Pressure-dependent Rate Coefficients Research Articles

Shock tube study and RRKM calculations on thermal decomposition of 2-chloroethyl methyl ether

The thermal decomposition of 2-chloroethyl methyl ether (2-CEME) was studied in the temperatures between 1175 and 1467 K. The decomposition of 2-CEME happens predominantly via molecular elimination reactions than via CC and CO bond fission channels. The major decomposition products are methane, ethylene and methanol. The minor are acetaldehyde and ethane. The Arrhenius expression for the overall decomposition of 2-CEME was obtained to be ktotalexp(1175−1467K)=(4.12±0.42)×1011exp(−(52.2kcalmol−1±2.6)/RT)s−1. To simulate the distribution of reactant and products over the experimentally studied temperatures between 1175 and 1467 K, a reaction scheme was constructed with 45 species and 71 elementary reactions. The pressure and temperature dependent rate coefficients were calculated for various unimolecular dissociation pathways in 2-CEME using RRKM theory. The high pressure limit temperature dependent rate coefficient for the total decomposition of 2-CEME was obtained to be ktotalCCSDT//M06−2X(500–2000 K) = (2.55 ± 0.21) × 1014 exp (−(67.6 kcal mol−1 ± 3.0)/RT) s−1.

Initiation mechanism of 1,3-butadiene combustion and its effect on soot precursors

1,3-Butadiene (13C4H6, CH2CHCHCH2) is of great importance as a ubiquitous intermediate in hydrocarbon combustion. Besides its toxic nature, it is involved in the formation of major soot precursors such as C3H3 and n-/i-C4H5. In the present study, the initiation mechanism of 1,3-butadiene combustion has been systematically investigated. It includes the thermal decomposition and mutual isomerization on the C4H6 potential energy surface (PES), the H-assisted isomerization reaction on the C4H7 PES and the H addition-elimination and H abstraction reactions. The temperature- and pressure-dependent rate coefficients for the first two categories of reactions were computed extensively while the H-addition and H-abstraction reactions were adopted from literature. The updated initiation mechanism was then incorporated into Aramco Mech 2.0 to reveal the initiation pathways in 1,3-butadiene pyrolysis and premixed flame. The previously missing “well-skipping” path 13C4H6CH3+C3H3 is found to be important in 1,3-butadiene pyrolysis. The H-assisted isomerization has a minor contribution to conversion between 1,3- and 1,2-butadiene, while the similar reactions were suggested to play important roles in fulvene/benzene and allene/propyne interconversion. Using the updated model that includes the above pressure-dependent reactions, the effect of the well-skipping paths on the formation of several well-recognized soot precursors (such as C3H3, C4H5) are discussed.

Pressure-dependent kinetics on the C4H7 potential energy surface and its effect on combustion model predictions

Butene (C4H8), the smallest alkene possessing both branched and straight-chain isomers, is usually an important intermediate with relatively high concentration in the combustion of hydrocarbons and oxygenated fuels. In the present study, the kinetics of thermal isomerization, decomposition and chemical activation reactions of three typical butenyl isomers, i.e. nC4H7 (CH2=CHCH2ĊH2), saxC4H7 (CH2=CHĊHCH3) and iC4H7 (CH2=C(CH3)ĊH2), were systematically investigated by theoretical calculations. High-level ab initio calculations coupled with the RRKM/master equation method were used to compute the temperature and pressure dependent rate coefficients. The results show that the existence of vinylic CC bond in iC4H7 largely impedes its decomposition rate. The transformation from iC4H7 to straight-chain C4H7 is kinetically unfavorable due to the high strain energy of the 3-membered ring structure of the isomerization transition state. Furthermore, the calculated rate coefficients were incorporated into USC Mech II and Aramco Mech 2.0 to examine the impact of our computed pressure-dependent kinetics on model predictions. Although the simulation results demonstrate limited improvement on ignition delay time and laminar flame speed of butene, substantial changes are observed for the mole fractions of important intermediate species, e.g., allene and 1,3-butediene, in butene pyrolysis. Modified Arrhenius representations of the calculated rate constants are given and should be used in combustion modeling.

