Transition State Theory Methods Research Articles

Computational Characterization of the On-Surface Synthesis of Low-Dimensional Nanostructures

On-surface chemistry represents a fast-growing field allowing to synthesize molecular structures not available by traditional wet chemistry. In this context, high-resolution scanning probe microscopy techniques are able to provide unprecedented spatial resolution, allowing to precisely identify individual products of the reactions. Nevertheless, a deep understanding of the reaction mechanism under the conditions imposed by the substrate remains unknown.Nowadays, various computational strategies are employed to characterize the optimal reaction pathways of the chemical processes that take place on the surfaces of solids. For example, one of the most popular approaches is the nudged elastic band (NEB) as well as different transition state theory methods beyond it. These approaches had demonstrated their capability to characterize the potential energy landscape of the reaction pathways [1-2]. Another approach that had attracted the interest of the on-surface synthesis community is the application of molecular dynamics (MD) methods, within the canonical ensemble, and based on the QM/MM (quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics) of the interatomic forces [3-4]. This approach, which combines Density functional theory (DFT) and empirical force fields to describe the interaction forces, allows to simulate very large systems, at a very low computational cost while still accounting for the crucial quantum mechanics interactions. Also, such temperature-dependent simulations include the effect of entropy, vibrations modes, concerted motion, etc.I will present the experimental and computational results of different projects in which we have made use of the aforementioned computational approaches to achieve a better understanding of the on-surface synthesis experiments performed by the group. For example, the rationalization of the selective cyclodehydrogenation of non-benzenoid nanographenes deposited on a Au(111) substrate by means of temperature-dependent MD calculations and the analysis of the obtained vibrational modes (See Figure 1a). The group had also studied the stepwise transformation of coronene-based organometallic networks into two-dimensional covalent patches through intermolecular homocoupling (See Figure 1b). We had as well investigated the transformation of indenyl precursors, through a triple C-H cleavage followed by a peripheral directed homocoupling, to form a polyacetylene backboned polymer that features a parity dependent and highly delocalized soliton in-gap state (See Figure 1c).

Theoretical investigation of the OH-initiated atmospheric degradation mechanism of CX2CHX (X = H, F, Cl) by advanced quantum chemical and transition state theory methods.

Halogenated olefins are anthropogenic compounds with many industrial applications but at the same time raising many environmental and health concerns. Gas-phase electrophilic addition of the OH radical to the olefinic CC bond represents the primary sink for these chemicals in the atmosphere, with the degree and type of halogenation playing a significant role in their overall reactivity. In this work, we present a theoretical investigation of the reaction mechanisms and kinetics for the reactions between the OH radical and CH2CH2 (ethylene, ETH), CF2CHF (trifluoroethylene, TFE) and CCl2CHCl (trichloroethylene, TCE), simulated by state-of-the-art protocols and methods, with the aim of providing a detailed interpretation of the available experimental results, as well as new data of relevance to tropospheric chemistry. Specifically, potential energy surfaces (PESs) are obtained using the jun-Cheap (jChS) composite scheme, whereas temperature and pressure dependent rate coefficients and product distributions in the 100-600 K temperature range are calculated within the Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel-Marcus/master equation (RRKM/ME) framework. The rates for barrierless channels are obtained from variable reaction coordinate-variational transition state theory (VRC-VTST) combined with the two transition state model. While the reactions with ETH and TFE proceed mainly via the formation of addition adducts at P = 1 atm and T = 298 K, the dominant channel for TCE is the Cl-elimination reaction. Global rate constants for the two halogenated olefins, TFE and TCE, are found to be pressure-independent, contrary to the case of ETH. The computed rate constants, as well as their temperature and pressure dependence, are in remarkable agreement with the available experimental data, and they are used to derive atmospheric lifetimes (τ) for both TFE and TCE as a function of altitude (h) in the atmosphere, by taking into account variations in the rate coefficients (k (T, P)) and [OH] concentration.

Mechanisms of photoisomerization of the prenylated flavin mononucleotide cofactor: a theoretical study.

