Mutual combination of ClO radicals

Theoretical investigations on mechanisms and pathways of CH2ClO2/CHCl2O2 with ClO reactions in the atmosphere

A global and systematic theoretical research on the singlet and triplet potential energy surfaces (PESs) of the CH₂ClO₂/CHCl₂O₂ with ClO reactions are done at the CCSD(T)//B3LYP level and accompanied with RRKM computations to forecast the mechanism and distribution of products. The simulation results revealed that, on the singlet PES, products P1 (CHClO + HO₂ + Cl)/P1 (CCl₂O + HO₂ + Cl) from IM1 (CH₂ClOOOCl)/IM1 (CHCl₂OOOCl) are forecasted to the primary products of the CH₂ClO₂/CHCl₂O₂ + ClO reactions, which are initiated by the oxygen atom of ClO radical addition to the terminal-O atom of CH₂ClO₂/CHCl₂O₂ barrierlessly, while other product channels contribute less to the whole reactions owing to higher barriers. Two other isomers, including IM2 (CH₂ClOOClO) and IM3 (CH₂ClOClO₂) for the CH₂ClO₂ + ClO reaction, and three other isomers, including IM2 (CHCl₂OOClO), IM3 (CHCl₂OClO₂), and IM4 (CHCl₂ClO₃) for the CHCl₂O₂ + ClO reaction, could be produced as less significant products. RRKM calculations presented that the initial adducts IM1 (CH₂ClOOOCl)/IM1 (CHCl₂OOOCl) are the primary products at T < 400 K and T < 600 K, respectively, and products P1 (CHClO + HO₂ + Cl)/P1 (CCl₂O + HO₂ + Cl) are dominant the reactions at T ≥ 400 K and T ≥ 600 K, respectively. The atmospheric lifetime of CH₂ClO₂ and CHCl₂O₂ in ClO is around 4.61 and 3.24 h, respectively.

Kinetic and thermochemical studies of the ClO + ClO + M <=> Cl(2)O(2) + M reaction

Recent work by von Hobe et al. [Atmos. Chem. Phys., 2007, 7, 3055] has highlighted significant inconsistencies between laboratory results, theoretical calculations and field observations concerning the ClO dimer ozone destruction cycle. This work investigates the temperature dependence of the equilibrium constant of one of the key reactions in this cycle, ClO + ClO + M <=> Cl(2)O(2) + M (1, -1), by means of laser flash photolysis and time-resolved UV absorption spectroscopy. ClO radicals were generated via laser flash photolysis of Cl(2)/Cl(2)O mixtures in synthetic air. Radicals were monitored via UV absorption spectroscopy: the use of a charge coupled device (CCD) detector allowed time resolution over a broad range of wavelengths giving unequivocal concentrations of radicals. The equilibrium constant K(eq) was determined as the ratio of the rate constants of the forward and reverse over the temperature range T = 256.55-312.65 K. Second Law and Third Law thermodynamic methods were employed to determine the standard enthalpy and entropy changes of , Δ(r)H° and Δ(r)S°, from the measured equilibrium constants. The values obtained from Second Law analysis were Δ(r)H° = - 80.7 ± 2.2 kJ mol(-1) and Δ(r)S° = -168.1 ± 7.8 J K(-1) mol(-1). Third Law analysis gave Δ(r)H° = -74.65 ± 0.4 kJ mol(-1) and Δ(r)S° = -148.0 ± 0.4 J K(-1) mol(-1). These values are in good agreement with previous work by Nickolaisen et al. [J. Phys. Chem., 1994, 98, 155] but greater in (negative) magnitude than current JPL-NASA recommendations [Sander et al., Chemical Kinetics and Photochemical Data for Use in Atmospheric Studies, JPL Publication 06-2, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, 2006 (interim update to this reference, 2009)]. The discrepancy between the Second and Third Law analyses also agrees with Nickolaisen et al., possibly indicating an aspect of the ClO recombination reaction not yet fully elucidated. The atmospheric implications of the results and their impact on the current understanding on polar ozone depletion are briefly discussed.

