The kinetics of the gas phase decomposition reactions of the hexafluoro-t-butoxy radical

Hexafluoro-t-butoxy radicals have been generated by reacting fluorine with hexafluoro-2-methyl isopropanol: Over the temperature range of 406–600 K the hexafluoro-t-butoxy radical decomposes exclusively by loss of a CF₃ radical [reaction (-2)] rather than by loss of a CH₃ radical [reaction (-1)]: (1) The limits of detectability of the product CF₃COCF₃, by gas-chromatographic analysis, place a lower limit on the ratio k_?2/k_-1 of ～80. The implications of this finding in relation to the reverse radical addition reactions to the carbonyl group are briefly discussed. A thermochemical kinetic calculation reveals a discrepancy in the kinetics and thermodynamics of the decomposition and formation reactions of the related t-butoxy radical:      

Decomposition of the t-butoxy radical — I. Studies over the temperature range 402–443 K

By allowing the t-butoxy radical to decompose in the presence of nitric oxide, it has been possible to determine rate constants for decomposition by the measurements of the relative rates (2) and (3) Process (3) is clearly pressure dependent. The value of k₃(∞) has been determined in the presence of several inert gases (CF₄, SF₆, N₂, and Ar) and a value of k₃ interpolated for atmospheric conditions. The results may be compared with those for other relevant alkoxy radicals at room temperature. Extrapolated values for k₃ in the presence of CF₄ lead to the result      

The kinetics of the thermal bromination of CF3I. Determination of the bond dissociation energy D(CF3−I)

The kinetics of the thermal bromination reaction have been studied in the range of 173–321°C. For the step we obtain where θ=2.303RT cal/mole. From the activation energy for reaction (11), we calculate that This is compared with previously published values of D(CF₃?I). The relevance of the result to published work on k_c for a combination of CF₃ radicals is discussed.     

Decomposition of the t-butoxy radical: II. Studies over the temperature range 303—393 K

The near U-V photolysis of t-butyl nitrite has been studied over the temperature range 303–393 K. Under these conditions t-butyl nitrite was shown to be a very clean photochemical source of t-butoxy radicals. This allows a study of the decomposition of the t-butoxy radical to be made over this temperature range (3). (1) Extrapolation of the rate constants k₃ to high pressure and combination with our previous thermal data give the results:      

Shock tube study of cyanogen oxidation kinetics

Mixtures of cyanogen and nitrous oxide diluted in argon were shock-heated to measure the rate constants of A broad-band mercury lamp was used to measure CN in absorption at 388 nm [B²Σ⁺(v = 0) ← X²Σ⁺(v = 0)], and the spectral coincidence of a CO infrared absorption line [v(2 ← 1), J(37 ← 38)] with a CO laser line [v(6 → 5), J(15 → 16)] was exploited to monitor CO in absorption. The CO measurement established that reaction (3) produces CO in excited vibrational states. A computer fit of the experiments near 2000 K led to An additional measurement of NO via infrared absorption led to an estimate of the ratio k₅/k₆: with k₅/k₆ ? 10^3.36±0.27 at 2150 K. Mixtures of cyanogen and oxygen diluted in argon were shock heated to measure the rate constant of and the ratio k₅/k₆ by monitoring CN in absorption. We found near 2400 K: and The combined measurements of k₅/k₆ lead to k₅/k₆ ? 10^?3.07 exp(+31,800/T) (±60%) for 2150 ≤ T ≤ 2400 K.     

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.     

The kinetics and the mechanism of the thermal decomposition of bis(trifluoromethyl) trioxide. The influence of carbonmonoxide on its decomposition

The kinetics of the thermal decomposition of CF₃O₃CF₃ has been investigated in the pressure range of 15–599 torr at temperatures between 59.8 and 90.3°C and also in the presence of CO between 42 and 7°C. The reaction is homogeneous. In the absence of CO the only reaction products are CF₃O₂CF₃ and O₂. The rate of reaction is strictly proportional to the trioxide pressure, and is not affected by the total pressure, the presence of inert gases, and oxygen. The following mechanism explains the experimental results: In the presence of CO there appear CO₂, (CF₃OCO)₂, and CF₃O₂C(O)OCF₃ as products. With increasing temperature the amount of peroxicarbonate decreases, while the amounts of oxalate and CO₂ increase. The rate of decomposition of the trioxide above a limiting pressure of about 10 torr CO is strictly first order and independent of CO pressure, total pressure, and the pressure of the products. The addition of larger amounts of O₂ to the CO containing system chaqnges the course of the reaction.     

