Theoretical investigation on kinetics and thermochemistry of reaction of CHF2CF2OCH2CF3 with OH radicals and global warming potentials

Theoretical investigation has been carried out on the mechanism, kinetics and thermochemistry of the gas-phase reactions between CHF₂CF₂OCH₂CF₃ and OH radical using a new hybrid density functional M06-2X/6-31+G(d,p) and G2(MP2)//M06-2X/6-31+G(d,p) methods. The most stable conformer of CHF₂CF₂OCH₂CF₃ is considered in our study and the possible H-abstraction reaction channels are identified. Each reaction channel shows an indirect H-abstraction reaction mechanism via the formation of pre-reactive complex. The rate coefficients are determined for the first time over a wide range of temperature 250–1000 K. At 298 K, the calculated total rate coefficient of k_OH = 1.01×10^?14 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 is in good agreement with the experimental results. The heats of formation for CHF₂CF₂OCH₂CF₃ and CF₂CF₂OCH₂CF₃ and CHF₂CF₂OCHCF₃ radicals are estimated to be -1739.25, -1512.93 and -1523.94 kJ mol^?1, respectively. The bond dissociation energies of the two C-H bonds are C(-H)F₂CF₂OCH₂CF₃: 423.34 kJ mol^?1 and CHF₂CF₂OC(-H)HCF₃: 411.87 kJ mol^?1. The atmospheric lifetime of CHF₂CF₂OCH₂CF₃ is estimated to be around 4.5 years and the 100-year time horizon global warming potentials of CHF₂CF₂OCH₂CF₃ relative to CO₂ is estimated to be 601.     

Computational study on the kinetics of OH initiated oxidation of methyl difluoroacetate (CF2HCOOCH3)

The kinetics of hydrogen atom abstraction reactions of methyl difluoroacetate (CF₂HCOOCH₃) by OH radical has been studied by quantum mechanical method. The geometry optimisation and frequency calculation of the titled compound was performed with density functional theory using hybrid meta density functional MPWB1K with 6-31+G(d,p) basis set. Transition states have been determined and intrinsic reaction coordinate (IRC) calculation has been performed to ascertain that the transition from reactants to products was smooth through the corresponding transition state. Energy values are refined by making single point energy calculation at G3B3 level of theory and an energy level diagram is constructed. The standard enthalpies of formation of reactants and other species formed during the reaction were calculated using isodesmic method. The rate constants are calculated using canonical transition state theory and the overall rate constant is determined to be 1.35×10^?13 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 at 298 K and 1 atmospheric pressure. Tunnelling has been taken into account in the determination of the rate constant because it plays a critical role at low temperature especially when transfer of hydrogen takes place. The calculated value is found to be in good agreement with the experimentally determined value of 1.48×10^?13 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1.     

A computational study of the thermolysis of β‐hydroxy ketones in gas phase and in m‐xylene solution

Theoretical calculations at the M05‐2X/6‐31+G(d) level of theory have been carried out in order to explore the nature of the mechanism of the thermal decomposition reactions of the β‐hydroxy ketones, 4‐hydroxy‐2‐butanone, 4‐hydroxy‐2‐pentanone, and 4‐hydroxy‐2‐methyl‐2‐pentanone in gas phase and in m‐xylene solution. The mechanism proposed is a one‐step process proceeding through a six‐membered cyclic transition state. A reasonable agreement between experimental and calculated activation parameters and rate constants has been obtained, the tertiary : secondary : primary alcohol rate constant ratio being calculated, at T = 503.15 K, as 5.9:4.7:1.0 in m‐xylene solution and 44.1:5.0:1.0 in the gas phase, compared with the experimental values, 3.7:1.3:1.0 and 13.5:3.2:1.0, respectively. The progress of the thermal decomposition reactions of β‐hydroxy ketones has been followed by means of the Wiberg bond indices. The lengthening of the O₁–C₂ bond with the initial migration of the H₆ atom from O₅ to O₁ can be seen as the driving force for the studied reactions. Calculated synchronicity values indicate that the mechanisms correspond to concerted and highly synchronous processes. The transition states are “advanced”, nearer to the products than to the reactants. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

