Theoretical study on reaction mechanism of isocyanate radical NCO with ethene

The NCO + C₂H₄ reaction is simple and prototype for reaction of the NCO radical with unsaturated hydrocarbons, and it is considered to be important in fuel‐rich combustion. In this article, we for the first time perform detailed theoretical investigations for its reaction mechanism based on Gaussian‐3//B3LYP scheme covering various entrance and decomposition channels. The most favorable channel is firstly the NCO and C₂H₄ approach each other, forming a weakly‐bound complex L1 OCN···C₂H₄, followed by the formation of isomer L2 OCNCH₂CH₂ via a small barrier of 1.3 kcal/mol. Transition states of any decomposable or isomeric channels for L2 in energy are much higher than reactants, which indicate that adduct L2 has stabilization effect in this NCO + C₂H₄ reaction. The direct H‐abstraction channel leading to P1 HNCO + C₂H₃, might have an important contribution to the eventual products in high temperature. These results can well explain available kinetic experiment. Moreover, reaction mechanism for the title reaction is significantly different from the NCO + C₂H₂ reaction which proceeds on most favorably to generate the products HCN + HCCO and OCCHCN + H via a four‐membered ring intermediate. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009