Pressure-dependent Rate Coefficients Research Articles

Uncertainty propagation in the derivation of phenomenological rate coefficients from theory: A case study of n-propyl radical oxidation

Global uncertainty and sensitivity analysis is used to study the propagation of uncertainties in fundamental theoretical parameters through to uncertainties in the predicted temperature and pressure dependent phenomenological rate coefficients. Predictions are obtained from ab initio transition state theory based master equation calculations. The fundamental parameters for these rate predictions include barrier heights, well depths, vibrational frequencies, collision frequency, and energy transfer parameters. A random sampling high-dimensional model representation (HDMR) approach is used to perform the global sensitivity analysis. This approach determines the predicted distributions of the phenomenological rate coefficients based on a quasi-random sample of the fundamental parameters within their uncertainty range. Sensitivity analysis then identifies the main parameters which contribute to variance in the predicted distributions. Here the approach is applied to a study of the oxidation of the propyl radical, employing the parameters derived in our recent theoretical study. We find rates at 3σ variances that typically differ from the most frequent values by factors of 4–6, with the uncertainties decreasing with increasing temperature. For the well skipping reactions there are more parameters that contribute significantly to the variance, the second-order sensitivities are greater, and the uncertainties increased with increasing pressure. For the other reactions, the uncertainties tend to decrease with increasing pressure.

O2(a1Δg) + Mg, Fe, and Ca: Experimental kinetics and formulation of a weak collision, multiwell master equation with spin-hopping

The first excited electronic state of molecular oxygen, O(2)(a(1)Δ(g)), is formed in the upper atmosphere by the photolysis of O(3). Its lifetime is over 70 min above 75 km, so that during the day its concentration is about 30 times greater than that of O(3). In order to explore its potential reactivity with atmospheric constituents produced by meteoric ablation, the reactions of Mg, Fe, and Ca with O(2)(a) were studied in a fast flow tube, where the metal atoms were produced either by thermal evaporation (Ca and Mg) or by pulsed laser ablation of a metal target (Fe), and detected by laser induced fluorescence spectroscopy. O(2)(a) was produced by bubbling a flow of Cl(2) through chilled alkaline H(2)O(2), and its absolute concentration determined from its optical emission at 1270 nm (O(2)(a(1)Δ(g) - X(3)Σ(g) (-)). The following results were obtained at 296 K: k(Mg + O(2)(a) + N(2) → MgO(2) + N(2)) = (1.8 ± 0.2) × 10(-30) cm(6) molecule(-2) s(-1); k(Fe + O(2)(a) → FeO + O) = (1.1 ± 0.1) × 10(-13) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1); k(Ca + O(2)(a) + N(2) → CaO(2) + N(2)) = (2.9 ± 0.2) × 10(-28) cm(6) molecule(-2) s(-1); and k(Ca + O(2)(a) → CaO + O) = (2.7 ± 1.0) × 10(-12) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1). The total uncertainty in these rate coefficients, which mostly arises from the systematic uncertainty in the O(2)(a) concentration, is estimated to be ±40%. Mg + O(2)(a) occurs exclusively by association on the singlet surface, producing MgO(2)((1)A(1)), with a pressure dependent rate coefficient. Fe + O(2)(a), on the other hand, shows pressure independent kinetics. FeO + O is produced with a probability of only ∼0.1%. There is no evidence for an association complex, suggesting that this reaction proceeds mostly by near-resonant electronic energy transfer to Fe(a(5)F) + O(2)(X). The reaction of Ca + O(2)(a) occurs in an intermediate regime with two competing pressure dependent channels: (1) a recombination to produce CaO(2)((1)A(1)), and (2) a singlet∕triplet non-adiabatic hopping channel leading to CaO + O((3)P). In order to interpret the Ca + O(2)(a) results, we utilized density functional theory along with multireference and explicitly correlated CCSD(T)-F12 electronic structure calculations to examine the lowest lying singlet and triplet surfaces. In addition to mapping stationary points, we used a genetic algorithm to locate minimum energy crossing points between the two surfaces. Simulations of the Ca + O(2)(a) kinetics were then carried out using a combination of both standard and non-adiabatic Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel-Marcus (RRKM) theory implemented within a weak collision, multiwell master equation model. In terms of atmospheric significance, only in the case of Ca does reaction with O(2)(a) compete with O(3) during the daytime between 85 and 110 km.

