The Atmospheric Chemistry of Fluoroacetonitrile and the Characterization of the Major Product, Cyanoformyl Fluoride

Fluorinated nitriles have been proposed as low-global-warming-potential substitutes for industrial applications such as plasma etching and as dielectric materials in high-voltage equipment. FT-IR spectroscopy was used to measure the radiative efficiency of CH2FCN and its reactivity towards Cl and OH radicals, and to determine products from the Cl reaction. Relative rate experiments yielded rate constants for Cl and OH reactions of (2.1 ± 0.3) × 10-14 and (7.0 ± 1.0) × 10-14 cm3 molecule-1 s-1, respectively. The estimated atmospheric lifetime of CH2FCN with respect to radical attack was estimated to be 0.45 years, which, combined with the radiative efficiency of 0.042 W m-2 ppb-1, implies a 100-year global warming potential of 20. FCOCN was observed as the only organic product of the Cl-atom reaction in air, consistent with a dominant role for H-abstraction. Absolute infrared cross-sections for FCOCN were determined, to assist future experiments where this molecule may be formed. Quantum calculations at the CBS-APNO//B2PLYP-D3/cc-pVTZ level indicate similar energy barriers to addition and abstraction for OH radical attack, but the looser transition state and greater opportunity for tunneling also favor abstraction in this case.

Isoprene-Chlorine Oxidation in the Presence of NOx and Implications for Urban Atmospheric Chemistry

Fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) is a key indicator of urban air quality. Secondary organic aerosol (SOA) contributes substantially to the PM_2.5 concentration. Discrepancies between modeling and field measurements of SOA indicate missing sources and formation mechanisms. Recent studies report elevated concentrations of reactive chlorine species in inland and urban regions, which increase the oxidative capacity of the atmosphere and serve as sources for SOA and particulate chlorides. Chlorine-initiated oxidation of isoprene, the most abundant nonmethane hydrocarbon, is known to produce SOA under pristine conditions, but the effects of anthropogenic influences in the form of nitrogen oxides (NO_x) remain unexplored. Here, we investigate chlorine-isoprene reactions under low- and high-NO_x conditions inside an environmental chamber. Organic chlorides including C₅H₁₁ClO₃, C₅H₉ClO₃, and C₅H₉ClO₄ are observed as major gas- and particle-phase products. Modeling and experimental results show that the secondary OH-isoprene chemistry is significantly enhanced under high-NO_x conditions, accounting for up to 40% of all isoprene oxidized and leading to the suppression of organic chloride formation. Chlorine-initiated oxidation of isoprene could serve as a source for multifunctional (chlorinated) organic oxidation products and SOA in both pristine and anthropogenically influenced environments.

Gas-Phase Chemistry of 1,1,2,3,3,4,4-Heptafluorobut-1-ene Initiated by Chlorine Atoms

The possibility of mitigating climate change by switching to materials with low global warming potentials motivates a study of the spectroscopic and kinetic properties of a fluorinated olefin. The relative rate method was used to determine the rate constant for the reaction of heptafluorobut-1-ene (CF2=CFCF2CF2H) with chlorine atoms in air. A mercury UV lamp was used to generate atomic chlorine, which initiated chemistry monitored by FTIR spectroscopy. Ethane was used as the reference compound for kinetic studies. Oxidation of heptafluorobut-1-ene initiated by a chlorine atom creates carbonyl difluoride (CF2=O) and 2,2,3,3 tetrafluoropropanoyl fluoride (O=CFCF2CF2H) as the major products. Anharmonic frequency calculations allowing for several low-energy conformations of 1,1,2,3,3,4,4 heptafluorobut-1-ene and 2,2,3,3 tetrafluoropropanoyl fluoride, based on density functional theory, are in good accord with measurements. The global warming potentials of these two molecules were calculated from the measured IR spectra and estimated atmospheric lifetimes and found to be small, less than 1.

