Rate Constants and Kinetic Isotope Effects in the Reactions of Atomic Chlorine with n-Butane and Simple Alkenes at Room Temperature

Reactions of C12-C14 n-Alkylcyclohexanes with Cl Atoms: Kinetics and Secondary Organic Aerosol Formation

Long-chain alkanes are a type of intermediate volatility organic compound (IVOC) in the atmosphere and a potential source of secondary organic aerosols (SOAs). C₁₂-C₁₄ n-alkylcyclohexanes are important compositions of IVOCs, with considerable concentrations and emission rates. The reaction rate constants and SOA formation of the reactions of C₁₂-C₁₄ n-alkylcyclohexanes with Cl atoms were investigated in the present study. The reaction rate constants of the long-chain alkanes obtained via the relative-rate method at 298 ± 0.2 K (in units of ×10^-10 cm³ molecule^-1 s^-1) were as follows: k_{hexylcyclohexane} = 5.11 ± 0.28, k_{heptylcyclohexane} = 5.56 ± 0.30, and k_{octylcyclohexane} = 5.74 ± 0.31. The gas-phase products of the reactions were identified as mainly small molecules of aldehydes, ketones, and acids. The particle-phase products were mostly monomers and oligomers, but there were still trimers even under high-NO_x conditions. Moreover, under high-NO_x conditions (urban atmosphere), the SOA yields of hexylcyclohexane are higher than that under low-NO_x conditions (remote atmosphere), indicating that more attention should be given to the SOA formation of Cl-initiated n-alkylcyclohexane oxidations in polluted regions. This research can further clarify the oxidation processes and SOA formation of n-alkylcyclohexanes in the atmosphere.

Atmospheric chemistry of (Z)- and (E)-1,2-dichloroethene: kinetics and mechanisms of the reactions with Cl atoms, OH radicals, and O3

Smog chambers interfaced with in situ FT-IR detection were used to investigate the kinetics and mechanisms of the Cl atom, OH radical, and O₃ initiated oxidation of (Z)- and (E)-1,2-dichloroethene (CHClCHCl) under atmospheric conditions. Relative and absolute rate methods were used to measure k(Cl + (Z)-CHClCHCl) = (8.80 ± 1.75) × 10^-11, k(Cl + (E)-CHClCHCl) = (8.51 ± 1.69) × 10^-11, k(OH + (Z)-CHClCHCl) = (2.02 ± 0.43) × 10^-12, k(OH + (E)-CHClCHCl) = (1.94 ± 0.43) × 10^-12, k(O₃ + (Z)-CHClCHCl) = (4.50 ± 0.45) × 10^-21, and k(O₃ + (E)-CHClCHCl) = (1.02 ± 0.10) × 10^-19 cm³ molecule^-1 s^-1 in 700 Torr of N₂/air diluent at 298 ± 2 K. Pressure dependencies for the Cl atom reaction kinetics were observed for both isomers, consistent with isomerization occurring via Cl atom elimination from the chemically activated CHCl-CHCl-Cl adduct. The observed products from Cl initiated oxidation were HC(O)Cl (117-133%), CHCl₂CHO (29-30%), and the corresponding CHClCHCl isomer (11-20%). OH radical initiated oxidation gives HC(O)Cl as a major product. For reaction of OH with (E)-CHClCHCl, (Z)-CHClCHCl was also observed as a product. A significant chlorine atom elimination channel was observed experimentally (HCl yield) and supported by computational results. Photochemical ozone creation potentials of 12 and 11 were estimated for (Z)- and (E)-CHClCHCl, respectively. Finally, an empirical kinetic relationship is explored for the addition of OH radicals or Cl atoms to small alkenes. The results are discussed in the context of the atmospheric chemistry of (Z)- and (E)-CHClCHCl.