Theoretical kinetics for the decomposition of iso-butanol and related [formula omitted] reactions

The potential energy surface for the thermal decomposition of iso-butanol has been investigated using high level ab initio electronic structure methods. Temperature and pressure dependent rate coefficients for the three channels with the lower energy barriers, forming (CH3)2C˙H+C˙H2OH (k1), CH3C˙HCH2OH+C˙H3 (k2) and (CH3)2C=CH2+H2O (k3) were computed with the master equation method employing ab initio transition state theory estimates for the microcanonical rate coefficients. The two radical forming channels were treated with variable-reaction-coordinate transition state theory employing directly sampled CASPT2(2e,2o)/cc-pVDZ orientation dependent interaction energies coupled with one-dimensional basis set and relaxation corrections. The other channel was treated with conventional TST including Eckart tunneling and one-dimensional hindered rotor corrections. For temperatures higher than 1000K and pressures of 1Torr or greater, the direct C–C bond fission forming (CH3)2C˙H+C˙H2OH is dominant, while the formations of CH3C˙HCH2OH+C˙H3 and (CH3)2C=CH2+H2O together contribute less than 20%. The bi-molecular recombination of (CH3)2C˙H+C˙H2OH has also been investigated, with the formation of iso-butanol found to be dominant at high pressure and the production of CH3C˙HCH2OH+C˙H3 favored at low pressure.

Theoretical Study of the Thermal Decomposition of the 5-Methyl-2-furanylmethyl Radical

The thermal decomposition of the 5-methyl-2-furanylmethyl radical (R(1)), the most important primary radical formed during the combustion and thermal decomposition of 2,5-dimethylfuran (a promising next-generation biofuel), was studied using CBS-QB3 calculations and master equation (ME)/RRKM modeling. Because very little information is available in the literature, the detailed potential energy surface (PES) was investigated thoroughly. Only the main pathways, having a kinetic influence on the decomposition of R(1), were retained in the final ME/RRKM model. Among all the channels studied, the ring-opening of the 5-methyl-2-furanylmethyl radical, followed by ring enlargement to form cyclohexadienone molecules is predicted to be the easiest decomposition channel of R(1). The C(6) cyclic species formed can undergo unimolecular reactions to yield phenol and to a lesser extent cyclopentadiene and CO. Our calculations predict that these species are important products formed during the pyrolysis of 2,5-dimethylfuran (DMF). Other channels involved in the decomposition of R(1) lead directly to the formation of linear and cyclic unsaturated C(5) species and constitute an additional source of cyclopentadiene and CO. High-pressure limit rate constants were computed as well as thermochemical properties for important species. ME/RRKM analysis was performed to probe the influence of pressure on the rate coefficients and pressure dependent rate coefficients were proposed for pressures and temperatures ranging, respectively, from 10(-2) bar to 10 bar and 1000 to 2000 K.

Kinetics of Elementary Steps in the Reactions of Atomic Bromine with Isoprene and 1,3-Butadiene under Atmospheric Conditions