DFT study of self-coupling reaction of CF2(ads) coadsorbed on Cu(111) surface for forming CF2=CF2(g)

Total energy calculations based on the density functional theory (DFT) with ultrasoft pseudopotential, generalized gradient spin-polarized approximation and the partial structural constraint path minimization (PSCPM) method were carried out to establish the energetically more favorable reaction pathways for the self-coupling reaction of coadsorbed CF_2(ads) leading to the formation of CF₂=CF_2(ads) on the Cu(111) surface. In addition, the calculated electronic properties, namely partial density of states (PDOS), suggest that the initial breaking of the Cu(111)–CF_2(ads) bond associating with the electron delocalization on the Cu(111) surface and the electron transfer from Cu(111) to both units of CF_2(ads) are factors controlling the energy barrier for self-coupling reaction. Finally, the calculated energy barrier (0.310 eV) for the self-coupling reaction of CF_2(ads) coadsorbed on the Cu(111) surface in comparison with that (0.204 eV) for the single α-fluoride elimination of adsorbed CF_3(ads) on the Cu(111) surface qualitatively manifests that the formation of CF₂ = CF_2(g) at 250 K is limited by the self-coupling reaction of coadsorbed CF_2(ads) instead of the single α-fluoride elimination of adsorbed CF_3(ads).     

The chemistry of C2 perfluoroalkyl iodide on the Cu(1 1 1) single crystal surface

The thermal chemistry of perfluoroethyl iodide (C₂F₅I) adsorbed on Cu(1 1 1) has been investigated by temperature-programmed reaction/desorption (TPR/D), reflection-absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIRS), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). I 4d and F 1s XPS spectra show that dissociative adsorption of C₂F₅I to form the surface-bound perfluroethyl (Cu-C₂F₅) moieties occurs at very low temperature (T < 90 K), while the C-F bond cleavage in adsorbed perfluroethyl (Cu-C₂F₅) begins at ca. 300 K. XPS and TPR/D studies further reveal that the reactions of ^βCF₃^αCF_2(ad) on Cu(1 1 1) are strongly dependent on the surface coverage. At high coverages (?0.16 L exposure), the adsorbed perfluroethyl (Cu-C₂F₅) evolves, via α-F elimination, into the surface-bound tetrafluoroethylidene moieties (CuCF-CF₃) followed by a dimerization step to form octafluoro-2-butene (CF₃CFCFCF₃) at 315 K as gas product. The surface-bound (Cu-C₂F₅) decomposes preferentially, at low coverages (?0.04 L), via consecutive α-F abstraction to afford intermediate, trifluoroethylidyne (CuCCF₃), resulting in the final coupling reaction to yield hexafluoro-2-butyne (CF₃CCCF₃) at 425 K. However, at middle coverages (ca. 0.08-0.16 L exposure), the adsorbed perfluroethyl (Cu-C₂F₅) first experiences an α-F elimination and then prefers to loss the second F from β position to yield the intermediate of Cu-CF₂-CFCu (μ-η,η-perfluorovinyl), which may further evolve into hexafluorocyclobutene (CF₂CFCFCF₂) at 350 K through cyclodimerization reaction. Our results have also shown that the surface reactions to yield the products, CF₃CFCFCF₃ and CF₃CCCF₃, obey first-order kinetics, whereas the formation of CF₂CFCFCF₂ follows second-order kinetics.     

