴ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹. The only observed carbon-containing product of the Cl + ¹²CO reaction was ¹²CO₂, with a yield of 109 ± 18%. Our results are in good agreement with extrapolations from previous studies. The reaction mechanism and the implications for laboratory studies and tropospheric chemistry are discussed. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

FTIR study of the Cl-atom initiated oxidation of methylglyoxal

The kinetics and mechanism of Cl-atom initiated reactions of CH₃C(O)CHO were studied using the FTIR detection method in the photolysis (λ < 300 nm) of Cl₂? CH₃C(O)CHO mixtures in 700 torr of N₂? O₂ diluent at 298 ± 2 K. The observed product distribution over the O₂ pressure range from 0–700 torr, combined with relative rate measurements, provided evidence that: (1) the primary step is Cl + CH₃C(O)CHO → HCl + CH₃C(O)CO with a rate constant of (4.8 ± 1.1) × 10^?11 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1; and (2) the predominant fate of the primary radical CH₃C(O)CO under atmospheric conditions is unimolecular dissociation to CH₃C(O) radicals and CO, rather than O₂-addition to yield the corresponding carbonylperoxy radical CH₃C(O)C(O)OO.     

Atmospheric chemistry of di-tert-butyl ether: Rates and products of the reactions with chlorine atoms,hydroxyl radicals,and nitrate radicals

The rate constants for the gas-phase reactions of di-tert-butyl ether (DTBE) with chlorine atoms, hydroxyl radicals, and nitrate radicals have been determined in relative rate experiments using FTIR spectroscopy. Values of k_(DTBE+CI) = (1.4 ± 0.2) × 10⁻¹⁰,k_(DTBE+OH) = (3.7 ± 0.7) × 10⁻¹², and k_(DTBE+N03) = (2.8 ± 0.9) × 10⁻¹⁶ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ were obtained. Tert-butyl acetate was identified as the major product of both Cl atom and OH radical initiated oxidation of DTBE in air in the presence of NO_x. The molar tert-butyl acetate yield was 0.85 ± 0.11 in the Cl atom experiments and 0.84 ± 0.11 in OH radical experiments. As part of this work the rate constant for reaction of Cl atoms with tert-butyl acetate at 295 K was determined to be (1.6 ± 0.3) × 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹. The stated errors are two standard deviations (2σ). © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

FT‐IR kinetic and product study of the Br‐initiated oxidation of dimethyl sulfide

An FT‐IR kinetic and product study of the Br‐atom‐initiated oxidation of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) has been performed in a large‐volume reaction chamber at 298 K and 1000‐mbar total pressure as a function of the bath gas composition (N₂ + O₂). In the kinetic investigations using the relative kinetic method, considerable scatter was observed between individual determinations of the rate coefficient, suggesting the possibility of interference from secondary chemistry in the reaction system involving dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) formation. Despite the experimental difficulties, an overall bimolecular rate coefficient for the reaction of Br atoms with DMS under atmospheric conditions at 298 K of ≤1 × 10⁻¹³ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ can be deduced. The major sulfur products observed included SO₂, CH₃SBr, and DMSO. The kinetic observations in combination with the product studies under the conditions employed are consistent with rapid addition of Br atoms to DMS forming an adduct that mainly re‐forms reactants but can also decompose unimolecularly to form CH₃SBr and CH₃ radicals. The observed formation of DMSO is attributed to reactions of BrO radicals with DMS rather than reaction of the Br–DMS adduct with O₂ as has been previously speculated and is thought to be responsible for the variability of the measured rate coefficient. The reaction CH₃O₂ + Br → BrO + CH₃O is postulated as the source of BrO radicals. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 31: 883–893, 1999     

Rate constants and Arrhenius parameters for the reactions of Cl atoms with the halogenated ethers: CF3CH2OCHF2, CF3CHClOCHF2, and CF3CH2OCClF2

Rate constants have been determined for the reactions of Cl atoms with the halogenated ethers CF₃CH₂OCHF₂, CF₃CHClOCHF₂, and CF₃CH₂OCClF₂ using a relative‐rate technique. Chlorine atoms were generated by continuous photolysis of Cl₂ in a mixture containing the ether and CD₄. Changes in the concentrations of these two species were measured via changes in their infrared absorption spectra observed with a Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer. Relative‐rate constants were converted to absolute values using the previously measured rate constants for the reaction, Cl + CD₄ → DCl + CD₃. Experiments were carried out at 295, 323, and 363 K, yielding the following Arrhenius expressions for the rate constants within this range of temperature:Cl + CF₃CH₂OCHF₂: k = (5.1₅ ± 0.7) × 10⁻¹² exp(−1830 ± 410 K/T) cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ Cl + CF₃CHClOCHF₂: k = (1.6 ± 0.2) × 10⁻¹¹ exp(−2450 ± 250 K/T) cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ Cl + CF₃CH₂OCClF₂: k = (9.6 ± 0.4) × 10⁻¹² exp(−2390 ± 190 K/T) cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ The results are compared with those obtained previously for the reactions of Cl atoms with other halogenated methyl ethyl ethers. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 33: 165–172, 2001     

