Acetylene decomposition on Rh(100): theory and experiment.

The decomposition of acetylene on a Rh(100) single crystal was studied by a combination of experimental techniques [static secondary ion mass spectrometry (SSIMS), temperature-programmed desorption (TPD), and low-energy electron diffraction (LEED)] to gain insight into the reaction pathway and the nature of the reaction intermediates. The experimental techniques were combined with a computational approach using density functional theory (DFT). Acetylene adsorbs irreversibly on the Rh(100) surface and eventually decomposes to atomic carbon and gas-phase hydrogen. The combination of experimental and computational results enabled us to determine the most likely reaction pathway for the decomposition process.     

Mechanisms for NH3 decomposition on Si(100)-(2 x 1) surface: a quantum chemical cluster model study

In this paper, we present a detailed mechanism for the complete decomposition of NH3 to NHx(a) (x = 0-2). Our calculations show that the initial decomposition of NH3 to NH2(a) and H(a) is facile, with a transition-state energy 7.4 kcal mol-1 below the vacuum level. Further decomposition to N(a) or recombination-desorption to NH3(g) is hindered by a large barrier of approximately 46 kcal mol-1. There are two plausible NH2 decomposition pathways: 1) NH2(a) insertion into the surface Si-Si dimer bond, and 2) NH2(a) insertion into the Si-Si backbond. We find that pathway (1) leads to the formation of a surface Si = N unit, similar to a terminal Si = Nt pair in silicon nitride, Si3N4, while pathway (2) leads to the formation of a near-planar, subsurface Si3N unit, in analogy to a central nitrogen atom (Nc) bounded to three silicon atoms in the Si3N4 environment. Based on these results, a plausible microscopic mechanism for the nitridation of the Si(100)-(2 x 1) surface by NH3 is proposed.     

Reaction rate constants and mechanistic detail of the Ni+ + butanone reaction

The unimolecular decomposition kinetics of the jet-cooled Ni(+)-butanone cluster ion has been monitored over a range of internal energies (16000-18800 cm?1). First-order rate constants are acquired for the precursor ion dissociation into three product channels. The temporal growth of each fragment ion is selectively monitored in a custom instrument and yields similar valued rate constants at a common ion internal energy. The decomposition reaction is proposed to proceed along two parallel reaction coordinates. Each dissociative pathway is rate-limited by the initial Ni(+) oxidative addition into either the C-CH? or C-C?H? σ-bond in the butanone molecule. Ratios of integrated product ion intensities as well as the measured rate constants are used to determine values for each σ-bond activation rate constant. The lowest energy measurement presented in this study occurs when the binary complex ion possesses an internal energy of 16000 cm?1. Under this condition, the Ni(+) assisted decomposition of the butanone molecule is rate limited by k(act)(C-C?H?) = (0.92 ± 0.08) × 10? s?1 and k(act)(C-CH?) = (0.37 ± 0.03) × 10? s?1. The relative magnitudes of the two rate constants reflect the greater probability for reaction to occur along the C-C?H? σ-bond insertion pathway, consistent with thermodynamic arguments. DFT calculations at the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level of theory suggest the most likely geometries and relative energies of the reactants, intermediates, and products.     

Azolylpentazoles as high-energy materials: a computational study

The structures of highly energetic substituted pentazole compounds and their decomposition to give dinitrogen and the corresponding azide were investigated by ab initio quantum chemical methods. The substituents include azolyl groups (five-membered aromatic rings with different numbers of nitrogen atoms), CH(3), CN, and F. The decomposition pathway was followed for several substituted azolyl- and phenylpentazoles and compared to the known experimental and theoretical results. The NMR parameters of most of the as-yet unknown pentazole compounds were predicted. The activation energy for the decomposition increases, while the decomposition energy of the substituted pentazole decreases with greater electron-donating character of the substituent of the pentazole. Thus, anionic pentazoles are more stable than neutral pentazoles. Methylpentazole is predicted to be among the most stable pentazoles, even though it does not contain an aromatic system.     