Exploring the high-temperature kinetics of diethyl carbonate (DEC) under pyrolysis and flame conditions

To pursue insights into the high-temperature kinetics of diethyl carbonate (DEC), a potential clean oxygenated additive for diesel fuels, a systematical kinetic investigation was carried out in this work. Species mole fraction variations were recorded by a gas chromatography (GC) system during the pyrolysis of DEC in a flow reactor under three different pressures (30, 150 and 780Torr). And quantitative measurements were conducted for over thirty species in a fuel-rich (ϕ=1.5) premixed DEC/O2/argon flame using synchrotron vacuum ultraviolet photoionization mass spectrometry. Pressure-dependent rate coefficients for DEC unimolecular decompositions were obtained with RRKM/master equation calculations. A kinetic model for DEC high-temperature pyrolysis and combustion was developed employing the calculated kinetic parameters, which could well predict all available measurements. Model analysis revealed that a two-step molecular elimination pathway exclusively led to the fuel decomposition under pyrolysis conditions, while in the premixed flame the fuel was consumed mainly by hydrogen abstractions from the secondary carbon atoms. The pyrolysis and combustion behaviors of DEC were compared with those of dimethyl carbonate (DMC), a simpler homologue of DEC, under similar conditions. It was found that DEC was of less thermal stability during the pyrolysis and that C2 intermediates were of much higher concentrations in the DEC flame. Furthermore, it was found that DEC shared combustion characteristics with some other oxygenated fuels possessing specific common structural features.

Thermal Decomposition of 2-Pentanol: A Shock Tube Study and RRKM Calculations.

A single pulse shock tube was used to study the thermal decomposition of 2-pentanol in the temperatures between 1110 and 1325 K. Three major decomposition products are methane, ethylene, and propylene. The minor products detected in lower concentration are ethane, acetylene, acetaldehyde, 1-pentene, and 2-pentene. The rate coefficient for the overall decomposition of 2-pentanol was found to be ktotalexp(1110-1325 K) = (4.01 ± 0.51) × 109 exp(-(36.2 ± 4.7)/RT) s-1, where the activation energies are given in kcal mol-1. To simulate reactant and product distribution over the experimentally studied temperatures between 1110 and 1325 K, a reaction scheme was constructed with 34 species and 39 reactions. In addition to this, the temperature and pressure dependent rate coefficients were computed for various unimolecular dissociation pathways using RRKM theory. The high pressure limit rate coefficient for overall decomposition of 2-pentanol was obtained to be ktotaltheory(500-2500 K) = (9.67 ± 1.11) × 1014 exp(-(67.7 ± 2.9)/RT) s-1. The calculated high pressure rate coefficients and experimentally measured rate constants are in good agreement with each other. The reaction is primarily governed by the unimolecular elimination of water.

Temperature- and pressure-dependent rate coefficients for the HACA pathways from benzene to naphthalene

RRKM-Master Equation calculations have been performed to evaluate temperature- and pressure-dependent rate coefficients for acetylene addition reactions to the C6H5, C6H4C2H, C6H5C2H2, and C6H4C2H3 radicals. These calculations indicate a strong pressure dependence for the role of various Hydrogen-Abstraction-C2H2-Addition (HACA) sequences for the formation of naphthalene from benzene. At atmospheric and lower pressures the C8H7 radicals, C6H4C2H3 and C6H5C2H2, cannot be stabilized above 1650K. As a result, both the Bittner–Howard HACA route, in which a second acetylene molecule adds to C6H5C2H2, and the modified Frenklach route, where a second C2H2 adds to the aromatic ring of C6H4C2H3 obtained by internal hydrogen abstraction, are unrealistic under low pressure flame conditions. At the higher pressures of some practical combustion devices (e.g., 100atm) these routes may be operative. Naphthalene is predicted to be the main product of the C6H5C2H2+C2H2 and C6H4C2H3+C2H2 reactions in the entire 500–2500K temperature range independent of pressure (ignoring the issues related to the instability of C8H7 species). Frenklach's original HACA route, where the second C2H2 molecule adds to the aromatic ring activated by intermolecular H abstraction from C8H6, involves the C6H4C2H+C2H2 reaction, which is shown to predominantly form dehydrogenated species with a naphthalene core (naphthyl radicals or naphthynes) at T <2000K and diethynylbenzene at higher temperatures. The temperature and pressure dependence of rate coefficients for the various reaction channels has been analyzed and the results clearly demonstrate the importance of pressure for the reaction outcome. Thus, one must use caution when using low-pressure flame studies to validate PAH mechanisms for use in broader ranges of pressure.

