Mechanisms for the Breakdown of Halomethanes through Reactions with Ground‐State Cyano Radicals

One route to break down halomethanes is through reactions with radical species. The capability of the artificial force‐induced reaction algorithm to efficiently explore a large number of radical reaction pathways has been illustrated for reactions between haloalkanes (CX₃Y; X=H, F; Y=Cl, Br) and ground‐state (²Σ⁺) cyano radicals (CN). For CH₃Cl+CN, 71 stationary points in eight different pathways have been located and, in agreement with experiment, the highest rate constant (10⁸ s^?1 M ^?1 at 298 K) is obtained for hydrogen abstraction. For CH₃Br, the rate constants for hydrogen and halogen abstraction are similar (10⁹ s^?1 M ^?1), whereas replacing hydrogen with fluorine eliminates the hydrogen‐abstraction route and decreases the rate constants for halogen abstraction by 2–3 orders of magnitude. The detailed mapping of stationary points allows accurate calculations of product distributions, and the encouraging rate constants should motivate future studies with other radicals.     

Insight into the Mechanism of the Initial Reaction of an OH Radical with DNA/RNA Nucleobases: A Computational Investigation of Radiation Damage

Earlier theoretical investigations of the mechanism of radiation damage to DNA/RNA nucleobases have claimed OH radical addition as the dominating pathway based solely on energetics. In this study we supplement calculations of energies with the kinetics of all possible reactions with the OH radical through hydrogen abstraction and OH radical addition onto carbon sites, using DFT at the ωB97X‐D/6‐311++G(2df,2pd) level with the Eckart tunneling correction. The overall rate constants for the reaction with adenine, guanine, thymine, and uracil are found to be 2.17×10^?12, 5.64×10^?11, 2.01×10^?11, and 5.03×10^?12 cm³ molecules^?1 s^?1, respectively, which agree exceptionally well with experimental values. We conclude that abstraction of the amine group hydrogen atoms competes with addition onto C₈ as the most important reaction pathway for the purine nucleobases, while for the pyrimidine nucleobases addition onto C₅ and C₆ competes with the abstraction of H₁. Thymine shows favourability against abstraction of methyl hydrogens as the dominating pathway based on rate constants. These mechanistic conclusions are partly explained by an analysis of the electrostatic potential together with HOMO and LUMO orbitals of the nucleobases.     

Reaction of Aromatic Peroxyl Radicals with Alkynes: A Mass Spectrometric and Computational Study Using the Distonic Radical Ion Approach

The reaction of the aromatic distonic peroxyl radical cations N‐methyl pyridinium‐4‐peroxyl (PyrOO^.+) and 4‐(N,N,N‐trimethyl ammonium)‐phenyl peroxyl (AnOO^.+), with symmetrical dialkyl alkynes 10a – c was studied in the gas phase by mass spectrometry. PyrOO^.+ and AnOO^.+ were produced through reaction of the respective distonic aryl radical cations Pyr^.+ and An^.+ with oxygen, O₂. For the reaction of Pyr^.+ with O₂ an absolute rate coefficient of k₁=7.1×10^?12 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 and a collision efficiency of 1.2 % was determined at 298 K. The strongly electrophilic PyrOO^.+ reacts with 3‐hexyne and 4‐octyne with absolute rate coefficients of k_hexyne=1.5×10^?10 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 and k_octyne=2.8×10^?10 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, respectively, at 298 K. The reaction of both PyrOO^.+ and AnOO^.+ proceeds by radical addition to the alkyne, whereas propargylic hydrogen abstraction was observed as a very minor pathway only in the reactions involving PyrOO^.+. A major reaction pathway of the vinyl radicals 11 formed upon PyrOO^.+ addition to the alkynes involves γ‐fragmentation of the peroxy O? O bond and formation of PyrO^.+. The PyrO^.+ is rapidly trapped by intermolecular hydrogen abstraction, presumably from a propargylic methylene group in the alkyne. The reaction of the less electrophilic AnOO^.+ with alkynes is considerably slower and resulted in formation of AnO^.+ as the only charged product. These findings suggest that electrophilic aromatic peroxyl radicals act as oxygen atom donors, which can be used to generate α‐oxo carbenes 13 (or isomeric species) from alkynes in a single step. Besides γ‐fragmentation, a number of competing unimolecular dissociative reactions also occur in vinyl radicals 11 . The potential energy diagrams of these reactions were explored with density functional theory and ab initio methods, which enabled identification of the chemical structures of the most important products.     