New Mechanistic Insights into Atmospheric Oxidation of Aniline Initiated by OH Radicals

This study theoretically reports the comprehensive kinetic mechanism of the aniline + OH reaction in the range of 200-2000 K and 0.76-7600 Torr. The temperature- and pressure-dependent behaviors, including time-resolved species profiles and rate coefficients, were studied within the stochastic RRKM-based master equation framework with the reaction energy profile, together with molecular properties of the species involved, characterized at the M06-2X/aug-cc-pVTZ level. Hindered internal rotation and Eckart tunneling treatments were included. The H-abstraction from the -NH₂ moiety (to form C₆H₅NH (P1)) is found to prevail over the OH-addition on the C atom at the ortho site of aniline (to form 6-hydroxy-1-methylcyclohexa-2,4-dien-1-yl (I2)) with the atmospheric rate expressions (in cm³/molecule/s) as k^abstraction(P1) = 3.41 × 10¹ × T^-4.56 × exp (-255.2 K/T) for 200-2000 K and k^addition(I2) = 3.68 × 10⁹ × T^-7.39 × exp (-1163.9 K/T) for 200-800 K. The U-shaped temperature-dependent characteristics and weakly positive pressure dependence at low temperatures (e.g., T ≤ 800 K and P = 760 Torr) of k_total(T) are also observed. The disagreement in k_total(T) between the previous calculations and experimental studies is also resolved, and atmospheric aniline is found to be primarily removed by OH radicals (τ_OH ∼ 1.1 h) in the daytime. Also, via TD-DFT simulations, it is recommended to include P1 and I2 in any atmospheric photolysis-related model.

Atmospheric Chemistry of Allylic Radicals from Isoprene: A Successive Cyclization-Driven Autoxidation Mechanism

The atmospheric chemistry of isoprene has broad implications for regional air quality and the global climate. Allylic radicals, taking 13-17% yield in the isoprene oxidation by ^•Cl, can contribute as much as 3.6-4.9% to all possible formed intermediates in local regions at daytime. Considering the large quantity of isoprene emission, the chemistry of the allylic radicals is therefore highly desirable. Here, we investigated the atmospheric oxidation mechanism of the allylic radicals using quantum chemical calculations and kinetics modeling. The results indicate that the allylic radicals can barrierlessly combine with O₂ to form peroxy radicals (RO₂^•). Under ≤100 ppt NO and ≤50 ppt HO₂^• conditions, the formed RO₂^• mainly undergo two times "successive cyclization and O₂ addition" to finally form the product fragments 2-alkoxy-acetaldehyde (C₂H₃O₂^•) and 3-hydroperoxy-2-oxopropanal (C₃H₄O₄). The presented reaction illustrates a novel successive cyclization-driven autoxidation mechanism. The formed 3-hydroperoxy-2-oxopropanal product is a new isomer of the atmospheric C₃H₄O₄ family and a potential aqueous-phase secondary organic aerosol precursor. Under >100 ppt NO condition, NO can mediate the cyclization-driven autoxidation process to form C₅H₇NO₃, C₅H₇NO₇, and alkoxy radical-related products. The proposed novel autoxidation mechanism advances our current understanding of the atmospheric chemistry of both isoprene and RO₂^•.

Understanding the role of Cl and NO3 radicals in initiating atmospheric oxidation of fluorene: A mechanistic and kinetic study

The photooxidation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) initiated by Cl and NO₃ radicals has been investigated for decades to assess the atmospheric fates of pollutants. Gas-phase fluorene is one of the most abundant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that can be oxidized by activated radicals. In this study, we used quantum chemical calculation to study the atmospheric degradation of fluorene initiated by Cl and NO₃ radicals. The results showed that the Cl radical initiated reaction of fluorene mainly produces 9-fluorene radical that has significant potential to form secondary pollutants with more persistent toxic properties. The NO₃ radical initiated reaction of fluorene leads to the formation of oxygenated PAHs (OPAHs) and nitrated PAHs (NPAHs) including nitrooxyfluorene, nitrooxyfluorenone and 1,4-fluorenequinone. The rate constants and branch ratios of elementary reactions were determined based on Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel-Marcus (RRKM) theory. The atmospheric lifetime of fluorene determined by NO₃ radical is deduced to be 1.52 days according to the calculated overall rate constant, 1.52 × 10^-14 cm³ molecule^-1 s^-1. The derivatives produced from the atmospheric degradation of fluorene initiated by Cl and NO₃ radicals increase the environmental risks of fluroene. Combined with previous experimental and theoretical findings, this work can help to clarify the atmospheric fate and assess the environmental risks of fluorene.

