Tunneling in Hydrogen-Transfer Isomerization of n-Alkyl Radicals

HO2˙ as a potential reactant for the bimolecular reaction of tert-butoxy radicals in the atmosphere

Alkoxy radicals are key intermediates in the atmospheric degradation of volatile organic compounds. For most alkoxy radicals, reaction with O2 is the primary loss mechanism; however, only α-hydrogen-bearing alkoxy radicals undergo a reaction with O2. Interestingly, if one considers an alkoxy radical that does not possess an α-hydrogen, reaction with O2 is unlikely. In the present work, we propose HO2˙ as a potential reactant for such alkoxy radicals. We have considered the tert-butoxy radical (tBuO˙) as a prototype for those alkoxy radicals that do not possess an α-hydrogen. By means of high-level quantum chemical calculations, we have studied the energetics of the tBuO˙ + HO2˙ reaction along with isomerization and decomposition pathways. Finally, we have discussed the possible atmospheric implications of all three paths in the atmosphere using reaction rate calculations.

Theoretical study on the H-atom abstraction reactions of pentanol + HȮ2, part I: five branched pentanol isomers

The chemical kinetic studies of hydrogen atom (H-atom) abstraction reactions by hydroperoxyl (HȮ2) radicals from five branched pentanol isomers, including 3-methyl-1-butanol, 2-methyl-1-butanol, 1,1-dimethyl-1-propanol, 1,2-dimethyl-1-propanol, and 2,2-dimethyl-1-propanol were investigated systematically through high-level ab initio calculations. Geometry optimization, frequency analysis, and zero-point energy (ZPE) corrections were performed for six reactants, twenty-three transition states (TSs), and twenty-four products at the M06-2X/6-311++G(d,p) level of theory. The intrinsic reaction coordinate calculation was performed at the same level of theory to confirm the transition state connection. The one-dimensional hindered rotor treatment for low-frequency torsional modes was also treated at the M06-2X/6-311++G(d,p) level of theory. The QCISD(T)/CBS level of theory was used to calculate the single-point energies for the species whose T1 diagnostic value was lower than 0.035. At the same time, the CASPT2/CBS level of theory was used to calculate the single-point energies for the channel in which the T1 diagnostic value of transition states was greater than 0.035. Rate constants for the H-atom abstraction reactions from the five branched pentanol isomers by HȮ2 radicals were calculated by using conventional transition state theory with asymmetric Eckart tunneling corrections in the temperature range of 500-2000 K. Rate constants and branching ratios for the title reactions and the rate rules for ten different H-atom abstraction types were investigated. Temperature-dependent thermochemistry properties for all reactants and products were calculated by the composite methods of G3/G4/CBS-QB3/CBS-APNO, which were in good agreement with the data available in the literature. Rate constants for the H-atom abstraction reactions by HȮ2 radical from branched pentanol isomers were investigated in this work as part I, and those for linear pentanol isomers will be analyzed in part II. All the calculated kinetics and thermochemistry data can be utilized in the model development for branched pentanol isomers oxidation.

Ethynyl Radical Hydrogen Abstraction Energetics and Kinetics Utilizing High-Level Theory

The ethynyl radical, C2H, is found in a variety of different environments ranging from interstellar space and planetary atmospheres to playing an important role in the combustion of various alkynes under fuel-rich conditions. Hydrogen-atom abstraction reactions are common for the ethynyl radical in these contrasting environments. In this study, the C2H + HX → C2H2 + X, where HX = HNCO, trans-HONO, cis-HONO, C2H4, and CH3OH, reactions have been investigated at rigorously high levels of theory, including CCSD(T)-F12a/cc-pVTZ-F12. For the stationary points thus located, much higher levels of theory have been used, with basis sets as large as aug-cc-pV5Z and methods up to CCSDT(Q), and core correlation was also included. These molecules were chosen because they can be found in either interstellar or combustion environments. Various additive energy corrections have been included to converge the relative enthalpies of the stationary points to subchemical accuracy (≤0.5 kcal mol-1). Barriers predicted here (2.19 kcal mol-1 for the HNCO reaction and 0.47 kcal mol-1 for C2H4) are significantly lower than previous predictions. Reliable kinetics were acquired over a wide range of temperatures (50-5000 K), which may be useful for future experimental studies of these reactions.