Elucidating reactivity regimes in cyclopentane oxidation: Jet stirred reactor experiments, computational chemistry, and kinetic modeling

This study is concerned with the identification and quantification of species generated during the combustion of cyclopentane in a jet stirred reactor (JSR). Experiments were carried out for temperatures between 740 and 1250K, equivalence ratios from 0.5 to 3.0, and at an operating pressure of 10atm. The fuel concentration was kept at 0.1% and the residence time of the fuel/O2/N2 mixture was maintained at 0.7s. The reactant, product, and intermediate species concentration profiles were measured using gas chromatography and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The concentration profiles of cyclopentane indicate inhibition of reactivity between 850–1000K for φ = 2.0 and φ = 3.0. This behavior is interesting, as it has not been observed previously for other fuel molecules, cyclic or non-cyclic. A kinetic model including both low- and high-temperature reaction pathways was developed and used to simulate the JSR experiments. The pressure-dependent rate coefficients of all relevant reactions lying on the PES of cyclopentyl+O2, as well as the C–C and C–H scission reactions of the cyclopentyl radical were calculated at the UCCSD(T)-F12b/cc-pVTZ-F12//M06-2X/6-311++G(d,p) level of theory. The simulations reproduced the unique reactivity trend of cyclopentane and the measured concentration profiles of intermediate and product species. Sensitivity and reaction path analyses indicate that this reactivity trend may be attributed to differences in the reactivity of allyl radical at different conditions, and it is highly sensitive to the C–C/C–H scission branching ratio of the cyclopentyl radical decomposition.

Reaction Mechanism Generator: Automatic construction of chemical kinetic mechanisms

Reaction Mechanism Generator (RMG) constructs kinetic models composed of elementary chemical reaction steps using a general understanding of how molecules react. Species thermochemistry is estimated through Benson group additivity and reaction rate coefficients are estimated using a database of known rate rules and reaction templates. At its core, RMG relies on two fundamental data structures: graphs and trees. Graphs are used to represent chemical structures, and trees are used to represent thermodynamic and kinetic data. Models are generated using a rate-based algorithm which excludes species from the model based on reaction fluxes. RMG can generate reaction mechanisms for species involving carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, sulfur, and nitrogen. It also has capabilities for estimating transport and solvation properties, and it automatically computes pressure-dependent rate coefficients and identifies chemically-activated reaction paths. RMG is an object-oriented program written in Python, which provides a stable, robust programming architecture for developing an extensible and modular code base with a large suite of unit tests. Computationally intensive functions are cythonized for speed improvements. Program summaryProgram title: RMGCatalogue identifier: AEZW_v1_0Program summary URL:http://cpc.cs.qub.ac.uk/summaries/AEZW_v1_0.htmlProgram obtainable from: CPC Program Library, Queen’s University, Belfast, N. IrelandLicensing provisions: MIT/X11 LicenseNo. of lines in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 958681No. of bytes in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 9495441Distribution format: tar.gzProgramming language: Python.Computer: Windows, Ubuntu, and Mac OS computers with relevant compilers.Operating system: Unix/Linux/Windows.RAM: 1 GB minimum, 16 GB or more for larger simulationsClassification: 16.12.External routines: RDKit, Open Babel, DASSL, DASPK, DQED, NumPy, SciPyNature of problem: Automatic generation of chemical kinetic mechanisms for molecules containing C, H, O, S, and N.Solution method: Rate-based algorithm adds most important species and reactions to a model, with rate constants derived from rate rules and other parameters estimated via group additivity methods.Additional comments: The RMG software package also includes CanTherm, a tool for computing the thermodynamic properties of chemical species and both high-pressure-limit and pressure-dependent rate coefficients for chemical reactions using results from quantum chemical calculations. CanTherm is compatible with a variety of ab initio quantum chemistry software programs, including but not limited to Gaussian, MOPAC, QChem, and MOLPRO.Running time: From 30 s for the simplest molecules, to up to several weeks, depending on the size of the molecule and the conditions of the reaction system chosen.

