Shock‐tube and modeling study of acetaldehyde pyrolysis and oxidation

Pyrolysis and oxidation of acetaldehyde were studied behind reflected shock waves in the temperature range 1000–1700 K at total pressures between 1.2 and 2.8 atm. The study was carried out using the following methods, (1) time‐resolved IR‐laser absorption at 3.39 μm for acetaldehyde decay and CH‐compound formation rates, (2) time‐resolved UV absorption at 200 nm for CH₂CO and C₂H₄ product formation rates, (3) time‐resolved UV absorption at 216 nm for CH₃ formation rates, (4) time‐resolved UV absorption at 306.7 nm for OH radical formation rate, (5) time‐resolved IR emission at 4.24 μm for the CO₂ formation rate, (6) time‐resolved IR emission at 4.68 μm for the CO and CH₂CO formation rate, and (7) a single‐pulse technique for product yields. From a computer‐simulation study, a 178‐reaction mechanism that could satisfactorily model all of our data was constructed using new reactions, CH₃CHO (+M) → CH₄ + CO (+M), CH₃CHO (+M) → CH₂CO + H₂(+M), H + CH₃CHO → CH₂CHO + H₂, CH₃ + CH₃CHO → CH₂CHO + CH₄, O₂ + CH₃CHO → CH₂CHO + HO₂, O + CH₃CHO → CH₂CHO + OH, OH + CH₃CHO → CH₂CHO + H₂O, HO₂ + CH₃CHO → CH₂CHO + H₂O₂, having assumed or evaluated rate constants. The submechanisms of methane, ethylene, ethane, formaldehyde, and ketene were found to play an important role in acetaldehyde oxidation. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. 40: 73–102, 2008     

Reactions of methyl radicals with acetaldehyde and acetaldehyde-d1. I. relative rates of atom abstraction reactions at 785°K

The role of ethenoxy radicals in the pyrolysis of CH₃CDO was studied by mass spectrometric analysis of the isotopic composition of the methane, ethane, and recovered aldehyde. Experimental evidence was obtained for the formation of ethenoxy radicals and for their reaction with acetaldehyde. Mixtures of CH₃CHO and CH₃CDO were pyrolyzed in order to minimize H-D scrambling in the methyl group of the aldehyde. A kinetic treatment of the methyl radical reactions and furnished the rate constant ratios (k_2a + k_2b)/k_1a = 2.7 and k_1b/k_1a = 0.62 at 785°K. It is concluded that at the usual temperatures of CH₃CHO pyrolysis the rate of alkyl hydrogen capture is comparable to that of formyl hydrogen abstraction. The results and conclusions are discussed and compared with previous work.     

Kinetics and mechanism for the oxidation of 1,1,1-trichloroethane

The reaction mechanisms for oxidation of CH₃CCl₂ and CCl₃CH₂ radicals, formed in the atmospheric degradation of CH₃CCl₃ have been elucidated. The primary oxidation products from these radicals are CH₃CClO and CCl₃CHO, respectively. Absolute rate constants for the reaction of hydroxyl radicals with CH₃CCl₃ have been measured in 1 atm of Argon at 359, 376, and 402 K using pulse radiolysis combined with UV kinetic spectroscopy giving ??(OH + CH₃CCl₃) = (5.4 ± 3) 10^?12 exp(?3570 ± 890/RT) cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1. A value of this rate constant of 1.3 × 10^?14 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 at 298 K was calculated using this Arrhenius expression. A relative rate technique was utilized to provide rate data for the OH + CH₃ CCl₃ reaction as well as the reaction of OH with the primary oxidation products. Values of the relative rate constants at 298 K are: ??(OH + CH₃CCl₃) = (1.09 ± 0.35) × 10^?14, ??(OH + CH₃CClO) = (0.91 ± 0.32) × 10^?14, ??(OH + CCl₃CHO) = (178 ± 31) × 10^?14, ??(OH + CCl₂O) < 0.1 × 10^?14; all in units of cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1. The effect of chlorine substitution on the reactivity of organic compounds towards OH radicals is discussed.     

High-temperature pyrolysis of acetaldehyde

High-temperature (>1000°K) pyrolysis of acetaldehyde (～1% in an atmosphere of pure nitrogen) was examined in a turbulent flow reactor which permits accurate determination of the spatial distribution of the stable species. Results show that the products in order of decreasing importance are CO, CH₄, H₂, C₂H₆, and C₂H₄. Rates of formation were consistent with the Rice–Herzfeld mechanism by including reactions to explain C₂H₄ formation and the possible presence of ketene. A steady-state treatment of the complete mechanism indicates that the overall reaction order decreases from \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \frac{3}{2} $\end{document} to 1, which is supported by the new experimental data. Using earlier low-temperature results, the rate constant for the reaction CH₃CHO → CH₃ + CHO (1) was found as k₁=10^15.85±0.21 exp (?81,775±1000/RT) sec^?1. Also, data for the ratio of rate constants for reactions CH₃CHO + CH₃ → CH₄ + CH₃CO (4) and 2CH₃ → C₂H₆(6) were fitted to the empirical expression k₄/k₆^1/2=10^?13.89±0.03T^6.1 exp(?1720±70/RT) (cm³/mole·sec)^1/2 and causes for the curvature are discussed. The noncatalytic effect of oxygen on acetaldehyde pyrolysis at high temperature is explained.     

