Molecular Elimination Channels Research Articles

Initiation and Carbene Induced Radical Chain Reactions in CH2F2 Pyrolysis.

High temperature dissociations of organic molecules typically involve a competition between radical and molecular processes. In this work, we use a modeling, experiment, theory (MET) framework to characterize the high temperature thermal dissociation of CH2F2, a flammable hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) that finds widespread use as a refrigerant. Initiation in CH2F2 proceeds via a molecular elimination channel; CH2F2→CHF+HF. Here we show that the subsequent self-reactions of the singlet carbene, CHF, are fast multichannel processes and a facile source of radicals that initiate rapid chain propagation reactions. These have a marked influence on the decomposition kinetics of CH2F2. The inclusion of these reactions brings the simulations into better agreement with the present and literature experiments. Additionally, flame simulations indicate that inclusion of the CHF+CHF multichannel reaction leads to a noticeable enhancement in predictions of laminar flame speeds, a key parameter that is used to determine the flammability of a refrigerant.

Competing Si2CH4-H2 and SiCH2-SiH4 Channels in the Bimolecular Reaction of Ground-State Atomic Carbon (C(3Pj)) with Disilane (Si2H6, X1A1g) under Single Collision Conditions.

The bimolecular gas-phase reaction of ground-state atomic carbon (C(3Pj)) with disilane (Si2H6, X1A1g) was explored under single-collision conditions in a crossed molecular beam machine at a collision energy of 36.6 ± 4.5 kJ mol-1. Two channels were observed: a molecular hydrogen elimination plus Si2CH4 (reaction 1) pathway and a silane loss channel along with the formation of SiCH2 (reaction 2), with branching ratios of 20 ± 3 and 80 ± 4%, respectively. Both channels involved indirect scattering dynamics via long-lived Si2CH6 reaction intermediate(s); the latter eject molecular hydrogen and silane in "molecular" elimination channels within the rotational plane of the fragmenting intermediate nearly perpendicularly to the total angular momentum vector. These molecular elimination channels are associated with tight exit transition states as reflected in a significant electron rearrangement as visible from the chemical bonding in the light reaction products molecular hydrogen and silane. Once these hydrogenated silicon-carbide clusters are formed within the inner envelope of carbon stars such as of IRC + 10216, the stellar wind can drive both Si2CH4 and SiCH2 to the outside sections of the envelope, where they can be photolyzed. This is of particular importance to unravel potential formation pathways to disilicon monocarbide (Si2C) observed recently in the circumstellar shell of IRC + 10216.

Thermal decomposition of isopentanol: A theoretical calculation and kinetic modeling analysis

Isopentanol (3-methyl-1-butanol, 3M1B) is a prospective bioderived fuel with advantages over ethanol that make it a suitable substitute for gasoline. Although there have been studies on the combustion properties of 3M1B, reaction kinetics for its thermal decomposition is scarce. This study explores the reaction pathways for the thermal decomposition of 3M1B through theoretical calculations. Six reactions with tight transition states, and nine bond dissociation reactions (i.e., barrierless reactions) were considered. For reactions with tight transition states, the CCSD(T)/CBS//M06–2X-D3(0)/def2-TZVP method was used, and the MRCISD(+Q)/CBS//CASPT2/cc-pVDZ method was adopted for the bond dissociation reactions. The conventional transition state theory (CTST), including multi-structural torsional anharmonicity (MS-T) correction, addressed those reactions with tight transition states. The MS-T method thoroughly examined the co-effect of the multiple structures and torsional anharmonicity. Direct bond-breaking reactions were studied using the variational transition state theory (VTST). Subsequently, system-specific quantum Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel (SS-QRRK) theory and Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel-Marcus/Master Equation (RRKM/ME) were employed to obtain the rate constants for reactions with tight transition states and direct bond-breaking reactions at different temperatures and pressures (T/P) regimes (T = 298–2400 K, P = 0.01–100 atm), respectively. The results showed that water elimination and C-C bond dissociation play a significant role for 3M1B unimolecular decomposition, other molecular elimination and bond dissociation channels can be ignored. Combining the reaction pathways and the corresponding pressure dependent rate constants into the kinetic model resulted in good predictions of the speciation profiles during 3M1B pyrolysis. These data are valuable for the development of the combustion models of 3M1B.