An experimental study of the gas-phase reaction between Cl atoms and trans-2-pentenal: Kinetics, products and SOA formation

The gas-phase reaction of trans-2-pentenal (T2P) with Cl atoms was studied at atmospheric pressure and room temperature. A rate coefficient of (2.56 ± 0.83) × 10^-10 cm³ molecule^-1 s^-1 was obtained using the relative rate method and isoprene, cyclohexane and ethanol as reference compounds. The kinetic study was carried out using a 300-L Teflon bag simulation chamber (IMT Lille Douai-France) and a 16-L Pyrex cell (UCLM-Ciudad Real-Spain), both coupled to the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) technique. Gas-phase products and secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation were studied at UCLM using a 16-L Pyrex cell and a 264-L quartz simulation chamber coupled to the FTIR and gas-chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) techniques. HCl, CO, and propanal were identified as products formed from the studied reaction and quantified by FTIR, the molar yield of the latter being (5.2 ± 0.2)%. Formic acid was identified as a secondary product and was quantified by FTIR with a yield of (6.2 ± 0.4)%. In addition, 2-chlorobutanal and 2-pentenoic acid were identified, but not quantified, by GC-MS as products. The SOA formation was investigated using a fast mobility particle sizer spectrometer. The observed SOA yields reached maximum values of around 7% at high particle mass concentrations. This work provides the first study of the formation of gaseous and particulate products for the reaction of Cl with T2P. A reaction mechanism is suggested to explain the formation of the observed gaseous products. The results are discussed in terms of structure-reactivity relationship, and the atmospheric implications derived from this study are commented as well.

Roaming Reactions and Dynamics in the van der Waals Region

Roaming reactions were first clearly identified in photodissociation of formaldehyde 15 years ago, and roaming dynamics are now recognized as a universal aspect of chemical reactivity. These reactions typically involve frustrated near-dissociation of a quasibound system to radical fragments, followed by reorientation at long range and intramolecular abstraction. The consequences can be unexpected formation of molecular products, depletion of the radical pool in chemical systems, and formation of products with unusual internal state distributions. In this review, I examine some current aspects of roaming reactions with an emphasis on experimental results, focusing on possible quantum effects in roaming and roaming dynamics in bimolecular systems. These considerations lead to a more inclusive definition of roaming reactions as those for which key dynamics take place at long range.

Multipollutant modeling of ozone, reactive nitrogen and HAPs across the continental US with CMAQ-CB6

The accuracy of atmospheric chemical mechanisms used in air quality models is critical for robustly predicting the production and decay of air pollutants and thus to develop strategies to reduce concentrations that are above levels harmful to humans and ecosystems. In this study we document, evaluate and analyze the implementation of the CB6r3 chemical mechanism used in the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model, including changes that have been to the standard version, and demonstrate the impact of this update on predictions. In general, CB6r3 slightly improves the predictions of ozone and oxides of nitrogen, while providing more consistency with current scientific understanding. Nitric acid is generally overpredicted in both winter and summer, and ongoing work continues to address this overprediction and update other aspects of the mechanism.

Kinetics of atmospheric reactions of 4-chloro-1-butene

Chloroalkenes are among the important anthropogenic organic compounds emitted in the atmosphere as a result of their wide use in synthetic processes in industry. Despite their well-known adverse effects on human health and air quality, the chemistry of these chloroalkenes remains poorly explored. In this work, reactions of 4-chloro-1-butene (CBE), a representative example of chloroalkenes, with O₃, OH, NO₃, and Cl are investigated in a 100-L Teflon reaction chamber equipped with gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID). The absolute rate method was used for the reaction with O₃ while the relative rate method was used for reactions with OH, NO₃, and Cl. The following rate constants were obtained at room temperature (298 ± 2) K and atmospheric pressure: (3.96 ± 0.43) × 10^-18, (2.63 ± 0.96) × 10^-11, (4.48 ± 1.23) × 10^-15, and (2.35 ± 0.90) × 10^-10 cm³ molecule^-1 s^-1, for reactions with O₃, OH, NO₃, and Cl, respectively. Atmospheric lifetimes of CBE calculated from rate constants of the different reactions obtained in this work showed that reaction with OH is the main loss process for CBE, while in coastal areas and in the marine boundary layer, the CBE loss by Cl reaction becomes important. Estimation of the value of the photochemical ozone creation potential (POCP) indicated that CBE has a large ozone formation potential. The present work underlines the need for further studies on the atmospheric chemistry of chlorinated VOCs.