Laser flash photolysis of CF(2)Br(2) has been coupled with time-resolved detection of atomic bromine by resonance fluorescence spectroscopy to investigate the gas-phase kinetics of early elementary steps in the Br-initiated oxidations of isoprene (2-methyl-1,3-butadiene, Iso) and 1,3-butadiene (Bu) under atmospheric conditions. At T ≥ 526 K, measured rate coefficients for Br + isoprene are independent of pressure, suggesting that hydrogen transfer (1a) is the dominant reaction pathway. The following Arrhenius expression adequately describes all kinetic data at 526 K ≤ T ≤ 673 K: k(1a)(T) = (1.22 ± 0.57) × 10(-11) exp[(-2100 ± 280)/T] cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) (uncertainties are 2σ and represent precision of the Arrhenius parameters). At 271 K ≤ T ≤ 357 K, kinetic evidence for the reversible addition reactions Br + Iso ↔ Br-Iso (k(1b), k(-1b)) and Br + Bu ↔ Br-Bu (k(3b), k(-3b)) is observed. Analysis of the approach to equilibrium data allows the temperature- and pressure-dependent rate coefficients k(1b), k(-1b), k(3b), and k(-3b) to be evaluated. At atmospheric pressure, addition of Br to each conjugated diene occurs with a near-gas-kinetic rate coefficient. Equilibrium constants for the addition/dissociation reactions are obtained from k(1b)/k(-1b) and k(3b)/k(-3b), respectively. Combining the experimental equilibrium data with electronic structure calculations allows both second- and third-law analyses of thermochemistry to be carried out. The following thermochemical parameters for the addition reactions 1b and 3b at 0 and 298 K are obtained (units are kJ mol(-1) for Δ(r)H and J mol(-1) K(-1) for Δ(r)S; uncertainties are accuracy estimates at the 95% confidence level): Δ(r)H(0)(1b) = -66.6 ± 7.1, Δ(r)H(298)(1b) = -67.5 ± 6.6, and Δ(r)S(298)(3b) = -93 ± 16; Δ(r)H(0)(3b) = -62.4 ± 9.0, Δ(r)H(298)(3b) = -64.5 ± 8.5, and Δ(r)S(298)(3b) = -94 ± 20. Examination of the effect of added O(2) on Br kinetics under conditions where reversible adduct formation is observed allows the rate coefficients for the Br-Iso + O(2) (k(2)) and Br-Bu + O(2) (k(4)) reactions to be determined. At 298 K, we find that k(2) = (3.2 ± 1.0) × 10(-13) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) independent of pressure (uncertainty is 2σ, precision only; pressure range is 25-700 Torr) whereas k(4) increases from 3.2 to 4.7 × 10(-13) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) as the pressure increases from 25 to 700 Torr. Our results suggest that under atmospheric conditions, Br-Iso and Br-Bu react with O(2) to produce peroxy radicals considerably more rapidly than they undergo unimolecular decomposition. Hence, the very fast addition reactions appear to control the rates of Br-initiated formation of Br-Iso-OO and Br-Bu-OO radicals under atmospheric conditions. The peroxy radicals are relatively weakly bound, so conjugated diene regeneration via unimolecular decomposition reactions, though unimportant on the time scale of the reported experiments (milliseconds), is likely to compete effectively with bimolecular reactions of peroxy radicals under relatively warm atmospheric conditions as well as in 298 K competitive kinetics experiments carried out in large chambers.

Reaction of Hydroxyl Radicals with C4H5N (Pyrrole): Temperature and Pressure Dependent Rate Coefficients

Absolute (pulsed laser photolysis, 4-639 Torr N(2) or air, 240-357 K) and relative rate methods (50 and 760 Torr air, 296 K) were used to measure rate coefficients k(1) for the title reaction, OH + C(4)H(5)N → products (R1). Although the pressure and temperature dependent rate coefficient is adequately represented by a falloff parametrization, calculations of the potential energy surface indicate a complex reaction system with multiple reaction paths (addition only) in the falloff regime. At 298 K and 760 Torr (1 Torr = 1.33 mbar) the rate coefficient obtained from the parametrization is k(1) = (1.28 ± 0.1) × 10(-10) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), in good agreement with the value of (1.10 ± 0.27) × 10(-10) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) obtained in the relative rate study (relative to C(5)H(8), isoprene) at this temperature and pressure. The accuracy of the absolute rate coefficient determination was enhanced by online optical absorption measurements of the C(4)H(5)N concentration at 184.95 nm using a value σ(184.95nm) = (1.26 ± 0.02) × 10(-17) cm(2) molecule(-1), which was determined in this work.

