The effect of hydrogen bonding on the reactivity of OH radicals with prenol and isoprenol: a shock tube and multi-structural torsional variational transition state theory study.

The presence of two functional groups (OH and double bond) in C5 methyl-substituted enols (i.e., isopentenols), such as 3-methyl-2-buten-1-ol (prenol) and 3-methyl-3-buten-1-ol (isoprenol), makes them excellent biofuel candidates as fuel additives. As OH radicals are abundant in both combustion and atmospheric environments, OH-initiated oxidation of these isopentenols over wide ranges of temperatures and pressures needs to be investigated. In alkenes, OH addition to the double bond is prominent at low temperatures (i.e., below ∼700 K), and H-atom abstraction dominates at higher temperatures. However, we find that the OH-initiated oxidation of prenol and isoprenol displays a larger role for OH addition at higher temperatures. In this work, the reaction kinetics of prenol and isoprenol with OH radicals was investigated over the temperature range of 900-1290 K and pressure of 1-5 atm by utilizing a shock tube and OH laser diagnostic. To rationalize these chemical systems, variational transition state theory calculations with multi-structural torsional anharmonicity and small curvature tunneling corrections were run using a potential energy surface characterized at the UCCSD(T)/jun-cc-pVQZ//M06-2X/6-311++G(2df,2pd) level of theory. A good agreement was observed between the experiment and theory, with both predicting a non-Arrhenius behavior and negligible pressure effects. OH additions to the double bond of prenol and isoprenol were found to be important, with at least 50% contribution to the total rate constants even at temperatures as high as 700 and 2000 K, respectively. This behavior was attributed to the stabilizing effect induced by hydrogen bonding between the reacting OH radical and the OH functional group of isopentenols at the saddle points. These stabilizing intermolecular interactions help mitigate the entropic effects that hinder association reactions as temperature increases, thus extending the prominent role of addition pathways to high temperatures. The site-specific rate constants were also found to be slower than their analogous reactions of OH + n-alkenes.

Reaction kinetics of 1,4-cyclohexadienes with OH radicals: an experimental and theoretical study.

This work presents the OH-initiated oxidation kinetics of 1,4-cyclochexadiene (1,4-CHD). The temperature dependence of the reaction was investigated by utilizing a laser flash photolysis flow reactor and laser-induced fluorescence (LPFR/LIF) technique over the temperature range of 295-438 K and a pressure of ∼50 torr. The kinetics of the reaction was followed by measuring the LIF signal of OH radicals near 308 nm. The reaction of OH radicals with 1,4-CHD exhibited a clear negative temperature dependence. To discern the role of various channels, ab initio and RRKM-based ME calculations (RRKM-ME) were performed over temperatures of 200-2000 K and pressures of 0.76-7600 torr. The computed energy profile revealed that the reaction proceeds via the formation of a pre-reaction van der Waals complex at the entrance channel. The complex was found to be more stable than that usually seen in other alkenes + OH reactions. Both the addition channel and the abstraction reaction of allylic hydrogen were found to have negative energy barriers. Interestingly, the abstraction reaction exhibited a negative temperature dependence at low temperatures and contributed significantly (∼37%) to the total rate coefficients even under atmospheric conditions. At T ≥ 900 K, the reaction was found to proceed exclusively (>95%) via the abstraction channel. Due to the competing channels, the reaction of OH radicals with 1,4-CHD displays complicated kinetic behaviours, reflecting the salient features of the energy profile. The role of competing channels was fully characterized by our kinetic model. The calculated rate coefficients showed excellent agreement with the available experimental data.

The kinetics of the reactions of Br atoms with the xylenes: an experimental and theoretical study.

