Further study of cyclopropane structural isomerization behind reflected shock waves

The homogeneous thermal isomerization of cyclopropane to propene was studied in the presence of large excesses (99.6%–99.8%) of argon or helium diluent. Reaction temperatures ranged from 1038°?1208°K, and total gas pressures were varied from 533 to 5097 torr. The comparative-rate single-pulse shock-tube method was used, with the well characterized decomposition of cyclohexene serving as the internal standard reaction. Comparison of the measured rate constants for cyclopropane isomerization with k_∞ values extrapolated from “preferred?” lower-temperature rate constants suggests that collision efficiencies for helium and argon relative to cyclopropane, under the present conditions, are β_c ≈ 0.04 and 0.05, respectively. Although the uncertainties are rather large, these results do not support the suggestion that rapidly declining β_c values are largely responsible for the anomalously low rate constants for this reaction at T≥1130°K previously reported by other workers.     

Anionic polymerization of propylene oxide: Isomerization of allyl ether to propenyl ether end groups

The isomerization of allyl ether to propenyl ether end group in anionically-polymerized poly (propylene oxide) was monitored by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. It was confirmed that the reaction followed a simple second-order rate law: ?d[allyl]dt = k₂[allyl] [O^?]. Values of k₂ determined over the 90–130°C temperature range, indicated an activation energy of 116 kJ mol^?1. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Thermal isomerization of azulene to naphthalene in shock waves

The thermal isomerization of azulene was studied in shock waves over the range 1300–1900 K. Monitoring azulene and naphthalene light absorptions in the UV, a complete conversion azulene → naphthalene was observed. After correction for some falloff effects, a limiting high pressure rate constant k_x = 10^12.93 exp(?263 kJ mol^?1/RT) s^?1 was derived. Based on this k_x, specific rate constants k(E) for photoexcitation experiments were constructed.     

The kinetics of the solvolysis of propylene and cyclopropane in concentrated aqueous sulfuric acid relative energies of the 2-propyl cation and protonated cyclopropane

The rates of solvolysis of propylene and cyclopropane in 6.49M H₂SO₄ have been measured as a function of temperature. From the data, calculations of the relative heats of formation in solution of the 2-propyl cation and protonated cyclopropane have been made. The heat of formation of protonated cyclopropane has been found to be 6.4 kcal/mol greater than that of the 2-propyl cation. The implications of this result are discussed.     

Isomerization and fragmentation of aliphatic ether radical cations: Interconversion of distonic ions and cyclopropane intermediates

The reactions of propyl ether radical cations close to threshold are initiated by (reversible) formation of γ-disitonic isomers, R$ \mathop {\rm O}\limits^ + $ (H)CH₂CH₂CH₂^·. The three methylene groups in these ions lose their positional identity by ring closure/ring opening via [cyclopropane + alcohol]^+· intermediates. Extensive hydrogen exchange occurs within the C₃-chain. When R is not methyl the γ-distonic isomer undergoes further intramolecular hydrogen atom transfer reactions that lead to formation of α- and β-distonic ions. The α-distonic isomers expel ethyl and propyl radicals by C? O bond cleavage.     

Sampling effects on observed cyclopropane isomerization in a single pulse shock tube

Cyclopropane in argon mixtures was heated in a single-pulse shock tube, and syringes were used to withdraw samples from both the central gas slug and the gas adjacent to the tube walls. Differences were observed in the measured conversion, with larger conversion found in the center location. The discrepancy increased with increasing conversion, and the results indicate that boundary-layer effects can seriously affect the results of absolute single-pulse shock-tube studies when percent conversion is large.     

Thermal decomposition of ethane in shock waves

The thermal decomposition of ethane was studied behind reflected shock waves over the temperature range 1200–1700 K and over the pressure range 1.7?2.5 atm, by both tracing the time variation of absorption at 3.39 μm and analyzing the concentration of the reacted gas mixtures. The mechanism to interpret well not only the earlier stage of C₂H₆ decomposition, but also the later stage was determined. The rate constant of reactions, C₂H₆ → CH₃ + CH₃, C₂H₆ + C₂H₃ → C₂H₅ + C₂H₄, C₂H₅ → C₂H₄ + H were calculated. The rate constants of the other reactions were also discussed.     

Thermal decomposition of propane in shock waves

The thermal decomposition of propane was studied behind reflected shock waves over the temperature range 1100–1450 K and the pressure range 1.5–2.6 atm, by both monitoring the time variations of absorption at 3.39 μm and analyzing the concentrations of the reacted gas mixtures. The rate constants of the elementary reactions were discussed from the results. The rate constant expressions, k₁ = 1.1 × 10¹⁶ exp (?84 kcal/RT) s^?1 and k₄ = 9.3 × 10¹³ exp(?8 kcal/RT) cm³ mol^?1 s^?1, of reactions C₃H₈ → CH₃ + C₂H₅ and C₃H₈ + H → n-C₃H₇ + H₂ were evaluated, respectively.     