Chlorine-catalyzed ozone destruction: Cl atom production from ClOOCl photolysis

Recent laboratory measurements of the absorption cross sections of the ClO dimer, ClOOCl, have called into question the validity of the mechanism that describes the catalytic removal of ozone by chlorine. Here we describe direct measurements of the rate-determining step of that mechanism, the production of Cl atoms from the photolysis of ClOOCl, under laboratory conditions similar to those in the stratosphere. ClOOCl is formed in a cold-temperature flowing system, with production initiated by a microwave discharge of Cl(2) or photolysis of CF(2)Cl(2). Excimer lasers operating at 248, 308, and 352 nm photodissociate ClOOCl, and the Cl atoms produced are detected with time-resolved atomic resonance fluorescence. Cl(2), the primary contaminant, is measured directly for the first time in a ClOOCl cross section experiment. We find the product of the quantum yield of the Cl atom production channel of ClOOCl photolysis and the ClOOCl absorption cross section, (phisigma)(ClOOCl) = 660 +/- 100 at 248 nm, 39.3 +/- 4.9 at 308 nm, and 8.6 +/- 1.2 at 352 nm (units of 10(-20) cm(2) molecule(-1)). The data set includes 468 total cross section measurements over a wide range of experimental conditions, significantly reducing the possibility of a systematic error impacting the results. These new measurements demonstrate that long-wavelength photons (lambda = 352 nm) are absorbed by ClOOCl directly, producing Cl atoms with a probability commensurate with the observed rate of ozone destruction in the atmosphere.

UV absorption spectrum of the ClO dimer (Cl2O2) between 200 and 420 nm

The UV photolysis of Cl(2)O(2) (dichlorine peroxide) is a key step in the catalytic destruction of polar stratospheric ozone. In this study, the gas-phase UV absorption spectrum of Cl(2)O(2) was measured using diode array spectroscopy and absolute cross sections, sigma, are reported for the wavelength range 200-420 nm. Pulsed laser photolysis of Cl(2)O at 248 nm or Cl(2)/Cl(2)O mixtures at 351 nm at low temperature (200-228 K) and high pressure (approximately 700 Torr, He) was used to produce ClO radicals and subsequently Cl(2)O(2) via the termolecular ClO self-reaction. The Cl(2)O(2) spectrum was obtained from spectra recorded following the completion of the gas-phase ClO radical chemistry. The spectral analysis used observed isosbestic points at 271, 312.9, and 408.5 nm combined with reaction stoichiometry and chlorine mass balance to determine the Cl(2)O(2) spectrum. The Cl(2)O(2) UV absorption spectrum peaks at 244.5 nm with a cross section of 7.6(-0.5)(+0.8) x 10(-18) cm(2) molecule(-1) where the quoted error limits are 2sigma and include estimated systematic errors. The Cl(2)O(2) absorption cross sections obtained for wavelengths in the range 300-420 nm are in good agreement with the Cl(2)O(2) spectrum reported previously by Burkholder et al. (J. Phys. Chem. A 1990, 94, 687) and significantly higher than the values reported by Pope et al. (J. Phys. Chem. A 2007, 111, 4322). A possible explanation for the discrepancy in the Cl(2)O(2) cross section values with the Pope et al. study is discussed. Representative, atmospheric photolysis rate coefficients are calculated and a range of uncertainty estimated based on the determination of sigma(Cl(2)O(2))(lambda) in this work. Although improvements in our fundamental understanding of the photochemistry of Cl(2)O(2) are still desired, this work indicates that major revisions in current atmospheric chemical mechanisms are not required to simulate observed polar ozone depletion.

Bond strength of chlorine peroxide

The bond strength of chlorine peroxide (ClOOCl) is studied by photoionization mass spectrometry. The experimental results are obtained from the fragmentation threshold yielding ClO+, which is observed at 11.52 +/- 0.025 eV. The O-O bond strength D(o) is derived from this value in comparison to the first ionization energy of ClO, yielding D(o)298 = 72.39 +/- 2.8 kJ mol(-1). The present work provides a new and independent method to examine the equilibrium constant K(eq) for chlorine peroxide formation via dimerization of ClO in the stratosphere. This yields an approximation for the equilibrium constant in the stratospheric temperature regime between 190 and 230 K of the form K(eq) = 1.92 x 10(-27) cm3 molecules(-1) x exp(8430 K/T). This value of K(eq) is lower than current reference data and agrees well with high altitude aircraft measurements within their scattering range. Considering the error limits of the present experimental results and the resulting equilibrium constant, there is agreement with previous works, but the upper limit of current reference values appears to be too high. This result is discussed along with possible atmospheric implications.