Identification of decomposition reactions for HMDSO organosilicon using quantum chemical calculations

Hexamethyldisiloxane [HMDSO, (CH₃)₃-SiOSi-(CH₃)₃] is an important precursor for SiO₂ formation during flame-based silica material synthesis. As a result, HMDSO reactions in flame have been widely investigated experimentally, and many results have indicated that HMDSO decomposition reactions occur very early in this process. In this paper, quantum chemical calculations are performed to identify the initial decomposition of HMDSO and its subsequent reactions using the density functional theory at the level of B3LYP/6-311+G (d, p). Four reaction pathways—(a) Si O bond dissociation of HMDSO, (b) Si C bond dissociation of HMDSO, (c) dissociation and recombination of Si O and Si C bonds, and (d) elimination of a methane molecule from HMDSO—have been examined and identified. From the results, it is found that the barrier of 84.38 kcal/mol and Si O bond dissociation energy of 21.55 kcal/mol are required for the initial decomposition reaction of HMDSO in the first pathway, but the highest free energy barrier (100.69 kcal/mol) is found in the third reaction pathway. By comparing the free energy barriers and reaction rate constants, it is concluded that the most possible initial decomposition reaction of HMDSO is to eliminate the CH₃ radical by Si C bond dissociation.     

硝基甲烷热解机理的量子化学研究

用ab initio和NMDO 两种方法, 对CH~3NO~2沿C-N键断裂的热解反应过程 进行了较细致的计算研究。所得势能曲线(E-Rc-n) 彼此一致,并与Kaufman等[1]的近期结果相符。将各单点下所得正则离域化处理, 发现当C和N原子间的距离Rc-n=1.6-1.8A时, 定域成键σc-n-MO从能级较低的五的个占有MO跃升为HOMO(即第16个MO)。考察占有末占有前沿轨道 能级和位相, 可推在CH~3NO~2热 解的初抬阶段, 通过分子重排成C-O键的可能性较小 。其热解引发步骤可能是生成.CH~3和.NO~2双自由基。     

Shock wave induced decomposition of RDX: quantum chemistry calculations

Quantum chemical calculations on single molecules were performed to provide insight into the decomposition mechanism of shocked RDX. These calculations complement time-resolved spectroscopy measurements on shock wave compressed RDX crystals (previous paper, this issue). It is proposed that unimolecular decomposition is the primary pathway for RDX decomposition in its early stages and at stresses lower than approximately 10 GPa. This decomposition leads to the generation of broadband emission from 350 to 850 nm. Chemiluminescence from (2)B1 and (2)B2 excited states of NO2 radicals is associated with a major portion of the experimentally observed emission spectrum (>400 nm). The remaining portion (<400 nm) of the emission spectrum primarily results from excited HONO intermediates. It is proposed that for stresses higher than 10 GPa, bimolecular reactions between radical decomposition products and unreacted RDX molecules become the dominant pathway. This radical assisted homolysis pathway is cyclic and leads to the acceleration of decomposition, with increased production of low energy NO2 radicals. These radicals produce emission that is stronger in the long wavelength portion of the spectrum. Finally, a comprehensive chemical decomposition mechanism is put forward that is consistent with the experimental observations of shock-induced emission in RDX crystals.     