Computational study on mechanisms and kinetics of the atmospheric CFCl2CH2O2 with Cl reaction

Ab initio BMC-CCSD//B3LYP calculations of the potential energy surfaces (PESs) are associated with the rate constants and branch ratio of products by means of RRKM theories to research the mechanism and product distribution of the CFCl₂CH₂O₂ with Cl reaction. The singlet and triplet PESs of this reaction have been calculated. Addition/elimination and S_N2 displacement mechanisms are located on the singlet PES, and S_N2 displacement and H-abstraction are located on the triplet PES. P1 (CFCl₂CHO + HClO) are expected to the primary products at T ≤ 2400 K, which is by original barrierless Cl addition to the terminal-O atom in CFCl₂CH₂O₂ and then eliminate HClO molecule, and the branch ratio of products rely on collision energy. The H-abstraction products on the triplet PES are the dominant products at higher temperatures. At 298 and 500 K, the total rate constants are not subject to pressure, conversely, the total rate constants presented typical falloff behavior at 1000 and 3000 K. The atmospheric lifetime of CFCl₂CH₂O₂ in Cl is around one day. TD-DFT computations imply that IM1 (CFCl₂CH₂OOCl) and IM2 (CFCl₂CH₂OClO) will photolyze under the sunlight.

Atmospheric oxidation mechanism and kinetics of isoprene initiated by chlorine radicals: A computational study

The reaction with chlorine radicals (·Cl) has been considered to be one of indispensable sinks for isoprene. However, the mechanism of ·Cl initiated isoprene reaction was not fully understood. Herein, the reaction of isoprene with ·Cl, and ensuing reactions of the resulting isoprene relevant radicals were investigated by combined quantum chemistry calculations and kinetics modeling. The results indicate that ·Cl addition to two terminal C-atoms of two double bonds of isoprene, forming IM_1-1 and IM_1-4, are more favorable than H-abstractions from isoprene. Interestingly, the predicted reaction rate constant for the direct H-abstraction pathway is much lower than that of the indirect one, clarifying a direct H-abstraction mechanism for previously experimental observation. The IM_1-1 and IM_1-4 have distinct fate in their subsequent transformation. The reaction of IM_1-1 ends after the one-time O₂ addition. However, IM_1-4 can follow auto-oxidation mechanism with two times O₂ addition to finally form highly oxidized multi-functional molecules (HOMs), C₅H₇ClO₃ and ·OH. More importantly, the estimated contribution of ·Cl on HOMs (monomer only) formation from isoprene is lower than that of ·OH in addition pathway, implying overall HOMs yield from atmospheric isoprene oxidation could be overestimated if the role of ·Cl in transforming isoprene is ignored.

Piperazine Enhancing Sulfuric Acid-Based New Particle Formation: Implications for the Atmospheric Fate of Piperazine

Piperazine (PZ), a cyclic diamine, is one of 160 detected atmospheric amines and an alternative solvent to the widely used monoethanolamine in post-combustion CO₂ capture. Participating in H₂SO₄ (sulfuric acid, SA)-based new particle formation (NPF) could be an important removal pathway for PZ. Here, we employed quantum chemical calculations and kinetics modeling to evaluate the enhancing potential of PZ on SA-based NPF by examining the formation of PZ-SA clusters. The results indicate that PZ behaves more like a monoamine in stabilizing SA and can enhance SA-based NPF at the parts per trillion (ppt) level. The enhancing potential of PZ is less than that of the chainlike diamine putrescine and greater than that of dimethylamine, which is one of the strongest enhancing agents confirmed by ambient observations and experiments. After the initial formation of the (PZ)₁(SA)₁ cluster, the cluster mainly grows by gradual addition of SA or PZ monomer, followed by addition of (PZ)₁(SA)₁ cluster. We find that the ratio of PZ removal by NPF to that by the combination of NPF and oxidations is 0.5-0.97 at 278.15 K. As a result, we conclude that participation in the NPF pathway could significantly alter the environmental impact of PZ compared to only considering oxidation pathways.

