Effects of lattice morphology upon reaction dynamics in matrix-isolated systems

Abstract

The dynamics of the cis-d2-ethylene+F2 addition reaction and the subsequent reaction dynamics of the products isolated in vapor-deposited Ar matrices at 12 K are investigated using trajectory methods that incorporate nonstatistical sampling to enhance the reaction probabilities. The matrix-isolated cis-d2-ethylene+F2 system is generated using a combination of Monte Carlo, damped trajectory, and volume contraction methods. Transport effects of the bulk are simulated using the velocity reset procedure developed by Riley et al. [J. Chem. Phys. 88, 5934 (1988)]. The potential-energy hypersurface is the same as that employed in our previous investigations of the matrix-isolated, decomposition dynamics of 1,2-difluoroethane-d4 and the bimolecular cis-d2-ethylene+F2 system in face-centered-cubic (fcc) matrices [J. Chem. Phys. 93, 3160 (1990); 95, 8901 (1991)]. It is found that matrices generated by these methods are amorphous with numerous vacancies and other imperfections. On the average, there are approximately three vacancies about each lattice atom compared to the fcc crystal. The calculated lattice density is about 82% that for a bulk fcc Ar solid. Computed radial distribution functions resemble those expected for a liquid which exhibits some short-range order. The imperfections of the lattice remain even after substantial annealing at 50 K. The calculated energy relaxation rate to the lattice phonon modes in these amorphous matrices is about a factor of 4 less than that for a close-packed fcc lattice. The 1,2-difluoroethane product is formed primarily via an αβ-addition process, as is the case for fcc matrices. However, the prominence of this pathway is greatly reduced. The major process leading to a fluoroethylene elimination product in amorphous matrices involves an atomic addition mechanism. Such a reaction path accounts for 94% of the elimination reactions. The probability of internal rotation about the C■C double bond in the fluoroethylene product is increased fivefold over that for fcc lattices. The calculated stabilization/elimination product ratio, the cis/trans ratios of fluoroethylene products, and the HF/DF elimination ratio are all found to be in fair to good accord with the reported experimental data. It is concluded that accurate simulation of matrix-isolation experiments requires a matrix model that properly represents the lattice structure present in the experiments.