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.     

The kinetics of the reactions of i-C3F7 radicals with BR2 and HBr

The reactions have been studied competitively in the vapor phase over the range of 52–204°C. The i-C₃F₇ radicals were generated by means of the reaction It was found that where θ = 2.303RT J/mol. Absolute Arrhenius parameters are derived for the reactions where R = CF₃, C₂F₅, and i-C₃F₇.     

The gas-phase kinetics of the reaction of 1,1,1-trifluoroethyl iodine with HI: The C?I bond dissocation energy in 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl iodide

The kinetics of the gas-phase reaction of 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl iodide with hydrogen iodide has been studied over the temperature range of 525°K to 602°K and a tenfold variation in the ratio of CF₃CH₂I/HI. The experimental results are in good agreement with the expected free radical-mechanism: An analysis of the kinetic data yield: where θ =2.303RT in kcal/mol. If these results are combined with the assumption that E₂ = 0 ± 1 kcal/mol, then one obtains DH (CF₃CH₂? I) = 56.3 kcal/mol. This result may be compared with DH(CH₃CH₂? I) = 52.9 kcal/mol and suggests that substitution of three fluorines for hydrogen in the beta position strengthens the C? I bond slightly.     

The kinetics and the mechanism of the thermal gas-phase reaction between NO2 and 1,1-dichlorodifluoroethylene,CF2CCl2

The kinetics of the gas phase reaction between NO₂ and CF₂CCl₂ has been investigated in the temperature range from 50 to 80°C. The reaction is homogeneous. Three products are formed: O₂NCF₂CCl₂NO₂ and equimolecular amounts of CINO and of O₂NCF₂C(O)Cl. The rate of consumption of the reactants is independent of the total pressure, the reaction products, and added inert gases and can be represented by a second-order reaction: However, the distribution of the products is influenced by the pressure of the present gases, which favor the formation of the dinitro-compound in a specific way. The effect of CF₂CCl₂ is the greatest. In the absence of added gases, the ratio of O₂NCF₂CCl₂NO₂ to that of O₂NCF₂C(O)Cl is proportional to (CF₂CCl₂ + γ_P products). The experimental results can be explaned by the following mechanism: P and X represent the products and the added gases:      

The kinetics and the mechanism of the thermal gas-phase reaction between bis(trifluoromethyl)trioxide,CF3O3CF3 and 1,1-dichlorodifluoroethylene,CF2CCI2

The thermal addition of CF₃O₃CF₃(T) to CF₂CCl₂(E) has been investigated between 49.6 and 69.5°C. The initial pressure of CF₃O₃CF₃ was varied between 7 and 240 torr and that of CF₂CCl₂ between 4 and 600 torr. Four products of formula CF₃O(E)_j OOCF₃, where j = 1 → 4 are formed. The sum of the products Σ CF₃O(E)_jOOCF₃ is equal to the amount of trioxide decomposed. The reaction is homogeneous. Its rate is not affected by the total pressure and the presence of inert gas. It is a free radical telomerization with four basic steps: thermal decomposition of CF₃O₃CF₃ into CF₃O^. and CF₃O₂^., chain initiation by addition of CF₃O^. to olefin incorporated in, and telomeric radicals termination. The consumption of alkene is well represented by the equation: where (d[E]/d[T]) = is the mean chain length of telomerization. varies from 1.45 at 1.5 torr of E to 3.3 at 400 torr of E. Above this pressure E has no influence on . The estimated value of the constant for the addition of telomeric radicals to alkene is:      

The self-inhibited pyrolysis of isobutane

The pyrolysis of isobutane was investigated in the ranges of 770° to 855°K and 20 to 150 Torr at up to 4% decomposition. The reaction is homogeneous and strongly self-inhibited. A simple Rice-Herzfeld chain terminated by the recombination of methyl radicals is proposed for the initial, uninhibited reaction. Self-inhibition is due to abstraction of hydrogen atoms from product isobutene giving resonance-stabilized 2-methylallyl radicals which participate in termination reactions. The reaction chains are shown to be long. It is suggested that a previously published rate constant for the initiation reaction (1) is incorrect and the value k₁ = 10^16.8 exp (?81700 cal mol^?1/RT)s^?1 is recommended. The values of the rate constants for the reactions (4i) (4t) (8) are estimated to be and From a recalculation of previously published data on the pyrolysis of isobutane at lower temperatures and higher pressures, the value k_11c, = 10^9.6 cm³ mol^?1 s^?1 is obtained for the rate constant of recombination of t-butyl. A calculation which is independent of any assumed rate constants or thermochemistry shows that the predominant chain termination reaction is the recombination of two methyl radicals in the conditions of the present work and the recombination of two t-butyl radicals in those of our previous study at lower temperatures and higher pressures.     