Cl-initiated photo-oxidation reactions of methyl propionate in atmospheric condition

Cl-initiated photo-oxidation reaction of methyl propionate was investigated experimentally using relative rate method. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and GC/infrared spectroscopy (GC-IR) were used as analytical tools to follow the concentrations of reactants and products during reaction. The gas-phase kinetics of methyl propionate with Cl atoms was measured over the temperature range of 263-363 K at 760 Torr in N₂ atmosphere using C₂H₆ and C₂H₄ as reference compounds. The temperature-dependent rate coefficient for the reaction of methyl propionate with Cl atom was obtained as k(T) = [(3.25 ± 1.23) × 10^-16] T² exp [- (33 ± 4) / T] cm³ molecule^-1 s^-1. Theoretical calculations were also performed at CCSD(T)/cc-pVDZ//B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level of theory, and the rate coefficients for H abstraction reactions were evaluated using canonical variational transition state theory (CVT/SCT) with interpolated single point energy (ISPE) method over the temperature range of 200-400 K. The rate coefficients over the studied temperature range yielded the Arrhenius expression k(T) = (7.22 × 10^-16) T^1.5 exp (466 / T) cm³ molecule^-1 s^-1. The reaction mechanism based on product analysis, thermochemistry, branching ratios, atmospheric implications, degradation pathways, and cumulative lifetime of methyl propionate is also presented in this manuscript. Graphical abstract ᅟ.

Gas-Phase Oxidation of Allyl Acetate by O3, OH, Cl, and NO3: Reaction Kinetics and Mechanism

Allyl acetate (AA) is widely used as monomer and intermediate in industrial chemicals synthesis. To evaluate the atmospheric outcome of AA, kinetics and mechanism of its gas-phase reaction with main atmospheric oxidants (O₃, OH, Cl, and NO₃) have been investigated in a Teflon reactor at 298 ± 3 K. Both absolute and relative rate methods were used to determine the rate constants for AA reactions with the four atmospheric oxidants. The obtained rate constants (in units of cm³ molecule^-1 s^-1) are (1.8 ± 0.3) × 10^-18, (3.1 ± 0.7) × 10^-11, (2.5 ± 0.5) × 10^-10, and (1.1 ± 0.4) × 10^-14, for reactions with O₃, OH, Cl, and NO_3, respectively. While results for reactions with O₃, OH and Cl are in good agreement with previous studies, the kinetics for the reaction with NO₃ is reported for the first time in this study. On the basis of determined rate constants, the tropospheric lifetimes of AA are τ_O3 = 9 days, τ_OH = 5 h, τ_Cl = 5 days, τ_NO3 = 2 days. On the basis of the products study, reaction mechanisms for these oxidations have been proposed and the reaction products were detected using thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (TD-GC-MS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Results show that the main products formed in these reactions are carbonyl compounds. In particular, 2-oxoethyl acetate was detected in all four AA oxidation reactions. Compared to previous studies, several new products were determined for reactions with OH and Cl. These results form a set of comprehensive kinetic data for AA reactions with main atmospheric oxidants and provide a better understanding of the degradation and atmospheric outcome of unsaturated acetate esters in the troposphere, during both daytime and nighttime.

Experimental and computational kinetic investigations for the reactions of Cl atoms with unsaturated ketones in the gas phase

Cl atom initiated photo oxidation of unsaturated ketones.

Kinetic investigations of Cl atom initiated photo-oxidation reactions of cyclic unsaturated hydrocarbons in the gas phase: an experimental and theoretical study

Cl atom initiated photo oxidation kinetics of cyclohexene and cycloheptene.

Gas-phase reaction of two unsaturated ketones with atomic Cl and O3: kinetics and products

The rate constants and products for the reactions of atomic Cl and O₃ molecule with 3-methyl-3-buten-2-one (MBO332) and 3-methyl-3-penten-2-one (MPO332) were determined in a 100 L Teflon chamber at 293 ± 1 K and atmospheric pressure.