Atmospheric Oxidation of Piperazine Initiated by ·Cl: Unexpected High Nitrosamine Yield

Chlorine radicals (·Cl) initiated amine oxidation plays an important role for the formation of carcinogenic nitrosamine in the atmosphere. Piperazine (PZ) is considered as a potential atmospheric pollutant since it is an alternative solvent to monoethanolamine (MEA), a benchmark solvent in a leading CO₂ capture technology. Here, we employed quantum chemical methods and kinetics modeling to investigate ·Cl-initiated atmospheric oxidation of PZ, particularly concerning the potential of PZ to form nitrosamine compared to MEA. Results showed that the ·Cl-initiated PZ reaction exclusively leads to N-center radicals (PZ-N) that mainly react with NO to produce nitrosamine in their further reaction with O₂/NO. Together with the PZ + ·OH reaction, the PZ-N yield from PZ oxidation is still lower than that of the corresponding MEA reactions. However, the nitrosamine yield of PZ is higher than the reported value for MEA when [NO] is <5 ppb, a concentration commonly encountered in a polluted urban atmosphere. The unexpected high nitrosamine yield from PZ compared to MEA results from a more favorable reaction of N-center radicals with NO compared to O₂. These findings show that the yield of N-center radicals cannot directly be used as a metric for the yield of the corresponding carcinogenic nitrosamine.

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.

A quantum chemical study on ˙Cl-initiated atmospheric degradation of acrylonitrile

Degradation of acrylonitrile (CH₂CHCN) by reaction with atomic chlorine was studied using quantum chemical methods.

Relative Rate and Product Studies of the Reactions of Atomic Chlorine with Tetrafluoroethylene, 1,2-Dichloro-1,2-difluoroethylene, 1,1-Dichloro-2,2-difluoroethylene, and Hexafluoro-1,3-butadiene in the Presence of Oxygen

Rate coefficients k1-k3 have been measured for Cl atom reactions with CF2═CF2, CFCl═CFCl, and CCl2═CF2 relative to k4 for CF2═CF-CF═CF2 at 293 ± 2 K. k4 was remeasured relative to Cl + ethane. Cl was generated by UV photolysis of Cl2, and other species were monitored by FT-IR spectroscopy. The measurements yield k1 = (6.6 ± 1.0) × 10(-11), k2 = (6.5 ± 1.0) × 10(-11), and k3 = (7.1 ± 1.1) × 10(-11) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), respectively, and k4 = (8.0 ± 1.2) × 10(-11) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) is proposed. These results are discussed in the context of atmospheric chemistry. Subsequent chemistry in the presence of oxygen leads to oxygenated products that are identified via their IR spectra, and possible mechanisms are discussed. The yield of CF2O from C2F4 is 93 ± 7%. Dichlorofluoroacetyl fluoride (CCl2FCFO) was observed as a product from CFClCFCl, and chlorodifluoroacetyl chloride (CClF2CClO) was observed from CCl2CF2 oxidation. C4F6 led to 66 ± 5% CF2O and 38 ± 3% OCF2CFC(F)═O. Reaction enthalpies and enthalpy barriers computed via CBS-QB3 theory help rule out some unfavorable mechanistic steps.

Quantum Chemical Study on ·Cl-Initiated Atmospheric Degradation of Monoethanolamine

Recent findings on the formation of ·Cl in continental urban areas necessitate the consideration of ·Cl initiated degradation when assessing the fate of volatile organic pollutants. Monoethanolamine (MEA) is considered as a potential atmospheric pollutant since it is a benchmark and widely utilized solvent in a leading CO2 capture technology. Especially, ·Cl may have specific interactions with the N atom of MEA, which could make the MEA + ·Cl reaction have different pathways and products from those of the MEA + ·OH reaction. Hence, ·Cl initiated reactions with MEA were investigated by a quantum chemical method [CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVTZ//MP2/6-31+G(3df,2p)] and kinetics modeling. Results show that the overall rate constant for ·Cl initiated H-abstraction of MEA is 5 times faster than that initiated by ·OH, and the tropospheric lifetimes of MEA will be overestimated by 6-46% when assuming that [·Cl]/[·OH] = 1-10% if the role of ·Cl is ignored. The MEA + ·Cl reaction exclusively produces MEA-N that finally transforms into several products including mutagenic nitramine and carcinogenic nitrosamine via further reactions with O2/NOx, and the contribution of ·Cl to their formation is about 25-250% of that of ·OH. Thus, it is necessary to consider ·Cl initiated tropospheric degradation of MEA for its risk assessment.

