Thermal decomposition of cyclopentane and related compounds

Cyclopentane has been decomposed in comparative-rate single-pulse shock-tube experiments. The pyrolytic mechanism involves isomerization to 1-pentene and also a minor pathway leading to cyclopropane and ethylene. This is followed by the decomposition of 1-pentene and cyclopropane. The rate expressions over the temperature range of 1000°–1200° K are Details of the cyclopentane decomposition processes are considered, and it appears that if the trimethylene radical is an intermediate, then ΔH_f(trimethylene) ≤ 280 kJ/mol at 300°K.     

Thermal stability of alcohols

3,3-Dimethylbutanol-2 (3,3-DMB-ol-2) and 2,3-dimethylbutanol-2 (2,3-DMB-ol-2) have been decomposed in comparative-rate single-pulse shock-tube experiments. The mechanisms of the decompositions are The rate expressions are They lead to D(iC₃H₇? H) – D((CH₃)₂(OH) C? H) = 8.3 kJ and D(C₂H₅? H) – D(CH₃(OH) CH? H) = 24.2 kJ. These data, in conjunction with reasonable assumptions, give and The rate expressions for the decomposition of 2,3-DMB-1 and 3,3-DMB-1 are and      

Rate constants for abstraction of hydrogen from ethylene by methyl and ethyl radicals relative to abstraction from propane and isobutane

A method is described for the measurement of relative rate constants for abstraction of hydrogen from ethylene at temperatures in the region of 750 K. The method is based on the effect of the addition of small quantities of propane and isobutane on the rates of formation of products in the thermal chain reactions of ethylene. On the assumption that methane and ethane are formed by the following reactions, (1) measurements of the ratio of the rates of formation of methane and ethane in the presence and absence of the additive gave the following results: Values for k₂ and k₃ obtained from these ratios are compared with previous measurements.     

Unexpectedly rapid vapor-phase reaction between bromine and methyl iodide

The overall reaction (1) occurs readily in the gas phase, even at room temperature in the dark. The reaction is much faster than the corresponding process and does not involve the normal bromination mechanism for gas phase reactions. Reaction (1) is probably heterogeneous although other mechanisms cannot be excluded. The overall reactions (1) (2) proceed, for all practical purposes, completely to the right-hand side in the vapor phase. The expected mechanism is (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) where reaction (3) is initiated thermally or photochemically. Reaction (4) is of interest because little kinetic data are available on reactions involving abstraction of halogen by halogen and also because an accurate determination of the activation energy E₄ would prmit us to calculate an acccurate value of the bond dissociation energy D(CH₃? I).     

Thermal stability of primary amines

Tertiary-amyl amine has been decomposed in single-pulse shock-tube experiments. Rate expressions for several of the important primary steps are This leads to D(CH₃? H) – D(NH₂? H) = ?10.5 kJ and D[(CH₃)₃C? H] – D[(CH₃)₂NH₂C? H] = + 6 kJ. The present and earlier comparative rate single-pulse shock-tube data when combined with high-pressure hydrazine decomposition results-(after correcting for fall off effects through RRKM calculations) gives where k_r(…) is the recombination rate involving the appropriate radicals. This suggests that in this context amino radical behavior is analogous to that of alkyl radicals. If this agreement is exact, then Rate expressions for the primary step in the decomposition of a variety of primary amines have been computed. In the case of benzyl amine where data exist the agreement is satisfactory. The following differences in bond energies have been estimated:      

The kinetics of free radical chain reactions in solutions of trichlorofluorethylene in cyclohexane

The kinetics of the gamma-radiation-induced free radical chain reaction in solutions of C₂Cl₃F in cyclohexane (RH) was investigated over a temperature range of 87.5–200°C. The following rate constants and rate constant ratios were determined for the reactions: In competitive experiments in ternary solutions of C₂Cl₄ and C₂Cl₃F in cyclohexane the rate constant ratio k_2c/k_2a was determined By comparing with previous data for the addition of cyclohexyl radicals to other chloroethylenes it is shown that in certain cases the trends in activation energies for cyclohexyl radical addition can be correlated with the C? Cl bond dissociation energies in the adduct radicals.     