Rate constants for some hydrogen abstraction reactions of the carbonate radical

Rate constants have been measured in aqueous solutions for the reactions of the carbonate radical, CO₃^˙?, with several saturated alcohols and one cyclic ether as a function of temperature. Arrhenius pre-exponential factors ranged from 2×10⁸ to 1×10⁹ ?? mol^?1 s^?1 and activation energies ranged from 16 to 29 kJ mol^?1. The results suggest that the reactions are not pure hydrogen abstraction, but involve an additional interaction of the radical with the ? OH or ? O? linkage. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Gas‐phase ozonolysis: Rate coefficients for a series of terpenes and rate coefficients and OH yields for 2‐methyl‐2‐butene and 2,3‐dimethyl‐2‐butene

The kinetics of the gas‐phase reactions of O₃ with a series of selected terpenes has been investigated under flow‐tube conditions at a pressure of 100 mbar synthetic air at 295 ± 0.5 K. In the presence of a large excess of m‐xylene as an OH radical scavenger, rate coefficients k(O₃+terpene) were obtained with a relative rate technique, (unit: cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, errors represent 2σ): α‐pinene: (1.1 ± 0.2) × 10^?16, ³Δ‐carene: (5.9 ± 1.0) × 10^?17, limonene: (2.5 ± 0.3) × 10^?16, myrcene: (4.8 ± 0.6) × 10^?16, trans‐ocimene: (5.5 ± 0.8) × 10^?16, terpinolene: (1.6 ± 0.4) × 10^?15 and α‐terpinene: (1.5 ± 0.4) × 10^?14. Absolute rate coefficients for the reaction of O₃ with the used reference substances (2‐methyl‐2‐butene and 2,3‐dimethyl‐2‐butene) were measured in a stopped‐flow system at a pressure of 500 mbar synthetic air at 295 ± 2 K using FT‐IR spectroscopy, (unit: cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, errors represent 2σ ): 2‐methyl‐2‐butene: (4.1 ± 0.5) × 10^?16 and 2,3‐dimethyl‐2‐butene: (1.0 ± 0.2) × 10^?15. In addition, OH radical yields were found to be 0.47 ± 0.04 for 2‐methyl‐2‐butene and 0.77 ± 0.04 for 2,3‐dimethyl‐2‐butene. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 34: 394–403, 2002     

Reaction of Amino Acids,Di‐ and Tripeptides with the Environmental Oxidant NO3.: A Laser Flash Photolysis and Computational Study

Absolute rate coefficients for the reaction between the important environmental free radical oxidant NO₃^. and a series of N‐ and C‐protected amino acids, di‐ and tripeptides were determined using 355 nm laser flash photolysis of cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate in the presence of the respective substrates in acetonitrile at 298±1 K. Through combination with computational studies it was revealed that the reaction with acyclic aliphatic amino acids proceeds through hydrogen abstraction from the α‐carbon, which is associated with a rate coefficient of about 1.8×10⁶ m ^?1 s^?1 per abstractable hydrogen atom. The considerably faster reaction with phenylalanine [k=(1.1±0.1)×10⁷ m ^?1 s^?1] is indicative for a mechanism involving electron transfer. An unprecedented amplification of the rate coefficient by a factor of 7–20 was found with di‐ and tripeptides that contain more than one phenylalanine residue. This suggests a synergistic effect between two aromatic rings in close vicinity, which makes such peptide sequences highly vulnerable to oxidative damage by this major environmental pollutant.     