A kinetic study of chlorine radical reactions with ketones by laser photolysis technique

Rate coefficients for reactions between Cl radicals and four ketones were determined at 294 ± 1 K with a relative rate method using a laser photolysis technique. The experiments were conducted in synthetic air in a flow system at atmospheric pressure. A mixture of Cl₂/ClONO₂ was photolyzed and the formation of NO₃ through the reaction Cl + ClONO₂ → Cl₂ + NO₃ was measured with and without ketones in the reaction mixture. The NO₃ radical concentration was measured by optical absorption using a diode laser as the light source. The rate coefficients for the Cl-ketone reactions could then be evaluated. The following rate coefficients were obtained (in units of cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹): cyclohexanone (7.00 ± 1.15) × 10⁻¹¹; cyclopentanone (4.76 ± 0.33) × 10⁻¹¹; acetone (1.69 ± 0.32) × 10⁻¹²; and 2,3-butanedione (7.62 ± 1.66) × 10⁻¹³. The accuracy of the method employed was tested by using the well-studied reaction between Cl and methane and a rate coefficient of (9.37 ± 1.04) × 10⁻¹⁴ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ was obtained, which is in good agreement with previous work. The errors are at the 95% confidence level. The results in this work indicate that a carbonyl group in a ketone lowers the reactivity towards α-hydrogen abstraction by Cl radicals, compared to the corresponding Cl-alkane reactions. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 29: 195–201, 1997.     

Kinetic measurements of the gas phase HO2+CH3O2 cross-disproportionation reaction at 298 K

Flash photolysis kinetic absorption spectroscopy was used to investigate the gas phase reaction between hydroperoxy (HO₂) and methylperoxy (CH₃O₂) radicals at 298 K. Due to the large difference between the self-reactivities of the two radicals, first- or second-order kinetic conditions could not be maintained for either species. Thus, the rate constant for the cross reaction was determined from computer-modeled fits of the radical absorption decay curves, at wavelengths between 215 and 280 nm. This procedure yielded k = 2.9 × 10⁻¹² cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ independent of total pressure (using N₂) between 25 and 600 Torr, and of the partial pressure of water vapor (up to 11.6 Torr). There was also no effect of water vapor on the rate constant for the self-reaction of methylperoxy radicals.     

A study of the self reaction of CH2ClO2 and CHCl2O2 radicals at 298 K

A low‐pressure discharge‐flow system equipped with laser‐induced fluorescence (LIF) detection of NO₂ and resonance‐fluorescence detection of OH has been employed to study the self reactions CH₂ClO₂ + CH₂ClO₂ → products (1) and CHCl₂O₂ + CHCl₂O₂ → products (2), at T = 298 K and P = 1–3 Torr. Possible secondary reactions involving alkoxy radicals are identified. We report the phenomenological rate constants (k_obs) k_1obs = (4.1 ± 0.2) × 10⁻¹² cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ k_2obs = (8.6 ± 0.2) × 10⁻¹² cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ and the rate constants derived from modelling the decay profiles for both peroxy radical systems, which takes into account the proposed secondary chemistry involving alkoxy radicals k₁ = (3.3 ± 0.7) × 10⁻¹² cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ k₂ = (7.0 ± 1.8) × 10⁻¹² cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ A possible mechanism for these self reactions is proposed and QRRK calculations are performed for reactions (1), (2) and the self‐reaction of CH₃O₂, CH₃O₂ + CH₃O₂ → products (3). These calculations, although only semiquantitative, go some way to explaining why both k₁ and k₂ are a factor of ten larger than k₃ and why, as suggested by the products of reaction (1) and (2), it seems that the favored reaction pathway is different from that followed by reaction (3). The atmospheric fate of the chlorinated peroxy species, and hence the impact of their precursors (CH₃Cl and CH₂Cl₂), in the troposphere are briefly discussed. HC(O)Cl is identified as a potentially important reservoir species produced from the photooxidation of these precursors. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 31: 433–444, 1999