Atmospheric Sink of (E)-3-Hexen-1-ol, (Z)-3-Hepten-1-ol, and (Z)-3-Octen-1-ol: Rate Coefficients and Mechanisms of the OH-Radical Initiated Degradation

A kinetic study of the gas-phase reactions of OH radicals with three unsaturated biogenic alcohols, (E)-3-hexen-1-ol, (Z)-3-hepten-1-ol, and (Z)-3-octen-1-ol, has been performed. The rate coefficients obtained are (in units of 10(-10) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1)) k1 (OH + (E)-CH2(OH)CH2CH═CHCH2CH3) = (1.14 ± 0.14), k2 (OH + (Z)-CH2(OH)CH2CH═CHCH2CH2CH3) = (1.28 ± 0.23), and k3 (OH + (Z)-CH2(OH)CH2CH═CHCH2CH2CH2CH3) = (1.49 ± 0.35). In addition, a product study on the reactions of OH with (E)-3-hexen-1-ol and (Z)-3-hepten-1-ol is reported. All the experiments were performed at (298 ± 2) K and 1 atm of NOx-free air in a 1080 L photoreactor with in situ FTIR detection of organics. This work constitutes the first kinetic study of the reactions of OH radicals with (Z)-3-hepten-1-ol and (Z)-3-octen-1-ol as well as the first determination of the fate of the hydroxy alkoxy radicals formed in the title reactions. An analysis of the available rates of addition of OH and Cl to the double bond of different unsaturated alcohols at 298 K has shown that they can be related by the expression log kOH = (0.29 ± 0.04) log kCl - 10.8. The atmospheric lifetimes of the alcohols studies were estimated to be around 1 h for reaction with OH radicals. The products formed in the title reactions are mainly carbonylic compounds that can contribute to the formation of ozone and PANs-type compounds in the troposphere.

Reactions of Cl atoms with alkyl esters: kinetic, mechanism and atmospheric implications

Rate coefficients have been measured for the reaction of Cl atoms with a series of alkyl esters at 298 ± 2 K and atmospheric pressure in a large volume photoreactor using the relative kinetic technique. The kinetic data have been used in conjunction with other literature studies on the reactions of Cl atoms with esters to revise the existing values for ester substituent factors in a structure activity relationship (SAR) for Cl reactions. Product studies are reported for the reactions of Cl atoms with isopropyl ethanoate and methyl-2-methyl-propanoate under NO x -free conditions. These studies highlight the types of products that can be expected when oxidation occurs at R groups on the acyl (-C(O)OR) and oxy (RC(O)O-) sides of the ester functionality where R is a straight or branched chain alkyl entity. Possible atmospheric repercussions of the atmospheric chemistry of esters are considered.

An experimental and theoretical study of the gas phase kinetics of atomic chlorine reactions with CH3NH2, (CH3)2NH, and (CH3)3N

The first kinetic data for the gas phase reactions of amines with chlorine atoms.

Kinetics of elementary steps in the reactions of atomic bromine with isoprene and 1,3-butadiene under atmospheric conditions