The enzymatic decarboxylation of α,β-unsaturated acids using the ferulic acid decarboxylase (Fdc1) enzyme and prenylated flavin mononucleotide (prFMN) cofactor is a potential, environmentally friendly reaction for the biosynthesis of styrene and its derivatives. However, experiments showed that the enzyme activity of Fdc1 depends on the ring structure of prFMN, namely, the iminium and ketimine forms, and the loss of enzyme activity results from prFMNim → prFMNket photoisomerization. To obtain insight into this photochemical process and to improve the enzyme efficiency of Fdc1, two proposed photoisomerization mechanisms with different proton sources for the acid-base reaction were studied herein using theoretical methods. The potential energy surfaces calculated using the density functional theory method with the Becke, 3-parameter, and Lee-Yang-Parr hybrid functionals and DZP basis set (DFT/B3LYP/DZP) and TD-DFT/B3LYP/DZP methods confirmed that the light-dependent reaction occurs in the rate-determining proton transfer process and that the mechanism involving intermolecular proton transfer between prFMNim and Glu282 (external base) is energetically more favorable than that involving intramolecular proton transfer in prFMNim (internal base). The thermodynamic results obtained from the transition state theory method suggested that the exothermic relaxation energy in the photo-to-thermal process can promote the spontaneous formation of a high-energy-barrier transition state, and an effective enzymatic decarboxylation could be achieved by slowing down the formation of the undesirable thermodynamically favorable product (prFMNket). Because the rate constant for formation of the high-energy-barrier transition state varies exponentially over the temperature range of 273-298 K, and experimental results have shown that incubating Fdc1 on ice results in a complete loss of enzyme activity, it is recommended to perform the decarboxylation reaction at 285 K to strike a balance between minimizing enzyme stability loss at 273 K and mitigating the effects of UV irradiation. The computational strategy and fundamental insights obtained in this study could serve as guidelines for future theoretical and experimental investigations on the same and similar photochemical systems.

Polyrate 2023: A computer program for the calculation of chemical reaction rates for polyatomics. New version announcement

Polyrate 2023: A computer program for the calculation of chemical reaction rates for polyatomics. New version announcement

Density functional theory study of the isomerization conversion of the cluster ConMoS (n = 1–5)

AbstractTo investigate the isomerization transition of cluster ConMoS (n = 1–5), we employ density functional theory and transition state theory methods in this study. The cluster is optimized at the B3LYP/def2tzvp quantum chemical level. The results reveal eight isomerization reactions for the clusters ConMoS (n = 3, 5). Analyzing the activation energies shows a greater propensity for the isomerization transformation in the forward reaction compared to the reverse reaction. At room temperature, six isomerization transformation processes exhibit rapid conversion to the product configurations. Investigation of the equilibrium constants and application of the Arrhenius formula demonstrate that the cluster isomerization reactions are primarily driven by the forward reactions, with four reactions displaying efficient reactant to product conversion rates. Furthermore, there exists a consistent relationship between the structural complexity of the cluster and the change in entropy value. This study provides theoretical insights into reaction rates and optimization of reaction pathways, facilitating mutual validation and development between experimental and theoretical approaches.

SNAr Regioselectivity Predictions: Machine Learning Triggering DFT Reaction Modeling through Statistical Threshold.

Fast and accurate prospective predictions of regioselectivity can significantly reduce the time and resources spent on unproductive transformations in the pharmaceutical industry. Density functional theory (DFT) reaction modeling through transition state theory (TST) and machine learning (ML) methods has been widely used to predict reaction outcomes such as selectivity. However, TST reaction modeling and ML methods are either time-consuming or data-dependent. Herein, we introduce a prototype seamlessly bridging ML and TST modeling by triggering resource-intensive but much less domain-sensitive DFT calculations only on less confident ML predictions. The proposed workflow was trained and tested on both the Pfizer internal dataset and the USPTO public dataset to predict regioselectivity for SNAr reactions. Our method is accurate and fast, which achieves 96.3 and 94.7% accuracy in predicting the correct major product on Pfizer and USPTO datasets, respectively, in a fraction of conventional TST computing time.

Theoretical Study of the Hydroxyl-Radical-Initiated Degradation Mechanism, Kinetics, and Subsequent Evolution of Methyl and Ethyl Iodides in the Atmosphere.