Rate constants for the gas‐phase reactions of chlorine atoms with 1,4‐cyclohexadiene and 1,5‐cyclooctadiene at 298 K

Rate constants for the reactions of Cl atoms with two cyclic dienes, 1,4‐cyclohexadiene and 1,5‐cyclooctadiene, have been determined, at 298 K and 800 Torr of N₂, using the relative rate method, with n‐hexane and 1‐butene as reference molecules. The concentrations of the organics are followed by gas chromatographic analysis. The ratios of the rate constants of reactions of Cl atoms with 1,4‐cyclohexadiene and 1,5‐cyclooctadiene to that with n‐hexane are measured to be 1.29 ± 0.06 and 2.19 ± 0.32, respectively. The corresponding ratios with respect to 1‐butene are 1.50 ± 0.16 and 2.36 ± 0.38. The absolute values of the rate constants of the reaction of Cl atom with n‐hexane and 1‐butene are considered as (3.15 ± 0.40) × 10^?10 and (3.21 ± 0.40) × 10^{? 10} cm³ molecule^?1s^?1, respectively. With these, the calculated values are k(Cl + 1,4‐cyclohexadiene) = (4.06 ± 0.55) × 10^?10 and k(Cl + 1,5‐cyclooctadiene) = (6.90 ± 1.33) × 10^?10 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 with respect to n‐hexane. The rate constants determined with respect to 1‐butene are marginally higher, k(Cl + 1,4‐cyclohexadiene) = (4.82 ± 0.80) × 10^{? 10} and k(Cl + 1,5‐cyclooctadiene) = (7.58 ± 1.55) × 10^{? 10} cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1. The experiments for each molecule were repeated three to five times, and the slopes and the rate constants given above are the average values of these measurements, with 2σ as the quoted error, including the error in the reference rate constant. The relative rate ratios of 1,4‐cyclohexadiene with both the reference molecules are found to be higher in the presence of oxygen, and a marginal increase is observed in the case of 1,5‐cyclooctadiene. Benzene is identified as one major product in the case of 1,4‐cyclohexadiene. Considering that the cyclohexadienyl radical, a product of the hydrogen abstraction reaction, is quantitatively converted to benzene in the presence of oxygen, the fraction of Cl atoms that reacts by abstraction is estimated to be 0.30 ± 0.04. The atmospheric implications of the results are discussed. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 43: 431–440, 2011     

Mechanism of the Cycloaddition of Carbon Dioxide and Epoxides Catalyzed by Cobalt‐Substituted 12‐Tungstenphosphate

Co^II‐substituted α‐Keggin‐type 12‐tungstenphosphate [(n‐ C₄H₉)₄N]₄H[PW₁₁Co(H₂O)O₃₉]‐ (PW₁₁Co) is synthesized and used as a single‐component, solvent‐free catalyst in the cycloaddition reaction of CO₂ and epoxides to form cyclic carbonates. The mechanism of the cycloaddition reaction is investigated using DFT calculations, which provides the first computational study of the catalytic cycle of polyoxometalate‐catalyzed CO₂ coupling reactions. The reaction occurs through a single‐electron transfer from the doublet Co^II catalyst to the epoxide and forms a doublet Co^III–carbon radical intermediate. Subsequent CO₂ addition forms the cyclic carbonate product. The existence of radical intermediates is supported by free‐radical termination experiments. Finally, it is exhilarating to observe that the calculated overall reaction barrier (30.5 kcal mol^?1) is in good agreement with the real reaction rate (83 h^?1) determined in the present experiments (at 150 °C).     