Unimolecular Reactions of 2-Methyloxetanyl and 2-Methyloxetanylperoxy Radicals

Alkyl-substituted cyclic ethers are intermediates formed in abundance during the low-temperature oxidation of hydrocarbons and biofuels via a chain-propagating step with ȮH. Subsequent reactions of cyclic ether radicals involve a competition between ring opening and reaction with O2, the latter of which enables pathways mediated by hydroperoxy-substituted carbon-centered radicals (Q̇OOH). Due to the resultant implications of competing unimolecular and bimolecular reactions on overall populations of ȮH, detailed insight into the chemical kinetics of cyclic ethers remains critical to high-fidelity numerical modeling of combustion. Cl-initiated oxidation experiments were conducted on 2-methyloxetane (an intermediate of n-butane oxidation) using multiplexed photoionization mass spectrometry (MPIMS), in tandem with calculations of stationary point energies on potential energy surfaces for unimolecular reactions of 2-methyloxetanyl and 2-methyloxetanylperoxy isomers. The potential energy surfaces were computed using the KinBot algorithm with stationary points calculated at the CCSD(T)-F12/cc-pVDZ-F12 level of theory. The experiments were conducted at 6 Torr and two temperatures (650 K and 800 K) under pseudo-first-order conditions to facilitate Ṙ + O2 reactions. Photoionization spectra were measured from 8.5 eV to 11.0 eV in 50-meV steps, and relative yields were quantified for species consistent with Ṙ → products and Q̇OOH → products. Species detected in the MPIMS experiments are linked to specific radicals of 2-methyloxetane. Species from Ṙ → products include methyl, ethene, formaldehyde, propene, ketene, 1,3-butadiene, and acrolein. Ion signals consistent with products from alkyl radical oxidation were detected, including for Q̇OOH-mediated species, which are also low-lying channels on their respective potential energy surfaces. In addition to species common to alkyl oxidation pathways, ring-opening reactions of Q̇OOH radicals derived from 2-methyloxetane produced ketohydroperoxide species (performic acid and 2-hydroperoxyacetaldehyde), which may impart additional chain-branching potential, and dicarbonyl species (3-oxobutanal and 2-methylpropanedial), which often serve as proxies for modeling reaction rates of ketohydroperoxides. The experimental and computational results underscore that reactions of cyclic ethers are inherently more complex than currently prescribed in chemical kinetic models utilized for combustion.

A Multiconformational Transition State Theory Approach to OH Tropospheric Degradation of Fluorotelomer Aldehydes

Experimental work on the OH-initiated oxidation reactions of fluorotelomer aldehydes (FTALs) strongly suggests that the respective rate coefficients do not depend on the size of the Cx F2x+1 fluoroalkyl chain. FTALs hence represent a challenging test to our multiconformer transition state theory (MC-TST) protocol based on constrained transition state randomization (CTSR), since the calculated rate coefficients should not show significant variations with increasing values of x ${x}$ . In this work we apply the MC-TST/CTSR protocol to thex = 2 , 3 ${x={\rm 2,3}}$ cases and calculate both rate coefficients at 298.15 K with a value ofk = ( 2 . 4 ± 1 . 4 ) × 10 - 12 ${k=(2.4\pm 1.4)\times {10}^{-12}}$  cm3  molecule-1  s-1 , practically coincident with the recommended experimental value of kexp =( 2 . 8 ± 1 . 4 ) × 10 - 12 ${(2.8\pm 1.4)\times {10}^{-12}}$  cm3  molecule-1  s-1 . We also show that the use of tunneling corrections based on improved semiclassical TST is critical in obtaining Arrhenius-Kooij curves with a correct behavior at lower temperatures.

