Rubik Asatryan

Quantum chemical study of the acrolein (CH2CHCHO) + OH + O2 reactions.

Acrolein, a beta-unsaturated (acrylic) aldehyde, is one of the simplest multifunctional molecules, containing both alkene and aldehyde groups. Acrolein is an atmospheric pollutant formed in the photochemical oxidation of the anthropogenic VOC 1,3-butadiene, and serves as a model compound for methacrolein (MACR) and methyl vinyl ketone (MVK), the major oxidation products of the biogenic VOC isoprene. In addition, acrolein is involved in combustion and biological oxidation processes. This study presents a comprehensive theoretical analysis of the acrolein + OH + O(2) addition reactions, which is a key photochemical oxidation sequence, using the G3SX and CBS-QB3 theoretical methods. Both ab initio protocols provide relatively similar results, although the CBS-QB3 method systematically under-predicts literature heats of formation using atomization enthalpies, and also provides lower transition state barrier heights. Several new low-energy pathways for unimolecular reaction of the acrolein-OH-O(2) radicals are identified, with energy at around or below that of the acrolein-OH isomers + O(2). In each case these novel reactions have the potential to reform the hydroxyl radical (OH) and form coproducts that include glyoxal, glycolaldehyde (HOCH(2)CHO), formaldehyde (HCHO), CO, and substituted epoxides. Analogous reaction schemes are developed for the photochemical oxidation of MACR and MVK, producing a number of observed oxidation products. The reaction MACR + OH + O(2) --> hydroxyacetone + OH + CO is expected to be of particular importance. This study also proposes that O(2) addition to chemically activated acrolein-OH adducts can provide prompt regeneration of OH in the atmospheric oxidation of acrolein, via a double activation mechanism. This mechanism can also be extended to isoprene, MVK, and MACR. The importance of the novel chemistry revealed here in the atmospheric oxidation of acrolein and other structurally related OVOCs and VOCs requires further investigation. Additionally, a critical evaluation of the acrolein heat of formation is presented, and a new value of -16.7 +/- 1.0 kcal mol(-1) is recommended along with other thermochemical properties, from a W1 level calculation.

Development of expanded and core kinetic models for the gas phase formation of dioxins from chlorinated phenols

Expanded, 45 reaction, and core, 12 reaction, kinetic models have been developed that account for the major features in the homogeneous formation of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD) from the oxidation of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (P). The expanded and core schemes provide good agreement between experimental and calculated yields of PCDDs using the CHEMKIN combustion package or the React kinetic program, respectively. Steady-state approximations of the reaction kinetic models including radical-molecule and radical-radical formation pathways of PCDD, as well as oxidative destruction pathways of chlorinated phenoxyl radicals, reveal a competition between reactions of chlorinated phenoxyl radicals with chlorinated phenols, recombination reactions of chlorinated phenoxyl mesomers, and destruction/decomposition of phenoxyl radicals.

Formation of a Criegee intermediate in the low-temperature oxidation of dimethyl sulfoxide.

Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is the major sulfur-containing constituent of the Marine Boundary Layer. It is a significant source of H2SO4 aerosol/particles and methane sulfonic acid via atmospheric oxidation processes, where the mechanism is not established. In this study, several new, low-temperature pathways are revealed in the oxidation of DMSO using CBS-QB3 and G3MP2 multilevel and B3LYP hybrid density functional quantum chemical methods. Unlike analogous hydrocarbon peroxy radicals the chemically activated DMSO peroxy radical, [CH3S(=O)CH2OO*]*, predominantly undergoes simple dissociation to a methylsulfinyl radical CH3S*(=O) and a Criegee intermediate, CH2OO, with the barrier to dissociation 11.3 kcal mol(-1) below the energy of the CH3S(=O)CH2* + O2 reactants. The well depth for addition of O2 to the CH3S(=O)CH2 precursor radical is 29.6 kcal mol(-1) at the CBS-QB3 level of theory. We believe that this reaction may serve an important role in atmospheric photochemical and irradiated biological (oxygen-rich) media where formation of initial radicals is facilitated even at lower temperatures. The Criegee intermediate (carbonyl oxide, peroxymethylene) and sulfinyl radical can further decompose, resulting in additional chain branching. A second reaction channel important for oxidation processes includes formation (via intramolecular H atom transfer) and further decomposition of hydroperoxide methylsulfoxide radical, *CH2S(=O)CH2OOH over a low barrier of activation. The initial H-transfer reaction is similar and common in analogous hydrocarbon radical + O2 reactions; but the subsequent very low (3-6 kcal mol(-1)) barrier (14 kcal mol(-1) below the initial reagents) to beta-scission products is not common in HC systems. The low energy reaction of the hydroperoxide radical is a beta-scission elimination of *CH2S(=O)CH2OOH into the CH2=S=O + CH2O + *OH product set. This beta-scission barrier is low, because of the delocalization of the *CH2 radical center through the -S(=O) group, to the -CH2OOH fragment in the transition state structure. The hydroperoxide methylsulfoxide radical can also decompose via a second reaction channel of intramolecular OH migration, yielding formaldehyde and a sulfur-centered hydroxymethylsulfinyl radical HOCH2S*(=O). The barrier of activation relative to initial reagents is 4.2 kcal mol(-1). Heats of formation for DMSO, DMSO carbon-centered radical and Criegee intermediate are evaluated at 298 K as -35.97 +/- 0.05, 13.0 +/- 0.2 and 25.3 +/- 0.7 kcal mol(-1) respectively using isodesmic reaction analysis. The [CH3S*(=O) + CH2OO] product set is shown to form a van der Waals complex that results in O-atom transfer reaction and the formation of new products CH3SO2* radical and CH2O. Proper orientation of the Criegee intermediate and methylsulfinyl radical, as a pre-stabilized pre-reaction complex, assist the process. The DMSO radical reaction is also compared to that of acetonyl radical.