Reply to comment on “Automatic estimation of pressure-dependent rate coefficients” (J. W. Allen, C. F. Goldsmith, and W. H. Green, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2011, 14, 1131–1155)

Sources of error in determining pressure-dependent rate coefficients are discussed in the context of automatic mechanism generation. Often the approximations made in converting the master equations into phenomenological rate coefficients are not the largest source of error. However, in some cases some of the methods are seriously inaccurate. Automation of Miller and Klippenstein’s accurate CSE method, including automatic identification of equilibrated species, would be very helpful.

Automatic estimation of pressure-dependent rate coefficients

A general framework is presented for accurately and efficiently estimating the phenomenological pressure-dependent rate coefficients for reaction networks of arbitrary size and complexity using only high-pressure-limit information. Two aspects of this framework are discussed in detail. First, two methods of estimating the density of states of the species in the network are presented, including a new method based on characteristic functional group frequencies. Second, three methods of simplifying the full master equation model of the network to a single set of phenomenological rates are discussed, including a new method based on the reservoir state and pseudo-steady state approximations. Both sets of methods are evaluated in the context of the chemically-activated reaction of acetyl with oxygen. All three simplifications of the master equation are usually accurate, but each fails in certain situations, which are discussed. The new methods usually provide good accuracy at a computational cost appropriate for automated reaction mechanism generation.

Pressure-Dependent OH Yields in Alkene + HO2 Reactions: A Theoretical Study

The major bimolecular product of alkyl + O(2) reactions is alkene + hydroperoxyl radical (HO(2)), but in the reverse direction, the reactants are reformed to a very limited extent only. The most important products of the alkene + HO(2) reactions are alkylperoxy radical (ROO(•)), hydroxyl radical (OH) + cyclic ether, and the corresponding hydroperoxyalkyl ((•)QOOH) species. Moreover, abstraction of allylic hydrogens can compete with the addition, further complicating the possible outcome of this reaction type and its effect on low-temperature combustion chemistry. In this paper, six alkene + HO(2) reactions and the reaction between an unsaturated oxygenate and HO(2) are studied based on previously established potential energy surfaces. The studied unsaturated compounds are ethene, propene, 1-butene, trans-2-butene, isobutene, cyclohexene, and vinyl alcohol. Using multiwell master equations, temperature- (300-1200 K) and pressure-dependent rate coefficients and branching fractions are calculated for these reactions. The importance of this reaction type for the combustion of unsaturated compounds is also assessed, and we show that, to get reliable results, it is important to include the pressure-dependence of the rate coefficients in the calculations.

Pressure and Temperature Dependence of the Reaction of Vinyl Radical with Alkenes III: Measured Rates and Predicted Product Distributions for Vinyl + Butene

This work reports experimental and theoretical first-order rate constants for the reaction of vinyl radical with C(4)H(8) alkenes: 1-butene, 2-butene, and isobutene. The experiments are performed over a temperature range of 300 to 700 K at 100 Torr. Vinyl radicals (H(2)C horizontal lineCH) were generated by laser photolysis of vinyl iodide (C(2)H(3)I) at 266 nm, and time-resolved absorption spectroscopy was used to probe vinyl radicals at 423.2 and 475 nm. Weighted Arrhenius fits to the experimental rate coefficients for 1-butene (k(1)), 2-butene (k(2)), and isobutene (k(3)) yield k(1) = (1.3 +/- 0.3) x 10(-12) cm(3) molecules(-1) s(-1) exp[-(2200 +/- 120) K/T]; k(2) = (1.7 +/- 0.3) x 10(-12) cm(3) molecules(-1) s(-1) exp[-(2610 +/- 120) K/T]; and k(3) = (1.0 +/- 0.1) x 10(-12) cm(3) molecules(-1) s(-1) exp[-(2130 +/- 50) K/T], respectively. C(6)H(11) potential energy surfaces (PESs) for each system were calculated using the G3 method. RRKM/ME simulations were performed for each system to predict pressure-dependent rate coefficients and branching fractions for the major channels. A generic rate rule for vinyl addition to various alkenes is recommended; a similar rate rule for the abstraction of H atoms by vinyl from alkenes is also provided. Some of the vinyl addition reactions exhibit anomalous Evans-Polanyi plots similar to those reported for previous methyl addition reactions.