Thermal decomposition of vinylacetylene in shock waves

The thermal decomposition of vinylacetylene (C₄H₄) was studied behind reflected shock waves using both a single-pulse method (reaction time between 0.8 and 3.3 ms) and a time-resolved UV-absorption method (230 nm). The studies were done over the temperature range of 1170–1690 K at the total pressure range of 1.3–2.3 atm. The mechanism was used to interpret both the early and late stages of vinylacetylene decomposition at the high temperatures. It was confirmed that C₄H₄ dissociation proceeded through the following three channels. The rate constant expression of reaction (1) was determined as k₁ = 6.3 × 10¹³ exp(?87.1 kcal/RT) s^?1. The rate constants of the succeeding reactions (chain reaction, C₄H₄ + H → i-C₄H₃ + H₂ and C₄H₄ + H → C₂H₂ + C₂H₃ and decomposition reactions of free radicals, i-C₄H₃ + M → C₄H₂ + H + M) were confirmed or estimated. © John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Thermal decomposition of ammonia in shock waves

The thermal decomposition of ammonia was studied by means of the shock-tube and vacuum ultraviolet absorption spectroscopy monitoring the concentration of atomic hydrogen. The rate constants of both the initiation reaction and the consecutive reaction were determined directly as and respectively.     

Thermal decomposition of 1-butyne in shock waves

1-Butyne diluted with Ar was heated behind reflected shock waves over the temperature range of 1100–1600 K and the total density range of 1.36 × 10^?5?1.75 × 10^?5 mol/cm³. Reaction products were analyzed by gas-chromatography. The progress of the reaction was followed by IR laser kinetic absorption spectroscopy. The products were CH₄, C₂H₂, C₂H₄, C₂H₆, allene, propyne, C₄H₂, vinylacetyiene, 1,2- butadiene, 1,3-butadiene, and benzene. The present data were successfully modeled with a 80 reaction mechanism. 1-Butyne was found to isomerize to 1,2-butadiene. The initial decomposition was dominated by 1-butyne → C₃H₃ + CH₃ under these conditions. Rate constant expressions were derived for the decomposition to be k₇ = 3.0 × 10¹⁵ exp(?75800 cal/RT) s^?1 and for the isomerization to be k₄ = 2.5 × 10¹³ exp(?65000 cal/RT) s^?1. The activation energy 75.8 kcal/mol was cited from literature value and the activation energy 65 kcal/mol was assumed. These rate constant expressions are applicable under the present experimental conditions, 1100–1600 K and 1.23–2.30 atm. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

High temperature pyrolysis of formaldehyde in shock waves

Thermal decomposition of formaldehyde diluted with Ar was studied behind reflected shock waves in the temperature range of 1200–2000 K at total pressures between 1.3 and 3.0 atm. The study was carried out for compositions from the concentrated mixture, 4% CH₂O, to the highly dilute mixture, 0.01% CH₂O by using time-resolve IR-laser absorption and IR-emission, and a single-pulse technique. From a computer-simulation study, the mechanism and the rate-constant expressions that could explain all of our data and previously reported ARAS data were discussed. This data obtained over a wide concentration range from 50 ppm CH₂O to 4% CH₂O were satisfactorily modeled by a five-reaction mechanism. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Pyrolysis of acetylene behind reflected shock waves

The thermal decomposition of acetylene has been studied in the temperature and pressure regimes of 1900–2500 K and 0.3–0.55 atm using a shock tube coupled to a time-of-flight mass spectrometer. A series of mixtures varying from 1.0–6.2% C₂H₂ diluted in a Ne-Ar mixture yielded a carbon atom density range of 0.24–2.0 × 10¹⁷ atoms cm^?3 in the reflected shock zone. Concentration profiles for C₂H₂, C₄H₂, and C₆H₂ were constructed during typical observation times of 750 μs. C₈H₂ and trace amounts of C₄H₃ were found in relatively low concentrations at the high-temperature end of this study. A mechanism for acetylene pyrolysis is proposed, which successfully models this work and the results obtained by several other groups employing a variety of analytical techniques. Two values of the heat of formation for C₂H(134 ± 2 and 127 ± 1 kcal/mol) were employed in the modeling process; superior fits to the data were attained using the latter value. The initial step of acetylene decomposition involves competition between two channels. In mixtures (<200 ppm) where the acetylene concentrations are less than 2.18 × 10^?9 mol cm^?3, the decay is predominantly first order with respect to C₂H₂; in mixtures >200 ppm, the dominant initial step is second order. The rate constant for the second-order reaction is described by the equation Benzene concentrations predicted by the model are below the TOF detectability limit. C₄H₃ was observed in the 6.2% C₂H₂ mixture in accordance with the proposed mechanism.     

Thermal decomposition of propyne and allene in shock waves

Propyne (p-C₃H₄) or allene (a-C₃H₄) mixtures, highly diluted with Ar, were heated to the temperature range 1200–1570 K at pressures of 1.7–2.6 atm behind reflected shock waves. The thermal decompositions of propyne and allene were studied by both measuring the profiles of the IR emission at 3.48 μm or 5.18 μm and analyzing the concentrations of reacted gas mixtures. The mechanism and the rate constant expressions were discussed from both the profiles and the concentrations of reactant and products obtained. The rate constant expressions for reactions, (1) p-C₃H₄ → a-C₃H₄, (?1) a-C₃H₄ → p-C₃H₄, and (5) p-C₃H₄ + H → CH₃ + C₂H₂ were evaluated.     

Isomerization of eugenol to isoeugenol

The isomerization of eugenol to isoeugenol was investigated by employing catalysis by KOH in amyl alcohol or glycerol, or by RhCl₃. A number of factors which affect the reaction (solvent, temperature, molar ratios, presence of water) were examined.

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