This work reports the temperature dependence of the rate coefficients for the reactions of atomic bromine with the xylenes that are determined experimentally and theoretically. The experiments were carried out in a Pyrex chamber equipped with fluorescent lamps to measure the rate coefficients at temperatures from 295 K to 346 K. Experiments were made at several concentrations of oxygen to assess its potential kinetic role under atmospheric conditions and to validate comparison of our rate coefficients with those obtained by others using air as the diluent. Br2 was used to generate Br atoms photolytically. The relative rate method was used to obtain the rate coefficients for the reactions of Br atoms with the xylenes. The reactions of Br with both toluene and diethyl ether (DEE) were used as reference reactions where the loss of the organic reactants was measured by gas chromatography. The rate coefficient for the reaction of Br with diethyl ether was also measured in the same way over the same temperature range with toluene as the reference reactant. The rate coefficients were independent of the concentration of O2. The experimentally determined temperature dependence of the rate coefficients of these reactions can be given in the units cm3 molecule-1 s-1 by: o-xylene + Br, log10(k) = (-10.03 ± 0.35) - (921 ± 110)/T; m-xylene + Br, log10(k) = (-10.78 ± 0.09) - (787 ± 92/T); p-xylene + Br, log10(k) = (-9.98 ± 0.39) - (956 ± 121)/T; diethyl ether + Br, log10(k) = (-7.69 ± 0.55) - (1700 ± 180)/T). This leads to the following rate coefficients, in the units of cm3 molecule-1 s-1, based on our experimental measurements: o-xylene + Br, k(298 K) = 7.53 × 10-14; m-xylene + Br, k(298 K) = 3.77 × 10-14; p-xylene + Br, k(298 K) = 6.43 × 10-14; diethyl ether + Br, k(298 K) = 4.02 × 10-14. Various ab initio methods including G3, G4, CCSD(T)/cc-pV(D,T)Z//MP2/aug-cc-pVDZ and CCSD(T)/cc-pV(D,T)Z//B3LYP/cc-pVTZ levels of theory were employed to gain detailed information about the kinetics as well as the thermochemical quantities. Among the ab initio methods, the G4 method performed remarkably well in describing the kinetics and thermochemistry of the xylenes + Br reaction system. Our theoretical calculations revealed that the reaction of Br atoms with the xylenes proceeds via a complex forming mechanism in an overall endothermic reaction. The rate determining step is the intramolecular rearrangement of the pre-reactive complex leading to the post-reactive complex. After lowering the relative energy of the corresponding transition state by less than 1.5 kJ mol-1 for this step in the reaction of each of the xylenes with Br, the calculated rate coefficients are in very good agreement with the experimental data.

Cyclic Ketones as Future Fuels: Reactivity with OH Radicals.

For a sustainable energy future, research directions should orient toward exploring new fuels suitable for future advanced combustion engines to achieve better engine efficiency and significantly less harmful emissions. Cyclic ketones, among bio-derived fuels, are of significant interest to the combustion community for several reasons. As they possess high resistance to autoignition characteristics, they can potentially be attractive for fuel blending applications to increase engine efficiency and also to mitigate harmful emissions. Despite their importance, very few studies are rendered in understanding of the chemical kinetic behavior of cyclic ketones under engine-relevant conditions. In this work, we have conducted an experimental investigation for the reaction kinetics of OH radicals with cyclopentanone and cyclohexanone for the first time over a wide range of experimental conditions ( T = 900-1330 K and p ≈ 1.2 bar) in a shock tube. Reaction kinetics was followed by monitoring UV laser absorption of OH radicals near 306.7 nm. Our measured rate coefficients, with an overall uncertainty (2σ) of ±20%, can be expressed in Arrhenius form as (in units of cm3 molecule-1 s-1): k1(CPO+OH)=1.20×10-10exp(-2115KT) (902-1297 K); k2(CHO+OH)=2.11×10-10exp(-2268KT) (935-1331 K). Combining our measured data with the single low-temperature literature data, the following three-parameter Arrhenius expressions (in units of cm3 molecule-1 s-1) are obtained over a wider temperature range: k1(CPO + OH) = 1.07×10-13(T300K)3.20exp(1005.7KT) (298-1297 K); k2(CHO+OH)=3.12×10-13(T300K)2.78exp(897.5KT) (298-1331 K). Discrepancies between the theoretical and current experimental results are observed. Earlier theoretical works are found to overpredict our measured rate coefficients. Interestingly, these cyclic ketones exhibit similar reactivity behavior to that of their linear ketone counterparts over the experimental conditions of this work.

