Theoretical analysis of catalytic current-potential curves: Part II. First-order regeneraration reactions coupled with dimeric product of the electrode reaction

Equations of the polarographic current-potential curves are derived for electrode reactions of the type 2A+ze^?k_s,α→B coupled by an irreversible chemical regeneration reaction B+C^k→2A+D. Analytical solutions based on a general treatment were derived, including reversible, irreversible and quasi-reversible electrode processes. The kinetic domain over which an irreversible following chemical reaction affects the half-wave potentials is defined.     

The kinetics of chlorine evolution and reduction on glassy carbon in molten tetrachloroaluminate at 175°C

The chlorine electrode reaction on glassy carbon in sodium tetrachloroaluminate melt (AlCl₃+NaCl) with near equimolar compositions was investigated at 175°C with voltammetric techniques. The kinetic parameters (Tafel slope and exchange current density) measured as functions of chloride ion activity and partial pressure of chlorine, and the reaction orders with respect to Cl^? and Cl₂ have been collected extensively, being compared with the theoretical kinetic derivatives deduced from the rate equations solved under three different kinds of adsorption isotherms: Langmuir, non-activated Temkin and activated Temkin isotherms. All the evidence collected in this study indicates that the reaction mechanism for both evolution and dissolution of chlorine consists of a fast electron transfer (Cl^?→Cl_ad+e) followed (or preceded) by a slow Heyrovsky-type reaction (Cl^?+Cl_ad→Cl₂+e) on glassy carbon surfaces where the adsorbed intermediate obeys the activated Temkin isotherm. The exchange current density was found as 8.6±0.8 μA cm^?2 at 175°C in the melt of pCl=1.1 under an atmospheric pressure of Cl₂, and its electrode potential (E°_CΓ/Cl2) was determined as 2.182±0.005 V vs. Al.     

b1Σ+ Emissions from group V–VII diatomic molecules. b 0+ → X1 0+, X2 1 emissions of AsI and SbI

Chemiluminescence from the b 0⁺ → X₁ 0⁺ band system of AsI and of the b 0⁺ → X₁ 0⁺, X₂ 1 systems of SbI in the near-infrared spectral region has been observed in a discharge flow system. Analysis of the spectra led to the spectroscopic constants (in cm^?1) of AsI: ω_e(X₁, X₂) = 257 ± 2, ω_ex_e(X₁, X₂) = 0.82 ± 0.2, T_e(b 0⁺) = 11738 ± 5, ω_e(b 0⁺) = 271 ± 2, ω_ex_e(b 0⁺) = 0.66 ± 0.2, and of SbI: T_e(X₂ 1) = 965 ± 10, ω_e(X₁, X₂) = 206 ± 6, T_e(b 0⁺) = 12328 ± 10, ω_e(b 0⁺) = 211 ± 6. The intensity ratio of the two sub-systems b 0⁺ → X₂ 1 and b 0⁺→ X₁ 0⁺ was found to be ≈0.013 in the case of SbI and ? 0.01 for AsI.     

Determination of electrochemical kinetic parameters by square-wave polarography: Polarographic reduction of Zn(II) in 1 M KCl,KBr, and KNCS solutions

A new method of determining electrochemical kinetic parameters by square-wave polarography was presented, in which the faradaic current at θ/2, θ being the half-period of superimposed square-wave voltage, was used for the analysis. The method gave the following kinetic parameters for the electrode reaction, Zn(II) + 2e(Hg), in aqueous solutions at 25° C: k_c^θ=0.0052 cm s^?1 and α_c=0.36 in 1 M KCl, k_c^θ=0.011 cm s^?1 and α_c=0.30 in 1 M KBr, and k_c^θ=0.020 cm s^?1 and α_c=0.52 in 1 M KNCS. Induced adsorption of Zn(II) on the dropping mercury electrode was suggested in solutions containing thiocyanate ions.     

Relative rates of reaction of hydroxyl radicals with O(3P) atoms and CO molecules

The rates of decay of O(³P) atoms in H₂/CO/N₂ mixtures in a discharge flow system have been measured, using O + CO chemiluminescence. The mechanism is: O + H₂ → OH + H (1), O + OH → O₂ + H (2), CO + OH → CO₂ + H (3). At 425 K, k₂/k₃ = 260 ± 20; literature values of k₃ combine to yield k₂ = (2.65 ± 0.52) × 10¹⁰ dm³ mol^?1 s^?1.     