Urea and urea nitrate decomposition pathways: a quantum chemistry study

Electronic structure calculations have been performed to investigate the initial steps in the gas-phase decomposition of urea and urea nitrate. The most favorable decomposition pathway for an isolated urea molecule leads to HNCO and NH3. Gaseous urea nitrate formed by the association of urea and HNO3 has two isomeric forms, both of which are acid-base complexes stabilized by the hydrogen-bonding interactions involving the acidic proton of HNO3 and either the O or N atoms of urea, with binding energies (D0(o), calculated at the G2M level with BSSE correction) of 13.7 and 8.3 kcal/mol, respectively, and with estimated standard enthalpies of formation (delta(f)H298(o) of -102.3 and -97.1 kcal/mol, respectively. Both isomers can undergo relatively facile double proton transfer within cyclic hydrogen-bonded structures. In both cases, HNO3 plays a catalytic role for the (1,3) H-shifts in urea by acting as a donor of the first and an acceptor of the second protons transferred in a relay fashion. The double proton transfer in the carbonyl/hydrogen bond complex mediates the keto-enol tautomerization of urea, and in the other complex the result is the breakdown of the urea part to the HNCO and NH3 fragments. The enolic form of urea is not expected to accumulate in significant quantities due to its very fast conversion back to H2NC(O)NH2 which is barrierless in the presence of HNO3. The HNO3-catalyzed breakdown of urea to HNCO and NH3 is predicted to be the most favorable decomposition pathway for gaseous urea nitrate. Thus, HNCO + NH3 + HNO3 and their association products (e.g., ammonium nitrate and isocyanate) are expected to be the major initial products of the urea nitrate decomposition. This prediction is consistent with the experimental T-jump/FTIR data [Hiyoshi et al. 12th Int. Detonation Symp., Aug 11-16, San Diego, CA, 2002].     

Mechanism of thermal unimolecular decomposition of TNT (2,4,6-trinitrotoluene): a DFT study

The widespread and long-term use of TNT has led to extensive study of its thermal and explosive properties. Although much research on the thermolysis of TNT and polynitro organic compounds has been undertaken, the kinetics and mechanism of the initiation and propagation reactions and their dependence on the temperature and pressure are unclear. Here, we report a comprehensive computational DFT investigation of the unimolecular adiabatic (thermal) decomposition of TNT. On the basis of previous experimental observations, we have postulated three possible pathways for TNT decomposition, keeping the aromatic ring intact, and calculated them at room temperature (298 K), 800, 900, 1500, 1700, and 2000 K and at the detonation temperature of 3500 K. Our calculations suggest that at relatively low temperatures, reaction of the methyl substituent on the ring (C-H alpha attack), leading to the formation of 2,4-dinitro-anthranil, is both kinetically and thermodynamically the most favorable pathway, while homolysis of the C-NO(2) bond is endergonic and kinetically less favorable. At approximately 1250-1500 K, the situation changes, and the C-NO(2) homolysis pathway dominates TNT decomposition. Rearrangement of the NO(2) moiety to ONO followed by O-NO homolysis is a thermodynamically more favorable pathway than the C-NO(2) homolysis pathway at room temperature and is the most exergonic pathway at high temperatures; however, at all temperatures, the C-NO(2) --> C-ONO rearrangement-homolysis pathway is kinetically unfavorable as compared to the other two pathways. The computational temperature analysis we have performed sheds light on the pathway that might lead to a TNT explosion and on the temperature in which it becomes exergonic. The results appear to correlate closely with the experimentally derived shock wave detonation time (100-200 fs) for which only the C-NO(2) homolysis pathway is kinetically accessible.     

The rearrangement of 4,4-diphenylcyclohexa-2,5-dienylidene

Pyrolytic decomposition of the Li salt of the tosylhydrazone of 4,4-diphenyl-2,5-cyclohexadienone produces a mixture of biphenyl, o-terphenyl, p-terphenyl, methyl-o-terphenyl and the azine of 4,4-diphenyl-2,5-cyclohexadienone (13). Insight into the reaction pathway was provided by the pyrolytic decomposition of 2-deuterio tosylhydrazone 8a which generates o-terphenyl 10a and 10b in ratio of 69:31. These results are interpreted in terms of the carbene rearrangements of Schemes 2, 3 and 5.     