Thermal Decomposition of 2-Methyltetrahydrofuran behind Reflected Shock Waves over the Temperature Range of 1179–1361 K

The thermal unimolecular decomposition of 2-methyltetrahydrofuran (2-MTHF) was studied behind reflected shock waves in a single-pulse shock tube over the temperature range of 1179-1361 K and pressure range of 9-17 atm. Methane, ethylene, ethane, 1,3-butadiene, propylene, acetaldehyde, and acetylene were identified as products in the decomposition of 2-MTHF. A reaction scheme was proposed to explain the mechanism for the observed products. The experimentally determined rate coefficients were best fit to an Arrhenius expression for the overall decomposition and is represented as ktotalexp(1179-1361 K) = (3.23 ± 0.59) × 1011 s-1 exp(-51.3 ± 1.4 kcal mol-1/RT). Quantum chemistry methods were used to calculate the energetics and kinetics of various possible unimolecular dissociation pathways involved in the thermal decomposition of 2-MTHF. The initial decomposition of 2-MTHF occurs predominantly via ring-methyl (C-CH3) single bond fission, leading to the formation of tetrahydrofuran (C4H7O) radical, and methyl radical was found to be the major reaction compared to all the possible initial bond fission, ring opening, and molecular elimination channels. The temperature-dependent rate coefficients for the unimolecular dissociation of 2-MTHF were calculated using the RRKM (Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel-Marcus) theory in combination with the CCSD(T)/cc-pVTZ//B3LYP/cc-pVTZ level of electronic structure calculations over the temperature range of 800-1500 K. The computed high-pressure limiting rate coefficients for the initial decomposition of 2-MTHF through C-CH3 single bond fission channel were found to be ∼2 times higher in the temperatures between 800 and 900 K, and above this temperature, they agree well with the values reported in the literature.

The collision-free photochemistry of methyl azide at 157 nm: Mechanism and energy release.

Synchrotron radiation VUV-photoionization based photofragment translational spectroscopy was used to identify the primary and secondary photodissociation reactions of methyl azide (CH3N3) at 157 nm under collision-free conditions. Two primary dissociation channels are identified, leading to CH3 + N3 (the radical channel) and CH3N + N2 (the molecular elimination channel). The last channel is the major dissociation pathway, but unlike work at longer photolysis wavelengths, here, the radical channel exclusively produces the higher energy isomer cyclic-N3. Product time-of-flight data for both channels were obtained and compared with earlier work on methyl azide photochemistry at 193 nm based on electron impact ionization, allowing us to estimate a product branching ratio ΦCH3-N3 ΦCH3N-N2 =2.3%±0.6%97.7%±0.6%.

Observation of H displacement and H2 elimination channels in the reaction of O(3P) with 1-butene from crossed beams and theoretical studies

We report preliminary combined experimental/theoretical results on O(3P)+1-butene reaction dynamics with focus on atomic hydrogen displacement and molecular hydrogen elimination channels. Dynamics and relative yield of the ethylvinoxy+H and ethylketene+H2 product channels are characterized in crossed beam experiments. Stationary points and energetics of triplet/singlet C4H8O potential energy surfaces (PESs) are calculated at CCSD(T)/CBS and CASPT2 level. O(3P) attack occurs on both unsaturated C-atoms with preference for the less substituted one leading, among other products, to C2H5CHCHO+H via an exit barrier on the triplet PES, and to C2H5CHCO+H2 via a very high exit barrier on the singlet PES following intersystem crossing.

Thermochemistry, reaction paths, and kinetics on the tert-isooctane radical reaction with O2.