The degradation and transformation of iodinated alkanes are crucial in the iodine chemical cycle in the marine boundary layer. In this study, MP2 and CCSD(T) methods were adopted to study the atmospheric transformation mechanism and degradation kinetic properties of CH3 I and CH3 CH2 I mediated by ⋅OH radical. The results show that there are three reaction mechanisms including H-abstraction, I-substitution and I-abstraction. The H-abstraction channel producing ⋅CH2 I and CH3 C ⋅ HI radicals are the main degradation pathways of CH3 I and CH3 CH2 I, respectively. By means of the variational transition state theory and small curvature tunnel correction method, the rate constants and branching ratios of each reaction are calculated in the temperature range of 200-600 K. The results show that the tunneling effect contributes more to the reaction at low temperatures. Theoretical reaction rate constants of CH3 I and CH3 CH2 I with ⋅OH are calculated to be 1.42×10-13 and 4.44×10-13 cm3 molecule-1 s-1 at T=298 K, respectively, which are in good agreement with the experimental values. The atmospheric lifetimes of CH3 I and CH3 CH2 I are evaluated to be 81.51 and 26.07 day, respectively. The subsequent evolution mechanism of ⋅CH2 I and CH3 C ⋅ HI in the presence of O2 , NO and HO2 indicates that HCHO, CH3 CHO, and I-atom are the main transformation end-products. This study provides a theoretical basis for insight into the diurnal conversion and environmental implications of iodinated alkanes.

Atmospheric degradation mechanism of anthracene initiated by OH•: A DFT prediction

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations at the M06-2X/def2-TZVP level have been employed to investigate the atmospheric oxidation mechanism of anthracene (ANT) initiated by HO•. Direct hydrogen atom abstraction from the ANT using HO• takes place hardly at ambient conditions while addition of HO• to the C1, C2, and C4 sites are thermodynamically and kinetically more advantageous. The addition reactions are controlled by the aromaticity and the kinetic trends were justified by resonance stabilization energies. The rate constants were calculated by using the Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel-Marcus (RRKM) and canonical transition state theory (CTST) methods in conjugation with zero curvature tunneling (ZCT). The overall RRKM-bimolecular rate constant at ambient conditions is 6.72 × 10−12 cm3 molecule−1 s−1, is negatively dependent on the temperature and can be expressed as k250−3501bar=3.92×10−14exp(1534.9T). Contribution of the AD-C4 path in the overall reaction is about 70–80%, implying that the dependence of overall rate constant on pressure can be ignored. The kinetic data exhibit that the ANT is degraded during its long-range transport in the atmosphere and cannot be classified as persistent organic pollutants.

Influence of acid-base equilibria on the rate of the chemical reaction in the advanced oxidation processes: Coumarin derivatives and hydroxyl radical

The decomposition and chemical manipulation of stable aromatic pollutants into less toxic products is an important topic for wastewater management and natural water remediation. The mechanism of the Advanced Oxidation Process (AOPs) of 4,7-dihydroxycoumarin (4,7-DHC) and 7-hydroxycoumarin (7-HC), as examples of stable naturally-occurring industrially-important compounds, in the presence of hydroxyl radical (HO) in the aqueous solution has been analyzed using Electron Paramagnetic Resonance spectroscopy (EPR) and Quantum Mechanics-based test for Overall Free Radical Scavenging Activity (QM-ORSA). The effect of pH values of the medium on the investigated reaction mechanisms has been fully investigated. The rate constants were estimated by the conventional transition state theory (TST) and Eckart's method (ZCT_0). Estimated values of the overall rate constant (koverall) higher than >4.06 × 109 M−1 s−1 at all pH values showed that both compounds undergo a chemical transformation when exposed to HO. When pH increased in the range of 0–14, the koverall increased from 4.06 × 109 to 1.11 × 1010 (4.7-DHC) and 2.09 × 109 to 1.76 × 1010 M−1s−1 (7-HC). At physiological pH = 7.4 value, 7-HC was ∼1.5 times more prone to radical action, as shown by EPR and QM-ORSA, due to the dominant anionic form. Both compounds were more reactive towards HO than Trolox at this pH value. The ecotoxicity assessment of the starting compounds, intermediates and oxidation products indicated that the formed products show lower acute and chronic toxicity effects on aquatic organisms than starting compounds, which is a prerequisite for the development of novel AOPs procedures.