Atmospheric chemistry of isopropyl formate and tert‐butyl formate

Formates are produced in the atmosphere as a result of the oxidation of a number of species, notably dialkyl ethers and vinyl ethers. This work describes experiments to define the oxidation mechanisms of isopropyl formate, HC(O)OCH(CH₃)₂, and tert‐butyl formate, HC(O)OC(CH₃)₃. Product distributions are reported from both Cl‐ and OH‐initiated oxidation, and reaction mechanisms are proposed to account for the observed products. The proposed mechanisms include examples of the α‐ester rearrangement reaction, novel isomerization pathways, and chemically activated intermediates. The atmospheric oxidation of isopropyl formate by OH radicals gives the following products (molar yields): acetic formic anhydride (43%), acetone (43%), and HCOOH (15–20%). The OH radical initiated oxidation of tert‐butyl formate gives acetone, formaldehyde, and CO₂ as major products. IR absorption cross sections were derived for two acylperoxy nitrates derived from the title compounds. Rate coefficients are derived for the kinetics of the reactions of isopropyl formate with OH (2.4 ± 0.6) × 10^?12, and with Cl (1.75 ± 0.35) × 10^?11, and for tert‐butyl formate with Cl (1.45 ± 0.30) × 10^?11 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1. Simple group additivity rules fail to explain the observed distribution of sites of H‐atom abstraction for simple formates. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 42: 479–498, 2010     

A quantum mechanical approach to the kinetics of the hydrogen abstraction reaction H2O2 + •OH → HO2 + H2O

The kinetics of the hydrogen abstraction from H₂O₂ by ^?OH has been modeled with MP2/6‐31G*//MP2/6‐31G*, MP2‐SAC//MP2/6‐31G*, MP2/6‐31+G**//MP2/6‐31+G**, MP2‐SAC// MP2/6‐31+G**, MP4(SDTQ)/6‐311G**//MP2/6‐31G*, CCSD(T)/6‐31G*//CCSD(T)/6‐31G*, CCSD(T)/6‐31G**//CCSD(T)/6‐31G**, CCSD(T)/6‐311++G**//MP2/6‐31G* in the gas phase. MD simulations have been used to generate initial geometries for the stationary points along the potential energy surface for hydrogen abstraction from H₂O₂. The effective fragment potential (EFP) has been used to optimize the relevant structures in solution. Furthermore, the IEFPCM model has been used for the supermolecules generated via MD calculations. IEFPCM/MP2/6‐31G* and IEFPCM/CCSD(T)/6‐31G* calculations have also been performed for structures without explicit water molecules. Experimentally, the rate constant for hydrogen abstraction by ^?OH drops from 1.75 × 10^?12 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 in the gas phase to 4.48 × 10^?14 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 in solution. The same trend has been reproduced best with MP4 (SDTQ)/6‐311G**//MP2/6‐31G* in the gas phase (0.415 × 10^?12 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1) and with EFP (UHF/6‐31G*) in solution (3.23 × 10^?14 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1). © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 37: 502–514, 2005     

Incubation period in the 2,2,4,4‐tetramethyl‐1‐piperidinyloxy‐mediated thermal autopolymerization of styrene: Kinetics and simulations

Mechanisms and simulations of the induction period and the initial polymerization stages in the nitroxide‐mediated autopolymerization of styrene are discussed. At 120–125 °C and moderate 2,2,4,4‐tetramethyl‐1‐piperidinyloxy (TEMPO) concentrations (0.02–0.08 M), the main source of radicals is the hydrogen abstraction of the Mayo dimer by TEMPO [with the kinetic constant of hydrogen abstraction (k_h)]. At higher TEMPO concentrations ([N?] > 0.1 M), this reaction is still dominant, but radical generation by the direct attack against styrene by TEMPO, with kinetic constant of addition k_ad, also becomes relevant. From previous experimental data and simulations, initial estimates of k_h ≈ 1 and k_ad ≈ 6 × 10^?7 L mol^?1 s^?1 are obtained at 125 °C. From the induction period to the polymerization regime, there is an abrupt change in the dominant mechanism generating radicals because of the sudden decrease in the nitroxide radicals. Under induction‐period conditions, the simulations confirm the validity of the quasi‐steady‐state assumption (QSSA) for the Mayo dimer in this regime; however, after the induction period, the QSSA for the dimer is not valid, and this brings into question the scientific basis of the well‐known expression k_th[M]³ (where [M] is the monomer concentration and k_th is the kinetic constant of autoinitiation) for the autoinitiation rate in styrene polymerization. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 6962‐6979, 2006     

Reactivity of the 5-hexenyl radical toward the anion of 2-nitropropane and borohydride anion

The 5-hexenyl radical adds to the anion of 2-nitropropane with a rate constant of ≈ × 10⁶ L/mol-s at 40°. Hydrogen atom abstraction from BH₄^? occurs more slowly than abstraction from CH₃O^? and with a rate constant less than 1 × 10⁴ L/mol-s at 30°. The reaction of Δ⁵- hexenylmercury chloride with sodium borohydride in MeOH/NaOH proceeds via hydrogen abstraction by the hexenyl radical from RHgH and not from NaBH₄.     