Mactanamide and lariciresinol as radical scavengers and Fe2+ ion chelators - A DFT study

A DFT based kinetic study of OOH radical scavenging potency of mactanamide (MA) and lariciresinol (LA), two natural polyphenols, indicates their nearly equal potential via the proton coupled electron transfer (PCET) mechanism in lipid media. Contribution of C-H bond breaking to this potency is negligible compared to O-H bond breaking, contrary to recent claims. The predicted potency of both compounds is not sufficient to protect biological molecules from oxidative damage in lipid media. In aqueous media, the scavenging potency of MA and LA phenoxide anions via the single electron transfer (SET) mechanism is much higher and may contribute to the protection of lipids, proteins, and DNA from OOH radical damage. Also, MA and LA have the potential to chelate catalytic Fe2+ ions, thus suppressing the formation of dangerous OH radicals via Fenton-type reactions. The monoanionic species of MA and LA show stronger monodentate chelating ability with Fe2+ ion compared to its neutral form. The dianionic specie LA2- exhibited the highest chelation ability with Fe2+ ion via bidentate 1:2 coordination. However, direct radical scavenging and metal chelation could be rarely operative in vivo because MA and LA presumably achieve very low concentrations in systemic circulation.

DFT Study of the Direct Radical Scavenging Potency of Two Natural Catecholic Compounds

To ascertain quercetin's and rooperol's potency of H-atom donation to CH₃OO^• and HOO^•, thermodynamics, kinetics and tunnelling, three forms of chemical reaction control, were theoretically examined. In lipid media, H-atom donation from quercetin's catecholic OH groups via the proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) mechanism, is more relevant than from C-ring enolic moiety. Amongst rooperol's two catecholic moieties, H-atom donation from A-ring OH groups is favored. Allylic hydrogens of rooperol are poorly abstractable via the hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) mechanism. Kinetic analysis including tunnelling enables a more reliable prediction of the H-atom donation potency of quercetin and rooperol, avoiding the pitfalls of a solely thermodynamic approach. Obtained results contradict the increasing number of misleading statements about the high impact of C-H bond breaking on polyphenols' antioxidant potency. In an aqueous environment at pH = 7.4, the 3-O^- phenoxide anion of quercetin and rooperol's 4'-O^- phenoxide anion are preferred sites for CH₃OO^• and HOO^• inactivation via the single electron transfer (SET) mechanism.

Cost-Effective Implementation of Multiconformer Transition State Theory for Alkoxy Radical Unimolecular Reactions

Alkoxy radicals are important intermediates in the gas-phase oxidation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) determining the nature of the first-generation products. An accurate description of their chemistry under atmospheric conditions is essential for understanding the atmospheric oxidation of VOCs. Unfortunately, experimental measurements of the rate coefficients of unimolecular alkoxy radical reactions are scarce, especially for larger systems. As has previously been done for peroxy radical hydrogen shift reactions, we present a cost-effective approach to the practical implementation of multiconformer transition state theory (MC-TST) for alkoxy radical unimolecular (H-shift and decomposition) reactions. Specifically, we test the optimal approach for the conformational sampling as well as the best value for a cutoff of high-energy conformers. In order to obtain accurate rate coefficients at a reduced computational cost, an energy cutoff is employed to reduce the required number of high-level calculations. The rate coefficients obtained with the developed theoretical approach are compared to available experimental rate coefficients for both 1,5 H-shifts and decomposition reactions. For all but one of the reactions tested, the calculated MC-TST rate coefficients agree with experimental results to within a factor of 7. The discrepancy for the final reaction is about a factor of 15, but part of the discrepancy is caused by pressure effects, which are not included in MC-TST. Thus, for the fastest alkoxy reactions, deviation from the high-pressure limit even at 1 bar should be considered.