Computed Rate Coefficients and Product Yields for c-C5H5 + CH3 → Products

Using quantum chemical methods, we have explored the region of the C6H8 potential energy surface that is relevant in predicting the rate coefficients of various wells and major product channels following the reaction between cyclopentadienyl radical and methyl radical, c-C5H5 + CH3. Variational transition state theory is used to calculate the high-pressure-limit rate coefficient for all of the barrierless reactions. RRKM theory and the master equation are used to calculate the pressure dependent rate coefficients for 12 reactions. The calculated results are compared with the limited experimental data available in the literature and the agreement between the two is quite good. All of the rate coefficients calculated in this work are tabulated and can be used in building detailed chemical kinetic models.

The Dissociation of Diacetyl: A Shock Tube and Theoretical Study

The dissociation of diacetyl dilute in krypton has been studied in a shock tube using laser schlieren densitometry at 1200-1800 K and reaction pressures of 55 +/- 2, 120 +/- 3, and 225 +/- 5 Torr. The experimentally determined rate coefficients show falloff and an ab initio/Master Equation/VRC-TST analysis was used to determine pressure-dependent rate coefficient expressions that are in good agreement with the experimental data. From the theoretical calculations k(infinity)(T) = 5.029 x 10(19) (T/298 K)(-3.40) exp(-37665/T) s(-1) for 300 < T < 2000 K. The laser schlieren profiles were simulated using a model for methyl recombination with appropriate additions for diacetyl. From the simulations rate coefficients were determined for CH(3) + CH(3) = C(2)H(6) and CH(3) + C(4)H(6)O(2) = CH(3)CO + CH(2)CO + CH(4) (k(T) = 2.818T(4.00) exp(-5737/T) cm(3) mol(-1) s(-1)). Excellent agreement is found between the simulations and experimental profiles, and Troe type parameters have been calculated for the dissociation of diacetyl and the recombination of methyl radicals.

Collisional Energy Transfer in Unimolecular Reactions: Direct Classical Trajectories for CH4 ⇄ CH3 + H in Helium

Direct classical trajectories are used to compute energy transfer parameters appropriate for use in master equation calculations for the CH4 <--> CH3 + H reaction in He at 300-2000 K. The quantum chemistry method used in the direct trajectory calculations is MP2/aug'-cc-pVDZ, which is validated against higher level ab initio calculations. The average energy transferred in deactivating collisions is shown to increase with the initial rotational excitation J' of CH4 and with the temperature of the bath gas T(bath). When thermally averaged over J', the resulting average downward energy transfer alpha is found to increase nearly linearly with T(bath) (alpha = 110T(bath)0.81 cm(-1)). The results of master equation calculations carried out using the single-exponential-down model and the computed values of alpha are compared with experimental results and recent recommendations. At elevated temperatures (>600 K), good agreement between the predicted and experimental rate coefficients is obtained. At room temperature, the computed rate coefficients are in good agreement with the experimental results if the two-dimensional (E, J) formulation of the master equation is used. Smaller values of alpha (by 25%) are necessary to fit the experimental data at room temperature using the one-dimensional (E) master equation. The present study, combined with previous ab initio transition state theory calculations for the CH3 + H capture rate, provides a complete first-principles characterization of the temperature and pressure dependent rate coefficients for this simple single-well system.