Pressure-dependent rate constants for PAH growth: formation of indene and its conversion to naphthalene.

Unraveling the mechanisms for growth of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) requires accurate temperature- and pressure-dependent rate coefficients for a great variety of feasible pathways. Even the pathways for the formation of the simplest PAHs, indene and naphthalene, are fairly complex. These pathways provide important prototypes for modeling larger PAH growth. In this work we employ the ab initio RRKM theory-based master equation approach to predict the rate constants involved in the formation of indene and its conversion to naphthalene. The reactions eventually leading to indene involve C9Hx (x = 8-11) potential energy surfaces (PESs) and include C6H5 + C3H4 (allene and propyne), C6H6 + C3H3, benzyl + C2H2, C6H5 + C3H6, C6H6 + C3H5 and C6H5 + C3H5. These predictions allow us to make a number of valuable observations on the role of various mechanisms. For instance, we demonstrate that reactions which can significantly contribute to the formation of indene include phenyl + allene and H-assisted isomerization to indene of its major product, 3-phenylpropyne, benzyl + acetylene, and the reactions of the phenyl radical with propene and the allyl radical, both proceeding via the 3-phenylpropene intermediate. 3-Phenylpropene can be activated to a 1-phenylallyl radical, which in turn rapidly decomposes to indene. Next, indene can be converted to benzofulvene or naphthalene under typical combustion conditions, via its activation by H atom abstraction and methyl substitution on the five-membered ring followed by isomerization and decomposition of the resulting 1-methylindenyl radical, C10H9 → C10H8 + H. Alternatively, the same region of the C10H9 PES can be accessed through the reaction of benzyl with propargyl, C7H7 + C3H3 → C10H10 → C10H9 + H, which therefore can also contribute to the formation of benzofulvene or naphthalene. Benzofulvene easily transforms to naphthalene by H-assisted isomerization. An analysis of the effect of pressure on the reaction outcome and relative product yields is given, and modified Arrhenius fits of the rate constants are reported for the majority of the considered reactions. Ultimately, the implementation of such expressions in detailed kinetic models will help quantify the role of these reactions for PAH growth in various environments.

Ab Initio Reaction Kinetics of CH3OĊ(═O) and ĊH2OC(═O)H Radicals.

The dissociation and isomerization kinetics of the methyl ester combustion intermediates methoxycarbonyl radical (CH3OĊ(═O)) and (formyloxy)methyl radical (ĊH2OC(═O)H) are investigated theoretically using high-level ab initio methods and Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel-Marcus (RRKM)/master equation (ME) theory. Geometries obtained at the hybrid density functional theory (DFT) and coupled cluster singles and doubles with perturbative triples correction (CCSD(T)) levels of theory are found to be similar. We employ high-level ab initio wave function methods to refine the potential energy surface: CCSD(T), multireference singles and doubles configuration interaction (MRSDCI) with the Davidson-Silver (DS) correction, and multireference averaged coupled-pair functional (MRACPF2) theory. MRSDCI+DS and MRACPF2 capture the multiconfigurational character of transition states (TSs) and predict lower barrier heights than CCSD(T). The temperature- and pressure-dependent rate coefficients are computed using RRKM/ME theory in the temperature range 300-2500 K and a pressure range of 0.01 atm to the high-pressure limit, which are then fitted to modified Arrhenius expressions. Dissociation of CH3OĊ(═O) to ĊH3 and CO2 is predicted to be much faster than dissociating to CH3Ȯ and CO, consistent with its greater exothermicity. Isomerization between CH3OĊ(═O) and ĊH2OC(═O)H is predicted to be the slowest among the studied reactions and rarely happens even at high temperature and high pressure, suggesting the decomposition pathways of the two radicals are not strongly coupled. The predicted rate coefficients and branching fractions at finite pressures differ significantly from the corresponding high-pressure-limit results, especially at relatively high temperatures. Finally, because it is one of the most important CH3Ȯ removal mechanisms under atmospheric conditions, the reaction kinetics of CH3Ȯ + CO was also studied along the PES of CH3OĊ(═O); the resulting kinetics predictions are in remarkable agreement with experiments.