Thermochemical properties of tert-isooctane hydroperoxide and its radicals are determined by computational chemistry. Enthalpies are determined using isodesmic reactions with B3LYP density function and CBS QB3 methods. Application of group additivity with comparison to calculated values is illustrated. Entropy and heat capacities are determined using geometric parameters and frequencies from the B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) calculations for the lowest energy conformer. Internal rotor potentials are determined for the tert-isooctane hydroperoxide and its radicals in order to identify isomer energies. Recommended values derived from the most stable conformers of tert-isooctane hydroperoxide of are -77.85 ± 0.44 kcal mol(-1). Isooctane is a highly branched molecule, and its structure has a significant effect on its thermochemistry and reaction barriers. Intramolecular interactions are shown to have a significant effect on the enthalpy of the isooctane parent and its radicals on peroxy/peroxide systems, the R• + O2 well depths and unimolecular reaction barriers. Bond dissociation energies and well depths, for tert-isooctane hydroperoxide → R• + O2 are 33.5 kcal mol(-1) compared to values of ∼38 to 40 kcal mol(-1) for the smaller tert-butyl-O2 → R• + O2. Transition states and kinetic parameters for intramolecular hydrogen atom transfer and molecular elimination channels are characterized to evaluate reaction paths and kinetics. Kinetic parameters are determined versus pressure and temperature for the chemically activated formation and unimolecular dissociation of the peroxide adducts. Multifrequency quantum RRK (QRRK) analysis is used for k(E) with master equation analysis for falloff. The major reaction paths at 1000 K are formation of isooctane plus HO2 followed by cyclic ether plus OH. Stabilization of the tert-isooctane hydroperoxy radical becomes important at lower temperatures.

Chemical dynamics of the formation of the ethynylsilylidyne radical (SiCCH(X Π2)) in the crossed beam reaction of ground state silicon atoms (Si(P3)) with acetylene (C2H2(X ∑g+1))

The reaction dynamics of ground state silicon atoms (Si(P3)) with the acetylene molecule (C2H2(X ∑g+1)) were investigated at a collision energy of 101.6±1.6 kJ mol−1 under single collision conditions in a crossed molecular beam machine. We found that the reaction dynamics proceeded via an addition of the silicon atom to the π-electrons of the acetylene molecule at a single carbon atom forming a Cs symmetric SiC2H2(X A3″) intermediate. The latter either emitted a hydrogen atom leading to the linear SiCCH(X Π2) product or underwent a hydrogen migration to the SiCCH2(X A32) isomer prior to the decomposition of the latter to SiCCH(X Π2) plus atomic hydrogen. The overall reaction to form the SiCCH(X Π2) plus atomic hydrogen products was determined to be highly endoergic by 84±6 kJ mol−1. No evidence of a molecular hydrogen elimination channel was found at this collision energy. Our study predicts that this endoergic neutral-neutral reaction can lead to the formation of an organosilicon transient species, i.e., the linear SiCCH(X Π2) radical, in high-temperature environments like in the circumstellar envelope of the carbon star IRC+10 216, where temperatures of a few 1000 K exist close to the central star.

Photodissociation of vinyl cyanide at 193 nm: Nascent product distributions of the molecular elimination channels

The photodissociation dynamics of vinyl cyanide (H(2)CCHCN, acrylonitrile) and deuterated vinyl cyanide (D(2)CCDCN) at 193 nm are examined using time-resolved Fourier transform infrared emission spectroscopy. Prior photofragment translational spectroscopy studies [D. A. Blank et al., J. Chem. Phys. 108, 5784 (1998)] of the dissociation have observed the presence of four main dissociation channels; two molecular and two radical in nature. However, with the exception of a<0.01 quantum yield determined for the CN radical loss channel, the branching ratios of the remaining three elimination channels were not measured. The time-resolved emission spectra, including those from the deuterated samples, revealed the presence of acetylene, hydrogen cyanide (HCN), as well as the energetically less stable isomer hydrogen isocyanide (HNC). Acetylene is found in two distinct energetic distributions, suggesting that both three- and four-centered elimination reactions are occurring significantly in the dissociation. In contrast to prior ab initio studies that have suggested the dominant nature of the three-center elimination of molecular hydrogen (H(2)) and cyanovinylidene (:C=CHCN), we find this reaction channel to be of little importance as there is no evidence to support any significant presence of rovibrationally excited cyanoacetylene. Spectral modeling of the product distributions allows for the first experimental determination of the relative occurrence of the three-centered (resulting in HCN+vinylidene) versus four-centered (HNC+acetylene) elimination channels as 3.34 to 1.00, in contrast to the previously calculated value of 126:1. Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel-Marcus analysis depicts that the transition state energy of the four-centered reaction should be about 10 kcal mole(-1) lower than the three-centered reaction.