Insights into the Reactions of Hydroxyl Radical with Diolefins from Atmospheric to Combustion Environments.

Hydroxyl radicals and olefins are quite important from a combustion and an atmospheric chemistry standpoint. Large amounts of olefinic compounds are emitted into the earth's atmosphere from both biogenic and anthropogenic sources. Olefins make a significant share in transportation fuels (e.g., up to 20% by volume in gasoline), and they appear as important intermediates during hydrocarbon oxidation. As olefins inhibit low-temperature heat release, they have caught some attention for their applicability in future advanced combustion engine technology. Despite their importance, the literature data for the reactions of olefins are quite scarce. In this work, we have measured the rate coefficients for the reaction of hydroxyl radicals (OH) with several diolefins, namely 1,3-butadiene, cis-1,3-pentadiene, trans-1,3-pentadiene, and 1,4-pentadiene, over a wide range of experimental conditions ( T = 294-468 K and p ∼ 53 mbar; T = 881-1348 K and p ∼ 1-2.5 bar). We obtained the low- T data in a flow reactor using laser flash photolysis and laser-induced fluorescence (LPFR/LIF), and the high- T data were obtained with a shock tube and UV laser-absorption (ST/LA). At low temperatures, we observed differences in the reactivity of cis- and trans-1,3-pentadiene, but these molecules exhibited similar reactivity at high temperatures. Similar to monoolefins + OH reactions, we observed negative temperature dependence for dienes + OH reactions at low temperatures-revealing that OH-addition channels prevail at low temperatures. Except for the 1,4-pentadiene + OH reaction, which shows evidence of significant H-abstraction reactions even at low-temperatures, other diolefins studied here almost exclusively undergo addition reaction with OH radicals at the low-temperature end of our experiments; whereas the reactions mainly switch to hydrogen abstraction at high temperatures. These reactions show complex Arrhenius behavior as a result of many possible chemical pathways in such a convoluted system.

A combined high-temperature experimental and theoretical kinetic study of the reaction of dimethyl carbonate with OH radicals.

The reaction kinetics of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) and OH radicals were investigated behind reflected shock waves over the temperature range of 872-1295 K and at pressures near 1.5 atm. Reaction progress was monitored by detecting OH radicals at 306.69 nm using a UV laser absorption technique. The rate coefficients for the reaction of DMC with OH radicals were extracted using a detailed kinetic model developed by Glaude et al. (Proc. Combust. Inst. 2005, 30(1), 1111-1118). The experimental rate coefficients can be expressed in Arrhenius form as: kexpt'l = 5.15 × 1013 exp(-2710.2/T) cm3 mol-1 s-1. To explore the detailed chemistry of the DMC + OH reaction system, theoretical kinetic analyses were performed using high-level ab initio and master equation/Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel-Marcus (ME/RRKM) calculations. Geometry optimization and frequency calculations were carried out at the second-order Møller-Plesset (MP2) perturbation level of theory using Dunning's augmented correlation consistent-polarized valence double-ζ basis set (aug-cc-pVDZ). The energy was extrapolated to the complete basis set using single point calculations performed at the CCSD(T)/cc-pVXZ (where X = D, T) level of theory. For comparison purposes, additional ab initio calculations were also carried out using composite methods such as CBS-QB3, CBS-APNO, G3 and G4. Our calculations revealed that the H-abstraction reaction of DMC by OH radicals proceeds via an addition elimination mechanism in an overall exothermic process, eventually forming dimethyl carbonate radicals and H2O. Theoretical rate coefficients were found to be in excellent agreement with those determined experimentally. Rate coefficients for the DMC + OH reaction were combined with literature rate coefficients of four straight chain methyl ester + OH reactions to extract site-specific rates of H-abstraction from methyl esters by OH radicals.

H-Abstraction by OH from Large Branched Alkanes: Overall Rate Measurements and Site-Specific Tertiary Rate Calculations.