On-The-Fly Kinetics of the Hydrogen Abstraction by Hydroperoxyl Radical: An Application of the Reaction Class Transition State Theory

A Reaction Class Transition State Theory (RC-TST) is applied to calculate thermal rate constants for hydrogen abstraction by OOH radical from alkanes in the temperature range of 300–2500 K. The rate constants for the reference reaction C₂H₆ + ∙OOH → ∙C₂H₅ + H₂O₂, is obtained with the Canonical Variational Transition State Theory (CVT) augmented with the Small Curvature Tunneling (SCT) correction. The necessary parameters were obtained from M06-2X/aug-cc-pVTZ data for a training set of 24 reactions. Depending on the approximation employed, only the reaction energy or no additional parameters are needed to predict the RC-TST rates for other class representatives. Although each of the reactions can in principle be investigated at higher levels of theory, the approach provides a nearly equally reliable rate constant at a fraction of the cost needed for larger and higher level calculations. The systematic error is smaller than 50% in comparison with high level computations. Satisfactory agreement with literature data, augmented by the lack of necessity of tedious and time consuming transition state calculations, facilitated the seamless application of the proposed methodology to the Automated Reaction Mechanism Generators (ARMGs) programs.

Energetics and kinetics of various cyano radical hydrogen abstractions

The cyano radical (CN) is an abundant, open-shell molecule found in a variety of environments, including the atmosphere, the interstellar medium and combustion processes. In these environments, it often reacts with small, closed-shell molecules via hydrogen abstraction. Both carbon and nitrogen atoms of the cyano radical are reactive sites, however the carbon is more reactive with reaction barrier heights generally between 2-15 kcal mol^-1 lower than those of the analogous nitrogen. The CN + HX → HCN/HNC + X, with X = H, CH₃, NH₂, OH, F, SiH₃, PH₂, SH, Cl, C₂H, CN reactions have been studied at a high-level of theory, including CCSD(T)-F12a. Furthermore, kinetics were obtained over the 100-1000 K temperature range, showing excellent agreement with those rate constants that have been determined experimentally.

Atmospheric Autoxidation of Amines

Autoxidation has been acknowledged as a major oxidation pathway in a broad range of atmospherically important compounds including isoprene, monoterpenes, and very recently, dimethyl sulfide. Here, we present a high-level theoretical multiconformer transition-state theory study of the atmospheric autoxidation in amines exemplified by the atmospherically important trimethylamine (TMA) and dimethylamine and generalized by the study of the larger diethylamine. Overall, we find that the initial hydrogen shift reactions have rate coefficients greater than 0.1 s^-1 and autoxidation is thus an important atmospheric pathway for amines. This autoxidation efficiently leads to the formation of hydroperoxy amides, a new type of atmospheric nitrogen-containing compounds, and for TMA, we experimentally confirm this. The conversion of amines to hydroperoxy amides may have important implications for nucleation and growth of atmospheric secondary organic aerosols and atmospheric OH recycling.

Theoretical, Experimental, and Modeling Study of the Reaction of Hydrogen Atoms with 1- and 2-Pentene

Alkyl radicals are prominent in combustion chemistry as they are formed by hydrocarbon decomposition or from a radical attack on hydrocarbons. Accurate determinations of the thermochemistry and kinetics of their unimolecular isomerization and decomposition reactions and related addition reactions of alkenes are therefore important in simulating the combustion chemistry of virtually all hydrocarbon fuels. In this work, a comprehensive potential energy surface (PES) for Ḣ-atom addition to and abstraction from 1- and 2-pentene, and the subsequent C-C and C-H β-scission reactions, and H-atom transfer reactions has been considered. Thermochemical values for the species on the Ċ₅H₁₁ PES were calculated as a function of temperature (298-2000 K), with enthalpies of formation determined using a network of isodesmic reactions. High-pressure limiting and pressure-dependent rate constants were calculated using the Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel-Marcus theory coupled with a one-dimensional master equation. As a validation of our theoretical results, hydrogen atomic resonance absorption spectrometry experiments were performed on the Ḣ-atom addition and abstraction reactions of 1- and 2-pentene. By incorporating our calculations into a detailed chemical kinetic model (AramcoMech 3.0), excellent agreement with these experiments is observed. The theoretical results are further validated via a comprehensive series of simulations of literature data. Our a priori model is found to reproduce important absolute species concentrations and product ratios reported therein.