Flash Pyrolysis of Ethyl, n-Propyl, and Isopropyl Iodides as Monitored by Supersonic Expansion Vacuum Ultraviolet Photoionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry

The thermal decomposition of ethyl and propyl iodides, along with select isotopomers, up to 1300 K was performed by flash pyrolysis with a 20-100 mus time scale. The pyrolysis was followed by supersonic expansion to isolate the reactive intermediates and initial products, and detection was accomplished by vacuum ultraviolet single photon ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (VUV-SPI-TOFMS). The products monitored, such as CH(3), CH(3)I, C(2)H(5), C(2)H(4), HI, I, C(3)H(7), C(3)H(6), and I(2), provide for the simultaneous and direct observation of molecular elimination and bond fission pathways in ethyl and propyl iodides. In the pyrolysis of ethyl iodide, both C-I bond fission and HI molecular elimination pathways are competitive at the elevated temperatures, with C-I bond fission being preferred; at temperatures >or=1000 K, the ethyl radical products further dissociate to ethene + H atoms. In the pyrolysis of isopropyl iodide, both HI molecular elimination and C-I bond fission are observed and the molecular elimination channel is more important at all the elevated temperatures; the isopropyl radicals produced in the C-I fission channel undergo further decomposition to propene + H at temperatures >or=850 K. In contrast, bond fission is found to dominate the n-propyl iodide pyrolysis; at temperatures >or=950 K the n-propyl radicals produced decompose into methyl radical + ethene and propene + H atom. Isotopomer experiments characterize the extent of surface reactions and verify that the HI molecular eliminations in ethyl and propyl iodides proceed by a C1, C2 elimination mechanism (the 1,2 intramolecular elimination).

Refined Analysis of the Thermal Dissociation of Formaldehyde

New experimental results for the thermal dissociation of formaldehyde to radical and molecular products (Proc. Combust. Inst. 2007, 31, in press) form the basis of the present analysis of the respective low-pressure rate coefficients k(Rad,0) and k(Mol,0) of the reaction. The article supersedes an earlier analysis (J. Phys. Chem. A 2005, 109, 8320) which used less accurate and more preliminary input information. In addition, refined rotational factors F(rot) are determined and specific energy and angular momentum dependent branching ratios from a more detailed analysis of photolysis quantum yields (J. Phys. Chem. A 2007, 111, 3868) are employed as well. It is emphasized again that pyrolysis and photolysis are intimately related and should be analyzed in an internally consistent manner. The combination of the new with earlier experimental results for pyrolysis rates allows one to fit the height of the energy barrier for the molecular elimination channel with improved precision. A value of E0,1 = 81.7(+/-0.5) kcal mol(-1) is obtained. In addition, employing anharmonicity factors F(anh) from the earlier work, a total average energy transferred per collision of -DeltaE/hc = 100(+/-20) cm(-1) is fitted from the experiments in the bath gas Ar. This value is consistent with the value -DeltaE/hc = 80(+/-40) cm(-1) for the bath gas N(2) such as fitted from photolysis quenching experiments (using the same molecular parameters as for the pyrolysis). Rate coefficients for the temperature range 1200-3500 K are represented in the form k(Mol,0)/[Ar] = 7.3 x 10(14) T -6.1 exp(-47300 K/T) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) and k(Rad,0)/[Ar] = 2.1 x 10(12) T -5.5 exp(-47300 K/T) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) (accuracy +/-25%) and recommended for use in combustion chemistry.