High‐Performance K–CO2 Batteries Based on Metal‐Free Carbon Electrocatalysts

Metal–CO₂ batteries have attracted much attention owing to their high energy density and use of greenhouse CO₂ waste as the energy source. However, the increasing cost of lithium and the low discharge potential of Na–CO₂ batteries create obstacles for practical applications of Li/Na–CO₂ batteries. Recently, earth‐abundant potassium ions have attracted considerable interest as fast ionic charge carriers for electrochemical energy storage. Herein, we report the first K–CO₂ battery with a carbon‐based metal‐free electrocatalyst. The battery shows a higher theoretical discharge potential (E^?=2.48 V) than that of Na–CO₂ batteries (E^?=2.35 V) and can operate for more than 250 cycles (1500 h) with a cutoff capacity of 300 mA h g^?1. Combined DFT calculations and experimental observations revealed a reaction mechanism involving the reversible formation and decomposition of P12₁/c1‐type K₂CO₃ at the efficient carbon‐based catalyst.     

Temperature‐dependent rate coefficients and mechanism for the gas‐phase reaction of chlorine atoms with acetone

The rate coefficient for the gas‐phase reaction of chlorine atoms with acetone was determined as a function of temperature (273–363 K) and pressure (0.002–700 Torr) using complementary absolute and relative rate methods. Absolute rate measurements were performed at the low‐pressure regime (～2 mTorr), employing the very low pressure reactor coupled with quadrupole mass spectrometry (VLPR/QMS) technique. The absolute rate coefficient was given by the Arrhenius expression k(T) = (1.68 ± 0.27) × 10^?11 exp[?(608 ± 16)/T] cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 and k(298 K) = (2.17 ± 0.19) × 10^?12 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1. The quoted uncertainties are the 2σ (95% level of confidence), including estimated systematic uncertainties. The hydrogen abstraction pathway leading to HCl was the predominant pathway, whereas the reaction channel of acetyl chloride formation (CH₃C(O)Cl) was determined to be less than 0.1%. In addition, relative rate measurements were performed by employing a static thermostated photochemical reactor coupled with FTIR spectroscopy (TPCR/FTIR) technique. The reactions of Cl atoms with CHF₂CH₂OH (3) and ClCH₂CH₂Cl (4) were used as reference reactions with k₃(T) = (2.61 ± 0.49) × 10^?11 exp[?(662 ± 60)/T] and k₄(T) = (4.93 ± 0.96) × 10^?11 exp[?(1087 ± 68)/T] cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, respectively. The relative rate coefficients were independent of pressure over the range 30–700 Torr, and the temperature dependence was given by the expression k(T) = (3.43 ± 0.75) × 10^?11 exp[?(830 ± 68)/T] cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 and k(298 K) = (2.18 ± 0.03) × 10^?12 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1. The quoted errors limits (2σ) are at the 95% level of confidence and do not include systematic uncertainties. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 42: 724–734, 2010     

Water‐Stable Zirconium‐Based Metal–Organic Framework Material with High‐Surface Area and Gas‐Storage Capacities

We designed, synthesized, and characterized a new Zr‐based metal–organic framework material, NU‐1100 , with a pore volume of 1.53 ccg^?1 and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area of 4020 m²g^?1; to our knowledge, currently the highest published for Zr‐based MOFs. CH₄/CO₂/H₂ adsorption isotherms were obtained over a broad range of pressures and temperatures and are in excellent agreement with the computational predictions. The total hydrogen adsorption at 65 bar and 77 K is 0.092 g g^?1, which corresponds to 43 g L^?1. The volumetric and gravimetric methane‐storage capacities at 65 bar and 298 K are approximately 180 v_STP/v and 0.27 g g^?1, respectively.     