A DFT mechanistic, thermodynamic and kinetic study on the reaction of 1, 3, 5-trihydroxybenzene and 2, 4, 6-trihydroxyacetophenone with •OOH in different media

A theoretical investigation on the reactions of 1, 3, 5-trihydroxybenzene (PG) and 2, 4, 6-trihydroxyacetophenone (ACPG) with •OOH has been performed with the aim of elucidating the peroxyl radical scavenging properties of PG and its acylated derivative. The study has considered the hydrogen atom transfer (HAT), the single electron transfer-proton transfer and the sequential proton loss-electron transfer mechanisms and determined the geometric, energetic and electronic properties of the reaction species as well as the kinetic parameters for the HAT mechanism. DFT/M06-2X, DFT/MPW1K and DFT/BHHLYP calculation methods have been utilized in combination with the 6-311++G(3df, 2p) basis set. The DFT methods were benchmarked using the CBS-QB3 method. Thermodynamic parameters such as bond dissociation enthalpy (BDE) and ionization energy suggest that the thermodynamically preferred mechanism is the HAT mechanism. The geometric, electronic and energetic parameters suggest that the preferred site for the abstraction of the free phenolic H atom in ACPG is the ortho position. Spin density and branching ratio values indicate that the most stable and preferable product formed is for the reaction of ACPG [Formula: see text] •OOH at the ortho position. The estimated rate constants obtained indicate that the reaction of ACPG [Formula: see text] •OOH is kinetically preferred to the reaction of PG [Formula: see text] •OOH, which is in agreement with experimental findings.

Quantum Suppression of Intramolecular Deuterium Kinetic Isotope Effects in a Pericyclic Hydrogen Transfer Reaction

It is generally accepted that hydrogen tunneling enhances both primary and secondary H/D kinetic isotope effects (KIEs) over what would be expected under the assumptions of classical barrier transition. Previous studies have exclusively shown that the effects of tunneling upon primary H/D KIEs have been much larger than those observed for secondary H/D KIEs. Here we present a series of experimental H/D KIE results associated with the Chugaev elimination of methyl xanthate derived from β-phenylethanol over the temperature range of 180 to 290 °C. Intramolecular H/D KIEs computed according to classical transition state theory (TST) are markedly overestimated relative to experimentally measured values. Experimental intermolecular H/D KIEs and direct dynamic calculations based on canonical variational transition state theory (CVT) with small-curvature tunneling correction (SCT) reveal that this result is largely the consequence of extraordinary tunneling enhancement of the secondary H/D KIE. This unexpected behavior is examined in the context of other similar hydrogen transfer reactions.

Intrinsic Instability of Inorganic-Organic Hybrid Halide Perovskite Materials

Hybrid lead halide perovskite materials are used in solar cells and show efficiencies greater than 23%. Furthermore, they are applied in light-emitting diodes, X-ray detectors, thin-film transistors, thermoelectrics, and memory devices. Lead trihalide hybrid materials contain methylammonium (MA) or formamidinium (FA) (or a mixture), or long alkylammonium halides, as alternative organic cations. However, the intrinsic stability of hybrid lead halide perovskites is not very high, and they are chemically unstable when exposed to moisture, light, or heat because of their organic contents and low formation energies. Therefore, although improvements in the chemical stability are crucial, changing the material composition is challenging because it is directly related to the desired application requirements. Fortunately, hybrid lead halide perovskites have a very high tolerance toward changes in physical properties arising from doping or addition of different cations and anions, in many cases showing improved properties. Here, the intrinsic instability of hybrid lead halide perovskites is reviewed in relation to the crystal phase and chemical stability. It is suggested that FA should be used for lead halide perovskites for chemical stability instead of MA. Furthermore, additives that stabilize the crystal phase with α-FAPbI₃ should eschew MA.