UV-initiated hydrosilylation on hydrogen-terminated silicon (111): rate coefficient increase of two orders of magnitude in the presence of aromatic electron acceptors

UV-initiated (254 nm) hydrosilylation of hexadecene on Si(111)-H has been studied in the presence of various aliphatic and aromatic molecules (additives). Many of these additives cause an enhancement in the pseudo-first-order rate coefficient (k(obs)) of hydrosilylation, some up to 200× faster than observed in neat hexadecene. It is proposed that these additives capture the photoejected electron from the surface, thereby increasing the probability of reaction of the alkene with the surface hole (h(+)), leading to Si-C bond formation. While the ability of these additives to increase k(obs) is related to their reduction potential, aromatic additives are particularly efficient; we suspect this is due to the relatively strong physisorption of the aromatic molecules leading to a favorable geometry for electron transfer. The presence of these additives permits the use of a much lower intensity of UV light (~30 μW/cm(2)), reducing the probability of photodegradation of the monolayer, and maximum coverage can be reached within minutes.

The Cl-initiated oxidation of CH(3)C(O)OCH=CH (2), CH (3)C(O)OCH (2)CH=CH (2), and CH (2)=CHC(O)O(CH (2)) (3)CH (3) in the troposphere

BACKGROUND, AIM, AND SCOPE

Unsaturated esters are emitted to the atmosphere from biogenic and anthropogenic sources, including those from the polymer industry. Little information exists concerning the atmospheric degradation of unsaturated esters, which are mainly initiated by OH radicals. Limited information is available on the degradation of alkenes by Cl atoms and almost no data exists for the reactions of unsaturated esters with Cl atoms. This data is necessary to assess the impact of such reactions in maritime environments where, under circumstances, OH radical- and Cl atom-initiated oxidation of the compounds can be important. Rate coefficients for the reactions of chlorine atoms with vinyl acetate, allyl acetate, and n-butyl acrylate have been determined at 298 +/- 3 K and atmospheric pressure. The kinetic data have been used in combination with that for structurally similar compounds to infer the kinetic contributions from the possible reaction channels to the overall reaction rate.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The decay of the organics was followed using in situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and the rate coefficients were determined using a relative kinetic method and different hydrocarbon reference compounds.

RESULTS

The following room temperature rate coefficients (in cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1)) were obtained: k (1) (Cl + CH(3)C(O)OCH=CH(2)) = (2.68 +/- 0.91) x 10(-10), k (2) (Cl + CH(3)C(O)OCH(2)CH=CH(2)) = (1.30 +/- 0.45) x 10(-10), and k (3) (Cl + CH(2)=CHC(O)O(CH(2))(3)CH(3)) = (2.50 +/- 0.78) x 10(-10), where the uncertainties are a combination of the 2sigma statistical errors from linear regression analyses and a contribution to cover uncertainties in the rate coefficients of the reference hydrocarbons.

DISCUSSION

This is the first kinetic study of the title reactions under atmospheric conditions. The kinetic data were analyzed in terms of reactivity trends and used to estimate the atmospheric lifetimes of the esters and assess their potential importance in the marine atmosphere.

CONCLUSIONS

Although reaction with OH radicals is the major atmospheric sink for the unsaturated esters studied, reaction with Cl atoms can compete in the early morning hours in coastal areas where the Cl concentration can reach peak values as high as 1 x 10(5) atoms cm(-3). The calculated residence times show that the chemistry of unsaturated esters will impact air quality locally near their emission sources.

RECOMMENDATIONS AND PERSPECTIVES

The reactions need to be studied over the range of temperatures and pressures generally encountered in the marine atmosphere. In addition, product studies should also be performed as a function of temperature since this will allow degradation mechanisms to be derived, which are representative for the wide range of conditions occurring in marine environments. Inclusion of the kinetic and product data in tropospheric numerical models will allow an assessment of potential environmental impacts of the esters for different marine pollution scenarios.