A Study of picosecond dehalogenation of chlorobenzene anions in liquids by positronium inhibition measurements

Radiation chemistry and results of Ps yields indicate that the following processes occur in the positron spur in solution of halogen-substituted hydrocarbons, RX_n: e⁺ + e^? → Ps, e^? + RX _n → (RX_n)^? → RX_n?1 + X^?, e⁺ + (RX_n)^? → Ps + RX_n, e⁺ + X^? → [X^?, e⁺]. Hence the trapped electron can form Ps only if (RX _n)^? is stable or has a lifetime that is longer than o comparable to the Ps formation time. Previous studies have shown that some of the strongly chlorinated benzenes (n = 4.5 give reasonable inhibition in benzene but not in linear hydrocarbons. The reason is very probably that the dechlorination time is much shorter in benzene than in saturated hydrocarbons because Cl^? is more strongly solvated in benzene than in non-aromatic hydrocarbons. To test those ideas further we have begun detailed studies of solutions of the possible “intermediate” inhibitors, viz. 1,2,3,5- and 1,2,4,5-C₆H₂Cl₄, in mixtures of C₆H₆/C₆H₁₄ different methyl-substituted benzene aniline, anisole, dioxane and ethylbenzene. The results are discussed and interpreted in terms of the spur model. The Ps inhibition efficiency of the two isomeric forms of tetrachlorobenzene studied, appears most probably to depend on intramolecular electron transfer with subsequent dehalogenation of the molecular anion on a picosecond timescale. The divergence in inhibitor efficiency obtained for the chlorobenzenes when dissolved in aromatic solvents compared to the same solutes when dissolved in a saturated alkane appears most probably to be caused by complex formation between the initially formed chlorobenzene anion and benzene molecules, which permits a rapid relaxation of the molecular anion with subsequent bond stretching and expulsion of the chloride anion.     

Anodic reactions of the halides in dimethyl sulfoxide at the pyrolytic graphite electrode

The anodic reactions of the halide ions in dimethyl sulfoxide at the pyrolytic graphite electrode have been studied. The iodide ion demonstrates a 3-step oxidation; the bromide, a 2-step oxidation and chloride, a 1-step oxidation. The electrode reaction (X^-→$\text{1}\text{2}$ X₂ + e^-) is complicated by a catalytic reaction occurring after the electrode reaction. The catalytic reaction is important for only bromide and chloride causing a considerable diffusion current enhancement. The αn_a value for all 3 primary reactions is of the order of 0.5.     

The mechanism of SO2 oxidation by CH3O2 radicals. Rate coefficients for the reactions of CH3O2 with SO2 and NO

The reactions of CH₃O₂ with SO₂ and NO have been studied by steady state photolysis of azomethane in the presence of O₂SO₂→NO mixtures at 296 K and 1 atm total pressure. The quantum yield of NO oxidation by CH₃O₂ radicals is increased substantially when SO₂ is added to the system indicating an SO₂ induced chain oxidation of NO. The rate law gives k₁/k₂ = (2.5 ± 0.5) × 10^?3 for CH₃O₂ + SO₂ → CH₃O₂SO₂ (1), CH₃O₂ + NO → CH₃O + NO₂ (2). Combining this ratio with the absolute value of k₁ = 8.2 × 10^?15 cm³ s^?1 gives k₂ = 10^{?11.5 ± 02} cm³ s^?1.     

b 1Σ+ Emissions from group V–VII diatomic molecules: bO+ → X1 O+ emission of Pl

Chemilluminescence of the bO⁺ → X₁O⁺ band system of P1 has been observed in a discharge flow system. Thirty-eight bands of the sequences, δν = +2, +1, 0, ?1, ?2 and ?3 were recorded photoelectrically at medium resolution. Evidence is presented that the vibrational numering assigned to the bands in the recently published first analysis of this system has to be modified. The re-analysis leads to the new constants (in cm ^?1) T_e = 11135 ± 5, ω′_e 400 ± 2, ω_e′_e = 1.4 ± 0.3, ω″_e = 372 ±2 and ωχ″_e, 1.4 ± 0.3 for the bO⁺ and χ₁ states, respectively. An upper limit of 0.01 was found for the ratio of the (0.0) band intensifies of the two sub-systems bO⁺ → χ₂ 1 and bO⁺ → χ₁O⁺.     

Production of electronically excited atoms. H + Br2 → HBr + Hb(*), H + HBr → H2 + Br(*)

By measurement of infrared chemiluminescence we have obtained for the branching ratio of the room temperature reaction H + Br₂ (1), k*₁/k₁ = 0.015 ± 0.004 and for H + HBr (2), k*₂/k₂ ? 0.013. For H + Br₂ → HBr(υ^· ? 6) + Br (1), the detailed rate constant k(υ^* = 6) = 0.014 ± 0.003 relative to k(υ^· = 4) = 100.     

