Ab initio study of the two competitive channels HO 2 + H → H 2 + O 2 and HO 2 + H → H 2O + O

Abstract

Saddle point geometries and barrier heights have been calculated for the H abstraction reaction HO 2( 2A″)+H( 2S) → H 2( 1Σ + g)+O 2( 3Σ − g) and the concerted H approach-O removing reaction HO 2 ( 2A″)+H( 2S) → H 2O( 1A 1)+O( 3P) by using SDCI wavefunctions with a valence double-zeta plus polarization basis set. The saddle points are found to be of C s symmetry and the barrier heights are respectively 5.3 and 19.8 kcal by including size consistent correction. Moreoever kinetic parameters have been evaluated within the framework of the TST theory. So activation energies and the rate constants are estimated to be respectively 2.3 kcal and 0.4×10 9 ℓ mol −1 s −1 for the first reaction, 20.0 kcal and 5.4.10 −5 ℓ mol −1 s −1 for the second. Comparison of these results with experimental determinations shows that hydrogen abstraction on HO 2 is an efficient mechanism for the formation of H 2 + O 2, while the concerted mechanism envisaged for the formation of H 2O + O is highly unlikely.