Laser flash photolysis of CF(2)Br(2) has been coupled with time-resolved detection of atomic bromine by resonance fluorescence spectroscopy to investigate the gas-phase kinetics of early elementary steps in the Br-initiated oxidations of isoprene (2-methyl-1,3-butadiene, Iso) and 1,3-butadiene (Bu) under atmospheric conditions. At T ≥ 526 K, measured rate coefficients for Br + isoprene are independent of pressure, suggesting that hydrogen transfer (1a) is the dominant reaction pathway. The following Arrhenius expression adequately describes all kinetic data at 526 K ≤ T ≤ 673 K: k(1a)(T) = (1.22 ± 0.57) × 10(-11) exp[(-2100 ± 280)/T] cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) (uncertainties are 2σ and represent precision of the Arrhenius parameters). At 271 K ≤ T ≤ 357 K, kinetic evidence for the reversible addition reactions Br + Iso ↔ Br-Iso (k(1b), k(-1b)) and Br + Bu ↔ Br-Bu (k(3b), k(-3b)) is observed. Analysis of the approach to equilibrium data allows the temperature- and pressure-dependent rate coefficients k(1b), k(-1b), k(3b), and k(-3b) to be evaluated. At atmospheric pressure, addition of Br to each conjugated diene occurs with a near-gas-kinetic rate coefficient. Equilibrium constants for the addition/dissociation reactions are obtained from k(1b)/k(-1b) and k(3b)/k(-3b), respectively. Combining the experimental equilibrium data with electronic structure calculations allows both second- and third-law analyses of thermochemistry to be carried out. The following thermochemical parameters for the addition reactions 1b and 3b at 0 and 298 K are obtained (units are kJ mol(-1) for Δ(r)H and J mol(-1) K(-1) for Δ(r)S; uncertainties are accuracy estimates at the 95% confidence level): Δ(r)H(0)(1b) = -66.6 ± 7.1, Δ(r)H(298)(1b) = -67.5 ± 6.6, and Δ(r)S(298)(3b) = -93 ± 16; Δ(r)H(0)(3b) = -62.4 ± 9.0, Δ(r)H(298)(3b) = -64.5 ± 8.5, and Δ(r)S(298)(3b) = -94 ± 20. Examination of the effect of added O(2) on Br kinetics under conditions where reversible adduct formation is observed allows the rate coefficients for the Br-Iso + O(2) (k(2)) and Br-Bu + O(2) (k(4)) reactions to be determined. At 298 K, we find that k(2) = (3.2 ± 1.0) × 10(-13) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) independent of pressure (uncertainty is 2σ, precision only; pressure range is 25-700 Torr) whereas k(4) increases from 3.2 to 4.7 × 10(-13) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) as the pressure increases from 25 to 700 Torr. Our results suggest that under atmospheric conditions, Br-Iso and Br-Bu react with O(2) to produce peroxy radicals considerably more rapidly than they undergo unimolecular decomposition. Hence, the very fast addition reactions appear to control the rates of Br-initiated formation of Br-Iso-OO and Br-Bu-OO radicals under atmospheric conditions. The peroxy radicals are relatively weakly bound, so conjugated diene regeneration via unimolecular decomposition reactions, though unimportant on the time scale of the reported experiments (milliseconds), is likely to compete effectively with bimolecular reactions of peroxy radicals under relatively warm atmospheric conditions as well as in 298 K competitive kinetics experiments carried out in large chambers.

Kinetics, mechanism, and thermochemistry of the gas-phase reaction of atomic chlorine with pyridine