Reaction rate coefficients for the reaction of hydroxyl (OH) radicals with nine large branched alkanes (i.e., 2-methyl-3-ethyl-pentane, 2,3-dimethyl-pentane, 2,2,3-trimethylbutane, 2,2,3-trimethyl-pentane, 2,3,4-trimethyl-pentane, 3-ethyl-pentane, 2,2,3,4-tetramethyl-pentane, 2,2-dimethyl-3-ethyl-pentane, and 2,4-dimethyl-3-ethyl-pentane) are measured at high temperatures (900-1300 K) using a shock tube and narrow-line-width OH absorption diagnostic in the UV region. In addition, room-temperature measurements of six out of these nine rate coefficients are performed in a photolysis cell using high repetition laser-induced fluorescence of OH radicals. Our experimental results are combined with previous literature measurements to obtain three-parameter Arrhenius expressions valid over a wide temperature range (300-1300 K). The rate coefficients are analyzed using the next-nearest-neighbor (N-N-N) methodology to derive nine tertiary (T003, T012, T013, T022, T023, T111, T112, T113, and T122) site-specific rate coefficients for the abstraction of H atoms by OH radicals from branched alkanes. Derived Arrhenius expressions, valid over 950-1300 K, are given as (the subscripts denote the number of carbon atoms connected to the next-nearest-neighbor carbon): T003 = 1.80 × 10-10 exp(-2971 K/T) cm3 molecule-1 s-1; T012 = 9.36 × 10-11 exp(-3024 K/T) cm3 molecule-1 s-1; T013 = 4.40 × 10-10 exp(-4162 K/T) cm3 molecule-1 s-1; T022 = 1.47 × 10-10 exp(-3587 K/T) cm3 molecule-1 s-1; T023 = 6.06 × 10-11 exp(-3010 K/T) cm3 molecule-1 s-1; T111 = 3.98 × 10-11 exp(-1617 K/T) cm3 molecule-1 s-1; T112 = 9.08 × 10-12 exp(-3661 K/T) cm3 molecule-1 s-1; T113 = 6.74 × 10-9 exp(-7547 K/T) cm3 molecule-1 s-1; T122 = 3.47 × 10-11 exp(-1802 K/T) cm3 molecule-1 s-1.

High Light Absorption and Charge Separation Efficiency at Low Applied Voltage from Sb-Doped SnO2/BiVO4 Core/Shell Nanorod-Array Photoanodes.

BiVO4 has become the top-performing semiconductor among photoanodes for photoelectrochemical water oxidation. However, BiVO4 photoanodes are still limited to a fraction of the theoretically possible photocurrent at low applied voltages because of modest charge transport properties and a trade-off between light absorption and charge separation efficiencies. Here, we investigate photoanodes composed of thin layers of BiVO4 coated onto Sb-doped SnO2 (Sb:SnO2) nanorod-arrays (Sb:SnO2/BiVO4 NRAs) and demonstrate a high value for the product of light absorption and charge separation efficiencies (ηabs × Î·sep) of ∼51% at an applied voltage of 0.6 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode, as determined by integration of the quantum efficiency over the standard AM 1.5G spectrum. To the best of our knowledge, this is one of the highest ηabs × Î·sep efficiencies achieved to date at this voltage for nanowire-core/BiVO4-shell photoanodes. Moreover, although WO3 has recently been extensively studied as a core nanowire material for core/shell BiVO4 photoanodes, the Sb:SnO2/BiVO4 NRAs generate larger photocurrents, especially at low applied voltages. In addition, we present control experiments on planar Sb:SnO2/BiVO4 and WO3/BiVO4 heterojunctions, which indicate that Sb:SnO2 is more favorable as a core material. These results indicate that integration of Sb:SnO2 nanorod cores with other successful strategies such as doping and coating with oxygen evolution catalysts can move the performance of BiVO4 and related semiconductors closer to their theoretical potential.

Correction: A shock tube study of the branching ratios of propene + OH reaction.

Correction for 'A shock tube study of the branching ratios of propene + OH reaction' by Jihad Badra et al., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2015, 17, 2421-2431.

High-Temperature Experimental and Theoretical Study of the Unimolecular Dissociation of 1,3,5-Trioxane.