Chain Branching and Termination in the Low-Temperature Combustion of n-Alkanes: 2-Pentyl Radical + O2, Isomerization and Association of the Second O2

Association of alkyl radicals with ground-state oxygen (3)Sigma(g)(+)(O(2)) generates chemically activated peroxy intermediates, which can isomerize or further react to form new products before collisional stabilization. The lowest-energy reaction (approximately 19 kcal mol(-1)) for alkylperoxy derivatives of C(3) and larger n-hydrocarbons is an isomerization (intramolecular H-atom transfer) that forms a hydroperoxide alkyl radical, and there is a approximately 30 kcal mol(-1) barrier path to olefin plus HO(2), which is a termination step at lower temperatures. The low-energy-barrier product, hydroperoxide alkyl radical intermediate, can experience additional chemical activation via association with a second oxygen molecule, where there are three important paths that result in chain branching. The competition between this HO(2) + olefin termination step of the first O(2) association and the chain branching processes from the second chemical activation step plays a dominant role at temperatures below 1000 K. Secondary n-pentyl radicals are used in this study as surrogates to analyze the thermochemistry and detailed kinetics of the chemical activation and stabilized adduct reactions important to chain branching and termination. As these radicals provide six- member ring transition states for H-atom transfer between secondary carbons, they represent the detailed kinetics of larger alkane radicals, such as the common fuel components n-heptane and n-decane. Comprehensive potential energy diagrams developed from multilevel CBS-QB3, G3MP2, and CBS-APNO and single-level ab initio and density functional theory methods are used to analyze secondary 2-pentyl (n-pentan-2-yl) and interrelated 2-hydroperoxide-pentan-4-yl radical interactions with O(2). The thermochemistry and kinetics of the chemical activation and stabilized adduct reactions important to chain branching and termination are reported and discussed. Results show that the chain branching reactions have faster kinetics in this system because the barriers are lower than those observed in ethyl and propyl radical plus O(2) reactions; consequently, the branching is predicted to be more important. The lower barriers for branching result in less competition from the termination (HO(2) + olefin) path in this larger radical. Several nontraditional reaction channels not previously considered in the literature are identified. A pathway is suggested to explain the formation of a unique trioxane product observed experimentally.

Thermochemistry of Methyl and Ethyl Nitro, RNO2, and Nitrite, RONO, Organic Compounds†

Computational quantum theory is employed to determine the thermochemical properties of n-alkyl nitro and nitrite compounds: methyl and ethyl nitrites, CH3ONO and C2H5ONO, plus nitromethane and nitroethane, CH3NO2 and C2H5NO2, at 298.15 K using multilevel G3, CBS-QB3, and CBS-APNO composite methods employing both atomization and isodesmic reaction analysis. Structures and enthalpies of the corresponding aci-tautomers are also determined. The enthalpies of formation for the most stable conformers of methyl and ethyl nitrites at 298 K are determined to be -15.64 +/- 0.10 kcal mol-1 (-65.44 +/- 0.42 kJ mol-1) and -23.58 +/- 0.12 kcal mol-1 (-98.32 +/- 0.58 kJ mol-1), respectively. DeltafHo(298 K) of nitroalkanes are correspondingly evaluated at -17.67 +/- 0.27 kcal mol-1 (-74.1 +/- 1.12 kJ mol-1) and -25.06 +/- 0.07 kcal mol-1 (-121.2 +/- 0.29 kJ mol-1) for CH3NO2 and C2H5NO2. Enthalpies of formation for the aci-tautomers are calculated as -3.45 +/- 0.44 kcal mol-1 (-14.43 +/- 0.11 kJ mol-1) for aci-nitromethane and -14.25 +/- 0.44 kcal mol-1 (-59.95 +/- 1.84 kJ mol-1) for the aci-nitroethane isomers, respectively. Data are evaluated against experimental and computational values in the literature with recommendations. A set of thermal correction parameters to atomic (H, C, N, O) enthalpies at 0 K is developed, to enable a direct calculation of species enthalpy of formation at 298.15 K, using atomization reaction and computation outputs.