A laser flash photolysis-resonance fluorescence technique has been employed to study the kinetics of the reaction of atomic chlorine with pyridine (C(5)H(5)N) as a function of temperature (215-435 K) and pressure (25-250 Torr) in nitrogen bath gas. At T> or = 299 K, measured rate coefficients are pressure independent and a significant H/D kinetic isotope effect is observed, suggesting that hydrogen abstraction is the dominant reaction pathway. The following Arrhenius expression adequately describes all kinetic data at 299-435 K for C(5)H(5)N: k(1a) = (2.08 +/- 0.47) x 10(-11) exp[-(1410 +/- 80)/T] cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) (uncertainties are 2sigma, precision only). At 216 K < or =T< or = 270 K, measured rate coefficients are pressure dependent and are much faster than computed from the above Arrhenius expression for the H-abstraction pathway, suggesting that the dominant reaction pathway at low temperature is formation of a stable adduct. Over the ranges of temperature, pressure, and pyridine concentration investigated, the adduct undergoes dissociation on the time scale of our experiments (10(-5)-10(-2) s) and establishes an equilibrium with Cl and pyridine. Equilibrium constants for adduct formation and dissociation are determined from the forward and reverse rate coefficients. Second- and third-law analyses of the equilibrium data lead to the following thermochemical parameters for the addition reaction: Delta(r)H = -47.2 +/- 2.8 kJ mol(-1), Delta(r)H = -46.7 +/- 3.2 kJ mol(-1), and Delta(r)S = -98.7 +/- 6.5 J mol(-1) K(-1). The enthalpy changes derived from our data are in good agreement with ab initio calculations reported in the literature (which suggest that the adduct structure is planar and involves formation of an N-Cl sigma-bond). In conjunction with the well-known heats of formation of atomic chlorine and pyridine, the above Delta(r)H values lead to the following heats of formation for C(5)H(5)N-Cl at 298 K and 0 K: Delta(f)H = 216.0 +/- 4.1 kJ mol(-1), Delta(f)H = 233.4 +/- 4.6 kJ mol(-1). Addition of Cl to pyridine could be an important atmospheric loss process for pyridine if the C(5)H(5)N-Cl product is chemically degraded by processes that do not regenerate pyridine with high yield.

Kinetics, Mechanism, and Thermochemistry of the Gas Phase Reaction of Atomic Chlorine with Dimethyl Sulfoxide

A laser flash photolysis-resonance fluorescence technique has been employed to study the kinetics of the reaction of chlorine atoms with dimethyl sulfoxide (CH3S(O)CH3; DMSO) as a function of temperature (270-571 K) and pressure (5-500 Torr) in nitrogen bath gas. At T = 296 K and P > or = 5 Torr, measured rate coefficients increase with increasing pressure. Combining our data with literature values for low-pressure rate coefficients (0.5-3 Torr He) leads to a rate coefficient for the pressure independent H-transfer channel of k1a = 1.45 x 10(-11) cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1) and the following falloff parameters for the pressure-dependent addition channel in N2 bath gas: k(1b,0) = 2.53 x 10(-28) cm6 molecule(-2) s(-1); k(1b,infinity) = 1.17 x 10(-10) cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1), F(c) = 0.503. At the 95% confidence level, both k1a and k1b(P) have estimated accuracies of +/-30%. At T > 430 K, where adduct decomposition is fast enough that only the H-transfer pathway is important, measured rate coefficients are independent of pressure (30-100 Torr N2) and increase with increasing temperature. The following Arrhenius expression adequately describes the temperature dependence of the rate coefficients measured at over the range 438-571 K: k1a = (4.6 +/- 0.4) x 10(-11) exp[-(472 +/- 40)/T) cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1) (uncertainties are 2sigma, precision only). When our data at T > 430 K are combined with values for k1a at temperatures of 273-335 K that are obtained by correcting reported low-pressure rate coefficients from discharge flow studies to remove the contribution from the pressure-dependent channel, the following modified Arrhenius expression best describes the derived temperature dependence: k1a = 1.34 x 10(-15)T(1.40) exp(+383/T) cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1) (273 K < or = T < or = 571 K). At temperatures around 330 K, reversible addition is observed, thus allowing equilibrium constants for Cl-DMSO formation and dissociation to be determined. A third-law analysis of the equilibrium data using structural information obtained from electronic structure calculations leads to the following thermochemical parameters for the association reaction: delta(r)H(o)298 = -72.8 +/- 2.9 kJ mol(-1), deltaH(o)0 = -71.5 +/- 3.3 kJ mol(-1), and delta(r)S(o)298 = -110.6 +/- 4.0 J K(-1) mol(-1). In conjunction with standard enthalpies of formation of Cl and DMSO taken from the literature, the above values for delta(r)H(o) lead to the following values for the standard enthalpy of formation of Cl-DMSO: delta(f)H(o)298 = -102.7 +/- 4.9 kJ mol(-1) and delta(r)H(o)0 = -84.4 +/- 5.8 kJ mol(-1). Uncertainties in the above thermochemical parameters represent estimated accuracy at the 95% confidence level. In agreement with one published theoretical study, electronic structure calculations using density functional theory and G3B3 theory reproduce the experimental adduct bond strength quite well.