Experimental and theoretical studies of the valence-shell dipole excitation spectrum of molecular fluorine

Electron energy loss measurements and concommitant RPAE calculations are reported of the valence-shell dipole excitation spectrum of molecular fluorine. The measured spectrum is dominated by a series of strong features in the 12–16 eV interval which are in accord with X¹Σ_g⁺→¹Σ_u⁺ bands assigned in a previously reported high-resolution optical study. These features are attributed on basis of the present RPAE calculations to configuration mixing between 1π_g→npπ_u Rydberg and 3σ_g→3σ_u intravalence excitations. A depleted X→V_σ charge-transfer excitation is correspondingly observed at ≈17 eV, in good accord with the calculated values. The appearance of the σ→σ* transition in F₂ below the 3σ_g^?1 threshold is in marked contrast to the situation in other light diatomic molecules, in which cases σ→σ* transitions appear as intravalence shape resonances in photoionization continua. Assignments are also provided of weak, irregularly spaced X¹Σ_g⁺→¹Π_u excitations the origins of which are attributed to configuration mixing between 1π_g→npσ_u and 1π_u→nsσ_g Rydberg series.     

Spectra of propylperoxy radicals and rate constants for mutual interaction

The flash photolyses of azo-n-propane and azoisopropane in the presence of oxygen have been studied by kinetic spectroscopy. The transient absorption spectra observed in the region of 210–290 nm are assigned to the n-propylperoxy and isopropylperoxy radicals. For the n-propylperoxy radical, ε_max = 1148 ± 29 L/mol cm at 242.5 nm and for the isopropylperoxy radical, ε_max = 1273 ± 75 L/mol cm at 240 nm. The rate constants for the mutual reactions (7) 2RO₂· → products were measured to be k₇ = (2.0 ± 0.2) X 10⁸ L/mol s for the n-propylperoxy radical and k₇ = (7.8 ± 2.2) X 10⁵ L/mol s for the isopropylperoxy radical.     

Kinetics of the reaction of OH with HCl

The rate constant of the reaction OH + HCl → H₂O + Cl was measured in a flow tube over the temperature range 224 to 460°K using resonance fluorescence detection of OH. An Arrhenius expression k₁ = (2.0 ± 0.1) × 10^?12 exp [?(620 ± 20 cal/mole)/RT] was obtained. Stratospheric and reaction kinetic implications are discussed briefly.     

On Excited States of Alkyl Bridged [14] Annulenes

The linear dichroic absorption spectrum of 1,3,6,8-trans-15, 16-hexamethyl-dihydropyrene has been measured in stretched polyethylene at 77K, and CNDO-CI calculations with inclusion of singly and doubly excited configurations have been carried out on a series of alkyl bridged [14] annulenes with pyrene- and anthracene-shaped perimeters. Transitions to e_3g → e_4u type ¹B states are well described, and the results indicate that additional low-energy excited states originate from e_3g→ e_5g and e_2u → e_4u type configurations interacting strongly with doubly excited configurations of the e_3g, e_3g → e_4u, e_4u type. The second excited singlet state responsible for the weak transition observed between the ¹L bands may be assigned to one of these additional states, but it is probably of complex nature, similar to the ‘phantom’ state in linear polyenes.     

Picosecond spectroscopic measurement of very fast intersystem crossing for 9,10-dioxa-anti-bimanes

Picosecond spectroscopy, following the buildup of T₁ → T_n absorption (maximum at 420 nm), shows that the T₁ state of 1,5-diazabicyclo[3,3,0]octa-3,7-diene-2,6-diones(9,10-dioxa-anti-bimanes) is formed within about 10 ps. The nature of the T₁ state was confirmed by decay rates of T₁ → T_n absorption in acetonitrile (n = 0.375 cP, k_nr = 4.5 × 10⁵ s^?1), 1,2-ethanediol (n = 26 cP, k_nr = 1.5 × 10⁴ s^?1 and glycerol (n = 1400 cP, k_nr = 1.3 × 10³ s^?1). The very fast intersystem crossing is ascribed to the proximity of a ³nπ* state to the ππ* (S₁ state produced by light absorption (El-Sayed rule).     

Electrochemical oxidation of HCOONa on Pt in acidic solutions

The electrooxidation of HCOONa was carried out over a wide range of pH on Pt. HCOO⁻ and its associated form of HCOOH do not show any difference in electrochemical behaviour. A voltammetric study demonstrates the formation of two kinds of poisoning species in the hydrogen (X₁) and double-layer (X₂) regions. Their dependences on the potential and pH were examined. Constant polarization measurements give the rate expression, i = k(α_H⁺)^−0.43 exp(0.4Fφ_n/RT), independent of the concentrations of HCOO⁻ and HCOOH. The rate-determining step is concluded to be HCOO⁻ (a) → COO⁻ (a)+H⁺ + e⁻ or HCOOH(a) → COOH(a)+H⁺ + e⁻. The negative reaction order with respect to H⁺ was explained through the retarding action of X₂. The nature of X₁ and X₂ is discussed.     