Kinetics of competitive pathways in the thermal unimolecular decomposition of hex-1-yne

The thermal unimolecular decomposition of hex-1-yne has been investigated over the temperature range of 903–1153 K using the technique of very low-pressure pyrolysis (VLPP). The reaction proceeds via the competitive pathways of C₃? C₄ fission and molecular retro-ene decomposition, with the latter being the major pathway under the experimental conditions. RRKM calculations, generalized to take into account two competing pathways, show that the experimental unimolecular rate constants are consistent with the high-pressure Arrhenius parameters at 1100 K given by and where θ = 2.303 RT kcal/mol and the A factors were assigned from the results of recent shock-tube studies of hex-1-yne and related alkynes. The results for C? C fission are consistent with previous VLPP and shock-tube determinations of the propargyl resonance energy, and the parameters for the molecular pathway are consistent with systematic trends for the retro–ene decomposition of unsaturated hydrocarbons.     

The kinetics of the gas-phase thermal isomerization and decomposition of Trans- and Cis-1,2-Bis(trifluoromethyl)-1,2,3,3-tetrafluorocyclopropane

The kinetics of the gas-phase thermal isomerization between trans- and cis-1,2-bis(trifluoromethyl)-1,2,3,3-tetrafluorocyclopropane as well as their decomposition to trans- and cis-perfluoro-2-butene, respectively, and CF₂, was studied in the temperature range of 473–533°K, with an initial pressure of reactant of 1.5 to 7.0 Torr. Some runs were also made with the addition of SF₆ as an inert gas up to a total pressure of 100 Torr. The reactions are first order and homogeneous. The rate constants for the geometrical isomerization fit the following Arrhenius relations: and the corresponding equations for the decomposition of the trans and cis-cyclopropane are .     

Kinetics of the pyrolyses of endo- and exo-5-methylbicyclo (2.2.2) oct-2-ene in the gas phase

The pyrolyses of endo- and exo-5-methylbicyclo (2.2.2) oct-2-ene (endo- and exo-MBO) have been studied between 608 and 679°K at pressures between 7 and 37 torr. These reactions correspond to parallel first-order eliminations of propene and ethylene: The rate constants (in sec^?1) for endo-MBO are given by and those for exo-MBO by Reaction mechanisms involving diradicals are shown to be compatible with the experimental results. The heats of formation and the entropies of endo and exo-MBO are estimated.     

The kinetics of thermal dimerization of hexatriene

The thermal isomerization of cis-hexatriene (cHT) to cyclohexadiene (CHD) and the dimerization of CHD and trans-hexatriene (tHT) in the liquid phase in the temperature range 380 K-473 K are reported. The rate coefficients are: for the cHT to CHD isomerization for tHT dimerizationlog and for CHD dimerization; endo form exo form © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Thermal stability of intermediate sized acetylenic compounds and the heats of formation of propargyl radicals

4-Methylhexyne-1, 5-methylhexyne-1, hexyne-1, and 6-methylheptyne-2 have been decomposed in comparative-rate single-pulse shock-tube experiments. Rate expressions for the initial decomposition reactions at 1100°K and from 2 to 6 atm pressure are In combination with previous results, rate expressions for propargyl C? C bond cleavage are related to that for the alkanes by the expression These results yield a propargyl resonance energy of D(nC₃H₇-H) – D(C₃H₃-H) = 36 ± 2 kJ, in excellent agreement with a previous shock-tube study. They also lead to D(CH₃C≡CCH₂-H) – D(C₃H₃-H) = 0.6 ± 3 kJ, D(sC₄H₉-H) – D(iC₃H₇-H) = 0 ± 3 kJ, D(iC₄H₉-H) – D(nC₃H₇-H) = 2 ± 3 kJ, and D(nC₃H₇-H) – D(iC₃H₇-H) = 13.9 ± 3 kJ (all values are for 300°K). The systematics of the molecular decomposition process are explored.     