Ab Initio Unimolecular Reaction Kinetics of CH2C(═O)OCH3 and CH3C(═O)OCH2 Radicals

The unimolecular dissociation and isomerization kinetics of the methyl ester combustion intermediates methoxycarbonylmethyl (CH2C(═O)OCH3) and acetyloxylmethyl (CH3C(═O)OCH2) are theoretically investigated using high-level ab initio methods and the Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel-Marcus (RRKM)/master equation (ME) theory. Potential energy surfaces (PESs) are obtained using coupled cluster singles and doubles with perturbative triples correction (CCSD(T)), multireference singles and doubles configuration interaction (MRSDCI) with the Davidson-Silver (DS) correction, and multireference averaged coupled pair functional (MRACPF2) theory. The transition states exhibit high T1 diagnostics in coupled cluster calculations, suggesting the need for a multireference correlated wave function treatment. MRSDCI+DS and MRACPF2 capture their multiconfigurational character well, yielding lower barrier heights than CCSD(T) for these reactions. The rate coefficients are computed using the RRKM/ME theory over a 500-2500 K temperature range and at a pressure range of 0.01 atm to the high-pressure limit. The temperature- and pressure-dependent rate coefficients are given in modified Arrhenius expressions. The β-scission of CH2C(═O)OCH3 is predicted to have a much higher barrier than the corresponding isomerization reaction and the β-scission of CH3C(═O)OCH2. Consequently, the rate coefficients for β-scission of CH2C(═O)OCH3 are the smallest among the three reactions and the isomerization followed by decomposition to CH3C(═O) and HCHO is the dominant reaction pathway for CH2C(═O)OCH3. Both radicals CH2C(═O)OCH3 and CH3C(═O)OCH2 are predicted to mainly decompose to CH3C(═O) + HCHO rather than to the bimolecular product CH2C(═O) + CH3O. A newly developed MA combustion mechanism, using our theoretical rate coefficients for the MA-related reactions, predicts combustion properties in good agreement with available experimental data.

Temperature and Pressure-Dependent Rate Coefficients for the Reaction of Vinyl Radical with Molecular Oxygen.

State-of-the-art calculations of the C2H3O2 potential energy surface are presented. A new method is described for computing the interaction potential for R + O2 reactions. The method, which combines accurate determination of the quartet potential along the doublet minimum energy path with multireference calculations of the doublet/quartet splitting, decreases the uncertainty in the doublet potential and thence the rate constants by more than a factor of 2. The temperature- and pressure-dependent rate coefficients are computed using variable reaction coordinate transition-state theory, variational transition-state theory, and conventional transition-state theory, as implemented in a new RRKM/ME code. The main bimolecular product channels are CH2O + HCO at lower temperatures and CH2CHO + O at higher temperatures. Above 10 atm, the collisional stabilization of CH2CHOO directly competes with these two product channels. CH2CHOO decomposes primarily to CH2O + HCO. The next two most significant bimolecular products are OCHCHO + H and (3)CHCHO + OH, and not C2H2 + HO2. C2H3 + O2 will be predominantly chain branching above 1700 K. Uncertainty analysis is presented for the two most important transition states. The uncertainties in these two barrier heights result in a significant uncertainty in the temperature at which CH2CHO + O overtakes all other product channels.

Rate Coefficient Determinations for H + NO2 → OH + NO from High Pressure Flow Reactor Measurements.