Ring-Expansion Reactions in the Thermal Decomposition of tert-Butyl-1,3-cyclopentadiene

The thermal decomposition of tert-butyl-1,3-cyclopentadiene has been investigated in single-pulse shock-tube studies at shock pressures of 182-260 kPa and temperatures of 996-1127 K. Isobutene (2-methylpropene), 1,3-cyclopentadiene, and toluene were observed as the major stable products in the thermolysis of dilute mixtures of the substrate in the presence of a free-radical scavenger. Hydrogen atoms were also inferred to be a primary product of the decomposition and could be quantitatively determined on the basis of products derived from the free-radical scavenger. Of particular interest is the formation of toluene, which involves the expansion of the ring from a five- to a six-membered system. The overall reaction mechanism is suggested to include isomerization of the starting material; a molecular elimination channel; and C-C bond fission reactions, with toluene formation occurring via radical intermediates formed in the latter pathway. These radical intermediates are analogous to those believed to be important in soot formation reactions occurring during combustion. Molecular and thermodynamic properties of key species were determined from G3MP2B3 quantum chemistry calculations and are reported. The temperature dependence of the product spectrum was fit with a detailed chemical kinetic model, and best-fit kinetic parameters were derived using a Nelder-Mead simplex minimization algorithm. Our mechanism and rate constants are consistent with and provide experimental support for the H-atom-assisted routes to the conversion of fulvene to benzene that have been proposed in the literature on the basis of theoretical investigations.

Ab initio study of the unimolecular decomposition of 2‐butenenitrile: Molecular elimination channels

AbstractAb initio molecular orbital calculations have been performed for the unimolecular decomposition of 2‐butenenitrile (CH3CHCHCN), especially for HCN and H2 molecular elimination channels. Structures and energies of the reactants, products, and relevant species in the individual reaction pathways were determined by MP2 gradient optimization and MP4 CCSD(T) single‐point energy calculations. Direct 1,1 and 1,2 molecular eliminations and H or CN migration followed by elimination channels were identified. Dissociation rates for the individual reaction pathways were calculated from vibrational frequencies at the ab initio transition state geometries by employing Rice–Ramsperger–Kassel–Marcus theory, from which channel branching ratios were determined. It was concluded that the most important reaction channel should be the direct 1,1 three‐center molecular elimination of HCN. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007

A crossed beams study of the reaction of carbon atoms, C(3Pj), with vinyl cyanide, C2H3CN(X1A′)—investigating the formation of cyano propargyl radicals

The chemical dynamics of the reaction of ground state carbon atoms, C(3Pj), with vinyl cyanide, C2H3CN(X 1A'), were examined under single collision conditions at collision energies of 29.9 and 43.9 kJ mol(-1) using the crossed molecular beams approach. The experimental studies were combined with electronic structure calculations on the triplet C4H3N potential energy surface (H. F. Su, R. I. Kaiser, A. H. H. Chang, J. Chem. Phys., 2005, 122, 074320). Our investigations suggest that the reaction follows indirect scattering dynamics via addition of the carbon atom to the carbon-carbon double bond of the vinyl cyanide molecule yielding a cyano cyclopropylidene collision complex. The latter undergoes ring opening to form cis/trans triplet cyano allene which fragments predominantly to the 1-cyano propargyl radical via tight exit transition states; the 3-cyano propargyl isomer was inferred to be formed at least a factor of two less; also, no molecular hydrogen elimination channel was observed experimentally. These results are in agreement with the computational studies predicting solely the existence of a carbon versus hydrogen atom exchange pathway and the dominance of the 1-cyano propargyl radical product. The discovery of the cyano propargyl radical in the reaction of atomic carbon with vinyl cyanide under single collision conditions implies that this molecule can be an important reaction intermediate in combustion flames and also in extraterrestrial environments (cold molecular clouds, circumstellar envelopes of carbon stars) which could lead to the formation of cyano benzene (C6H5CN) upon reaction with a propargyl radical.

Novel molecular elimination mechanism in formaldehyde photodissociation: the roaming H atom pathway

We present a state-correlated experimental investigation of formaldehyde (H2CO) dissociation to H2 and CO following excitation to a series of vibrational bands in the first electronically excited state, S1. The CO was detected by resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization at various rotational states of CO (J = 5–45) and the CO velocity distributions were measured using state-resolved DC Slice Imaging. These high-resolution measurements reveal the internal state distribution of the correlated H2 cofragments. The results show that the rotationally hot CO (JCO = 40) is produced in conjunction with vibrationally cold H2 fragments (ν = 0–3), consistent with dissociation through the celebrated skewed transition state. After excitation of formaldehyde at energies near and above the threshold for dissociation to radical products (H2CO → H+HCO), a second molecular elimination channel appears which is characterized by rotationally cold CO (J ̃ 5–15) correlated with highly vibrationally excited H2 (ν = 5–7). These products are formed through a novel roaming H-atom mechanism that involves intramolecular H abstraction and avoids the region of the transition state to molecular elimination entirely. The current measurements give insight into the energy dependence of the branching of these different reaction mechanisms.