Gas‐Phase Reaction of Monomethylhydrazine with Ozone: Kinetics and OH Radical Formation

The gas‐phase reaction of monomethylhydrazine (CH₃NH? NH₂; MMH) with ozone was investigated in a flow tube at atmospheric pressure and a temperature of 295 ± 2 K using N₂/O₂ mixtures (3–30 vol% O₂) as the carrier gas. Proton transfer reaction–mass spectrometry (PTR‐MS) and long‐path FT‐IR spectroscopy served as the main analytical techniques. The kinetics of the title reaction was investigated with a relative rate technique yielding k_MMH+O3 = (4.3 ± 1.0) × 10^?15 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1. Methyldiazene (CH₃N?NH; MeDia) has been identified as the main product in this reaction system as a result of PTR‐MS analysis. The reactivity of MeDia toward ozone was estimated relative to the reaction of MMH with ozone resulting in k_MeDia+O3 = (2.7 ± 1.6) × 10^?15 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1. OH radicals were followed indirectly by phenol formation from the reaction of OH radicals with benzene. Increasing OH radical yields with increasing MMH conversion have been observed pointing to the importance of secondary processes for OH radical generation. Generally, the detected OH radical yields were definitely smaller than thought so far. The results of this study do not support the mechanism of OH radical formation from the reaction of MMH with ozone as proposed in the literature.     

Rate coefficients and mechanisms of the reaction of cl‐atoms with a series of unsaturated hydrocarbons under atmospheric conditions

Rate coefficients and/or mechanistic information are provided for the reaction of Cl‐atoms with a number of unsaturated species, including isoprene, methacrolein ( MACR ), methyl vinyl ketone ( MVK ), 1,3‐butadiene, trans‐2‐butene, and 1‐butene. The following Cl‐atom rate coefficients were obtained at 298 K near 1 atm total pressure: k(isoprene) = (4.3 ± 0.6) × 10^?10cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 (independent of pressure from 6.2 to 760 Torr); k( MVK ) = (2.2 ± 0.3) × 10^?10 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1; k( MACR ) = (2.4 ± 0.3) × 10^?10 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1; k(trans‐2‐butene) = (4.0 ± 0.5) × 10^?10 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1; k(1‐butene) = (3.0 ± 0.4) × 10^?10 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1. Products observed in the Cl‐atom‐initiated oxidation of the unsaturated species at 298 K in 1 atm air are as follows (with % molar yields in parentheses): CH₂O (9.5 ± 1.0%), HCOCl (5.1 ± 0.7%), and 1‐chloro‐3‐methyl‐3‐buten‐2‐one (CMBO, not quantified) from isoprene; chloroacetaldehyde (75 ± 8%), CO₂ (58 ± 5%), CH₂O (47 ± 7%), CH₃OH (8%), HCOCl (7 ± 1%), and peracetic acid (6%) from MVK ; CO (52 ± 4%), chloroacetone (42 ± 5%), CO₂ (23 ± 2%), CH₂O (18 ± 2%), and HCOCl (5%) from MACR ; CH₂O (7 ± 1%), HCOCl (3%), acrolein (≈3%), and 4‐chlorocrotonaldehyde (CCA, not quantified) from 1,3‐butadiene; CH₃CHO (22 ± 3%), CO₂ (13 ± 2%), 3‐chloro‐2‐butanone (13 ± 4%), CH₂O (7.6 ± 1.1%), and CH₃OH (1.8 ± 0.6%) from trans‐2‐butene; and chloroacetaldehyde (20 ± 3%), CH₂O (7 ± 1%), CO₂ (4 ± 1%), and HCOCl (4 ± 1%) from 1‐butene. Product yields from both trans‐2‐butene and 1‐butene were found to be O₂‐dependent. In the case of trans‐2‐butene, the observed O₂‐dependence is the result of a competition between unimolecular decomposition of the CH₃CH(Cl)? CH(O?)? CH₃ radical and its reaction with O₂, with k_decomp/k_O2 = (1.6 ± 0.4) × 10¹⁹ molecule cm^?3. The activation energy for decomposition is estimated at 11.5 ± 1.5 kcal mol^?1. The variation of the product yields with O₂ in the case of 1‐butene results from similar competitive reaction pathways for the two β‐chlorobutoxy radicals involved in the oxidation, ClCH₂CH(O?)CH₂CH₃ and ?OCH₂CHClCH₂CH₃. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 35: 334–353, 2003     