Dihydrogen trioxide clusters, (HOOOH)n (n = 2-4), and the hydrogen-bonded complexes of HOOOH with acetone and dimethyl ether: implications for the decomposition of HOOOH

Hydrogen-bonded gas-phase molecular clusters of dihydrogen trioxide (HOOOH) have been investigated using DFT (B3LYP/6-311++G(3df,3pd)) and MP2/6-311++G(3df,3pd) methods. The binding energies, vibrational frequencies, and dipole moments for the various dimer, trimer, and tetramer structures, in which HOOOH acts as a proton donor as well as an acceptor, are reported. The stronger binding interaction in the HOOOH dimer, as compared to that in the analogous cyclic structure of the HOOH dimer, indicates that dihydrogen trioxide is a stronger acid than hydrogen peroxide. A new decomposition pathway for HOOOH was explored. Decomposition occurs via an eight-membered ring transition state for the intermolecular (slightly asynchronous) transfer of two protons between the HOOOH molecules, which form a cyclic dimer, to produce water and singlet oxygen (Delta (1)O 2). This autocatalytic decomposition appears to explain a relatively fast decomposition (Delta H a(298K) = 19.9 kcal/mol, B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p)) of HOOOH in nonpolar (inert) solvents, which might even compete with the water-assisted decomposition of this simplest of polyoxides (Delta H a(298K) = 18.8 kcal/mol for (H 2O) 2-assisted decomposition) in more polar solvents. The formation of relatively strongly hydrogen-bonded complexes between HOOOH and organic oxygen bases, HOOOH-B (B = acetone and dimethyl ether), strongly retards the decomposition in these bases as solvents, most likely by preventing such a proton transfer.     

Theoretical Study of the Unimolecular Decomposition Mechanism of Chloromethanol

The decomposition pathways of chloromethanol have been studied by ab initio calculation. Equilibriums and transition states have been optimized at the UMP2(full)/6–31G(d) level. The single point energies have been obtained at higher level of G3 (MP2). Four transition states and eight reaction pathways have been revealed and the most favorable reaction to decomposition pathway is the 1, 2‐HCI elimination, which is consistent with the former scientist's conclusion.     

CL-20热分解反应机理的ReaxFF分子动力学模拟

为探究固相CL-20热分解反应机理,本文采用反应分子动力学ReaxFF MD模拟研究了含有128个CL-20分子的超胞模型在800–3000 K温度下的热分解过程。借助作者所在课题组研发的反应分析及可视化工具VARxMD得到了热分解过程中多种反应中间物和较为全面的反应路径。氮氧化物是CL-20初始分解的主要中间产物,其中NO₂是数量最多的初始分解产物,观察到的中间物NO₃的生成量仅次于NO₂。统计CL-20初始分解的所有反应后发现,在所有考察温度下CL-20初始分解路径主要是N―NO₂断裂反应和C―N键断裂引起开环的单分子反应路径。N―NO₂断裂反应数量在高温下显著增多,而C―N键断裂引起的开环反应数量随温度升高变化不大。在低温热分解模拟中还观察到CL-20初始分解阶段生成的NO₂会发生双分子反应—从CL-20分子中夺氧生成NO₃。对CL-20热分解过程中环结构演化进行分析后发现,CL-20分解的早期反应中间物主要为具有3元或2元稠环结构的吡嗪衍生物,随后它们会分解形成单环吡嗪。吡嗪六元环结构在热分解过程中非常稳定,这一模拟结果支持Py-GC/MS实验中提出吡嗪存在的结论。CL-20中的咪唑五元环结构相对不稳定,在热分解过程中会发生开环分解而较早消失。由ReaxFF MD模拟得到的3000 K高温热分解产物N₂,H₂O,CO₂和H₂的数量与爆轰实验的测量结果定量吻合。本文获得的对CL-20热分解机理的认识表明ReaxFF MD结合VARxMD有可能为深入了解热刺激下含能材料复杂化学过程提供一种有前景的方法。     

The mechanism of unimolecular decomposition of 2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazaisowurtzitane. A computational DFT study

By using the B3LYP level of density functional theory, possible decomposition reaction pathways of 2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazaisowurtzitane (CL-20) in the gas phase have been investigated. We have found several types of reactions for this process: homolytic cleavage of an N-N bond to form the NO2* group; HONO elimination; C-C and C-N bonds breaking leading to ring opening; and H-migration. On the basis of the results of computation scanning of the potential energy surface, the most favorite pathway of CL-20 unimolecular decomposition that results in the formation of the stable aromatic compound 1,5-dihydrodiimidazo[4,5-b:4',5'-e]pyrazine has been proposed.     