Determination of the activation parameters for the ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone initiated by Sn(II) and Zn(II) chlorides using the fast technique of DSC

The kinetics of the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of ε-caprolactone (ε-CL) initiated by 1.0 mol% of tin(II) chloride (SnCl2) and zinc(II) chloride (ZnCl2) was completely investigated by the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) technique. The fast method to determine the activation parameters such as activation enthalpy (∆H≠) and activation entropy (∆S≠) was successfully developed basing on the transition state theory and isoconversional method. From Friedman isoconversional method, the values of activation energy (Ea) for the ROP of ε-CL initiated by SnCl2 (36.2 ± 1.5 to 40.8 ± 1.5 kJ/mol) were lower than ZnCl2 (51.9 ± 2.8 to 62.3 ± 2.8 kJ/mol). From Starink isoconversional method, the Ea values for the ROP of ε-CL initiated by SnCl2 (32.3 ± 1.1 to 35.8 ± 1.1 kJ/mol) were also lower than ZnCl2 (59.2 ± 0.8 to 62.1 ± 0.8 kJ/mol). By using the compensation parameters, the reconstructed monomer conversion function (f(α)) was fitted with the Avrami-Erofeev nucleation model (A2, f(α) = 2(1-α)[-ln(1-α)]1/2). The values of frequency factor (A) for the ROP of ε-CL with SnCl2 and ZnCl2 were 4.3 × 103to 1.6 × 104 min−1 and 2.1 × 105 to 5.3 × 105 min−1, respectively. From the developed rate equation, the values of ∆H≠ and ∆S≠ could be conveniently determined from dynamic heating. The obtained ∆H≠ values for the ROP of ε-CL initiated by SnCl2 and ZnCl2 were similar to the Ea values. The ∆S≠ values for the transition state of the ROP of ε-CL initiated by SnCl2 (-152.0 to -161.7 J/mol.K) were lower than ZnCl2 (-129.6 to -153.1 J/mol.K). The kinetics and the stability of transition state information demonstrated that the reactivity of SnCl2 in the ROP of ε-CL was higher than ZnCl2. The mechanism of the ROP of ε-CL with SnCl2 and ZnCl2 was proposed through a classical coordination-insertion mechanism. From poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) synthesis via solvent-free polymerization, SnCl2 acted as the highly effective initiator than ZnCl2. The highest number average molecular weight (Mn) of PCLs obtained from the SnCl2 and ZnCl2 initiator were 1.8 × 105 g/mol and 3.6 × 104 g/mol, respectively. The effectiveness of the slow ZnCl2 initiator in the production of high molecular weight and %yield of PCL could be improved by increasing the synthesis temperature. These SnCl2 and ZnCl2 compounds acted as a powerful initiator for the synthesis of PCL. The obtained results from this work were useful for understanding the transition state formulation in the ROP of other cyclic esters with various initiating systems that still in our attention and would be described in our future work.

Revisiting diacetyl and acetic acid flames: The role of the ketene + OH reaction

The mechanism of the reaction of ketene with hydroxyl radical has been studied by ab initio CCSD(T)-F12/cc-pVQZ-F12//B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) calculations of the potential energy surface. Temperature- and pressure-dependent reaction rate constants have been computed using the RRKM-Master Equation and transition state theory methods in the temperature range of 300–3000 K and in the pressure range of 0.01–100 atm. Three main channels have been analyzed: through direct abstraction of H atoms or starting with OH addition to the terminal carbon and to the central carbon atoms. Major products identified agree with the recent theoretical studies, however, significant difference was found with the rate constants derived by Xu et al. [13] and Cavallotti et al. [11]. To investigate the impact of the choice of reactions between CH2CO and OH radicals on the predicted burning velocities of the flames sensitive to ketene chemistry, namely diacetyl and acetic acid flames, a detailed kinetic mechanism was updated with pertinent reactions suggested in the literature. Then the rate constants of four most important product channels of reaction CH2CO + OH forming HCCO + H2O, CH2OH + CO, CH3 + CO2 and CH2COOH from the present and from the recent theoretical studies were tested. Good agreement with the burning velocities of diacetyl + air flames was found for the present model, while the expressions from the literature underestimate them. On the contrary, any combination of the rate constants of reactions between ketene and hydroxyl radical overpredicts burning velocities of acetic acid + air flames, which strongly indicates that the kinetic model of acetic acid is most probably incomplete and requires consideration of additional reactions.