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 .     

The kinetics of the reactions of C2F5 radicals with Br2 and HBr

A mixture of Br₂ + HBr + C₂F₅I was photolyzed in the vapor phase. The reaction forms C₂F₅ radicals which are removed by Competitive studies over the range of 74–146°C gave ratios of k₁₀/k₉, and these were combined with values obtained previously by different methods at higher temperatures upto 515°C to give where θ = 2.303RT J/mol. A value is assigned to the activation energy E₁₀, and this, with other data, leads to at 25°C. This result is in excellent agreement with two previous independent determinations.     

The reactions of C2F5 radicals with benzene in the vapor phase

C₂F₅ radicals were generated in the presence of benzene vapor by the reaction The radicals react with the benzene by addition and pseudo H abstraction The rate constant k_add for the addition reaction (7) is given by where θ = 2.303RT cal/mole and k_c is the rate constant for combination of C₂F₅ radicals. The addition becomes reversible above 110°C. The reactions of CF₃ and C₂F₅ radicals with benzene vapor are compared.     

The gas phase reaction of CF3 radicals with C6F5H in the temperature range 373–658 K

CF₃ radicals were generated by the photolysis of perfluoroacetic anhydride. In the presence of pentafluorobenzene, the CF₃ radicals react according to the following mechanism: It was found that the addition reaction (3) becomes reversible above ca. 453 K. The addition rate parameters have been revised and they satisfactorily agree with those reported previously. At temperatures higher than 593 K, only true H-abstraction occurs. The rate constant k_H for reaction (5) is given by: where θ = 2.303 RT kJmol^?1 and k_c is the rate constant for combination of CF₃ radicals. The reactions of CF₃ with benzene and pentafluorobenzene are compared.     

H2S-promoted thermal isomerization of butene-2 CIS to butene-1 or butene-2 trans around 500°C

H₂S increases the thermal isomerization of butene-2 cis (B_c) to butene-1 (B₁) and butene-2 trans (B_t) around 500°C. This effect is interpreted on the basis of a free radical mechanism in which buten-2-yl and thiyl free radicals are the main chain carriers. B₁ formation is essentially explainedby the metathetical steps: whereas the free radical part of B_t formation results from the addition–elimination processes: . It is shown that the initiation step of pure B_c thermal reaction is essentially unimolecular: and that a new initiation step occurs in the presence of H₂S: . The rate constant ratio has been evaluated: and the best values of k₁ and k_1', consistent with this work and with thermochemical data, are . From thermochemical data of the literature and an “intrinsic value” of E_?3 ? 2 kcal/mol given by Benson, further values of rate constants may be proposed: is shown to be E₄ ? 3.5 ± 2 kcal/mol, of the same order as the activation energy of the corresponding metathetical step.     

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 oxidation of CFClCFCl and CF2CCl2

The oxidation of CFClCFCl and CF₂CCl₂ were studied at room temperature by chlorine- and oxygen-atom initiation. The chlorine-atom initiated oxidation of CFClCFCl yields CCl₂FCF(O) as the exclusive product. Its quantum yield is ～420, which gives k_3a/k_3b=210 where reactions (3a) and (3b) are The O(³P)? CFClCFCl reaction gives CClFO with a quantum yield of 0.80, polymer, and small amounts of an unidentified product which is probably cyclo-(CFCl)₃. Thereaction paths are with k_9a/k₉=0.80. The overall reaction of O(³P) with CFClCFCl proceed one fifth as fast as the O(³P)-C₂F₄ reaction. When O₂ is also present, the same free-radical chain oxidation occurs by O(³P)initiation as by chlorine-atom initiation. The chlorine-atom initiated oxidation of CF₂CCl₂ gives CF₂ClCCl(O) as the major product, with quantum yields ranging from 42 to 85. Smaller amounts of CF₂O and CCl₂O are produced in equal amounts with quantum yields of ～3.5. The reactions responsible for the products are The O(³P)-CF₂CCl₂interaction yields CF₂O and with quantum yields of 1.0 and ～0.85, respectively. In thepresence of O₂ the radical chain products are observed, but the mechanism is different than that for other chloroolefins.