Unimolecular dissociation of 1,3,5-trioxane was investigated experimentally and theoretically over a wide range of conditions. Experiments were performed behind reflected shock waves over the temperature range of 775-1082 K and pressures near 900 Torr using a high-repetition rate time of flight mass spectrometer (TOF-MS) coupled to a shock tube (ST). Reaction products were identified directly, and it was found that formaldehyde is the sole product of 1,3,5-trioxane dissociation. Reaction rate coefficients were extracted by the best fit to the experimentally measured concentration-time histories. Additionally, high-level quantum chemical and RRKM calculations were employed to study the falloff behavior of 1,3,5-trioxane dissociation. Molecular geometries and frequencies of all species were obtained at the B3LYP/cc-pVTZ, MP2/cc-pVTZ, and MP2/aug-cc-pVDZ levels of theory, whereas the single-point energies of the stationary points were calculated using coupled cluster with single and double excitations including the perturbative treatment of triple excitation (CCSD(T)) level of theory. It was found that the dissociation occurs via a concerted mechanism requiring an energy barrier of 48.3 kcal/mol to be overcome. The new experimental data and theoretical calculations serve as a validation and extension of kinetic data published earlier by other groups. Calculated values for the pressure limiting rate coefficient can be expressed as log10 k∞ (s(-1)) = [15.84 - (49.54 (kcal/mol)/2.3RT)] (500-1400 K).

Theoretical study of the reaction kinetics of atomic bromine with tetrahydropyran.

A detailed theoretical analysis of the reaction of atomic bromine with tetrahydropyran (THP, C5H10O) was performed using several ab initio methods and statistical rate theory calculations. Initial geometries of all species involved in the potential energy surface of the title reaction were obtained at the B3LYP/cc-pVTZ level of theory. These molecular geometries were reoptimized using three different meta-generalized gradient approximation (meta-GGA) functionals. Single-point energies of the stationary points were obtained by employing the coupled-cluster with single and double excitations (CCSD) and fourth-order Møller-Plesset (MP4 SDQ) levels of theory. The computed CCSD and MP4(SDQ) energies for optimized structures at various DFT functionals were found to be consistent within 2 kJ mol(-1). For a more accurate energetic description, single-point calculations at the CCSD(T)/CBS level of theory were performed for the minimum structures and transition states optimized at the B3LYP/cc-pVTZ level of theory. Similar to other ether + Br reactions, it was found that the tetrahydropyran + Br reaction proceeds in an overall endothermic addition-elimination mechanism via a number of intermediates. However, the reactivity of various ethers with atomic bromine was found to vary substantially. In contrast with the 1,4-dioxane + Br reaction, the chair form of the addition complex (c-C5H10O-Br) for THP + Br does not need to undergo ring inversion to form a boat conformer (b-C4H8O2-Br) before the intramolecular H-shift can occur to eventually release HBr. Instead, a direct, yet more favorable route was mapped out on the potential energy surface of the THP + Br reaction. The rate coefficients for all relevant steps involved in the reaction mechanism were computed using the energetics of coupled cluster calculations. On the basis of the results of the CCSD(T)/CBS//B3LYP/cc-pVTZ level of theory, the calculated overall rate coefficients can be expressed as kov.,calc.(T) = 4.60 × 10(-10) exp[-20.4 kJ mol(-1)/(RT)] cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) for the temperature range of 273-393 K. The calculated values are found to be in excellent agreement with the experimental data published previously.

A shock tube study of the branching ratios of propene + OH reaction.

Absolute rate coefficients for the reaction of the OH radical with propene (C3H6) and five deuterated isotopes, propene-1-D1 (CDHCHCH3), propene-1,1-D2 (CD2CHCH3), propene-1,1,2-D3 (CD2CDCH3), propene-3,3,3-D3 (CH2CHCD3), and propene-D6 (C3D6), were measured behind reflected shock waves over the temperature range of 818-1460 K and pressures near 1 atm. The reaction progress was followed by monitoring the OH radical near 306.7 nm using UV laser absorption. Kinetic isotope effects in the measured rate coefficients are discussed and rationalized for the site-specific H-abstraction by the OH radical. The first experimental measurements for the branching ratio of the title reaction are reported and compared with transition state theory calculations. The allylic H-atom abstraction of propene by OH radicals was found to be the most dominant reaction pathway followed by propen-1-yl and propen-2-yl channels over the entire temperature range of this study. The derived Arrhenius expressions for various site-specific rate coefficients over 818-1442 K are (the subscript in the rate coefficient identifies the position of H or D atom according to the IUPAC nomenclature of alkenes):

Experimental and theoretical investigation of the kinetics of the reaction of atomic chlorine with 1,4-dioxane.