Determination of force fields for formaldehyde,acetaldehyde and acetone by the CNDO/force method

CNDO/Force calculations have been done for formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and acetone, and the theoretical force fields evaluated. Experimental force fields are obtained from vibrational frequencies using the least-squares refinement method. The initial force fields considered are based on the bending and interaction force constants obtained from the CNDO/Force calculations and the stretching force constants transferred from chemically related molecules. Vibrational frequencies of H₂CO, D₂CO, HDCO, H₂¹³CO and D₂¹³CO for formaldehyde, CH₃CHO, CH₃CDO, CD₃CHO, CD₃CDO and CH₂DCHO for acetaldehyde, and CH₃COCH₃ CD₃COCH₃ and CD₃COCD₃ for acetone are employed in the force field refinements. The final force fields obtained are found to be reasonable with respect to the diagonal and interaction force constants.     

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.     

Rate constants calculation of hydrogen abstraction reactions CH3CHBr + HBr and CH3CBr2 + HBr

Dual‐level direct dynamics method is used to study the kinetic properties of the hydrogen abstraction reactions of CH₃CHBr + HBr → CH₃CH₂Br + Br (R1) and CH₃CBr₂ + HBr → CH₃CHBr₂ + Br (R2). Optimized geometries and frequencies of all the stationary points and extra points along the minimum‐energy path are obtained at the MPW1K/6‐311+G(d,p), MPW1K/ma‐TZVP, and BMK/6‐311+G(d,p) levels. Two complexes with energies less than that of the reactants are located in the entrance of each reaction at the MPW1K/6‐311+G(d,p) and MPW1K/ma‐TZVP levels, respectively. The energy profiles are further refined with the interpolated single‐point energies method at the G2M(RCC5)//MPW1K/6‐311+G(d,p) level of theory. By the improved canonical variational transition‐state theory with the small‐curvature tunneling correction (SCT), the rate constants are evaluated over a wide temperature range of 200–2000 K. Our calculations have shown that the radical reactivity decreases from CH₃CHBr to CH₃CBr₂. Finally, the total rate constants are fitted by two modified Arrhenius expression. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Kinetics and mechanism associated with the reactions of hydroxyl radicals and of chlorine atoms with 1‐propanol under near‐tropospheric conditions between 273 and 343 K

Rate constants for the reactions of OH radicals and Cl atoms with 1‐propanol (1‐C₃H₇OH) have been determined over the temperature range 273–343 K by the use of a relative rate technique. The value of k(Cl + 1‐C₃H₇OH) = (1.69 ± 0.19) × 10^?12 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 at 298 K and shows a small increase of 10% between 273 and 342 K. The value of k(OH + 1‐C₃H₇OH) increases by 14% between 273 and 343 K with a value of (5.50 ± 0.55) × 10^?12 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 at 298 K, and further when combined with a single independent experimentally determined value at 753 K gives k(OH + 1‐C₃H₇OH) = 4.69 × 10^?17T^1.8 exp(422/T) cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, which fits each data point to better than 2%. Two well‐established structure–activity relationships for H abstraction by OH radicals give accurate predictions of the rate constant for OH + 1‐C₃H₇OH, provided the β‐CH₂ group is given an increased reactivity of a factor of about 2 over that for the structurally equivalent CH₂ group in alkanes at 298 K. A quantitative product analysis was carried out at 298 K for the Cl‐initiated photooxidation of 1‐C₃H₇OH, using both FTIR and gas chromatography. HCHO, CH₃CHO, and C₂H₅CHO were the only major organic primary products observed, although HCOOH was found in much smaller amounts as a secondary product. A key characteristic of the analysis was that the initial values of the product ratio [CH₃CHO]/[C₂H₅CHO] were effectively constant for NO pressures between 0.15 and 0.3 Torr, but fell by about 35% as the pressure fell to 0.0375 Torr. From a detailed consideration of the mechanism for the oxidation, it is suggested that C₂H₅CHO, CH₃CHO (+HCHO), and 3 molecules of HCHO are formed uniquely from CH₃CH₂CHOH, CH₃CHCH₂OH, and CH₂CH₂CH₂OH radicals, respectively. On this basis, use of the product yields gives the branching ratios of 56, 30, and 14% for Cl atom reaction at the α‐, β‐, and γ‐C? H positions in 1‐C₃H₇OH at 298 K. Given the very low temperature coefficients involved, little change will occur over tropospheric temperature ranges. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 34: 110–121, 2002     

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.     