Rate coefficients for the reaction H + NO2 → OH + NO (R1) have been determined over the nominal temperature and pressure ranges of 737-882 K and 10-20 atm, respectively, from measurements in two different flow reactor facilities: one laminar and one turbulent. Considering the existing database of experimental k1 measurements, the present conditions add measurements of k1 at previously unconsidered temperatures between ∼820-880 K, as well as at pressures that exceed existing measurements by over an order of magnitude. Experimental measurements of NOx-perturbed H2 oxidation have been interpreted by a quasi-steady state NOx plateau (QSSP) method. At the QSSP conditions considered here, overall reactivity is sensitive only to the rates of R1 and H + O2 + M → HO2 + M (R2.M). Consequently, the ratio of k1 to k2.M may be extracted as a simple algebraic function of measured NO2, O2, and total gas concentrations with only minimal complication (within measurement uncertainty) due to treatment of overall gas composition M that differs slightly from pure bath gas B. Absolute values of k1 have been determined with reference to the relatively well-known, pressure-dependent rate coefficients of R2.B for B = Ar and N2. Rate coefficients for the title reaction determined from present experimental interpretation of both laminar and turbulent flow reactor results appear to be in very good agreement around a representative value of 1.05 × 10(14) cm(3) mol(-1) s(-1) (1.74 × 10(-10) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1)). Further, the results of this study agree both with existing low pressure flash photolysis k1 determinations of Ko and Fontijn (J. Phys. Chem. 95 3984) near 760 K as well as a present fit to the theoretical expression of Su et al. (J. Phys. Chem. A 106 8261). These results indicate that, over the temperature range considered in this study and up to at least 20 atm, net chemistry due to stabilization of the H-NO2 reaction intermediate to form isomers of HNO2 may proceed at negligible rates compared to R1.

A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Study of the Reaction OH + 2-Butene in the 400-800 K Temperature Range.

We report a combined experimental and theoretical study of the OH + cis-2-butene and OH + trans-2-butene reactions at combustion-relevant conditions: pressures of 1-20 bar and temperatures of 400-800 K. We probe the OH radical time histories by laser-induced fluorescence and analyze these experimental measurements with aid from time-dependent master-equation calculations. Importantly, our investigation covers a temperature range where experimental data on OH + alkene chemistry in general are lacking, and interpretation of such data is challenging due to the complexity of the competing reaction pathways. Guided by theory, we unravel this complex behavior and determine the temperature- and pressure-dependent rate coefficients for the three most important OH + 2-butene reaction channels at our conditions: H abstraction, OH addition to the double bond, and back-dissociation of the OH-butene adduct.

Ab initio pressure-dependent reaction kinetics of methyl propanoate radicals.

The unimolecular dissociation and isomerization kinetics of the three methyl propanoate (MP) radicals, CH3CH2C(=O)OĊH2 (MP-m), CH3ĊHC(=O)OCH3 (MP-α), and ĊH2CH2C(=O)OCH3 (MP-β), are theoretically investigated using high-level ab initio methods and the Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel-Marcus (RRKM)/master equation (ME) theory. Stationary-point energies are obtained using the coupled cluster singles and doubles with perturbative triples correction (CCSD(T)), multi-reference singles and doubles configuration interaction (MRSDCI) with the Davidson-Silver (DS) correction, and multi-reference averaged coupled pair functional (MRACPF2) theories. The isomerization barriers between the three radicals are predicted to be generally lower than the corresponding bond dissociation channels, leading to a strongly coupled reaction system in subsequent kinetics studies. The phenomenological temperature- and pressure-dependent rate coefficients are computed using the RRKM/ME theory over a temperature range of 500 to 2000 K and at a pressure range of 0.01 atm to the high-pressure limit, which are then fitted to modified Arrhenius expressions. The β-scission rate coefficients of MP-α to CH3CHC(=O) and CH3O[combining dot above] are predicted to be the smallest because of its highest activation energy among all studied unimolecular reactions channels. Analysis of branching fractions shows that both MP-m and MP-α radicals mainly decompose to the bimolecular products CH3CH2Ċ(=O) and H2CO, whereas the MP-β radical primarily decomposes via cleavage of a C-C bond to form C2H4 and CH3OĊ(=O). The isomerization channels dominate at low temperatures, the branching fractions of which decrease with increasing temperature and become very minor at about 2000 K. Our accurate rate coefficients and branching fractions help to illuminate the unique combustion properties of MP.