Theory of Multichannel Thermal Unimolecular Reactions. 2. Application to the Thermal Dissociation of Formaldehyde

The thermal dissociation of formaldehyde proceeds on three channels, the molecular-elimination channel H2CO --> H2 + CO (1), the radical-forming bond-fission channel H2CO --> H + HCO (2), and the bond-fission-initiated, intramolecular-hydrogen-abstraction channel H2CO --> H...HCO --> H2 + CO (3) which also forms molecular products. The kinetics of this system in the low-pressure range of the unimolecular reaction is shown to be governed by a subtle superposition of collisional channel coupling to be treated by solving a master equation, of rotational channel switching accessible through ab initio calculations of the potential as well as spectroscopic and photophysical determinations of the threshold energies and channel branching above the threshold energy for radical formation which can be characterized through formaldehyde photolysis quantum yields as well as classical trajectory calculations. On the basis of the available information, the rate coefficients for the formation of molecular and radical fragments are analyzed and extrapolated over wide ranges of conditions. The modeled rate coefficients in the low-pressure range of the reaction (neglecting tunneling) over the range 1400-3200 K in the bath-gas Ar in this way are represented by k0,Mol/[Ar] approximately 9.4 x 10(-9) exp(-33,140 K/T) cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1) and k0,Rad/[Ar] approximately 6.2 x 10(-9) exp(-36,980 K/T) cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1). The corresponding values for the bath-gas Kr, on which the analysis relies in particular, are k0,Mol/[Kr] approximately 7.7 x 10(-9) exp(-33,110 K/T) and k0,Rad/[Kr] approximately 4.1 x 10(-9) exp(-36 910 K/T) cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1). While the threshold energy E0,2 for channels 2 and 3 is taken from spectroscopic measurements, the threshold energy E0,1 for channel 1 is fitted on the basis of experimental ratios k0,Rad/k0,Mol in combination with photolysis quantum yields. The derived value of E0,1(1) = 81.2 (+/-0.9) kcal mol(-1) is in good agreement with results from recent ab initio calculations, 81.9 (+/-0.3) kcal mol(-1), but is higher than earlier results derived from photophysical experiments, 79.2 (+/-0.8) kcal mol(-1). Rate coefficients for the high-pressure limit of the reaction are also modeled. The results of the present work markedly depend on the branching ratio between channels 2 and 3. Expressions of this branching ratio from classical trajectory calculations and from photolysis quantum yield measurements were tested. At the same time, a modeling of the photolysis quantum yields was performed. The formaldehyde system so far presents the best characterized multichannel dissociation reaction. It may serve as a prototype for other multichannel dissociation reactions.

An ab initio Study on the Molecular Elimination Reactions of Methacrylonitrile

Ab initio quantum chemical molecular orbital calculations have been performed for the unimolecular decomposition of methacrylonitrile (), especially for HCN and molecular elimination channels. Structures and energies of the reactants, products, and relevant species along the individual reaction pathways were determined by MP2 gradient optimization and MP4 single point energy calculations. Direct four-center elimination of HCN and three-center elimination of H2 channels were identified. In addition, H or CN migration followed by HCN or H2 elimination channels via the methylcyanoethylidene intermediate was also identified. Unlike the case of crotonitrile previously studied, in which the dominant decomposition process was the direct three-center elimination of HCN, the most important reaction pathway should be the direct threecenter elimination of in the case of methacrylonitrile.뤀댐�⨀螑㌄쀅�⨀䀠ﶖ⨀聢�⨀Ă䀠煥獣愠獵扨敡瀀ｿｿｿｿ䂂�⨀䂂�⨀?늀Ѐက섂돀遠�⨀堘�⨀肴�⨀ဈ�⨀餂돐側�⨀墵�⨀／ࠀ䀈�⨀夂덐蠀㠀駚돀遠�⨀ꁠﲖ⨀�⨀䢕�⨀돐梕�⨀��⨀炕�⨀뤏덐肕�⨀렏頏ꢕ�⨀਀ꢕ�⨀㢖�⨀਀㢖�⨀좖�⨀਀좖�⨀뢗�⨀਀뢗�⨀�⨀਀က�⨀줁?⨀؀က�⨀਀�⨀