The gas-phase reaction between silylene and 2-butyne: kinetics, isotope studies, pressure dependence studies and quantum chemical calculations

Time-resolved kinetic studies of the reactions of silylene, SiH(2), and dideutero-silylene, SiD(2), generated by laser flash photolysis of phenylsilane and phenylsilane-d(3), respectively, have been carried out to obtain rate coefficients for their bimolecular reactions with 2-butyne, CH(3)C[triple bond, length as m-dash]CCH(3). The reactions were studied in the gas phase over the pressure range 1-100 Torr in SF(6) bath gas at five temperatures in the range 294-612 K. The second-order rate coefficients, obtained by extrapolation to the high pressure limits at each temperature, fitted the Arrhenius equations where the error limits are single standard deviations: log(k(H)(Infinity)/cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) = (-9.67 +/- 0.04) + (1.71 +/- 0.33) kJ mol(1)/RTIn10log(k(D)(Infinity)/cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) = (-9.65 +/- 0.01) + (1.92 +/- 0.13) kJ mol(-1)/RTIn10. Additionally, pressure-dependent rate coefficients for the reaction of SiH(2) with 2-butyne in the presence of He (1-100 Torr) were obtained at 301, 429 and 613 K. Quantum chemical (ab initio) calculations of the SiC(4)H(8) reaction system at the G3 level support the formation of 2,3-dimethylsilirene [cyclo-SiH(2)C(CH(3))[double bond, length as m-dash]C(CH(3))-] as the sole end product. However, reversible formation of 2,3-dimethylvinylsilylene [CH(3)CH[double bond, length as m-dash]C(CH(3))SiH] is also an important process. The calculations also indicate the probable involvement of several other intermediates, and possible products. RRKM calculations are in reasonable agreement with the pressure dependences at an enthalpy value for 2,3-dimethylsilirene fairly close to that suggested by the ab initio calculations. The experimental isotope effects deviate significantly from those predicted by RRKM theory. The differences can be explained by an isotopic scrambling mechanism, involving H-D exchange between the hydrogens of the methyl groups and the D-atoms in the ring in 2,3-dimethylsilirene-1,1-d(2). A detailed mechanism involving several intermediate species, which is consistent with the G3 energy surface, is proposed to account for this.

Pressure and temperature dependence of the reaction of vinyl radical with alkenes II: Measured rates and predicted product distributions for vinyl + propene

This work reports measurements of the absolute rate coefficients and Rice–Ramsperger–Kassel–Markus (RRKM) master equation (ME) simulations of the C2H3+C3H6 reaction. Direct kinetic studies were performed over a temperature range of 300–700K and pressures of 15, 25, and 100Torr. Vinyl radicals were generated by laser photolysis of vinyl iodide at 266nm, and time-resolved absorption spectroscopy was used to probe vinyl radicals through absorption at 423.2nm. A weighted modified Arrhenius fit to the experimental rate constant is k1=(1.3±0.2)×10−12cm3molecule−1s−1(T/1000)1.6exp[−(1510±80/T)]. Fifteen stationary points and 48 transition states on the C5H9 potential energy surface (PES) were calculated using the G3 method in Gaussian 03. RRKM/ME simulations were performed using VariFlex on a simplified PES to predict pressure dependent rate coefficients and branching fractions for the major channels. For temperatures between 350 and 700K, the calculated rate coefficient agrees with the experimental rate coefficient within 20%. At low temperatures, the primary products are the initial adducts 4-penten-2-yl and 2-methyl-3-buten-1-yl. At higher temperatures, the dominant products are 1,3-butadiene+methyl, allyl+ethene, and 1,3-pentadiene+H. Although C2H3+C3H6→allyl+ethene is thermodynamically favored, the simulations predict that it does not become the dominant product until 1700K.