Basic elimination of HCl from chlorinated ethanes

Chloroethanes react with aqueous caustic to yield either elimination or substitution products. The reaction rates were measured for the dichloroethanes, trichloroethanes, tetrachloroethanes, and pentachloroethane between 283 and 353°K. The constants of HCl eleminations referring to the rate equation are given by all rate constants being in 1./mole·s and R in cal/mole· deg. With ethyl chloride, 1,1-dichloroethane, and 1,1,l-trichloroethane, the elimination is not observed and a slow substitution takes place. The influence of chlorine substituents on both sides of the molecule on mechanism and rate parameters is discussed.     

Effects of Olefins on the Thermal Decomposition of Propane Part IV. Influence of Propylene

On the basis of the thermal decomposition of mixtures of propylene and propane with molar ratios of 0.0–0.33 in the temperature range 779–812K, the influencing functions describing the inhibition by propylene of the decomposition of propane were determined. The rate-reducing effect is explained mainly by the reactions (in which ^.R = ^.H, ^.CH₃ and 2-?₃H₇) and also by the addition reactions It was established that the bulk of the allyl radicals formed participate in the chain step, but, due to their lower reactivity, they restore the decomposition chain more slowly than the original radicals do. From the characteristic change in the ratio υ/υ, the rate ratios of hydrogenabstraction reaction by radicals from propylene and propane could be determined. In these reactions there was no significant difference between the selectivities of the radicals. For an interpretation of the changes, the decomposition mechanism must be completed with the reaction Evaluation of the influencing curves revealed that the initiation reactions must be taken into account. By parameter estimation we have determined the rate ratios characterizing the above initiation reactions, the unimolecular decomposition of propane, hydrogen abstraction by radicals from propane and propylene, intermolecular isomerization of the 2-propyl radical via propane and propylene, and abstraction of propane hydrogens by the ethyl and methyl radicals; these are given in Tables II.     

Photolysis of azomethane–propane mixtures. Arrhenius parameters for the hydrogen abstraction reactions of methyl with azomethane and with propane

Mixtures of up to 14% azomethane in propane have been photolyzed using mainly 366 nm radiation in the ranges of 323–453 K and 25–200 torr. Detailed measurements were made of the yields of nitrogen, methane, and ethane. Other products observed were isobutane, n-butane, ethene, and propene. A detailed mechanism is proposed and shown to account for the observed variation of product yields with experimental conditions. The quantum yield of the molecular process is found to be given by the temperature-independent equation The values of rate constants obtained are where the reactions are and it is assumed that the rate constant for the reaction is given by      

The rate constant for t-C4H9 → H + i-C4H8 and the thermodynamic parameters of t-C4H9

The rate of the reverse reaction of the system has been measured in the range of 584–604 K from a study of the azomethane sensitized pyrolysis of isobutane. Assuming the published value for the rate constant of recombination of t-butyl we obtain Combination with our published data for k₁ permits the evaluation We have modified a previously published structural model of t-butyl by the inclusion of a barrier to free rotation of the methyl groups in order to calculate values of the entropy and enthalpy of t-butyl as a function of temperature. Using standard data for H and for i-C₄H₈ we obtain We have obtained other, independent values of this quantity by a reworking of published data using our new calculations of the entropy and enthalpy of t-butyl. There is substantial agreement between the different values with one exception, namely, that derived from published data on the equilibrium which is significantly lower than the other values. We conclude that the value obtained from the present work and a reworking of published data which involves the use of experimental data on t-butyl recombination is incompatible with the result based on iodination data.     