Photoionization mass spectrometry studies of deuterated acetaldehydes CH3CDO and CD3CHO

Investigations of the fragmentation processes of acetaldehyde were performed by photoionization mass spectrometry of its deuterium labeled species CH₃CDO and CD₃CHO. Intramolecular exchange of hydrogen atoms (hydrogen scrambling) was observed. Obviously this process is accompanied by predissociation of the parent ion. Results are compared with previous work on acetaldehyde CH₃CHO.     

Study on the method of chemical trapping for formyl intermediates

The method of chemical trapping for formyl intermediates has been studied, with syngas conversion to ethanol over rhodium-based catalysts as the diagnostic reaction concerned, and CH₃I as the trapping reagent. Two species of acetaldehyde, i.e., CH₃CHO and CH₃CDO, were produced in the trapping reaction following CO + 2D₂ reaction. It was shown that the formation of CH₃CHO in the trapping reaction resulted from dehydrogenation of CH₃ from CH₃I to give H, which induced the formation of CH₃CHO in the presence of CO and CH₃ So there may be two pathways for the formation of CH₃CDO in the trapping reaction: one, methylation of DCO adspecies; the other, deuteration of CH₃ CO formed by CO insertion into CH₃ The catalyst surface was purged with Ar following CO + 2D₂ reaction before the trapping reaction was performed. By means of this modified method of chemical trapping for formyl intermediates, CH₃CDO was found to be mainly derived from the methylation of DCO adspecies. Accordingly, it could be concluded that formyl is a C₁ intermediate in the syngas conversion to ethanol over rhodium-based catalysts.     

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 reactions of the IO radical with dimethyl sulfide,methanethiol, ethylene,and propylene

The reactions of IO radicals with CH₃SCH₃, CH₃SH, C₂H₄, and C₃H₆ have been studied using the discharge flow method with direct detection of IO radicals by mass spectrometry. The absolute rate constants obtained at 298 K are the following: IO + CH₃SCH₃ → products (1): k₁ = (1.5 ± 0.2) × 10^?14; IO + CH₃SH → products (2): k₂ = (6.6 ± 1.3) × 10^?16; IO + C₂H₄ →products (3): k₃ < 2 × 10^?16; IO + C₃H₆ → products (4): k₄ < 2 × 10^?16 (units are cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1). CH₃S(O)CH₃ and HOI were found as products of reactions (1) and (2), respectively. The present lower value of k₁ compared to our previous determination is discussed.     

Flash photolysis resonance fluorescence study of the reaction Cl + O3 → ClO + O2 over the temperature range 213–298 K

Rate constants for the removal of Cl atoms in the reaction Cl + O₃ → ClO + O₂ were measured by the flash photolysis resonance fluorescence technique over the temperature range 213–298 K. The rate constant is given by the Arrhenius expression (2.94 ± 0.49) × 10^?11 exp[?(298 ± 39)/T] in units of cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1. Comparison with recent results from other laboratories are presented.     

FTIR spectroscopic study of the Cl- and Br-atom initiated oxidation of ethene

The reaction mechanism of the halogen (Cl and Br)-atom initiated oxidation of C₂H₄ was studied using the long path FTIR spectroscopic method in 700 torr of air at 296 ± 2 K. Among the major halogen-containing products were X? CH₂CHO, X? CH₂CH₂OH, and X? CH₂CH₂OOH (X = Cl or Br) which were shown to be formed via the self-reaction of the X? CH₂CH₂OO radicals, i.e., 2X? CH₂CH₂OO → 2X? CH₂CH₂O + O₂; (a) 2X? CH₂CH₂OO → X? CH₂CHO + X? CH₂CH₂OH + O₂ and (b) followed by X? CH₂CH₂O + O₂ → X? CH₂CHO + HO₂ and X? CH₂CH₂OO + HO₂ → X? CH₂CH₂OOH + O₂. From the observed yields of X? CH₂CHO and X? CH₂CH₂OH the branching ratios for reactions (a) and (b) were determined to be k_a/k_b = 1.35 ± 0.07(2σ) for both X = Cl and Br. In addition, the O₂-dependence of the rate constant for the Br + C₂H₄ reaction was determined by the relative rate technique as a function of O₂ partial pressure from 140 to 700 torr at 700 torr total pressure of N₂/O₂ diluent. Rate constants for the reactions of Cl-atoms with Cl-CH₂CHO and Br-atoms with Br-CH₂CHO were also determined to be [4.3 ± 0.2(2sigma;)] × 10^?11 and less than or equal to [1.83 ± 0.11(2σ)] × 10^?13 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, respectively.     