A computational perspective on the kinetics and thermochemistry of the gas phase reactions of 1, 1-dichlorodimethylether (DCDME) with OH radical at 298 K

Kinetics and thermochemistry of the gas phase reactions between CH₃OCHCl₂ (DCDME) and OH radical are investigated theoretically. The geometries and all the stationary points on the potential energy surface are calculated at BHandHLYP/6-311G(d,p) method. The energy information is further refined at CCSD(T)/6-311G(d,p) level of theory. Reaction profiles are modelled including the formation of two pre-reactive and post-complexes. The rate constants, which are evaluated by Canonical Transition State Theory (CTST) including tunnelling correction at 298 K, are in very good agreement with the available experimental data. The percentage contributions of both reaction channels are also reported at 298 K. The hydrogen abstraction reaction from the –CHCl₂ group is found to be dominant leading to the formation of CH₃OCCl₂ + H₂O. Using group-balanced isodesmic reactions, the standard enthalpies of formation for CH₃OCHCl₂, CH₃OCCl₂ and CH₂OCHCl₂ are also reported.     

Direct observation of intracluster reactions induced in (CF<Subscript>3</Subscript>I)<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis></Subscript> clusters by femtosecond ultraviolet radiation

Intracluster reactions that are induced in (CF₃I) _n clusters by femtosecond ultraviolet radiation, including the reaction of the formation of the I₂⁺ molecular ion, have been directly observed. It has been shown that there are two channels of the formation of I₂⁺ ions with the characteristic times τ₁ ≈ 1 ps and τ₂ ≈ 7 ps. A model of these reactions has been proposed that is in good agreement with the experimental data.     

Enthalpies of formation and isomerization of aromatic hydrocarbons and ethers by G3(MP2)//B3LYP calculations

A computational method for estimation of the gas‐phase enthalpies of formation of aromatic hydrocarbons and ethers has been developed. The method is based on high‐level G3(MP2)//B3LYP calculations, atomization reactions, and structure‐dependent correction terms. By this method, enthalpies of formation Δ_fH_m°(g, 298.15 K) of 86 aromatic compounds were evaluated. The calculated enthalpies of formation raise questions of the reliability of several experimental enthalpies of formation reported in the literature. As an application of the computational enthalpies of formation, reaction enthalpies for several types of isomerization reactions of aromatic compounds were calculated. In cases in which experimental reaction enthalpies were available for comparison, the agreement between the computational and experimental data proved to be excellent. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The anionic chain process mechanism for reactions of perchlorofluoroethanes with nucleophiles in solution: a theoretical study

Anionic chain process mechanism (including reactions (1)–(4)) suggested by the experimental investigations for the reactions of nucleophile (CH₃O^?) with perchlorofluoroethanes CF₂ClCCl₃ ( 1 ), CF₂ClCCl₂F ( 2 ), and CF₃CCl₃ ( 3 ) in solution is examined by performing calculations using the B3LYP method and the SCIPCM (self‐consistent isodensity polarizable continuum) model for simulating solution effects. The SCIPCM‐B3LYP calculations indicate that anionic species have large solvation energies and solvation energy values for different kinds of anions are quite different, which effects changes in ΔH's for the reactions in solution. Competition between anionic hyperconjugation and solvation leads to negative ΔH values for reactions (2) from 1 and 2 in solution. Reactions (3) and (4) from 1 , 2 , and 3 in solution are predicted to be exothermic or highly exothermic. Since the ΔH values for reactions (1) and (2) from 1 and 2 in solution are negative or small positive values, the reactions of CH₃O^? with 1 and 2 in solution proceed via the anionic chain process. For 3 in solution, reactions (1) and (2) are endothermic while reactions (3) and (4) are exothermic or highly exothermic. The reactions of CH₃O^? with 3 in solution may proceed via the anionic chain process. All these conclusions are in agreement with the experimental indications for reactions of nucleophiles with 1 , 2 , and 3 in solution. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mechanism and kinetics of the atmospheric degradation of 2-formylcinnamaldehyde with O3 and hydroxyl OH radicals – a theoretical study