Decomposition mechanism and kinetics of iso-C4 perfluoronitrile (C4F7N) plasmas

Iso-C4 perfluoronitrile (C4F7N) is one of the most promising alternatives to SF6 for use in power equipment, such as high-voltage circuit breakers, due to its excellent electrical properties and environmentally friendly characteristics. The use of SF6 is being reduced because of its high global warming potential. To describe the physical and chemical processes occurring in the arc plasma in circuit breakers, both local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) and nonlocal chemical equilibrium (LCE) conditions have to be considered. The plasma composition of the arc core region can be calculated under the assumption of LTE by the method of minimization of the Gibbs free energy. The plasma composition of the arc boundary region or during the arc ignition period is not in LTE or LCE, so the use of a chemical kinetic model that considers the effects of the energy barrier in chemical reactions is required. Calculations for both conditions are presented for C4F7N. To develop the chemical kinetic model, the complete decomposition pathway and transition states were first reexamined and further developed. Based on the decomposition pathway, the rate constants of reactions were obtained according to the variational transition state theory method. The results obtained for the two cases provide a reference for the systematic understanding of the decomposition characteristics of C4F7N gas and for related engineering applications.

Kinetic Study of the Temperature Dependence of OH-Initiated Oxidation of n-Dodecane.

Reaction rate constants for the reaction of n-dodecane with hydroxyl radicals were measured as a function of temperature between 283 and 303 K, using the relative rate method in the CESAM chamber (French acronym for "experimental multiphasic atmospheric simulation chamber"). The rate constants obtained at 283, 293, and 303 K are (1.27 ± 0.31) × 10-11, (1.33 ± 0.34) × 10-11, and (1.27 ± 0.40) × 10-11 cm3 molecule-1 s-1, respectively. Rate constants measured were in excellent agreement with the few available data in the literature over the studied temperature range (283-340 K). Rate constants estimated by the structure-activity relationship and transition state theory methods agreed with our experimental data within 14%. From these data combined with previous literature measurement, the following Arrhenius expression, kDDC+OH = (9.77 ± 6.19) × 10-11 × exp[(-595 ± 5580)/T] cm3 molecule-1 s-1, was found to be valid over a temperature range (283-340 K) of the tropospheric interest.

Understanding H2 Formation on Hydroxylated Pyroxene Nanoclusters: Ab Initio Study of the Reaction Energetics and Kinetics.

The rate constants of H2 formation on five models of silicate nanoclusters with varying degrees of hydroxylation, (Mg4Si4O12)(H2O)N, were computed over a wide temperature range [180-2000 K]. We tested nine combinations of density functional methods and basis sets for their suitability for calculating reaction energies and barrier heights, and we computed the minimum energy H + H → H2 reaction paths on each nanocluster. Subsequently, we computed the rate constants employing three semiclassical approaches that take into account tunneling and nonclassical reflection effects by means of the zero curvature tunneling (ZCT), the small curvature tunneling (SCT), and the one-dimensional semiclassical transition state theory (SCTST) methods, which all provided comparable results. Our investigations show that the H2 formation process following the Langmuir-Hinshelwood (LH) mechanism is more efficient on the hydroxylated (N = 1-4) nanoclusters than on the bare (N = 0) one due to relatively higher reaction barrier height on the latter. H2 formation is found to have the smallest barrier and the most exothermic reaction for the moderately hydroxylated (Mg4Si4O12)(H2O)2 nanocluster for all nine considered methods. Overall, we conclude that all the considered nanoclusters are very efficient catalyzing grains for H2 formation in the physical conditions of the interstellar medium (ISM) with pyroxene nanosilicates having moderate to high hydroxylation being more efficient than bare nanograins.

Kinetic Study and Rate Coefficient Calculations of the Reaction of 1-Hydroxyethyl Radical with Nitric Oxide.