Pressure-dependent branching in the reaction of 1CH2 with C2H4 and other reactions on the C3H6 potential energy surface

A number of reactions on the C3H6 potential energy surface (PES) are of central importance to various combustion environments. High level theoretical methods were used to predict the temperature and pressure dependent kinetics for these reactions. The rovibrational properties of the key stationary points in the systems were determined with the CCSD(T)/cc-pVTZ method. High accuracy energies for these stationary points were obtained via the consideration of basis set, higher-order correlation, core–valence, anharmonic vibrational, relativistic, and diagonal Born–Oppenheimer corrections. Variable reaction coordinate transition state theory (VRC-TST) was employed to treat the barrierless channels on the PES, while, for channels possessing a distinct barrier, rate coefficients were instead obtained with conventional transition state theory employing rigid-rotor harmonic oscillator assumptions. For the VRC-TST calculations, the interaction energies required for the evaluation of the reactive flux were evaluated with the CASPT2/cc-pVTZ approach for the orientational sampling, coupled with one-dimensional corrections based on higher accuracy evaluations along the minimum energy path. A priori predictions for the temperature and pressure-dependent rate coefficients were obtained through master-equation calculations incorporating these TST predictions for the microcanonical rate coefficients coupled with a simple model for the collisional energy transfer rates. These theoretical predictions compare favorably with the limited experimental data. The analysis yields modified Arrhenius rate expressions for the 1CH2+C2H4, C2H3+CH3, CH2CHCH2+H, CH3CCH2+H, and CH3CHCH+H recombination reactions as well as for the dissociations and isomerizations of propene and cyclopropane.

Rate Coefficients for Vibrational Relaxation of OH(X2Π, v = 1–4) by He

The vibrational relaxation of OH(X(2)Π) by collisions with rare gases is very slow due to small molecular interactions. No measurement of the rate coefficients has been made for relaxation of relatively low vibrational levels v ≤ 4 of OH by He, and there is only one report of the upper limit for v = 2, <1 × 10(-14) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1). In this article, we have studied vibrational relaxation of the levels v = 1-4 of OH(X(2)Π) by collisions with He. A gaseous mixture of O3 and H2 in a carrier gas at 70-130 Torr of He was irradiated at 266 nm, and OH(X(2)Π, v ≤ 4) was generated in the reaction O((1)D) + H2. A single vibrational level of OH was detected with laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) via the A(2)Σ(+)-X(2)Π transition. Time-resolved LIF intensities of OH(v) were recorded, and kinetic analysis was made by an originally developed integrated profiles method (IPM). On the basis of the evaluation of the pressure-dependent rate coefficients of diffusion loss and the effect of impurities on the kinetics, the rate coefficients of vibrational relaxation for OH(X(2)Π, v = 1-4) by He have been determined to be (2.9 ± 1.5) × 10(-17), (1.4 ± 0.4) × 10(-16), (5.2 ± 0.5) × 10(-16), and (1.6 ± 0.2) × 10(-15) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) for v = 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively (the confidence limits are 2σ). The rate coefficients are larger at higher vibrational levels and smoothly correlate to those reported previously for v = 10-12.

Chemically activated formation of organic acids in reactions of the Criegee intermediate with aldehydes and ketones

Reactions of the Criegee intermediate (CI, ˙CH2OO˙) are important in atmospheric ozonolysis models. In this work, we compute the rates for reactions between ˙CH2OO˙ and HCHO, CH3CHO and CH3COCH3 leading to the formation of secondary ozonides (SOZ) and organic acids. Relative to infinitely separated reactants, the SOZ in all three cases is found to be 48-51 kcal mol(-1) lower in energy, formed via 1,3-cycloaddition of ˙CH2OO˙ across the C=O bond. The lowest energy pathway found for SOZ decomposition is intramolecular disproportionation of the singlet biradical intermediate formed from cleavage of the O-O bond to form hydroxyalkyl esters. These hydroxyalkyl esters undergo concerted decomposition providing a low energy pathway from SOZ to acids. Geometries and frequencies of all stationary points were obtained using the B3LYP/MG3S DFT model chemistry, and energies were refined using RCCSD(T)-F12a/cc-pVTZ-F12 single-point calculations. RRKM calculations were used to obtain microcanonical rate coefficients (k(E)) and the reservoir state method was used to obtain temperature and pressure dependent rate coefficients (k(T, P)) and product branching ratios. At atmospheric pressure, the yield of collisionally stabilized SOZ was found to increase in the order HCHO < CH3CHO < CH3COCH3 (the highest yield being 10(-4) times lower than the initial ˙CH2OO˙ concentration). At low pressures, chemically activated formation of organic acids (formic acid in the case of HCHO and CH3COCH3, formic and acetic acid in the case of CH3CHO) was found to be the major product channel in agreement with recent direct measurements. Collisional energy transfer parameters and the barrier heights for SOZ reactions were found to be the most sensitive parameters determining SOZ and organic acid yield.