In the present investigation, the reaction mechanism and kinetics of 2-formylcinnamaldehyde (2-FC) with O₃ and hydroxyl OH radicals were studied. The reaction of 2-FC with O₃ radical are initiated by the formation of primary ozonide, whereas the reaction of 2-FC with the hydroxyl OH radical are initiated by two different ways: (1). H-atom abstraction by hydroxyl OH radical from the –CHO and –CH = CHCHO group of 2-FC (2). Hydroxyl OH addition to the –CH = CHCHO group to the ring-opened 2-FC. These reactions lead to the formation of an alkyl radical. The reaction pathways corresponding to the reactions between 2-FC with O₃ and hydroxyl OH radicals have been analysed using density functionals of B3LYP and M06-2X level of methods with the 6-31+G(d,p) basis set. Single-point energy calculations for the most favourable reactive species are determined by B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) and CCSD(T)/6-31+G(d,p) levels of theory. From the obtained results, the hydroxyl OH addition at C8 position of 2-FC are most favourable than the C9 position of 2-FC. The subsequent reactions of the alkyl radicals, formed from the hydroxyl OH addition at C8 position, are analysed in detail. The individual and overall rate constant for the most favourable reactions are calculated by canonical variational transition theory with small-curvature tunnelling corrections over the temperature range of 278–350 K. The calculated theoretical rate constants are in good agreement with the available experimental data. The Arrhenius plot of the rate constants with the temperature are fitted and the atmospheric lifetimes of the 2-FC with hydroxyl OH radical reaction in the troposphere calculate for the first time, which can be applied to the study on the atmospheric implications. The condensed Fukui function has been verified for the most favourable reaction sites. This study can be regarded as an attempt to investigate the O₃-initiated and hydroxyl OH-initiated reaction mechanisms of 2-FC in the atmosphere.     

Theoretical studies on the structures and absorption spectra of–C n R2n+1(R = H,F; n = 1, 2) substituted 5-(2-pyridyl) pyrazolate boron complexes

The molecular structures, electronic structures and absorption characters of–CH₃,–C₂H₅,–CF₃,–C₂F₅ substituted 5-(2-pyridyl) pyrazolate boron complexes were presented by density functional theory (DFT). The ground state structures of the title complexes were optimised at B3LYP/6-31G* level. In addition, a time dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) method is applied to investigate the properties of absorption spectra and electronic transition mechanism which were based on the ground state geometries. The results show that the chemical bond formed between nitrogen in the pyridyl ring and boron can be attributed to coordination effect. The boron centre has a typical tetrahedral geometry with the adjacent atoms. The calculated absorption wavelengths for–CF₃,–C₂F₅ substituted 5-(2-pyridyl) pyrazolate boron complexes are in good agreement with the experimental data.     

Basicity of trifluoromethylsulfonylformamidines. DFT and FTIR study and NBO analysis

The effect of the electron–acceptor substituent CF₃SO₂ at the imine nitrogen atom on the basicity and the electron distribution in N,N‐alkylformamidines ( 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ) was studied experimentally by the FTIR spectroscopy and theoretically at the DFT (B3LYP/6‐311+G(d,p)) level of theory, including the natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis. The calculated proton affinities of the imine nitrogen atom and the sulfonyl oxygen (PA_N′ and PA_O) depend on the atomic charges, the C?N′ and N′―S bond polarity and on the energy of interaction of the amine nitrogen and the oxygen lone pairs with antibonding π* and σ*‐orbitals. The basicity of the imine nitrogen atom is increased with the increase of the electron‐donating power of the substituent at the amine nitrogen atom due to stronger interaction n_N → π*_C?N′, but is decreased for the electron‐withdrawing groups MeSO₂ and CF₃SO₂ at the imine nitrogen atom in spite of the increase of this conjugation. Protonation of ( 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ) in CH₂Cl₂ solution in the presence of CF₃SO₃H occurs at the imine nitrogen atom, while the formation of hydrogen bonds with 4‐fluorophenol takes place at the sulfonyl oxygen atom, whose basicity is lower than that of N,N′‐dimethylmethanesulfonamide but higher than of N,N′‐dimethyltrifluoromethanesulfonamide. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The basicity of sulfonamides and carboxamides. Theoretical and experimental analysis and effect of fluorinated substituent

