Theoretical and kinetic study of the H-atom abstraction reactions by Ḣ atom from alkyl cyclohexanes

Reaction kinetics of hydrogen atom abstraction from six alkyl cyclohexanes, methyl cyclohexane (MCH), ethyl cyclohexane (ECH), n-propyl cyclohexane (nPCH), iso-propyl cyclohexane (iPCH), sec-butyl cyclohexane (sBCH) and iso-butyl cyclohexane (iBCH), by the Ḣ atom are systematically studied in this work. The M06-2X method combined with the 6-311++G(d,p) basis set is used to perform geometry optimization, frequency analysis and zero-point energy calculations for all species. The intrinsic reaction coordinate (IRC) calculations are performed to confirm the transition states connecting the reactants and products correctly. One-dimensional hindered rotors are used to treat the low frequency torsional models with potentials scanned at the M06-2X/6-31G level of theory. Electronic single-point energy calculations for all reactants, transition states, and products are performed at the QCISD(T)/CBS level of theory. High-pressure limiting rate constants of 39 reaction channels are obtained using conventional transition state theory with asymmetric Eckart tunneling corrections in the temperature range 298.15-2000 K. Reaction rate rules for H-atom abstraction by the Ḣ atom from alkyl cyclohexanes on primary, secondary and tertiary carbon sites on both the side chain and ring are provided. The obtained rate constants are given by the Arrhenius expression in the temperature range 500-2000 K, which can be used for the combustion kinetics model development for alkyl cyclohexanes.

Photodissociation Dynamics of the Cyclohexyl Radical from the 3p Rydberg State at 248 nm

The photodissociation of jet-cooled cyclohexyl was studied by exciting the radicals to their 3p Rydberg state by using 248 nm laser light and detecting photoproducts by photofragment translational spectroscopy. Both H atom loss and dissociation to heavy fragment pairs are observed. The H atom loss channel exhibits a two-component translational energy distribution. The fast photoproduct component is attributed to impulsive cleavage directly from an excited state, likely the Rydberg 3s state, forming cyclohexene. The slow component is due to statistical decomposition of hot cyclohexyl radicals that internally convert to the ground electronic state prior to H atom loss. The fast and slow components are present in an ∼0.7:1 ratio, similar to findings in other alkyl radicals. Internal conversion to the ground state also leads to ring-opening followed by dissociation to 1-buten-4-yl + ethene in comparable yield to H-loss, with the C₄H₇ fragment containing enough internal energy to dissociate further to butadiene via H atom loss. A very minor ground-state C₅H₈ + CH₃ channel is observed, attributed predominantly to 1,3-pentadiene formation. The ground-state branching ratios agree well with RRKM calculations, which also predict C₄H₆ + C₂H₅ and C₃H₆ + C₃H₅ channels with similar yield to C₅H₈ + CH₃. If these channels were active, it was at levels too low to be observed.