Relative and absolute kinetic studies of 2-butanol and related alcohols with tropospheric Cl atoms

A newly constructed chamber/Fourier transform infrared system was used to determine the relative rate coefficient, k(i), for the gas-phase reaction of Cl atoms with 2-butanol (k(1)), 2-methyl-2-butanol (k(2)), 3-methyl-2-butanol (k(3)), 2,3-dimethyl-2-butanol (k(4)) and 2-pentanol (k(5)). Experiments were performed at (298 +/- 2) K, in 740 Torr total pressure of synthetic air, and the measured rate coefficients were, in cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) units (+/-2sigma): k(1)=(1.32 +/- 0.14) x 10(-10), k(2)=(7.0 +/- 2.2) x 10(-11), k(3)=(1.17 +/- 0.14) x 10(-10), k(4)=(1.03 +/- 0.17) x 10(-10) and k(5)=(2.18 +/- 0.36) x 10(-10), respectively. Also, all the above rate coefficients (except for 2-pentanol) were investigated as a function of temperature (267-384 K) by pulsed laser photolysis-resonance fluorescence (PLP-RF). The obtained kinetic data were used to derive the Arrhenius expressions: k(1)(T)=(6.16 +/- 0.58) x 10(-11)exp[(174 +/- 58)/T], k(2)(T)=(2.48 +/- 0.17) x 10(-11)exp[(328 +/- 42)/T], k(3)(T)=(6.29 +/- 0.57) x 10(-11)exp[(192 +/- 56)/T], and k(4)(T)=(4.80 +/- 0.43) x 10(-11)exp[(221 +/- 56)/T](in units of cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) and +/-sigma). Results and mechanism are discussed and compared with the reported reactivity with OH radicals. Some atmospheric implications derived from this study are also reported.

Chlorine atom initiated reactions of selected tropospheric halocarbons — Kinetic and product studies

Halogens are suggested as important atmospheric oxidants in the marine boundary layer. The room-temperature kinetics of the chlorine-initiated reactions of three biogenic brominated hydrocarbons and four anthropogenic chlorinated ethenes was investigated by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC–FID) at a pressure of 1 atm (1 atm = 101.325 kPa) in air, using the relative rate technique. The rate constants (× 1013 cm3 molecule–1 s–1) for CH2Br2, CHBr2Cl, and CHBr3 reactions at 298 ± 2 K were found to be 4.25 ± 0.65, 2.03 ± 0.31, and 2.81 ± 0.41, respectively, using methane as a reference compound. Room temperature rate constants (±1011 cm3 molecule–1 s–1) obtained for 1,1-dichloroethene, cis-dichloroethene, trans-dichloroethene, and trichloroethene using ethene as a reference are 13.4 ± 3.3, 9.1 ± 2.3, 7.4 ± 1.8, and 7.7 ± 1.9, respectively. The rate constants of chlorine-atom reactions with various hydrocarbons obtained in this work and taken from literature were correlated with corresponding rate constants of the OH radical available in the literature. The temperature dependences for the reactions of chlorine atoms with chlorinated ethenes were studied within the 298–358 K range. The corresponding Arrhenius expressions for the rate constants are (cm3 molecule–1 s–1): ln k = (–25.26 ± 0.17) – (758 ± 55)/T for 1,1-dichloroethene, ln k = (–25.79 ± 0.10) – (799 ± 34)/T for cis-dichloroethene, ln k = (–26.74 ± 0.09) – (1018 ± 28)/T for trans-dichloroethene, and ln k = (–26.10 ± 0.26) – (846 ± 83)/T for trichloroethene. In addition, product studies for the chlorine-initiated gas phase oxidation reactions of CHBr3 and CHBr2Cl were performed using gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection (GC–MS). The only identified product for the reaction of CHBr3 with Cl reaction was COBr2, while for the CHBr2Cl + Cl reaction, COBrCl and COCl2 were observed, indicating the possibility of halogen atom release. The atmospheric implications of the results obtained are discussed.Key words: tropospheric reactions, kinetics, chlorine atoms, chlorinated hydrocarbons, brominated hydrocarbons.

