Theoretical study on the structure and UV–visible spectrum of pyridine–chloranil charge-transfer complex

The ground-state structure of the charge-transfer complex formed by pyridine (Py) as electron donor and chloranil (CA) as acceptor has been studied by full geometry optimization at the MP2 and DFT levels of theory. Binding energies were calculated and counterpoise corrections were used to correct the BSSE. Both MP2 and DFT indicate that the pyridine binds with chloranil to form an inclined T-shape structure, with the pyridine plane perpendicular to the chloranil. The CP and ZPE corrected binding energies were calculated to be 14.21 kJ/mol by PBEPBE/6-31G(d) and 23.21 kJ/mol by MP2/6-31G(d). The charge distribution of the ground state Py–CA complex was evaluated with the natural population analysis, showing a net charge transfer from Py to CA. Analysis of the frontier molecular orbitals reveals a σ–π interaction between CA and Py, and the binding is reinforced by the attraction of the O₇ atom of CA with the H₂₃ atom of Py. TD-DFT calculations have been performed to analyze the UV–visible spectrum of Py–CA complex, revealing both the charge transfer transitions and the weak symmetry-relieved chloranil π–π^* transition in the UV–visible region.     

Kinetics of molecular motions in liquids and its correlation with kinetics of radical liquid–phase reactions

Stable nitroxide radicals and ESR techniques have been used to investigate rotational and translational motions of molecules in the liquid state. It is found that for hydrocarbons and molecules with low polarity the rotational frequencies are about an order of magnitude faster than translational encounters. Arrhenius parameters are reported for the rates of both types of processes. A scheme is given for the relation of these motions to radical recombination in solution and also to reactions requiring activation energy. The consequences of this scheme are examined. Such important properties as hydrodynamic fluidity, thermal conductivity, processes of extraction and solution, occurring in the liquid phase as well as at the interface are determined by mobility of particles in the liquid. The problem of molecular mobility is of essential significance for the kinetics of chemical and chemico-physical processes in the liquid phase. Application of both ESR techniques and stable nitroxide radicals for kinetic studies of molecular motions in liquids and the correlation between molecular mobility and the kinetic parameters of liquid-phase radical reactions have been studied in the present paper.     

Laboratory studies of photochemistry and gas phase radical reaction kinetics relevant to planetary atmospheres

This review seeks to bring together a selection of recent laboratory work on gas phase photochemistry, kinetics and reaction dynamics of radical species relevant to the understanding of planetary atmospheres other than that of Earth. A majority of work focuses on the rich organic chemistry associated with photochemically initiated reactions in the upper atmospheres of the giant planets. Reactions relevant to Titan, the largest moon of Saturn and with a nitrogen/methane dominated atmosphere, have also received much focus due to potential to explain the chemistry of Earth's prebiotic atmosphere. Analogies are drawn between the approaches of terrestrial and non-terrestrial atmospheric chemistry.     

UV-Absorption spectrum of the methylperoxy radical and the kinetics of its disproportionation reaction at 300 K

Molecular modulation spectroscopy combined with ultraviolet spectroscopic techniques have been used to observe the behavior of the CH₃O₂ radicals generated in the gas phase by near-ultraviolet modulated photolysis of flowing Cl₂? CH₄? O₂ mixtures. The kinetics of the disproportionation reaction (1) and the absorption cross-sections of CH₃O₂ were measured by computer fitting of the modulated absorption traces obtained in the wavelength range 220 to 270 nm at 300 K and 240 torr. The rate constant for the elementary self-reaction ??₁ = ??_1(a) + ??_1(b) + ??_1(c) was determined to be (3.61 ± 0.55) × 10_?13 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1. The parameter ??_obs/σ (where ??_obs is the observed apparent second-order rate constant) was measured from the decay curves in the dark phase of the modulated photolysis period in the wavelength range 230–260 nm, and had a value 1.16 × 10⁵ cm² s^?1 at 250 nm. At 250 nm the absorption cross-section was determined as σ(CH₃O₂) = 4.14 × 10^?18 cm² molecule^?1, leading to a value of ??_obs, = (4.8 ± 0.5) × 10 ¹³ cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1. In addition, the absorption spectrum of CH₃O₂ was measured in the range 210–295 nm using diode array spectroscopy. A detailed review of all previous studies concerning the kinetics and spectrum of the CH₃O₂ radical is presented, and a recommended spectrum, representing an average from selected recent studies, is proposed.     