The kinetic study of the reaction of 1-hydroxyethyl radicals (CH3CHOH) with nitric oxide (NO) was performed over the temperature range of 200-1100 K and the pressure range of 1.0 × 10-5 to 10.0 bar. The geometries of all of the stationary points were optimized at the B3LYP/6-311++G(df,pd) level of theory, and the energetics were refined at the CCSD(T)/cc-pVTZ level of theory. Eight reaction pathways were explored, and they all consisted of a common first step involving the formation of a deep potential well. Three favorable pathways were confirmed, and they were the channels producing the adducts CH3CO(NHOH) and CH3NOHCHO and the products H2O and CH3CNO. The Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel -Marcus-canonical variational transition state theory method with Eckart tunneling correction was used to calculate the rate coefficients of the system. The predicted total rate coefficients agree well with the available literature data and show negative temperature dependence and positive pressure dependence. The reaction producing the adduct CH3CHOHNO in the entrance channel is dominant at 1.0 bar, and its branching ratio is almost 100% at a temperature less than 670 K. At 3.0 Torr, it is only dominant at a temperature less than 600 K.

EStokTP: Electronic Structure to Temperature- and Pressure-Dependent Rate Constants-A Code for Automatically Predicting the Thermal Kinetics of Reactions.

A priori rate predictions for gas phase reactions have undergone a gradual but dramatic transformation, with current predictions often rivaling the accuracy of the best available experimental data. The utility of such kinetic predictions would be greatly magnified if they could more readily be implemented for large numbers of systems. Here, we report the development of a new computational environment, namely, EStokTP, that reduces the human effort involved in the rate prediction for single channel reactions essentially to the specification of the methodology to be employed. The code can also be used to obtain all the necessary master equation building blocks for more complex reactions. In general, the prediction of rate constants involves two steps, with the first consisting of a set of electronic structure calculations and the second in the application of some form of kinetic solver, such as a transition state theory (TST)-based master equation solver. EStokTP provides a fully integrated treatment of both steps through calls to external codes to perform first the electronic structure and then the master equation calculations. It focuses on generating, extracting, and organizing the necessary structural properties from a sequence of calls to electronic structure codes, with robust automatic failure recovery options to limit human intervention. The code implements one or multidimensional hindered rotor treatments of internal torsional modes (with automated projection from the Hessian and with optional vibrationally adiabatic corrections), Eckart and multidimensional tunneling models (such as small curvature theory), and variational treatments (based on intrinsic reaction coordinate following). This focus on a robust implementation of high-level TST methods allows the code to be used in high accuracy studies of large sets of reactions, as illustrated here through sample studies of a few hundred reactions. At present, the following reaction types are implemented in EStokTP: abstraction, addition, isomerization, and beta-decomposition. Preliminary protocols for treating barrierless reactions and multiple-well and/or multiple-channel potential energy surfaces are also illustrated.

Theoretical investigation of reaction kinetics and thermodynamics of the keto-enol tautomerism of 1, 3, 5-triazin-2, 4(1H, 3H)-dione and its substituted systems utilizing density functional theory and transition state theory methods

This article reports the thermodynamics and kinetics of keto-enol tautomerization in 1, 3, 5-triazin-2, 4(1H, 3H)-dione (R) and its tautomers at Density Functional Theory (DFT) – B3LYP/6-311++G (d, p) level. In the chosen system, five keto-enol tautomerization reactions are possible namely R ↔ P1 (Channel 1), R ↔ P2 (Channel 2), R ↔ P3 (Channel 3), P3 ↔ P4 (Channel 4), and P1 ↔ P4 (Channel 5). The reactant has three pathways leading to three different tautomers (P1, P2, and P3). Both P1 and P3 can tautomerize to a fourth product P4 through two additional pathways. The four tautomers namely P1, P2, P3, and P4 are defined as 6-Hydroxy-1H-[1,3,5]Triazine-2-one, 4-Hydroxy-5H-[1,3,5]Triazine-2-one, 4-Hydroxy-1H-[1,3,5]Triazine-2-one, and [1,3,5]Triazine-2,4-diol, respectively. Conventional Transition State Theory (TST) calculations were carried out to determine pre-exponential factor (A) and activation energy (Ea) of all the five tautomerization reactions. One of the hydrogens bonded to the 6th carbon atom (according to IUPAC nomenclature) of the tri-heterocyclic triazine system (R) was replaced by six substituents (F, Cl, OH, NH2, CH3, and C2H5) consecutively to understand their influence on the kinetics and thermodynamics of the tautomerization processes. All substituents investigated enhances the reaction rate constants of the first channel by reducing the barrier height, for example, ortho-para directing and activating substituent NH2 reduces it by 3.55 kcal mol−1. Application of Mulliken population analysis for the distribution of π electron density indicates that the electron donating OH, NH2, and C2H5 substituents increases the stability of TS’s for the third channel by enhancing the aromaticity of triazine ring which leads to increased rate constants.