The Competitive dehydrohalogenation of 1,1,1-trifluoro-2-chloroethane in reflected shock waves

The thermal decomposition of 1,1,1-trifluoro-2-chloroethane has been investigated in the single-pulse shock tube between 1120° and 1300deg;K at total reflected shock pressures from ～2610 to 3350 torr. Under these conditions, the major reaction is the α,α-elimination of hydrogen chloride, with The decomposition also involves the slower α,β-elimination of hydrogen fluoride, with the first-order rate constant given by At temperatures above 1270°K, two additional minor products were observed. These were identified as CF₂CFCl and CF₃CHCl₂ and suggest C? Cl rupture as a third reaction channel leading to complicated kinetics.     

Very low-pressure pyrolysis of cyclobutyl cyanide. The cyano stabilization energy

A very low-pressure pyrolysis (VLPP) apparatus has been constructed and shown to yield kinetic data consistent with other VLPP systems. The technique has been applied to the pyrolysis of cyclobutyl cyanide over the temperature range of 833–1203°K. The reaction was found to proceed via a single pathway to yield ethylene and vinyl cyanide. If A_∞ is based on previous high-pressure data for this reaction and for cyclobutane pyrolysis, then RRKM theory calculations show that the experimental unimolecular rate constants are consistent with the high-pressure Arrhenius parameters given by where θ=2.303 RT in kcal/mole. If A_∞ is adjusted relative to the more recent parameters for cyclobutane pyrolysis suggested by VLPP studies, then the Arrhenius expression becomes The cyano group reduces the activation energy for cyclobutane pyrolysis by 6±1 kcal/mole, and on the basis of a biradical mechanism this value may be attributed to the cyano stabilization energy.     

The reaction of atomic oxygen and hydrogen with nitric acid

The reactions have been studied in a discharge-flow system. Kinetic studies were made using resonance fluorescence for the measurement of atom concentrations. Based on the rates of atom loss, the following upper limits were obtained for the rate constants: Observed reaction in the H? HNO₃ system is at least partially due to an autocatalytic chain removal of both reactants. Diagnostic tests have suggested that OH, NO₂, and NO₃ are the chain carriers.     

Effects of olefins on the thermal decomposition of propane part V. Effect of butene-2-Cis

The thermal decomposition of butene-2-cis at low conversion and its effect on the pyrolysis of propane have been studied in the temperature range 779-812 K. It was established that 2-butene decomposes in a long-chain process, with the chain cycle (Besides the radical path, the molecular reaction can also play a role in the formation of the products.) The thermal decomposition of propane is considerably inhibited by 2-butene, which can be explained by the fact that the less reactive radicals formed in the reactions between the olefin and the chain-carrying radicals regenerate the chain cycle more slowly than the original radicals in the above chain cycle or in the reactions The reactions of the 2-propyl radical are further initiation steps. The ratios of the rate coefficients of the elementary steps of the decomposition (Table III) have been determined via the ratios of the products. Estimation of the radical concentrations indicated that only the methyl, 2-propyl and methylallyl radicals are of importance in the chain termination. On the basis of the inhibition-influenced curves, the role of the bimolecular initiation steps. could be clarified in the presence of 2-butene.     

Hammerstein integral equivalent of Riccati's equation

A transformation exists which allows the general Riccati equation to be written in a simpler form: The transformed equation has the equivalent nonlinear Hammerstein integral equation if the kernel N(r, r′) satisfies three conditions: and and A solution of the nonlinear integral equation is devised by repeatedly integrating the Hammerstein equation. During this procedure the kernel generates an equation that contains only coefficients of β(r)⁰ and β(r)¹. As a result, after truncating at the end of the nth cycle, it is a simple matter to write down a Padé-type approximation: all coefficients in this approximation are capable of being evaluated in terms of simple algebraic formulations of P(r), R(r), and integrals over P(r). The zeroes of the denominator of the Padé-type approximation define the points where singularities occur in β(r).