A Kinetic and Spectroscopic Study of the CH3I−Cl and ICH2I−Cl Adducts

Laser-induced fluorescence from the CH3I-Cl and ICH2I-Cl adducts formed in association reactions between chlorine atoms and CH3I and CH2I2 has been observed for the first time. The LIF excitation and dispersed fluorescence spectra have been measured in the range 345-375 nm and 380-480 nm, respectively, at 204 and 296 K. The excitation spectra exhibit vibrational fine structure, and a semiquantitative analysis of the spectra yields a similar binding energy for both adducts of approximately 60 kJ mol(-1). The adduct fluorescence is efficiently quenched by N2 and exhibits a zero-pressure lifetime of approximately 25-30 ns. Using LIF excited from the CH3I-Cl and ICH2I-Cl adducts, the kinetics of the reactions of atomic chlorine with methyl iodide and diiodomethane have been investigated, the results showing that both reactions proceed via two independent channels, an association reaction to form the adduct and a bimolecular abstraction reaction. At T approximately 200 K, the association reaction is predominant, and CH3I-Cl formation is irreversible, with rate coefficients for adduct formation found to be pressure-dependent and in reasonable agreement with the literature. At approximately 200 K, removal of the adduct is dominated by reaction with radical species (CH3 and ClSO) and by self-reaction, which proceed at close to the gas kinetic limit. At 296 K, CH3I-Cl formation is reversible, and the equilibrium constant, K(p) = (70.9 +/- 27.4) x 10(3) atm(-1), was determined, which is in excellent agreement with the literature, and the adduct does not significantly react with CH3I. The uncertainty is at the 95% confidence level (2sigma) and includes systematic errors. At approximately 200 K, the ICH2I-Cl adduct is again stabilized, with pressure-dependent rate coefficients reaching the high pressure limit at lower pressures than for the Cl + CH3I reaction. At room temperature, the ICH2I-Cl adduct is removed via an additional unimolecular decomposition channel, which dominates over the reversible decomposition channel to reform Cl + CH2I2. Neither adduct was observed to undergo significant reaction with molecular oxygen at approximately 200 or 296 K, with an upper limit rate coefficient determined as k < 10(-16) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1).

Pressure-dependent rate coefficients of chemical reactions involving Si 2H 4 isomerization from QRRK calculations

The falloff behavior of reactions involving Si 2H 4* adduct isomerization is investigated in the framework of quantum Rice Ramsperger Kassel theory. Calculations are found in good agreement with the current knowledge on these reactions and provide new insight into less documented channels. The influence of pressure on the rate coefficient depends on the kind of reaction considered and can be well explained from the corresponding rate equations. Analytical expressions of the pressure-dependent rate coefficients are finally derived for several bath gases using SRI and Troe's parameterized forms. These analytical expressions can be used over a large range of temperature and pressure for modeling chemical processes involving silane or disilane pyrolysis such as chemical vapor deposition of silicon.

Experimental and Master Equation Study of the Kinetics of OH + C2H2: Temperature Dependence of the Limiting High Pressure and Pressure Dependent Rate Coefficients

The kinetics of the reaction OH + C2H2 have been studied using laser flash photolysis at 248 nm to generate OH radicals and laser-induced fluorescence to monitor OH removal. An attempt was made to use the rate coefficients OH (v = 1,2) + C2H2 to determine the limiting high-pressure rate coefficient, k(1a)(infinity), over the temperature range of 195-823 K. This method is usually applicable if the reaction samples the potential energy well of the adduct, HOC2H2, and if intramolecular vibrational relaxation is fast. In the present case, however, the rate coefficients for loss of the vibrationally excited states by reaction with C2H2 also contain a substantial contribution from nonreactive vibrational relaxation, which occurs via a mechanism that does not sample the adduct potential energy well but involves, at least at low temperatures, collisions that access a shallower, longer range van der Waals well. The data were analyzed using a composite mechanism that incorporates both reactive and nonreactive energy transfer mechanisms, which allows the determination of k(1a)(infinity)(T) for OH + C2H2 with satisfactory accuracy over the temperature range 195-823 K. The kinetics of the reaction OH (v = 0) + C2H2 were also studied in He over the range of conditions: 210-373 K and 5-760 Torr. A one-dimensional master equation (ME) analysis of the experimental data provided a further determination of k(1a)(infinity)(T) and also <DeltaE>(down) for He. Combining the two sets of results gives a consistent dataset for k(1a)(infinity) and the Arrhenius parameters A1ainfinity = 7.3 x 10(-12) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) and E(1a)(infinity) = 5.3 kJ mol(-1), with <DeltaE>(down) = 150(T/300 K) cm(-1). Additional experiments were conducted at room temperature in N(2) and SF(6) by laser flash photolysis with cavity ring down spectroscopy, and ME calculations were then optimized for the pressure falloff in N(2) by varying the average downward energy transfer parameter (<DeltaE>(down)). The output from the best fit ME was parametrized using a modified Troe expression to provide rate data for use in atmospheric modeling.