Oxygen‐Triggered Switchable Polymerization for the One‐Pot Synthesis of CO2‐Based Block Copolymers from Monomer Mixtures

Switchable polymerization provides the opportunity to regulate polymer sequence and structure in a one‐pot process from mixtures of monomers. Herein we report the use of O₂ as an external stimulus to switch the polymerization mechanism from the radical polymerization of vinyl monomers mediated by (Salen)Co^III?R [Salen=N,N′‐bis(3,5‐di‐tert‐butylsalicylidene)‐1,2‐cyclohexanediamine; R=alkyl] to the ring‐opening copolymerization (ROCOP) of CO₂/epoxides. Critical to this process is unprecedented monooxygen insertion into the Co?C bond, as rationalized by DFT calculations, leading to the formation of (Salen)Co^III?O?R as an active species to initiate ROCOP. Diblock poly(vinyl acetate)‐b‐polycarbonate could be obtained by ROCOP of CO₂/epoxides with preactivation of (Salen)Co end‐capped poly(vinyl acetate). Furthermore, a poly(vinyl acetate)‐b‐poly(methyl acrylate)‐b‐polycarbonate triblock copolymer was successfully synthesized by a (Salen)cobalt‐mediated sequential polymerization with an O₂‐triggered switch in a one‐pot process.     

On the mechanism of reaction of tert-butoxyl radicals with dialkylphosphites

It has been shown by ESR spectroscopy that the title reaction involves abstraction of hydrogen from the phosphite, since at ?10°C the reaction has a kinetic deuterium isotope effect, k_H/k_D, or ～3. The rate constant for hydrogen abstraction is c. 2 × 10⁴ M^?1 s^?1. There is no significant addition of alkoxyl radicals to the phosphite.     

Controlled radical polymerization of styrene mediated by the C‐phenyl‐N‐tert‐butylnitrone/AIBN pair: Kinetics and electron spin resonance analysis

Kinetics of the free radical polymerization of styrene at 110 °C has been investigated in the presence of C‐phenyl‐N‐tert‐butylnitrone (PBN) and 2,2′‐azobis(isobutyronitrile) (AIBN) after prereaction in toluene at 85 °C. The effect of the prereaction time and the PBN/AIBN molar ratio on the in situ formation of nitroxides and alkoxyamines (at 85 °C), and ultimately on the control of the styrene polymerization at 110 °C, has been investigated. As a rule, the styrene radical polymerization is controlled, and the mechanism is one of the classical nitroxide‐mediated polymerization. Only one type of nitroxide (low‐molecular‐mass nitroxide) is formed whatever the prereaction conditions at 85 °C, and the equilibrium constant (K) between active and dormant species is 8.7 × 10^?10 mol L^?1 at 110 °C. At this temperature, the dissociation rate constant (k_d) is 3.7 × 10^?3 s^?1, the recombination rate constant (k_c) is 4.3 × 10⁶ L mol^?1 s^?1, whereas the activation energy (E_a,diss.), for the dissociation of the alkoxyamine at the chain‐end is ～125 kJ mol^?1. Importantly, the propagation rate at 110 °C, which does not change significantly with the prereaction time and the PBN/AIBN molar ratio at 85 °C, is higher than that for the thermal polymerization at 110 °C. This propagation rate directly depends on the equilibrium constant K and on the alkoxyamine and nitroxide concentrations, as well. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 1219–1235, 2007