Density functional theory study of the role of anions on the oxidative decomposition reaction of propylene carbonate

The oxidative decomposition mechanism of the lithium battery electrolyte solvent propylene carbonate (PC) with and without PF(6)(-) and ClO(4)(-) anions has been investigated using the density functional theory at the B3LYP/6-311++G(d) level. Calculations were performed in the gas phase (dielectric constant ε = 1) and employing the polarized continuum model with a dielectric constant ε = 20.5 to implicitly account for solvent effects. It has been found that the presence of PF(6)(-) and ClO(4)(-) anions significantly reduces PC oxidation stability, stabilizes the PC-anion oxidation decomposition products, and changes the order of the oxidation decomposition paths. The primary oxidative decomposition products of PC-PF(6)(-) and PC-ClO(4)(-) were CO(2) and acetone radical. Formation of HF and PF(5) was observed upon the initial step of PC-PF(6)(-) oxidation while HClO(4) formed during initial oxidation of PC-ClO(4)(-). The products from the less likely reaction paths included propanal, a polymer with fluorine and fluoro-alkanols for PC-PF(6)(-) decomposition, while acetic acid, carboxylic acid anhydrides, and Cl(-) were found among the decomposition products of PC-ClO(4)(-). The decomposition pathways with the lowest barrier for the oxidized PC-PF(6)(-) and PC-ClO(4)(-) complexes did not result in the incorporation of the fluorine from PF(6)(-) or ClO(4)(-) into the most probable reaction products despite anions and HF being involved in the decomposition mechanism; however, the pathway with the second lowest barrier for the PC-PF(6)(-) oxidative ring-opening resulted in a formation of fluoro-organic compounds, suggesting that these toxic compounds could form at elevated temperatures under oxidizing conditions.     

Very low-pressure pyrolysis (VLPP) of pentynes. I. Kinetics of the retro-ene decomposition of pent-1-yne

The thermal unimolecular decomposition of pent-1-yne has been investigated over the temperature range of 923–1154 K using the technique of very low-pressure pyrolysis (VLPP). Under the experimental conditions the reaction proceeds predominantly via a molecular retro-ene pathway to yield allene and ethylene. There was some evidence for the occurrence of the higher energy C₃? C₄ bond fission pathway at the high end of the temperature range. Interpretation of the data with the aid of RRKM theory and taking into account a decrease in gas-wall collision efficiency with temperature yields the following high-pressure rate constant expression for the retro-ene pathway: at 1100 K where θ = 2.303 RT kcal/mol and the A factor was assigned from the results of shock-tube studies of similar molecules. These rate parameters are independent of the inclusion of the bond fission pathway in the RRKM calculations. The results are compared with previous data on the retro-ene decomposition of alkynes.     

Mass spectra of new heterocycles: XVI. Electron impact study of alkyl 5-aminothiophene-2-carboxylates

Electron impact mass spectra of alkyl 4-alkoxy-5-amino-3-methylthiophene-2-carboxylates were studied for the first time. These compounds, except for 4-(1-ethoxyethoxy) and 4-(ferrocenylmethoxy) derivatives, give rise to a stable molecular ion whose decomposition follows three pathways. The main fragmentation pathway of the molecular ion is elimination of alkyl radical from the 4-alkoxy group, the second pathway involves expulsion of alkoxy group from the ester moiety, and the third pathway is decomposition of the thiophene ring. The molecular ions of 4-(1-ethoxyethoxy)thiophenes decompose mainly via elimination of ethyl vinyl ether molecule with formation of [M–VinOEt]⁺ · odd-electron ion, and fragmentation of the latter follows general pathways. In the mass spectra of 4-(ferrocenylmethoxy)thiophenes the most abundant are ferrocenylmethyl ion with m/z 199 (I _rel 100%) and fragment ions derived therefrom.     