The rate coefficients for the reaction of 1,4-dioxane with atomic chlorine were measured from T = 292-360 K using the relative rate method. The reference reactant was isobutane and the experiments were made in argon with atomic chlorine produced by photolysis of small concentrations of Cl2. The rate coefficients were put on an absolute basis by using the published temperature dependence of the absolute rate coefficients for the reference reaction. The rate coefficients for the reaction of Cl with 1,4-dioxane were found to be independent of total pressure from p = 290 to 782 Torr. The experimentally measured rate coefficients showed a weak temperature dependence, given by k(exp)(T) = (8.4(-2.3)(+3.1)) × 10(-10) exp(-(470 ± 110)/(T/K)) cm3 molecule (-1) s(-1). The experimental results are rationalized in terms of statistical rate theory on the basis of molecular data obtained from quantum-chemical calculations. Molecular geometries and frequencies were obtained from MP2/aug-cc-pVDZ calculations, while single-point energies of the stationary points were computed at CCSD(T) level of theory. The calculations indicate that the reaction proceeds by an overall exothermic addition-elimination mechanism via two intermediates, where the rate-determining step is the initial barrier-less association reaction between the chlorine atom and the chair conformer of 1,4-dioxane. This is in contrast to the Br plus 1,4-dioxane reaction studied earlier, where the rate-determining step is a chair-to-boat conformational change of the bromine-dioxane adduct, which is necessary for this reaction to proceed. The remarkable difference in the kinetic behavior of the reactions of 1,4-dioxane with these two halogen atoms can be consistently explained by this change in the reaction mechanism.

Experimental and theoretical investigation of the self-reaction of phenyl radicals.

A combination of experiment and theory is applied to the self-reaction kinetics of phenyl radicals. The dissociation of phenyl iodide is observed with both time-of-flight mass spectrometry, TOF-MS, and laser schlieren, LS, diagnostics coupled to a diaphragmless shock tube for temperatures ranging from 1276 to 1853 K. The LS experiments were performed at pressures of 22 +/- 2, 54 +/- 7, and 122 +/- 6 Torr, and the TOF-MS experiments were performed at pressures in the range 500-700 Torr. These observations are sensitive to both the dissociation of phenyl iodide and to the subsequent self-reaction of the phenyl radicals. The experimental observations indicate that both these reactions are more complicated than previously assumed. The phenyl iodide dissociation yields approximately 6% C(6)H(4) + HI in addition to the major and commonly assumed C(6)H(5) + I channel. The self-reaction of phenyl radicals does not proceed solely by recombination, but also through disproportionation to benzene + o-/m-/p-benzynes, with comparable rate coefficients for both. The various channels in the self-reaction of phenyl radicals are studied with ab initio transition state theory based master equation calculations. These calculations elucidate the complex nature of the C(6)H(5) self-reaction and are consistent with the experimental observations. The theoretical predictions are used as a guide in the development of a model for the phenyl iodide pyrolysis that accurately reproduces the observed laser schlieren profiles over the full range of the observations.

Kinetics of the reactions of Cl atoms with several ethers.