The basicity of a series of sulfonamides and carboxamides with respect to protonation and hydrogen‐bonded complex formation with phenol was investigated by calculations using the Becke three‐parameter hybrid functional combined with Lee–Yang–Parr correlation functional with the 6‐311G** and 6‐311++G** basis sets and by infrared spectroscopy. The effect of fluorinated substituent was studied for the two series. The proton affinity of nitrogen in sulfonamides is higher than oxygen, in contrast to carboxamides, which are protonated at oxygen. The phenyl group in benzenesulfonamide increases the basicity of both heteroatoms, but more strongly of the nitrogen, whereas in benzamide the effect on the two heteroatoms is about the same. The CF₃ group equally decreases the basicity of nitrogen and oxygen atoms in sulfonamides and carboxamides. The second fluorinated substituent decreases the basicity of oxygen in (CF₃CO)₂NH more strongly than of nitrogen. For sulfonamides, the same effect results in the reverse of the center of basicity from nitrogen in (MeSO₂)₂NH to oxygen in (CF₃SO₂)₂NH. All studied carboxamides give H‐complexes via the carbonyl oxygen, whereas for sulfonamides two types of H‐complexes, with the OH···N and OH···O=S, were found theoretically, the latter being more stable. The exception is bisimide (CF₃SO₂)₂NH, for which only the OH···O=S complex is stable. Experimentally, only the oxygen‐bound complexes are observed. Analysis of the natural charges revealed an ‘abnormal’ increase of the electron density on the NH group by electron‐acceptor substituents in CF₃SO₂NHR, which was explained using the natural bond orbital analysis by loosening of the S–N bond because of orbital interactions with the σ*_S?N orbital. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Gas‐phase structure and new vibrational study of methyl trifluoroacetate (CF3C(O)OCH3)

The molecular structure of methyl trifluoroacetate (CF₃C(O)OCH₃) has been determined in the gas phase from electron‐diffraction data supplemented by ab initio (MP2) and DFT calculations using different basis sets. Experimental data revealed an anti conformation with a dihedral angle θ (CCOC) = 180°. Quantum mechanical calculations indicate the possible existence of two conformers, differing by a rotation about the C(O) O bond. The global minimum represents a C_s‐symmetric structure in which the CF₃ group has the anti orientation with respect to the CH₃ group, but there is another potential minimum, much higher in energy, representing a C_s‐symmetric structure with a cis conformation. The preference for the anti conformation was studied using the total energy scheme and the natural bond orbital (NBO) partition scheme. Additionally, the total potential energy has been deconvoluted using a six‐fold decomposition in terms of a Fourier‐type expansion, showing that the electrostatic and steric contributions are dominant in stabilizing the anti conformer. Infrared spectra of CF₃C(O)OCH₃ were obtained for the gaseous and liquid phases, while the Raman spectrum was recorded for the liquid phase. Harmonic vibrational frequencies and a scaled force field have been calculated, leading to a final root mean‐square deviation of 9 cm⁻¹ when comparing experimental and calculated frequencies. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Theoretical studies on the hydrogen abstraction reactions of methyl esters with HO2 radical and the following β‐scission reactions

Unsaturated fatty acid methyl esters are ubiquitous in biodiesel fuels. The C = C double bond greatly affects the combustion characteristics of biodiesel, especially its ignition behavior at low temperatures. In this work, we report detailed theoretical study on the mechanism and kinetics of the hydrogen abstraction reactions of linear unsaturated C6 methyl esters with hydroperoxy radical (HO₂), which play a critical role in the low‐temperature combustion of biodiesel. Reaction profiles are obtained via intrinsic reaction coordinate (IRC) analysis including the formation of reactant complexes and product complexes at the entrance and exit channels, respectively. The potential energy surfaces are explored at the CBS‐QB3 level. The following β‐scission reactions of the forming radicals are also investigated at the same level of theory. The high‐pressure limit rate constants for all the reactions in the temperature range from 500 to 2000 K are calculated via conventional transition‐state theory with quantum tunneling effect and fitted to the modified Arrhenius expression.     