Are β‐H‐Eliminations or Alkene Insertions Feasible Elementary Steps in Catalytic Cycles Involving Gold(I) Alkyl Species or Gold(I) Hydrides?

The β‐H‐elimination in the (IPr)AuEt complex and its microscopic reverse, the insertion of ethene into (IPr)AuH, were investigated in a combined experimental and computational study. Our DFT‐D3 calculations predict free‐energy barriers of 49.7 and 36.4 kcal mol^?1 for the elimination and insertion process, respectively, which permit an estimation of the rate constants for these reactions according to classical transition‐state theory. The elimination/insertion pathway is found to involve a high‐energy ethene hydride species and is not significantly affected by continuum solvent effects. The high barriers found in the theoretical study were then confirmed experimentally by measuring decomposition temperatures for several different (IPr)Au^I‐alkyl complexes which, with a slow decomposition at 180 °C, are significantly higher than those of other transition‐metal alkyl complexes. In addition, at the same temperature, the decomposition of (IPr)AuPh and (IPr)AuMe, both of which cannot undergo β‐H‐elimination, indicates that the pathway for the observed decomposition at 180 °C is not a β‐H‐elimination. According to the calculations, the latter should not occur at temperatures below 200 °C. The microscopic reverse of the β‐H‐elimination, the insertion of ethene into the (IPr)AuH could neither be observed at pressures up to 8 bar at RT nor at 1 bar at 80 °C. The same is true for the strain‐activated norbornene.     

Decomposition pathway of diaquabis(N,N'-dimethyl-1,2-ethanediamine)Ni(II) acesulfamate

Summary Prediction of the thermal decomposition pathway of the metal complexes is very important from the theoretical and experimental point of view to determine the properties and structural differences of complexes. In the prediction of the decomposition pathways of complexes, besides the thermal analysis techniques, some ancillary techniques e.g. mass spectroscopy is also used in recent years. In the light of the molecular structures and fragmentation components, it is believed that the thermal decomposition pathway of most molecules is similar to the ionisation mechanism occurring in the mass spectrometer ionisation process. In this study, the thermal decomposition pathway of [Ni(dmen)₂(H₂O)₂](acs)₂ complex have been predicted by the help of thermal analysis data (TG, DTG and DTA) and mass spectroscopic fragmentation pattern. The complex was decomposed in four stages: a) dehydration between 84-132°C, b) loss of N,N'-dimethylethylenediamine (dmen) ligand, c) decomposition of remained dmen and acesulfamato (acs) by releasing SO₂, d) burning of the organic residue to resulting in NiO. The volatile products observed in the thermal decomposition process were also observed in the mass spectrometer ionisation process except molecular peak and it was concluded that the ionisation and thermal decomposition pathway of the complex resembles each other.     

NO-Mediated aromatic nitration during decomposition of phenolic S-nitrosothiols in non-aqueous aerobic medium

Five novel S-nitrosothiol compounds (6-10) derived from L-cysteine were generated in solution and their decomposition rate was followed by UV spectroscopy. In acetonitrile, compounds 9 and 10 were the most stable of this series with a half-life of 24 h. The final organic decomposition products of the five S-nitrosothiols were also analysed. Derivatives 8, 9, and 10, possessing a phenolic hydroxyl group, afforded an unexpected decomposition pathway, with nitration of aromatic ring occurring in non-aqueous media. A mechanism involving a phenoxy radical seems to be implicated.