Experimental and Theoretical Studies of the Kinetics of the Reactions of OH Radicals with Acetic Acid, Acetic Acid-d3 and Acetic Acid-d4 at Low Pressure

The kinetics of the reactions of OH with acetic acid, acetic acid-d3 and acetic acid-d4 were studied from 2 to 5 Torr and 263-373 K using a discharge flow system with resonance fluorescence detection of the OH radical. The measured rate constants at 300 K for the reaction of OH with acetic acid and acetic acid-d4 (CD3C(O)OD) were (7.42+/-0.12)x10(-13) and (1.09+/-0.18)x10(-13) cm3 molecule-1 s-1 respectively, and the rate constant for the reaction of OH with acetic acid-d3 (CD3C(O)OH) was (7.79+/-0.16)x10(-13) cm3 molecule-1 s-1. These results suggest that the primary mechanism for this reaction involves abstraction of the acidic hydrogen. Theoretical calculations of the kinetic isotope effect as a function of temperature are in good agreement with the experimental measurements using a mechanism involving the abstraction of the acidic hydrogen through a hydrogen-bonded complex. The rate constants for the OH+acetic acid and OH+acetic acid-d4 reactions display a negative temperature dependence described by the Arrhenius equations kH(T)=(2.52+/-1.22)x10(-14) exp((1010+/-150)/T) and kD(T)=(4.62+/-1.33)x10(-16) exp((1640+/-160)/T) cm3 molecule-1 s-1 for acetic acid and acetic acid-d4, respectively, consistent with recent measurements that suggest that the lifetime of acetic acid at the low temperatures of the upper troposphere is shorter than previously believed.

Overall Rate Constant Measurements of the Reaction of Chloroalkylperoxy Radicals with Nitric Oxide

The overall rate constants of the NO reaction with chloroalkylperoxy radicals derived from the Cl-initiated oxidation of several atmospherically abundant alkenes-ethene, propene, 1-butene, 2-butene, 2-methylpropene, 1,3-butadiene, and isoprene (2-methyl-1,3-butadiene)-were determined for the first time via the turbulent flow technique and pseudo-first-order kinetics conditions with high-pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry for the direct detection of chloroalkylperoxy radical reactants. The individual 100 Torr, 298 K rate constants for each monoalkene system were found to be identical within the 95% confidence interval associated with each separate measurement, whereas the corresponding rate constants for 1,3-butadiene and isoprene were both approximately 20% higher than the monoalkene mean value. Our previous study of the reaction of hydroxylalkylperoxy radicals (derived from the OH-initiated oxidation of alkenes) with NO yielded identical rate constants for all of the alkenes under study, with a rate constant value within the statistical uncertainty of the value determined here for the NO reaction of chloroalkylperoxy radicals derived from monoalkenes. Thus, the reaction of NO with chloroalkylperoxy radicals derived from dialkenes is found to be significantly faster than the NO reaction with either chloroalkylperoxy radicals derived from monoalkenes or hydroxyalkylperoxy radicals derived from either mono- or dialkenes.

Impact of chlorine emissions from sea-salt aerosol on coastal urban ozone

The ability of photochemical models to predict observed coastal chlorine levels and their corresponding effect on ozone formation is explored. Current sea-spray generation functions, a comprehensive gas-phase chlorine chemistry mechanism, and several heterogeneous/multiphase chemical reactions considered key processes leading to reactive chlorine formation are added to an airshed model of the South Coast Air Basin of California. Modeling results reproduce regional sea-salt particle concentrations. The heterogeneous/multiphase chemical reactions do not affect the rate of hydrochloric acid displacement, nor do they enhance aerosol nitrate formation. Chlorine levels in the model are predicted to be an order of magnitude lower than previously observed values at other coastal regions under similar conditions, albeit in much better agreement than previous studies. The results suggest that the inclusion of sea-salt-derived chlorine chemistry might increase morning ozone predictions by as much as 12 ppb in coastal regions and by 4 ppb in the peak domain ozone in the afternoon. The inclusion of anthropogenic sources of chlorine is recommended for future studies, as such sources might elevate ozone predictions even further via direct emission into polluted regions.