Thermochemistry of Intermediates and Products in the Oxidation Reaction of 1,1,2-Trifluoroethene via OH Radical

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.

Thermodynamic Properties: Enthalpy, Entropy, Heat Capacity, and Bond Energies of Fluorinated Carboxylic Acids

Fluorinated carboxylic acids and their radicals are becoming more prevalent in environmental waters and soils as they have been produced and used for numerous commercial applications. Understanding the thermochemical properties of fluorinated carboxylic acids will provide insights into the stability and reaction paths of these molecules in the environment, in body fluids, and in biological and biochemical processes. Structures and thermodynamic properties for over 50 species related to fluorinated carboxylic acids with two and three carbons are determined with density functional computational calculations B3LYP, M06-2X, and MN15 and higher ab initio levels CBS-QB3, CBS-APNO, and G4 of theory. The lowest energy structures, moments of inertia, vibrational frequencies, and internal rotor potentials of each target species are determined. Standard enthalpies of formation, Δ_fH₂₉₈^°, from CBS-APNO calculations show the smallest standard deviation among methods used in this work. Δ_fH₂₉₈^° values are determined via several series of isodesmic and/or isogyric reactions. Enthalpies of formation are determined for fluorinated acetic and propionic acids and their respective radicals corresponding to the loss of hydrogen and fluorine atoms. Heat capacities as a function of temperature, C_p(T), and entropy at 298 K, S₂₉₈^°, are determined. Thermochemical properties for the fluorinated carbon groups used in group additivity are also developed. Bond dissociation energies (BDEs) for the carbon-hydrogen, carbon-fluorine, and oxygen-hydrogen (C-H, C-F, and O-H BDEs) in the acids are reported. The C-H, C-F, and O-H bond energies of the fluorinated carboxylic acids are in the range of 89-104, 101-125, and 109-113 kcal mol^-1, respectively. General trends show that the O-H bond energies on the acid group increase with the increase in the fluorine substitution. The strong carbon fluorine bonds in a fluorinated acid support the higher stability of the perfluorinated acids in the environment.

Kinetic Analysis of Unimolecular Reactions Following the Addition of the Hydroxyl Radical to 1,1,2-Trifluoroethene

Fluorinated olefins are valued chemicals in industry, especially as heat transfer fluids in refrigeration applications. As these volatile compounds are widely used, they may be released into the atmosphere, and investigation of their reactions in the atmosphere are therefore of importance. The kinetic analysis of the reaction mechanisms of trifluoroethene (CF₂═CHF) with hydroxyl radicals is studied using computational chemistry at the M06-2X level with the 6-311++G(2d,d,p) and aug-cc-pVDZ basis sets as well as the composite CBS-QB3 method. Rate coefficients for the proposed mechanisms are calculated using transition state theory (TST) with tunneling corrections. The calculated rate constants for OH addition to CF₂═CHF are in excellent agreement with experimental values. Kinetic parameters as a function of temperature and pressure are evaluated for the chemically activated formation and unimolecular dissociation of hydroxylfluoroalkyl intermediates. Important forward reactions result in adduct stabilization, H atoms, hydrogen fluoride (HF) via molecular elimination, and formation of fluorinated carbonyl radicals with CF₂(═O) and CHF(═O) product channels. Stabilization of initial adducts along with HF elimination are important reaction pathways under high pressure and low temperatures. Important HF eliminations and H atom transfers primarily involve H atoms from the hydroxyl group, as the C-H bonds on or adjacent to carbons with F atoms are stronger and show high barriers to H atom transfer.