Kinetic study of the reaction of OH radicals with nitrosyl chloride as a possible source of ClOH

The reaction of OH with NOCl has been studied using the discharge flow reaction-EPR technique. The absolute rate constant is k₁ = (4.3±0.4)× 10^?13 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 at 298 K. A mass spectrometric investigation of the products shows that this reaction occurs via two primary steps, OH + NOCl → NO + ClOH(1a) and OH + NOCl → HONO + Cl (1b) with k_1a =k_1b.     

Liquid phase kinetic study of the formation and decomposition of methylsulfonyl and cyclohexylsulfonyl radicals in the cyclohexane–MeSO2C1-SO2 System at 150°

The thermally and radiolytically induced chain decomposition of methanesulfonyl chloride (MeSO₂Cl) in liquid cyclohexane (RH) was studied at 150°C. The main products, chlorocyclohexane, sulfur dioxide, and methane, are formed in almost equal yields, and a relatively small amount of methyl chloride is also observed. The formation and addition of SO₂ strongly inhibit the chain decomposition reaction. By kinetic analysis it is shown that the formation of the main products can be explained only in terms of a mechanism that postulates the decomposition of MeSO₂, and that the alternative mechanism of methane and SO₂ formation via the methanesulfinic acid is inconsistent with the kinetic behavior of the system. For the reactions Me + MeSO₂Cl → MeCl + MeSO₂(2b), Me + RH → MeH + R (4), and Me + CCl₄ → MeCCl₄ → MeCl + CCl₃ (15b) the following rate constant ratios are determined; k_2b/k₄=2.17±0.20 and k_2b/k_15b=2.63±0.52. For the reactions R + MeSO₂Cl → RCl + MeSO₂(2a) and R + CCl₄ → RCl + CCl₃ (15a), k_2a/k_15a is equal to 1.55±0.05. In addition the equilibrium constant K₇ for the reaction R + SO₂ ? RSO₂ (7) is estimated as being equal to (9.4±3) × 10³ mole/l.     

A flash photolysis study of the elimination of dinitrogen from trans-(N2)2W(dppe)2; dppe = 1,2-bis-diphenylphosphinoethane

Flash photolysis of trans-(N2)2W(dppe)2 (1) at ?60, ?30, ?10°C, and room temperature indicates that loss of dinitrogen occurs stepwise via the following proposed intermediates. Photodissociation of 1 gives the transient A decaying with k1 ～ 4450 s?1 to the doubly coordinatively unsaturated species [W(dppe)2], B. Further reactions of B are dependent on the type of gas used to saturate the solutions. In N2-saturated media, B is efficiently reconverted into the starting complex 1 via (N2)W(dppe)2], C(N2), kN22 = 450 s?1, which in turn takes up a second molecule of N2, kN23 = 3.7 s?1. In CO-saturated solutions, trans-(CO)2W(dppe)2 is produced as the final product and the corresponding rate constants are kCO2 1500 s?1 for B → C(CO) and kCO3 = 1.14 s?1 for C(CO) → product. In Ar-saturated solvents, B is transformed, again in two steps; kAr2 = 1 s?1 and kAr3 = 0.1 s1?, to products of unknown structure.The different rate constants kN22, kCO2, kAr2 and kN23, kCO3 and kAr3, together the common activation energy of ca. 11 kcal/mol?1 for the three processes A → B, B → C(N2) and C(N2) → 1 suggest that the reactions of B and C occur by SN2-type displacement of coordinated solvent molecules by the incoming ligands.     

Ion dip spectroscopy as a means of probing fast predissociating species: NH3 Ã1A'2 state

Using NH₃ ùA''₂ state as an illustrative example, we have succeeded in developing ion dip spectroscopy into an effective means of probing fast predissociating species that should be applicable to a large number of other interesting cases. The ion dip process we studied was a folded optical-optical double resonance: NH₃ X̃ + 3hv₁ → NH₃ C̃ hv₂→NH₃ à with ion detection. Based on our “composite” rotationally resolved spectra, band origins of the C'-A transition and rotational constants for the NH₃ à v''₂ = 0, 1, 2 vibronic states are obtained, the latter with ±0.06 cm⁻¹ accuracy. A lifetime for NH₃ à v''₂ = 1 level as short as 120±10 fs (46±5 cm⁻¹ bandwidth) has been measured.