Towards high-level theoretical studies of large biodiesel molecules: an ONIOM/RRKM/Master-equation approach to the isomerization and dissociation kinetics of methyl decanoate radicals

The isomerization and dissociation reactions of methyl decanoate (MD) radicals were theoretically investigated by using high-level theoretical calculations based on a two-layer ONIOM method, employing the QCISD(T)/CBS method for the high layer and the M06-2X/6-311++G(d,p) method for the low layer. Temperature- and pressure-dependent rate coefficients for the involved reactions were computed by using the transition state theory and the Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel-Marcus/Master-equation method. The structure-reactivity relationships were explored for the complicated multiple-well interconnected system of ten isomeric MD radicals. Comparative studies of methyl butanoate (MB) and MD were also performed systematically. Results show that the isomerization reactions are appreciably responsible for the population distribution of MD radicals at low and intermediate temperatures, while the β-scission reactions are dominant at higher temperatures. Although the rate constants of MB specific to methyl esters are close to those of MD in certain temperature ranges, MB is unable to simulate most of the dissociation reactions due to its short aliphatic chain. Significant differences of rate constants for isomerization reactions were observed between the calculated results and the literature data, which were estimated by analogy to alkane systems, but the rate constants of β-scissions show generally good agreement between theory and experiment. The current work extends kinetic data for isomerization and dissociation reactions of MD radicals, and it serves as a reference for the studies of detailed combustion chemistry of practical biodiesels.

Reaction Kinetics of Hydrogen Atom Abstraction from C4-C6 Alkenes by the Hydrogen Atom and Methyl Radical

Alkenes are important ingredients of realistic fuels and are also critical intermediates during the combustion of a series of other fuels including alkanes, cycloalkanes, and biofuels. To provide insights into the combustion behavior of alkenes, detailed quantum chemical studies for crucial reactions are desired. Hydrogen abstractions of alkenes play a very important role in determining the reactivity of fuel molecules. This work is motivated by previous experimental and modeling evidence that current literature rate coefficients for the abstraction reactions of alkenes are still in need of refinement and/or redetermination. In light of this, this work reports a theoretical and kinetic study of hydrogen atom abstraction reactions from C4-C6 alkenes by the hydrogen (H) atom and methyl (CH₃) radical. A series of C4-C6 alkene molecules with enough structural diversity are taken into consideration. Geometry and vibrational properties are determined at the B3LYP/6-31G(2df,p) level implemented in the Gaussian-4 (G4) composite method. The G4 level of theory is used to calculate the electronic single point energies for all species to determine the energy barriers. Conventional transition state theory with Eckart tunneling corrections is used to determine the high-pressure-limit rate constants for 47 elementary reaction rate coefficients. To faciliate their applications in kinetic modeling, the obtained rate constants are given in the Arrhenius expression and rate coefficients for typical reaction classes are recommended. The overall rate coefficients for the reaction of H atom and CH₃ radical with all the studied alkenes are also compared. Branching ratios of these reaction channels for certain alkenes have also been analyzed.

Ab initio derived group additivity model for intramolecular hydrogen abstraction reactions

A set of group additivity values for intramolecular hydrogen abstraction reactions of alkanes, alkenes and alkynes is reported. Calculating 448 reaction rate coefficients at the CBS-QB3 level of theory for 1-2 up to 1-7 hydrogen shift reactions allowed the estimation of ΔGAV° values for 270 groups. The influence of substituents on (1) the attacking radical, (2) the attacked carbon atom, and (3) the carbon chain between the attacking and attacked reactive atom has been systematically studied. Substituents have been varied between hydrogen atoms and sp3, sp2 and sp hybridized carbon atoms. It has been assumed that substituents further away from the reactive atoms or their connecting carbon chain have negligible influences on the kinetics. This group additivity model is applicable to a wide variety of reactions in the 300-1800 K temperature range. Correlations for tunneling coefficients have been generated which are complementary to the ΔGAV°'s to obtain accurate rate coefficients without the need for imaginary frequencies or electronic energies of activation. These correlations depend on the temperature and activation energy of the exothermic step. The group additivity model has been successfully applied to a test set of reactions also calculated at the CBS-QB3 level of theory. A mean absolute deviation of 1.18 to 1.71 has been achieved showing a good overall accuracy of the model.

Organocopper triggered cyclization of conjugated dienynes via tandem SN2′/Alder-ene reaction

Propargylic carbonates were converted to indenes through a S_N2′/Alder-ene cascade triggered by organocopper reagents.