Development of a force field for molecular simulation of the phase equilibria of perfluoromethylpropyl ether

A first step towards the development of a general, realistic potential model for perfluoroether compounds has been to parameterize a united atom model for a short chain perfluoroether perfluoromethylpropyl ether (CF₃CF₂CF₂OCF₃). The potential model takes the usual form in which separate bond bending and torsional terms describe the intramolecular interactions with the addition of van der Waals and electrostatic terms to describe the non-bonded interactions. Ab initio quantum calculations have been carried out to obtain the partial charges and intramolecular torsional and bending potentials. Phase equilibrium data were then used to optimize the van der Waals interaction parameters through Gibbs ensemble Monte Carlo simulations. The resulting model reproduces vapour-liquid equilibrium densities, the critical temperature and the critical density of perfluoromethylpropyl ether, in good agreement with those from experiment.     

A theoretical study on the mechanism and dynamics of reactions (CF3)2CHOCH2F/(CF3)2CHOCHF2 with OH radical

The information related with the mechanism of reactions (CF₃)₂CHOCH₂F + OH (R1) and (CF₃)₂CHOCHF₂ + OH (R2) was explored theoretically at the BMC-CCSD//BMK/6-311 + G(d,p) level. Based on the optimised structures, energies, and other information, the rate constants were evaluated by the canonical variational transition-state theory with small curvature tunneling contributions in a temperature range of 220–2000 K. For each reaction, there are both hydrogen-abstraction and displacement channels. In addition, more than one hydrogen atom can be abstracted. The relationship between hydrogen abstraction and displacement, between different hydrogen-abstraction channels, and between reactions R1 and R2 are elucidated.     

Quantum mechanical studies on the singlet and triplet potential energy surface of the reactions CF3O2 + I,CF3O + OI and CF3 + OIO

The singlet and triplet potential energy surfaces for the reactions CF₃O₂ + I (1), CF₃O + OI (2) and CF₃ + OIO (3) are investigated using ab initio quantum mechanical methods. Four important isomeric energy minima were found, three on the singlet surface, CF₃OOI, CF₃OIO and CF₃IO₂ and one on the triplet surface ³CF₃OIO. CF₂O + FOI are shown to be the most probable products for all reactions, CF₃O +I and CF₃O + O(³P) are possible for reactions (2) and (3) while the reaction pathway leading to CF₃O +OI is also possible for reaction (3).     

A theoretical estimate of the temperature dependence of FH and FF spin coupling constants averaged over internal rotations

Coupling constants between CH₃ or CF₃ groups and a nucleus elsewhere in the molecule are averages over internal rotation. The probability distribution functions of the relevant dihedral angles have been calculated for temperatures 173 and 373 K, and combining these with calculations of the angular dependence of the coupling constants, enables us to predict the temperature dependences. It is predicted that ³ J _HF in ethyl fluoride is independent of temperature, but ³ J _FF in CF₃CFH₂ and CF₃CFO and ⁴ J _FF in CF₃CF=CF₂ are predicted to show appreciable changes over 200 K.     

Total cross sections for electron scattering from fluoromethanes: A revised additivity rule method

The additivity rule for electron-molecule scattering is revised by considering the difference between the free atom and the bound atom in the molecule.The total cross sections for electron scattering from fluoromethanes(CF4,CF3H,CF2H2,and CFH3) are calculated in an energy range from 100 eV to 1500 eV by the revised additivity rule.The present calculations are compared with the original additivity rule results and the available experimental data.Better agreement with each other is obtained.