The products of the thermal decomposition of CH3CHO

We have used a heated 2 cm × 1 mm SiC microtubular (μtubular) reactor to decompose acetaldehyde: CH(3)CHO + Δ → products. Thermal decomposition is followed at pressures of 75-150 Torr and at temperatures up to 1675 K, conditions that correspond to residence times of roughly 50-100 μs in the μtubular reactor. The acetaldehyde decomposition products are identified by two independent techniques: vacuum ultraviolet photoionization mass spectroscopy (PIMS) and infrared (IR) absorption spectroscopy after isolation in a cryogenic matrix. Besides CH(3)CHO, we have studied three isotopologues, CH(3)CDO, CD(3)CHO, and CD(3)CDO. We have identified the thermal decomposition products CH(3) (PIMS), CO (IR, PIMS), H (PIMS), H(2) (PIMS), CH(2)CO (IR, PIMS), CH(2)=CHOH (IR, PIMS), H(2)O (IR, PIMS), and HC≡CH (IR, PIMS). Plausible evidence has been found to support the idea that there are at least three different thermal decomposition pathways for CH(3)CHO; namely, radical decomposition: CH(3)CHO + Δ → CH(3) + [HCO] → CH(3) + H + CO; elimination: CH(3)CHO + Δ → H(2) + CH(2)=C=O; isomerization∕elimination: CH(3)CHO + Δ → [CH(2)=CH-OH] → HC≡CH + H(2)O. An interesting result is that both PIMS and IR spectroscopy show compelling evidence for the participation of vinylidene, CH(2)=C:, as an intermediate in the decomposition of vinyl alcohol: CH(2)=CH-OH + Δ → [CH(2)=C:] + H(2)O → HC≡CH + H(2)O.     

Gas‐phase reaction mechanism of Pd+ with CH3CHO: A density functional theoretical study

Details on the reactions of: (1) Pd⁺ + CH₃CHO → PdCO⁺ + CH₄ and (2) Pd⁺ + CH₃CHO → PdH + CH₃CO⁺ in the gas phase were investigated using density functional theory (B3LYP), in conjunction with the LANL2DZ+6‐311+G(d) basis set. Three encounter complexes were located on the potential energy surfaces and the calculations indicated that both the C? C and aldehyde C? H bond activation of acetaldehyde could lead to the dominant demethanation reaction. The charge transfer process for PdH abstraction was caused by an intramolecular PdH rearrangement of the newly found η¹‐aldehyde attached complex. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011     

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     

Theoretical Study of the Hydroxyl-Radical-Initiated Degradation Mechanism,Kinetics, and Subsequent Evolution of Methyl and Ethyl Iodides in the Atmosphere

The degradation and transformation of iodinated alkanes are crucial in the iodine chemical cycle in the marine boundary layer. In this study, MP2 and CCSD(T) methods were adopted to study the atmospheric transformation mechanism and degradation kinetic properties of CH₃I and CH₃CH₂I mediated by ⋅OH radical. The results show that there are three reaction mechanisms including H-abstraction, I-substitution and I-abstraction. The H-abstraction channel producing ⋅CH₂I and CH₃C ⋅ HI radicals are the main degradation pathways of CH₃I and CH₃CH₂I, respectively. By means of the variational transition state theory and small curvature tunnel correction method, the rate constants and branching ratios of each reaction are calculated in the temperature range of 200–600 K. The results show that the tunneling effect contributes more to the reaction at low temperatures. Theoretical reaction rate constants of CH₃I and CH₃CH₂I with ⋅OH are calculated to be 1.42×10⁻¹³ and 4.44×10⁻¹³ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ at T=298 K, respectively, which are in good agreement with the experimental values. The atmospheric lifetimes of CH₃I and CH₃CH₂I are evaluated to be 81.51 and 26.07 day, respectively. The subsequent evolution mechanism of ⋅CH₂I and CH₃C ⋅ HI in the presence of O₂, NO and HO₂ indicates that HCHO, CH₃CHO, and I-atom are the main transformation end-products. This study provides a theoretical basis for insight into the diurnal conversion and environmental implications of iodinated alkanes.     

Rate constant and activation energy for the gaseous reaction between hydroxyl and formaldehyde

The rate constant k₄ has been measured at 268°, 298°, and 334° K for the reaction CH₂O + 2OH → CO + 2H₂O relative to that for OH + OH (k₂) by competition experiments in a discharge flow tube using mass-spectrometric analysis. Based on k₂ = 2.24 × 10^?12cm³/molec·sec at 298°K and E₂ = 4 kJ/mol, k₄ = (6.5 ± 1.5) × 10^?12cm³/molec·sec at 298°K and E₄ = (6 ± 2)kJ/mol.