Temperature and pressure dependent rate coefficients for the reaction of C2H4 + HO2 on the C2H4O2H potential energy surface

The potential energy surface (PES) for reaction C2H4 + HO2 was examined by using the quantum chemical methods. All rates were determined computationally using the CBS-QB3 composite method combined with conventional transition state theory(TST), variational transition-state theory (VTST) and Rice-Ramsberger-Kassel-Marcus/master-equation (RRKM/ME) theory. The geometries optimization and the vibrational frequency analysis of reactants, transition states, and products were performed at the B3LYP/CBSB7 level. The composite CBS-QB3 method was applied for energy calculations. The major product channel of reaction C2H4 + HO2 is the formation C2H4O2H via an OH(···)π complex with 3.7 kcal/mol binding energy which exhibits negative-temperature dependence. We further investigated the reactions related to this complex, which were ignored in previous studies. Thermochemical properties of the species involved in the reactions were determined using the CBS-QB3 method, and enthalpies of formation of species were compared with literature values. The calculated rate constants are in good agreement with those available from literature and given in modified Arrhenius equation form, which are serviceable in combustion modeling of hydrocarbons. Finally, in order to illustrate the effect for low-temperature ignition of our new rate constants, we have implemented them into the existing mechanisms, which can predict ethylene ignition in a shock tube with better performance.

Reactions of allylic radicals that impact molecular weight growth kinetics

The reactions of allylic radicals have the potential to play a critical role in molecular weight growth (MWG) kinetics during hydrocarbon oxidation and/or pyrolysis.

Kinetic and mechanistic investigations of the thermal decomposition of methyl-substituted cycloalkyl radicals

We perform systemic theoretical investigations on the thermal decomposition of 2-Me-cyclobutyl, 2-Me-cyclopentyl and 2-Me-cyclohexyl radicals at CBS-QB3 and CCSD(T) levels.

Influence of the double bond on the hydrogen abstraction reactions of methyl esters with hydrogen radical: an ab initio and chemical kinetic study

This work reports a systematic ab initio and chemical kinetic study of the rate constants for hydrogen atom abstraction reactions by hydrogen radical on the isomers of unsaturated C6 methyl esters.

Antioxidant activity of hispidin oligomers from medicinal fungi: a DFT study

Hispidin oligomers are styrylpyrone pigments isolated from the medicinal fungi Inonotus xeranticus and Phellinus linteus. They exhibit diverse biological activities and strong free radical scavenging activity. To rationalize the antioxidant activity of a series of four hispidin oligomers and determine the favored mechanism involved in free radical scavenging, DFT calculations were carried out at the B3P86/6-31+G (d, p) level of theory in gas and solvent. The results showed that bond dissociation enthalpies of OH groups of hispidin oligomers (ArOH) and spin density delocalization of related radicals (ArO^•) are the appropriate parameters to clarify the differences between the observed antioxidant activities for the four oligomers. The effect of the number of hydroxyl groups and presence of a catechol moiety conjugated to a double bond on the antioxidant activity were determined. Thermodynamic and kinetic studies showed that the PC-ET mechanism is the main mechanism involved in free radical scavenging. The spin density distribution over phenoxyl radicals allows a better understanding of the hispidin oligomers formation.

A computational study on the mechanism and kinetics of the reaction between CH3CH2S and OH

Addition–elimination channels CH₃CHS + H₂O, CH₂CH₂ + HSOH, CH₃CHSO + H₂ and CH₃CH₂SH + O are the major channels in the reaction between CH₃CH₂S and OH.

First-principles kinetics of n-octyl radicals

Kinetics of the isomerisation and unimolecular degradation of n-octyl radicals have been studied with the reaction class transition state theory (RC-TST) method. To explore the kinetics of the 1,7-H migration reactions family, the accurate high-pressure limits of the rate constants for the reference reaction of this class (1-heptyl → 1-heptyl) have been calculated. Finally, both the achievements reported in this paper and previous developments are employed to obtain theoretical branching ratios of intramolecular H-transfers and unimolecular degradations of all possible n-octyl radicals; the results are in satisfactory agreement when compared to experiment. The application of the rates obtained to the simulation of a simple reactor is also reported.