The reactions of Cl with tetrahydrofuran, tetrahydropyran, and dimethyl ether have been studied as a function of temperature, pressure, and O(2) concentration. The temperature was varied from approximately 280 to 360 K, the mole fraction of O(2) ranged from zero to approximately 0.6, and the experiments were made in a bath of argon at total pressures ranging from approximately 300 to 760 Torr. The rate coefficients were measured using the relative rate method with gas chromatographic analysis. The reaction of Cl with isobutane was the reference reaction, the rate coefficients for which were calibrated against the reaction of propane with chlorine atoms as a function of temperature. The rate coefficients were unaffected by the concentration of O(2) or by variation in pressure. The rate coefficient for the reaction of Cl with isobutane increased slightly with decreasing temperature. This weak temperature dependence of the rate coefficient was in satisfactory agreement with information in the literature and is represented in Arrhenius form by k(T) = (1.02(-0.25)(+0.32)) x 10(-10) exp(99 +/- 88/T) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), where the uncertainties represent two standard deviations. The rate coefficients for the reactions of Cl with the ethers did not show a statistically significant dependence on temperature. Their average values over our range of temperature are: for Cl + tetrahydrofuran, k = (2.71 +/- 0.34) x 10(-10) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1); for Cl + tetrahydropyran, k = (2.03 +/- 0.82) x 10(-10) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1); and for Cl + dimethyl ether, k = (1.73 +/- 0.22) x 10(-10) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), in which the uncertainties are again two standard deviations.

Experimental and theoretical analysis of the kinetics of the reaction of atomic bromine with 1,4-dioxane.

The rate coefficient for the reaction of atomic bromine with 1,4-dioxane was measured from approximately 300 to 340 K using the relative rate method. Iso-octane and iso-butane were used as reference compounds, and the experiments were made in a bath of argon containing up to 210 Torr of O(2) at total pressures between 200 and 820 Torr. The rate coefficients were not affected by changes in pressure or O(2) concentration over our range of experimental conditions. The ratios of rate coefficients for the reaction of dioxane relative to the reference compound were put on an absolute basis by using the published absolute rate coefficients for the reference reactions. The variation of the experimentally determined rate coefficients with temperature for the reaction of Br with 1,4-dioxane can be given by k(1)(exp)(T) = (1.4 +/- 1.0) x 10(-11)exp[-23.0 +/- 1.8) kJ mol(-1)/(RT)] cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1). We rationalized our experimental results in terms of transition state theory with molecular data from quantum chemical calculations. Molecular geometries and frequencies were obtained from MP2/aug-cc-pVDZ calculations, and single-point energies of the stationary points were obtained at CCSD(T)/CBS level of theory. The calculations indicate that the 1,4-dioxane + Br reaction proceeds in an overall endothermic addition-elimination mechanism via a number of intermediates. The rate-determining step is a chair-to-boat conformational change of the Br-dioxane adduct. The calculated rate coefficients, given by k(1)(calc)(T) = 5.6 x 10(-11)exp[-26.6 kJ mol(-1)/(RT)] cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), are in very good agreement with the experimental values. Comparison with results reported for the reactions of Br with other ethers suggests that this multistep mechanism differs significantly from that for abstraction of hydrogen from other ethers by atomic bromine.

Temperature dependence of the rate coefficients for the reactions of atomic bromine with toluene, tetrahydrofuran, and tetrahydropyran.

The rate coefficients for the reactions of atomic bromine with toluene, tetrahydrofuran, and tetrahydropyran were measured from approximately 295 to 362 K using the relative rate method. Iso-octane was used as the reference compound for the reaction with toluene, and iso-octane and toluene were used as the reference compounds for the reaction with tetrahydrofuran; tetrahydrofuran was used as the reference compound for the reaction with tetrahydropyran. The rate coefficients were found to be unaffected by changes in pressure and oxygen concentration. The rate coefficient ratios were converted to absolute values using the absolute rate coefficient for the reaction of Br with the reference compound. The absolute rate coefficients, in the units cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), for the reaction of Br with toluene are given by k(T) = (3.7 +/- 1.7) x 10(-12) exp(-(1.63 +/- 0.15) x 10(3)/T), for the reaction of Br with tetrahydrofuran by k(T) = (3.7 +/- 2.7) x 10(-10) exp(-(2.20 +/- 0.22) x 10(3)/T), and for the reaction of Br with tetrahydropyran by k(T) = (3.6 +/- 1.8) x 10(-10) exp(-(2.35 +/- 0.16) x 10(3)/T). The uncertainties represent one standard deviation. The Arrhenius parameters for these reactions are compared with results in the literature for dimethyl ether, diethyl ether, and a series of saturated hydrocarbons, and the effects of structural variation on these parameters are identified.