Thermochemical Properties of exo-Tricyclo[5.2.1.02,6]decane (JP-10 Jet Fuel) and Derived Tricyclodecyl Radicals

exo-Tricyclo[5.2.1.0(2,6)]decane (TCD) or exo-tetrahydrodicyclopentadiene is the principal component of the high-energy density hydrocarbon fuel commonly identified as JP-10. Thermodynamic parameters for the parent TCD molecule and of all the tricyclodecyl radicals corresponding to the loss of hydrogen atoms from different carbons sites (TCD-Ri with i indicating the given carbon center) are determined using several density functional theory and G3MP2B3 and CBS-QB3 higher level composite computational chemistry methods. Five isodesmic work reactions, three involving bridged hydrocarbon reference molecules with similar ring strains, are employed to produce a cancelation of systematic calculation errors in evaluation of standard, gas-phase formation enthalpies at 298 K. Delta(f)H degrees (298) for TCD is found to be -19.5 +/- 1.3 kcal mol(-1), which is several kcal mol(-1) lower than the commonly used values. C(i)-H bond energies for corresponding TCD carbon sites are evaluated as follows: TCD-R1, 107.2; TCD-R2, 100.1; TCD-R3, 98.0; TCD-R4, 98.5; TCD-R9, 98.7; TCD-R10, 104.1 kcal mol(-1). Results from use of five different DFT methods are in very good agreement with composite level values for all work reactions used for the radicals. The exo and endo isomers of TCD are both determined to have chair and boat conformers.

Radicals from the Gas-Phase Pyrolysis of Catechol. 2. Comparison of the Pyrolysis of Catechol and Hydroquinone

Formation of radicals from the pyrolysis of catechol (CT) and hydroquinone (HQ) over a temperature range of 350-900 °C was studied using low-temperature matrix isolation electron paramagnetic resonance (LTMI EPR) spectroscopy. Comparative analysis of the pyrolysis mechanisms of these isomeric compounds was performed, and the role of semiquinone-type carrier radicals was studied. Pathways of unimolecular decomposition of intermediate radicals and molecular products were identified from the examination of the potential energy surface of catechol calculated at B3LYP hybrid density functional theory and composite CBS-QB3 levels. The results were compared with the experimental observations and mechanistic pathways previously developed for the pyrolysis of hydroquinone.

Hydroxyl Radical Initiated Oxidation of s-Triazine: Hydrogen Abstraction Is Faster than Hydroxyl Addition

Reaction with the hydroxyl radical (HO(*)) is the primary removal mechanism for organic compounds in the atmosphere, and an important process in combustion. Molecules with unsaturated carbon sites are thought to react with HO(*) via a rapid addition mechanism, with little or no barrier; this results in short lifetimes relative to the saturated alkanes, which undergo slower abstraction reactions. Computational chemistry and reaction rate theory are used in this study to investigate the s-triazine + HO(*) reaction. We report that HO(*) addition at a carbon ring site proceeds with the largest known barrier for addition to an unsaturated carbon (9.8 kcal mol(-1) at the G3X level of theory). Abstraction of a hydrogen atom in s-triazine by HO(*), forming the s-triazinyl radical + H(2)O, proceeds with a barrier of only 3.3 kcal mol(-1), and this process dominates over HO(*) addition. Our results are in contrast to those for the analogous reactions in benzene, where the abstraction reaction to phenyl + H(2)O is slower than the HO(*) addition, which forms a radical adduct that can further react with O(2) or dissociate to phenol + H(*). The lifetime of s-triazine toward the hydroxyl radical in the troposphere is estimated at 6.4 years, potentially making it a long-lived pollutant. The aromatic s-triazine (1,3,5-triazine) molecule is a structural feature in herbicides such as atrazine and is a decomposition product of the common energetic material cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine (RDX). While the abstraction reaction dominates for the parent s-triazine, the addition mechanism may be of importance in the atmospheric degradation of substituted triazines, like atrazine, where ring H atoms are not available for abstraction. The high-barrier addition mechanism forms an activated hydroxy-triazinyl adduct which predominantly dissociates to 2-hydroxy-1,3,5-triazine (OST) + H(*). This OST species is a known intermediate of RDX decomposition. Results are also presented for isomerization of the less-stable 1,3,5-triazine-N-oxide OST species (which may form via unimolecular pathways in the liquid-phase decomposition of RDX) to 2-hydroxy-1,3,5-triazine. A reaction mechanism is proposed for further oxidation of the s-triazinyl radical, where an OST isomer is also a potential product.