Mechanism and Rate Constants of the CH3+ CH2CO Reaction: A Theoretical Study

ABSTRACTThe mechanism of the reaction of ketene with methyl radical has been studied by ab initio CCSD(T)‐F12/cc‐pVQZ‐f12//B2PLYPD3/6‐311G** calculations of the potential energy surface. Temperature‐ and pressure‐dependent reaction rate constants have been computed using the Rice–Ramsperger–Kassel–Marcus (RRKM)–Master Equation and transition state theory methods. Three main channels have been shown to dominate the reaction; the formation of the collisionally stabilized CH3COCH2 radical and the production of the C2H5 + CO and HCCO + CH4 bimolecular products. Relative contributions of the CH3COCH2, C2H5 + CO, and HCCO + CH4 channels strongly depend on the reaction conditions; the formation of thermalized CH3COCH2 is favored at low temperatures and high pressures, HCCO + CH4 is dominant at high temperatures, whereas the yield of C2H5 + CO peaks at intermediate temperatures around 1000 K. The C2H5 + CO channel is favored by a decrease in pressure but remains the second most important reaction pathway after HCCO + CH4 under typical flame conditions. The calculated rate constants at different pressures are proposed for kinetic modeling of ketene reactions in combustion in the form of modified Arrhenius expressions. Only rate constant to form CH3COCH2 depends on pressure, whereas those to produce C2H5 + CO and HCCO + CH4 appeared to be pressure independent.

The experimental observation, mechanism and kinetic studies on the reaction of hexachloro-1,3-butadiene initiated by typical atmospheric oxidants

Hexachloro-1,3-butadiene (HCBD) is a persistent organic pollutant in the environment. When its samples were collected and observed, the levels of HCBD in its source and high mountains are higher than in urban cities, oil factories and countryside. The density functional theory is applied to the degradation mechanism of HCBD with Cl, NO3, HO2, OH and O3. Those reactions are optimized and calculated at two carbon sites of double bonds, and then the subsequent reactions of the OH-initiated intermediates with O2 and NO are taken as examples. Ozonization reactions of HCBD including the formation of primary and secondary ozonides are investigated. The Criegee intermediates created in the ozonization reactions can react with O2, SO2, NO2 and H2O. Reaction rate constants of the Cl, NO3, HO2, OH and O3 initiated reactions with HCBD are calculated within 200 to 400 K with the transition state theory method, and the rate constants of the Cl, NO3, HO2, OH and O3 at 298.15 K are 4.51 × 10−13, 1.32 × 10−20, 4.33 × 10−29, 6.33 × 10−16, 5.80 × 10−27 cm3 molecule−1 s−1, respectively. The reactions of OH and Cl radicals with HCBD are more important than those of NO3, HO2 and O3 according to the reaction rate branching ratio. Both the temperature and reaction rate could change with the height.

Thermal isomerization of azobenzenes: on the performance of Eyring transition state theory

The thermal (back-)isomerization of azobenzenes is a prototypical reaction occurring in molecular switches. It has been studied for decades, yet its kinetics is not fully understood. In this paper, quantum chemical calculations are performed to model the kinetics of an experimental benchmark system, where a modified azobenzene (AzoBiPyB) is embedded in a metal-organic framework (MOF). The molecule can be switched thermally from cis to trans, under solvent-free conditions. We critically test the validity of Eyring transition state theory for this reaction. As previously found for other azobenzenes (albeit in solution), good agreement between theory and experiment emerges for activation energies and activation free energies, already at a comparatively simple level of theory, B3LYP/6-31G* including dispersion corrections. However, theoretical Arrhenius prefactors and activation entropies are in qualitiative disagreement with experiment. Several factors are discussed that may have an influence on activation entropies, among them dynamical and geometric constraints (imposed by the MOF).For a simpler model— isomerization in azobenzene—a systematic test of quantum chemical methods from both density functional theory and wavefunction theory is carried out in the context of Eyring theory. Also, the effect of anharmonicities on activation entropies is discussed for this model system. Our work highlights capabilities and shortcomings of Eyring transition state theory and quantum chemical methods, when applied for the (back-)isomerization of azobenzenes under solvent-free conditions.