EPR and UV–visible spectroscopic studies of alumina-supported chromium oxide catalysts

The oxidation state, the mobility and the molecular structure of chromium species present on CrO_x–Al₂O₃ catalysts have been studied by combined diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, EPR and reduction–extraction by ethane 1,2 diol. CrO₄²⁻ species exist on the alumina surface in the form of loosely-interacting species on hydrated surface (species A) and in the form of strongly bonded species on dehydrated Al₂O₃ surface (species B). The CrO₄²⁻ species show high mobility and are probably responsible for the formation of CrO_x clusters.     

A flash photolysis investigation of the gas phase uv absorption spectrum and self-reaction kinetics of the neopentylperoxy radical

The ultraviolet absorption spectrum of the neopentylperoxy radical, (CH₃)₃CCH₂O₂ (or C₅H₁₁O₂), and the kinetics of its self-reaction have been studied in the gas phase using a flash photolysis technique. The room temperature absorption cross-section at 250 nm was determined to be and was used to normalize the radical absorption spectrum between 210 and 300 nm. Detailed modeling of the self-reaction system was used to interpret the transient absorption kinetic decay curves over the temperature range 228–380 K, at total pressures between 25 and 100 torr. The results are discussed in relation to previous measurements of alkylperoxy radical spectra and kinetics.     

Rotationally resolved infrared spectroscopy of a jet-cooled phenyl radical in the gas phase

The first high-resolution IR spectra of a jet-cooled phenyl radical are reported, obtained via direct absorption laser spectroscopy in a slit-jet discharge supersonic expansion. The observed A-type band arises from fundamental excitation of the out-of-phase symmetric CH stretch mode (nu19) of b2 symmetry. Unambiguous spectral assignment of the rotational structure to the phenyl radical is facilitated by comparison with precision 2-line combination differences from Fourier transform microwave and direct absorption mm-wave measurements on the ground state [R. J. McMahon et al., Astrophys. J., 2003, 590, L61]. Least-squares fits to an asymmetric top Hamiltonian permit the upper-state rotational constants to be obtained. The corresponding gas-phase vibrational band origin at 3071.8904 (10) cm(-1) is in remarkably good agreement with previous matrix isolation studies [A. V. Friderichsen et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2001, 123, 1977], and indicates only a relatively minor red shift (approximately 0.9 cm(-1)) between the gas and Ar matrix phase environment. Such studies offer considerable promise for further high resolution IR study of other aromatic radical species of particular relevance to combustion phenomena and interstellar chemistry.     

The electronic absorption spectrum of the CNO free radical in the gas phase

A new band with heads at 796.3.3 and 7893.1 A has been found during the flash photolysis of 3-methyl-4-oximinoisoxazol-5(411)-one. By comparison with earlier work in a neon matrix. and on the basis of a partial rotational analysis, the band is assigned as the 0 0 band of the A²x⁺-X²11_i transition of the CNO free radical. Preliminary mlecular constant are given.     

