Very low-pressure pyrolysis (VLPP) of but-1-yne the heat of formation and stabilization energy of the propargyl radical

The unimolecular decomposition of but-1-yne has been investigated over the temperature range of 1052° – 1152°K using the technique of very low-pressure pyrolysis (VLPP). The primary process is C? C bond fission yielding methyl and propargyl radicals. Application of RRKM theory shows that the experimental rate constants are consistent with the highpressure Arrhenius parameters given by where θ = 2.303 RT kcal/mol. The parameters are in good agreement with estimates based on shock-tube studies. The activation energy, combined with thermochemical data, leads to DH°HCCCH₂? CH₃] = 76.0, ΔH(HCC?CH_2,g) = 81.4, and DH° HCCCH₂? H] = 89.2, all in kcal/mol at 300°K. The stabilization energy of the propargyl radical SE° (HCC?CH₂) has been found to be 8.8 kcal/mol. Recent result for the shock-tube pyrolysis of some alkynes have been analyzed and shown to yield values for the heat of formation and stabilization energy of the propargyl radical in excellent agreement with the present work. From a consideration of all results it is recommended that ΔH(HCC?CH_2,g) = 81.5±1.0, DHHCCCH₂? H] = 89.3 ± 1.0, and SE° (HCC?CH₂) = 8.7±1.0 kcal/mol.