Direct Measurement and Theoretical Calculation of the Rate Coefficient for Cl + CH3 in the Range from T = 202−298 K

The rate coefficient has been measured under pseudo-first-order conditions for the Cl+CH3 association reaction at T=202, 250, and 298 K and P=0.3-2.0 Torr helium using the technique of discharge-flow mass spectrometry with low-energy (12-eV) electron-impact ionization and collision-free sampling. Cl and CH3 were generated rapidly and simultaneously by reaction of F with HCl and CH4, respectively. Fluorine atoms were produced by microwave discharge in an approximately 1% mixture of F2 in He. The decay of CH3 was monitored under pseudo-first-order conditions with the Cl-atom concentration in large excess over the CH3 concentration ([Cl]0/[CH3]0=9-67). Small corrections were made for both axial and radial diffusion and minor secondary chemistry. The rate coefficient was found to be in the falloff regime over the range of pressures studied. For example, at T=202 K, the rate coefficient increases from 8.4x10(-12) at P=0.30 Torr He to 1.8x10(-11) at P=2.00 Torr He, both in units of cm3 molecule-1 s-1. A combination of ab initio quantum chemistry, variational transition-state theory, and master-equation simulations was employed in developing a theoretical model for the temperature and pressure dependence of the rate coefficient. Reasonable empirical representations of energy transfer and of the effect of spin-orbit interactions yield a temperature- and pressure-dependent rate coefficient that is in excellent agreement with the present experimental results. The high-pressure limiting rate coefficient from the RRKM calculations is k2=6.0x10(-11) cm3 molecule-1 s-1, independent of temperature in the range from 200 to 300 K.

Temperature and Pressure Dependent Rate Coefficients for the Reaction of Hg with Br and the Reaction of Br with Br: A Pulsed Laser Photolysis-Pulsed Laser Induced Fluorescence Study

A pulsed laser photolysis-pulsed laser induced fluorescence technique has been employed to study the recombination of mercury and bromine atoms, Hg + Br + M --> HgBr + M (1) and the self-reaction of bromine atoms, Br + Br + M --> Br2 + M (2). Rate coefficients were determined as a function of pressure (200-600 Torr) and temperature (243-293 K) in nitrogen buffer gas and as a function of pressure (200-600 Torr) in helium buffer gas at room temperature. For reaction 1, kinetic measurements were performed under conditions in which bromine atoms were the reactant in excess concentration while simultaneously monitoring the concentration of both mercury and bromine. A temperature dependent expression of (1.46 +/- 0.34) x 10(-32) x (T/298)(-(1.86+/-1.49)) cm6 molecule(-2) s(-1) was determined for the third-order recombination rate coefficient in nitrogen buffer gas. The effective second-order rate coefficient for reaction 1 under atmospheric conditions is a factor of 9 smaller than previously determined in a recently published relative rate study. For reaction 2 we obtain a temperature dependent expression of (4.31 +/- 0.21) x 10(-33) x (T/298)(-(2.77+/-0.30)) cm6 molecule(-2) s(-1) for the third-order recombination rate coefficient in nitrogen buffer gas. The rate coefficients are reported with a 2sigma error of precision only; however, due to the uncertainty in the determination of absolute bromine atom concentrations and other unidentified systematic errors we conservatively estimate an uncertainty of +/-50% in the rate coefficients. For both reactions the observed pressure, temperature and buffer gas dependencies are consistent with the expected behavior for three-body recombination.