Liquid-phase oxidation of isobutane—a reanalysis of the data

Data on the liquid-phase oxidation of isobutane at 50 and 100°C have been reexamined, using a modified mechanism to take into account the termination by isobutylperoxy radicals. Algebraic expressions are derived from steady-state methods. Using Arrhenius parameters fitted by transition-state A factors and activation energies derived from observed “best” rate constants, new sets of parameters are derived for the rate constants for propagation by t? BuO₂ + t? BuH → t-BuO₂H + t? Bu^?: where θ = 2.303RT in kcal/mol. This, together with new values for the termination parameters and rates of i-butyl production by k_4B, is shown to give good agreement with the published data. An important reaction: is shown to quench the possible contributions to termination of adventitious radicals such as CH₃O^?₂.