Thermal decomposition of ClOOCl

ClOOCl was prepared in situ in a temperature controlled photoreactor (v = 420 L) by photolyzing OClO/N2 mixtures in the wavelength range 300-500 nm at temperatures between 242 and 261 K and total pressures between 2 and 480 mbar. After switching off the lights, excess NO2 was added, and IR and UV spectra were monitored simultaneously as a function of time. By spectral stripping of all other known UV absorbers (in particular, other chlorine oxides and chlorine nitrate), we determined rate constants k-1 of the reaction ClOOCl (+M) --> ClO + ClO (+M) from the first-order decay of the residual UV absorption of ClOOCl at 246 and 255 nm. k-1,0 = [N2] x 7.6 x 10(-9) exp[(-53.6 +/- 6.0) kJ mol(-1)/RT] cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1) (2sigma) was derived for the low-pressure limiting rate constant. Application of Troe's expression for the limiting low-pressure rate constants of unimolecular decomposition reactions leads to E0 = Delta(r)H0(0)(ClOOCl-->ClO+ClO) = 66.4 +/- 3.0 kJ mol(-1). k-1,0 started to fall off from the pressure proportional low pressure behavior at p approximately 30 mbar; however, reliable extrapolation to the high pressure limit was not possible. The decomposition rate constants of ClOOCl were directly measured for the first time, and they are higher, depending on temperature and pressure, by factors between 1.5 and 4.2 as compared to experimental data on k-1 by Nickolaisen et al. [J. Phys. Chem. 1994, 98, 155] which were derived from the approach of ClO to thermal equilibrium with its dimer ClOOCl. Combination of the present dissociation rate constants with recommended temperature and pressure dependent data on the reverse reaction (k1) demonstrate inconsistencies between the dissociation and recombination rate constants. Summarizing laboratory data on k1 and k-1 above 250 K and field measurements on the ClO + ClO <= => ClOOCl equilibrium in the nighttime polar stratosphere close to 200 K, the expression Kc = k1/k-1 = 3.0 x 10(-27) exp(8433 K/T) cm3 molecule(-1) is derived for the temperature range 200-300 K.

Kinetic studies of the ClO + ClO association reaction as a function of temperature and pressure

The kinetics of the association reaction of ClO radicals: ClO + ClO + M --> Cl2O2+ M (1), have been investigated as a function of temperature T between 206.0-298.0 K and pressure p between 25-760 Torr using flash photolysis with time-resolved UV absorption spectroscopy. ClO radicals were generated following the photolysis of Br2/Cl2O mixtures in nitrogen diluent gas. Charge coupled device (CCD) detection of time resolved absorptions was used to monitor ClO radicals over a broad wavelength window covering the ClO (A 2Pi<-- X 2Pi) vibronic absorption bands. The high pass filtered ClO absorption cross sections were calibrated as a function of temperature between T = 206.0-320 K, and exhibit a negative temperature dependence. The ClO association kinetics were found to be more rapid than those reported in previous studies, with limiting low and high pressure rate coefficients, in nitrogen bath gas, k0 = (2.78 +/- 0.82) x 10(-32) x (T/300)(-3.99 +/- 0.94) molecule(-2) cm6 s(-1) and k(infinity) = (3.37 +/- 1.67) x 10(-12) x (T/300)(-1.49 +/- 1.81) molecule(-1) cm3 s(-1), respectively, (obtained with the broadening factor F(c) fixed at 0.6). Errors are 2sigma. The pressure dependent ClO association rate coefficients (falloff curves) exhibited some discrepancies at low pressures, with higher than expected rate coefficients on the basis of extrapolation from high pressures (p > 100 Torr). Reanalysis of data excluding kinetic data recorded below p = 100 Torr gave k0 = (2.79 +/- 0.85) x 10(-32) x (T/300)(-3.78 +/- 0.98) molecule(-2) cm6 s(-1) and k(infinity) = (3.44 +/- 1.83)x 10(-12) x (T/300)(-1.73 +/- 1.91) molecule(-1) cm3 s(-1). Potential sources of the low pressure discrepancies are discussed. The expression for k(0) in air bath gas is k0 = (2.62 +/- 0.80) x 10(-32) x (T/300)(-3.78 +/- 0.98) molecule(-2) cm6 s(-1). These results support upward revision of the ClO association rate coefficient recommended for use in stratospheric models, and the stratospheric implications of the results reported here are briefly discussed.

Photodissociation Dynamics of Chlorine Peroxide Adsorbed on Ice

Chlorine peroxide plays an important role in the chlorine-ozone chemistry in the antarctic stratosphere. Adsorption by ice crystals may alter its photochemistry in different ways. We have simulated the photodissociation of a ClOOCl molecule adsorbed on ice by means of a semiclassical representation of the excited state dynamics. Electronic energies and wave functions of ClOOCl are computed by an ad hoc reparametrized semiempirical method, and the interaction with ice is taken into account by a QM/MM strategy. The reaction mechanism is similar to what was previously found for the isolated molecule: sequential or almost simultaneous breaking of both Cl-O bonds leads to the 2Cl + O2 reaction products in most cases. The Cl atoms remain temporarily adsorbed on the ice surface, whereas O2 is ejected. The main effect for the overall chlorine chemistry is probably an increase of the photodissociation rates at long wavelengths, due to the change of adsorption cross sections induced by the interaction with ice.