Thermal Decomposition of 2-Fluoroethanol: Single Pulse Shock Tube and ab Initio Studies

This paper reports single pulse shock tube and ab initio studies on thermal decomposition of 2-fluoro and 2-chloroethanol at T=1000–1200 K. Both molecules have HX (X = F/Cl) and H2O molecular elimination channels. The CH3CHO formed by HX elimination is chemically active and undergoes secondary decomposition resulting in the formation of CH4, C2H6, and C2H4. A detailed kinetic simulation indicates that the formation of C2H4 could not be quantitatively explained as arising exclusively from secondary CH3CHO decomposition. Contributions from primary radical processes need to be considered to explain C2H4 quantitatively. Ab initio calculations on HX and H2O elimination reactions from the haloethanols at HF, MP2, and DFT levels with various basis sets up to 6/311++G**are reported. It is pointed out that due to strong correlations between A and Eα, comparison of these two parameters between experimental and theoretical results could be misleading.

Photodissociation of bromoform cation at 308, 355, and 610 nm by means of time-of-flight mass spectroscopy and ion velocity imaging

The photodissociation dynamics of bromoform cation, CHBr3+, have been studied at 308, 355, and 610 nm by means of time-of-flight mass spectrometry combined with ion velocity imaging. The bromoform cation is produced via vacuum ultraviolet photoionization at 118 nm. The only fragment ions found in the time-of-flight spectra at 355 and 610 nm are CHBr2+ ions. At 308 nm CBr+ and CHBr+ ions are also found in the time-of-flight spectrum in addition to the CHBr2+ ions. These results indicate that there is only one dissociation channel that produces CHBr2++Br at both 355 and 610 nm, while there are two more channels involved at 308 nm. One is a molecular bromine elimination channel forming CHBr++Br2, and the other is a three-body dissociation channel producing CBr++HBr+Br. Translational energy and angular distributions for each channel are deduced from the two-dimensional images of CHBr2+, CHBr+, and CBr+. A soft fragment impulsive model closely reproduces the fraction of the available energy in translation for the atomic Br channel. The absence of Br2 channel at 355 nm may indicate a highly dynamically restricted gateway for the molecular elimination, which requires a specific molecular configuration, i.e., a three-center transition state, before the molecule falls apart along the much simpler atomic elimination channel.

Photodissociation of carbonic dibromide at 267 nm: Observation of three-body dissociation and molecular elimination of Br2

The photodissociation of Br2CO around 267 nm has been studied by time-of-flight mass spectroscopy and ion velocity imaging. The atomic (Br and Br*) and molecular products (Br2 and BrCO) are detected via multiphoton ionization with the same laser. The results show that the molecule dissociates into (1) Br(fast)+Br(slow)+CO via an asynchronously concerted three-body decay process for both ground and spin–orbit excited bromine atoms, (2) BrCO(A)+Br, and (3) Br2+CO, the molecular elimination channel. The translational energy distributions of bromine atoms from reaction (1) are bimodal. For both spin–orbit states the anisotropy parameters differ clearly for slow and fast bromine atoms, where the β values for slow bromine atoms decrease relative to those for fast atoms. The β values for the Br2 elimination channel almost reach the low limit of −1. Taking into account the translational energy and angular distributions of these reactions, an asynchronously concerted decay mechanism could be proposed for the three-body dissociation. It is concluded that the transition dipole moment is in the direction perpendicular to the C=O bond in the initial excitation, which is also consistent with all the observations for reactions (2) and (3).