A diaphragmless shock tube for high temperature kinetic studies.

A novel, diaphragmless shock tube (DFST) has been developed for use in high temperature chemical kinetic studies. The design of the apparatus is presented along with performance data that demonstrate the range and reproducibility of reaction conditions that can be generated. The ability to obtain data in the fall off region, confined to much narrower pressure ranges than can be obtained with a conventional shock tube is shown, and results from laser schlieren densitometry experiments on the unimolecular dissociation of phenyl iodide (P(2)=57+/-9 and 122+/-7 torr, T(2)=1250-1804 K) are presented. These are compared with results similar to those that would be obtained from a classical shock tube and the implications for extrapolation by theoretical methods are discussed. Finally, the use of the DFST with an online mass spectrometer to create reproducible experiments that can be signal averaged to improve signal/noise and the quality of mass peaks is demonstrated; something that is not possible with a conventional shock tube where each experiment has to be considered unique.

An experimental and theoretical high temperature kinetic study of the thermal unimolecular dissociation of fluoroethane.

The thermal dissociation of fluoroethane has been studied using shock tube (ST)/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOF-MS) at 500 and 1200 Torr over the temperature range 1200-1550 K. The ST/TOF-MS experiments confirm that elimination of HF is the only reaction channel and rate coefficients for this reaction were extracted from concentration/time profiles derived from the mass spectra. Results from a novel diaphragmless shock tube coupled to the TOF-MS are also presented and demonstrate the unique ability of this apparatus to generate sufficiently reproducible shock waves that signal averaging can be performed over multiple experiments; something that is not possible with a conventional shock tube. The dissociation is also studied with ab initio transition state theory based master equation simulations. A modest increase in the calculated barrier height (i.e., by 1 kcal mol(-1)) yields predicted high pressure rate coefficients that are in good agreement with the existing literature data. The present pressure dependent observations are accurately reproduced for a downwards energy transfer for neon at 1200 to 1500 K of approximately 270 cm(-1), which is somewhat smaller than that found in previous studies on fluorinated ethanes with the same bath gases.

Shock tube study of dissociation and relaxation in 1,1-difluoroethane and vinyl fluoride.

This paper reports measurements of the thermal dissociation of 1,1-difluoroethane in the shock tube. The experiments employ laser-schlieren measurements of rate for the dominant HF elimination using 10% 1,1-difluoroethane in Kr over 1500-2000 K and 43 < P < 424 torr. The vinyl fluoride product of this process then dissociates affecting the late observations. We thus include a laser schlieren study (1717-2332 K, 75 < P < 482 torr in 10 and 4% vinyl fluoride in Kr) of this dissociation. This latter work also includes a set of experiments using shock-tube time-of-flight mass spectrometry (4% vinyl fluoride in neon, 1500-1980 K, 500 < P < 1300 torr). These time-of-flight experiments confirm the theoretical expectation that the only reaction in vinyl fluoride is HF elimination. The dissociation experiments are augmented by laser schlieren measurements of vibrational relaxation (1-20% C(2)H(3)F in Kr, 415-1975 K, 5 < P < 50 torr, and 2 and 5% C(2)H(4)F(2) in Kr, 700-1350 K, 6 < P < 22 torr). These experiments exhibit very rapid relaxation, and incubation delays should be negligible in dissociation. An RRKM model of dissociation in 1,1-difluoroethane based on a G3B3 calculation of barrier and other properties fits the experiments but requires a very large DeltaE(down) of 1600 cm(-1), similar to that found in a previous examination of 1,1,1-trifluoroethane. Dissociation of vinyl fluoride is complicated by the presence of two parallel HF eliminations, both three-center and four-center. Structure calculations find nearly equal barriers for these, and TST calculations show almost identical k(infinity). An RRKM fit to the observed falloff again requires an unusually large DeltaE(down) and the experiments actually support a slightly reduced barrier. These large energy-transfer parameters now seem routine in these large fluorinated species. It is perhaps a surprising result for which there is as yet no explanation.