The kinetics of the gas phase decomposition reactions of the hexafluoro-t-butoxy radical

Hexafluoro-t-butoxy radicals have been generated by reacting fluorine with hexafluoro-2-methyl isopropanol: Over the temperature range of 406–600 K the hexafluoro-t-butoxy radical decomposes exclusively by loss of a CF₃ radical [reaction (-2)] rather than by loss of a CH₃ radical [reaction (-1)]: (1) The limits of detectability of the product CF₃COCF₃, by gas-chromatographic analysis, place a lower limit on the ratio k_?2/k_-1 of ～80. The implications of this finding in relation to the reverse radical addition reactions to the carbonyl group are briefly discussed. A thermochemical kinetic calculation reveals a discrepancy in the kinetics and thermodynamics of the decomposition and formation reactions of the related t-butoxy radical:      

Experimental and theoretical studies of the phenyl radical reaction with propene

The kinetics for the reaction of C6H5 with propene has been measured by cavity ring-down spectrometry (CRDS) at temperatures 296-496 K under an Ar pressure of 40 Torr. The total rate constant can be given by the following Arrhenius expression (in units of cm3 mol(-1) s(-1)): k(C6H5 + C3H6) = 10(11.93+/-0.06) exp[-(1512 +/- 51)/T]. Density functional and higher level of theory calculations (up to the G2M level) have been carried out to provide additional insights about the mechanism of this reaction, and we also performed transition state theory (TST) calculation for the rate constant prediction. Our theoretical kinetic calculations predict that the C6H5 addition to the terminal =CH2 site in propene is dominant at the temperature range of our CRDS measurements. However, the H-abstraction channel forming benzene and the allyl radical becomes increasingly important at higher temperatures. The total high-pressure limiting rate constant calculated on the basis of the G2M reaction barriers is in reasonable agreement with the experimental values.     

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.     

Theoretical study on the gas phase reaction of acrylonitrile with a hydroxyl radical

The mechanism and kinetics of the reaction of acrylonitrile (CH(2)=CHCN) with hydroxyl (OH) has been investigated theoretically. This reaction is revealed to be one of the most significant loss processes of acrylonitrile. BHandHLYP and M05-2X methods are employed to obtain initial geometries. The reaction mechanism conforms that OH addition to C[double bond, length as m-dash]C double bond or C atom of -CN group to form the chemically activated adducts, 1-IM1(HOCH(2)=CHCN), 2-IM1(CH(2)=HOCHCN), and 3-IM1(CH(2)=CHCOHN) via low barriers, and direct hydrogen abstraction paths may also occur. Temperature- and pressure-dependent rate constants have been evaluated using the Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel-Marcus theory. The calculated rate constants are in good agreement with the experimental data. At atmospheric pressure with N(2) as bath gas, 1-IM1(OHCH(2)=CHCN) formed by collisional stabilization is the major product in the temperature range of 200-1200 K. The production of CH(2)CCN and CHCHCN via hydrogen abstractions becomes dominant at high temperatures (1200-3000 K).     

The infrared spectrum of the matrix-isolated phenyl radical.

We have measured the infrared absorption spectrum of C(6)H(5), /X (2)A(1), in an Ar matrix at 10 K. The experimental frequencies (cm(-)(1)) and polarizations follow. a(1) modes: 3086, 3072, 3037, 1581, 1441, 1154, 1027, 997, 976, 605; b(1) modes: 972, 874, 706, 657, 416; b(2) modes: 3071, 3060, 1624, 1432, 1321, 1283, 1159, 1063, and 587. Three different methods have been used for the production of the phenyl radicals. Infrared absorption spectra of five deuterated isotopomers, C(6)D(5), p-C(6)H(4)D, p-C(6)HD(4), o-C(6)H(4)D, and m-C(6)H(4)D, were recorded to compare experimental frequency shifts with calculated (UB3LYP/cc-pVDZ) harmonic frequency shifts. The use of CO(2) or NO as internal standards enabled the experimental determination of absolute infrared intensities. The linear dichroism was measured with photooriented samples to establish experimental polarizations of each vibrational band. True gas-phase vibrational frequencies were estimated by considering the gas-to-matrix shifts and matrix inhomogeneous line broadening. The phenyl radical matrix frequencies listed above are within +/-1% of the gas-phase vibrational frequencies. The C(6)H(5) frequencies from this paper supersede our earlier values reported in J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1996, 118, 7400-7401. See also: http://ellison.colorado.edu/phenyl.     