Hydrogen-assisted isomerizations of fulvene to benzene and of larger cyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

The H-assisted isomerization of fulvene to benzene is characterized in detail using quantum chemistry, transition state theory, classical trajectory, and master equation calculations. This multistep isomerization involves 10 transition states, nine of which are found to contribute non-negligibly to the overall kinetics. Calculated temperature- and pressure-dependent rate coefficients are presented for H+fulvene →products, with care taken to quantify uncertainties in the theoretical predictions arising from various aspects of the calculation. The rate coefficients agree with past theoretical work within these estimated uncertainties. This fast isomerization proceeds via a cyclopropylcarbinyl intermediate––a substituted cyclopropyl group adjacent to a radical carbon––that provides a facile route for the carbon bonding rearrangement. Analogous H-assisted isomerization pathways involving cyclopropylcarbinyl intermediates are characterized using quantum chemistry calculations for four second-ring isomers of naphthalene: fulvalene, azulene, 1-methyleneindene, and 2-methyleneindene. These processes, and those for larger polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), may be characterized in a general way as occurring in five steps: H additions, H shifts, cyclopropylcarbinyl intermediate formation, cyclopropylcarbinyl intermediate ring opening, and H-atom regeneration. Trends in the energetics of each of these steps with respect to PAH size and composition are discussed.

Ab Initio Kinetics for Thermal Decomposition of CH3N•NH2, cis-CH3NHN•H, trans-CH3NHN•H, and C•H2NNH2 Radicals

The thermal decomposition of the CH(3)N(•)NH(2), cis-CH(3)NHN(•)H, trans-CH(3)NHN(•)H, and C(•)H(2)NNH(2) radicals, which are the four radical products from the H-abstraction reactions of monomethylhydrazine, were theoretically studied by using ab initio Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel-Marcus (RRKM) transition-state theory and master equation analysis. Various decomposition pathways were identified by using either the QCISD(T)/cc-pV∞Z//CASPT2/aug-cc-pVTZ or the QCISD(T)/cc-pV∞Z//B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) quantum chemistry methods. The results reveal that the β-scission of NH(2) to form methyleneimine is the predominant channel for the decomposition of the C(•)H(2)NNH(2) radical due to its small energy barrier of 13.8 kcal mol(-1). The high pressure limit rate coefficient for the reaction is fitted by 3.88 × 10(19)T(-1.672) exp(-9665.13/T) s(-1). In addition, the pressure dependent rate coefficients exhibit slight temperature dependence at temperatures of 1000-2500 K. The cis-CH(3)NHN(•)H and trans-CH(3)NHN(•)H radicals are the two distinct spatial isomers with an energy barrier of 26 kcal mol(-1) for their isomerization. The β-scission of CH(3) from the cis-CH(3)NHN(•)H radical to form trans-diazene has an energy barrier of 35.2 kcal mol(-1), and the β-scission of CH(3) from the trans-CH(3)NHN(•)H radical to form cis-diazene has an energy barrier of 39.8 kcal mol(-1). The CH(3)N(•)NH(2) radical undergoes the β-scission of methyl hydrogen and amine hydrogen to form CH(2)═NNH(2), trans-CH(3)N═NH, and cis-CH(3)N═NH products, with the energy barriers of 42.8, 46.0, and 50.2 kcal mol(-1), respectively. The dissociation and isomerization rate coefficients for the reactions were calculated via the E/J resolved RRKM theory and multiple-well master equation analysis at temperatures of 300-2500 K and pressures of 0.01-100 atm. The calculated rate coefficients associated with updated thermochemical property data are essential components in the development of kinetic mechanisms for the pyrolysis and oxidation of MMH and its derivatives.