The reaction of oxygen atoms with neopentane and other alkanes: Mechanism and rates

Abstract

The reaction of oxygen atoms with neopentane and other alkanes has been studied in the gas phase at 30°C. The results of this investigation support the view that the reaction products are formed by direct displacement of two groups on the parent hydrocarbon with the attendant formation of a carbonyl bond rather than by a free radical mechanism involving hydrogen abstraction. Insertion of the oxygen atom into a C−H bond also does not appear to play a major role. The over-all rates of the reaction of oxygen atoms with n-butane, isobutane, and neopentane, as well as the rates of several primary reactions have been calculated from the observed variations of the yields of reaction products with initial hydrocarbon concentrations. The values of the over-all rates for n-butane, isobutane, and neopentane were found to be 1.1×10−14, 0.6×10−14, and 0.3×10−14 cm3 molecule−1, sec−1, respectively, at 30°C.