Absorption spectrum and kinetics of the acetylperoxy radical

The UV absorption spectrum of acetylperoxy radicals, produced in several photochemical systems, has been investigated using the molecular modulation technique. Rate coefficients were determined at 28 and 715 Torr for the reaction CH₃COO₂ + NO₂(+M) → CH₃COO₂NO₂(+M), which exhibits a pressure dependence.     

Kinetics of the diels–alder addition of ethene to cyclohexa-1,3-diene and its reverse reaction in the gas phase

The addition of ethene to cyclohexa-1,3-diene has been studied between 466 and 591 K at pressures ranging from 27 to 119 torr for ethene and 10 to 74 torr for cyclohexa-1,3-diene. The reaction is of the “Diels–Alder” type and leads to the formation of bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-2-ene. It is homogeneous and first order with respect to each reagent. The rate constant (in l./mol sec) is given by The retron-Diels–Alder pyrolysis of bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-2-ene has also been studied. In the ranges of 548–632 K and 4–21 torr the reaction is first order, and its rate constant (in sec^?1) is given by The reaction mechanism is discussed. The heat of formation and the entropy of bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-2-ene are estimated.     

Kinetics of the Diels–Alder addition of acrolein to cyclohexa-1,3-diene and its reverse reaction in the gas phase

The Diels–Alder addition of acrolein to cyclohexa-1,3-diene has been studied between 486 and 571°K at pressures ranging from 55 to 240 torr. The products are endo- and exo-5-formylbicyclo[2.2.2]oct-2-ene (endo- and exo-FBO), and their formations are second order. The rate constants (in l./mole · sec) are given by The retro-Diels–Alder pyrolysis of endo-FBO has also been studied. In the ranges of 565–638°K and 6–38 torr, the reaction is first order, and its rate constant (in sec^?1) is given by The reaction mechanism is discussed. The heat of formation and the entropy of endo-FBO are estimated.     

Products and mechanism of the gas phase reaction between nitrate radical and arenes

Summary The reaction between the nitrate radical and ortho- and para-xylene and some deuterated analogues was studied in the gas phase in a 480 l reaction chamber. Sampling of the gas mixture and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry allowed to obtain kinetic isotope effect values in the range of 1.48–1.87. These were similar to the values of 1.25–1.67 observed in the oxidation of these substrates with cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate in acetonitrile. This suggests that the hydrogen abstraction mechanism commonly invoked for these reaction may compete with a single electron transfer and an addition of the nitrate radical to the aromatic compound in the rate-determining first reaction step. Lowering the concentration of dioxygen in the reaction gas mixture leads to an increase of the ratio nitrate ester/aromatic aldehyde.     

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.     

Diene-functional macromonomers by a single-step free radical addition–fragmentation reaction. Syntheses and kinetics

A new chain transfer agent, 5-tert-butylthio-1,3-pentadiene (TBPD or 7, 7-dimethyl-6-thia-1,3-octadiene) was used in the free radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate and styrene to produce conjugated diene-end capped macromonomers by a free radical addition–fragmentation mechanism. The chain transfer was found to be degradative. A new kinetic model was proposed to describe the retarded polymerization. The kinetic parameters per-taining to transfer, reinitiation, primary radical termination, and mutual termination of the primary radicals were evaluated at different temperatures permitting precise theoretical prediction of the functionalities. The chain transfer constants, calculated using a modified Mayo's equation revealed better transfer properties for MMA. The macromonomers were synthesized by high conversion polymerization. Characterizations of the macromonomers revealed that copolymerization predominated over the fragmentation following 1,4-addition, although the former reaction is not detrimental for the chain-end functionalization. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.