Radicals from the gas-phase pyrolysis of catechol: 1. o-Semiquinone and ipso-catechol radicals.

The formation of environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFRs) from the gas-phase pyrolysis of catechol (CT) was studied over a temperature range of 400-750 degrees C using the technique of low-temperature matrix isolation electron paramagnetic resonance (LTMI-EPR) spectroscopy. A split singlet EPR spectrum with a g value of 2.0052 was observed. To aid in the interpretation of this spectrum, a detailed analysis of the potential energy surface of CT decomposition pathways was performed employing CBS-QB3 multilevel and DFT individual methods. The energetically favored channels were the formation of ipso- and alpha-CT isomers of CT as well as o-semiquinone (o-SQ) radicals from ipso- and alpha-CT. ipso-CT as well as open ipso-CT radicals were apparently unstable intermediates that could not be accumulated in sufficiently high concentrations to be detected by EPR. The calculated EPR spectrum of o-SQ radical is consistent with the formation of an oxygen-centered radical with a high g value observed experimentally. The hyperfine splitting of the observed spectrum can be attributed to the formation of hydrogen bonds in radical dimers. The lack of experimental observation of o-benzoquinone, an anticipated pyrolysis product, has been explained based on theoretical calculations.

Mechanism of Iron Carbonyl-Catalyzed Hydrogenation of Ethylene. 1. Theoretical Exploration of Molecular Pathways

The hydrogenation of alkenes catalyzed by metal carbonyls is an intricate process involving reactions of various isomers of labile π- and σ-complexes, hydrides, dihydrides, and their radicals. Two general mechanisms have been suggested in the literature regarding the catalytic hydrogenation of simple alkenes by photochemically activated iron pentacarbonyl: a molecular mechanism that involves the sequential replacement of two carbonyl ligands by hydrogen and unsaturated ligands, and a radical mechanism involving the EPR-identified iron carbonyl hydride radicals. Even though significant results were obtained in numerous experiments and few theoretical studies, these mechanisms remain phenomenological, without detailed information regarding the potential energy surfaces (PES) and the elementary processes. Several major issues also remain open. It is still unclear, for instance, whether the ethane can be formed via a monomolecular reaction of ethyl hydride isomer intermediates HFe(CO)3(C2H5) or the only way to produce C2H6 is a bimolecular reaction assisted by a second ethylene. It is also uncertain if a dihydride or a dihydrogen complex is operating in olefin hydrogenation. To gain insight into these processes, a detailed theoretical examination of various PES for gas-phase reactions of ethylene with potential metallocomplex reagents to primary and secondary products (both singlet and triplet electronic states) was performed using DFT and ab initio methods. Calculations have been carried out for a set of reactions of ethylene with all possible isomers of tricarbonyliron hydrogenates, viz., dihydrides of trans-, cis-, and gauche-configurations (isomers with respect to the two hydridic atoms), and two nonclassical singlet and two triplet dihydrogen complexes, some of them being identified for the first time. The hydrogenation pathways (both molecular and radical) are shown to be strongly stereoselective and dependent on the spin configurations of the initial reagents. The combination of various dihydride isomers with C2H4 as separate reaction channels allowed us to explore relevant PES cross sections and to identify corresponding stereoregulated elementary processes. The reaction channels can alternatively start from the association of ethylene with dihydrogen tricarbonyliron complexes and may involve intersystem crossings with triplet pathways, followed by that of the corresponding singlet PES. Various interconversion and isomerization processes involving single-olefin adducts were found to precede the major ethane-elimination reactions (through both monomolecular and second-ethylene-assisted pathways). Monomolecular processes are suggested to occur under appropriate conditions. The stereospecific mechanistic results and thermochemical parameters constitute a basis for developing detailed kinetic models for iron-carbonyl catalysis.