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We report a shock-tube, laser-schlieren investigation of the molecular dissociation of the title trifluoroethane, CF 3 CH 3 → CH 2 CF 2 + HF, over very high temperatures, 1600-2400 K, and a wide range of sub-atmospheric pressures, 15-550 Torr. The density gradients are well fit by a simple two-reaction mechanism and accurate dissociation rates obtained. The results are compared with a k ∞ calculated from a G3 TS for this molecular elimination, which is a superb fit to the available lower-T data and a reliable extrapolation of k ∞ to high temperatures. The derived rate constants show a very deep falloff from this extrapolation but surprisingly little variation with pressure. This peculiarity is so severe that RRKM calculations dramatically fail to account for the behavior. The dissociation seems to be a clear example of an intrinsic non-RRKM process (nonstatistical dissociation). This conclusion is strongly supported by the observation of double vibrational relaxation at both dissociating and nondissociating temperatures, an unambiguous demonstration of slow IVR. Using a simple model with division into two groups of states, the deep falloff is found to be consistent with a rate-controlling slow IVR, not with low collision efficiency. The model suggests an IVR rate of ∼10 8 s - 1 for dissociation energies.

Dissociation, vibrational relaxation, and unimolecular incubation have all been observed in shock waves in isobutene with the laser-schlieren technique. Experiments covered a wide range of high-temperature conditions: 900–2300 K, and post-incident shock pressures from 7 to 400 torr in 2, 5, and 10% mixtures with krypton. The surprising observation is that of vibrational relaxation, well resolved over the full temperature range. The resolved process is completely exponential, with relaxation times in the range 20–120 ns atm. Relaxation and dissociation are clearly separated for T > 1850 K, with estimated incubation times near 200 ns atm. Incubation is essential for modeling of the very low-pressure decomposition. Modeling of gradients with a chain mechanism initiated by CH fission produces an excellent fit and accurate dissociation rates that show severe falloff. A restricted-rotor, Gorin-model RRKM analysis fits these rates quite well with the known bond-energy as barrier and 〈ΔE〉down = 680 cm−1. The extrapolated k∞ is log k∞(s−1) = 19.187–0.865 log T −87.337 (kcal/mol)/RT, in good agreement with previous work. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 35: 381–390, 2003

Experiments employing electron scavenging methods and high performance liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry detection indicate that electrons, formed via one-photon ionization, guanine (G) and small amounts of 8-oxo-2‘-deoxyguanosine (8-oxo-dG) are formed during 254 nm irradiation of deaerated alkaline 2‘-deoxyguanosine (dG) solutions containing N2O. The G, 8-oxo-dG and electron yields vary in a similar way when the pH changes. At a dG concentration of 1.2 × 10-4 M, the 254 nm photoionization quantum yield is in the range 0.01 to 0.02 at pH 11.4. The low sensitivity with which photoionization can be monitored in electron scavenging experiments does not permit the direct measurement of dG photoionization at near neutral pH. At pH 6.3, the 254 nm photoionization quantum yield for dG is no larger than 0.003. At pH 11.4, the yields of G and 8-oxo-dG formed from 254 nm irradiation of 1.2 × 10-4 M dG for 40 min are more than 5× larger than that at pH 6.3. The similar pH dependence of the G, 8-oxo-dG and...

A unique high-pressure single pulse shock tube has been used to obtain the first experimental data for ethane oxidation and pyrolysis at very high pressures and temperatures. Experiments were performed at two nominal reaction pressures of 340 bar and 613 bar in the temperature range 1050 K to 1450 K. The major stable species were identified and their concentrations determined using gas chromatography. Several minor species, with up to four carbon atoms and including oxygenates, were also observed in the oxidation studies. Three models based on literature mechanisms for hydrocarbon oxidation were used to simulate the experimental data. All of the models simulate the pyrolysis data well although only one of the models was capable of accurately describing the oxidation data.

A high-pressure, single-pulse shock tube was used to study, the oxidation of ethane/oxygen mixtures, =1 and =5, between 1000 and 1400 K at reaction pressures of 40 bar. Gas chromatographic techniques were used to quantify the major stable species formed in the reactions. The experimental data were simulated using two models for ethane combustion that had previously been tested against very high pressure (300–600 bar) oxidation and pyrolysis experimental data obtained in the same apparatus. Good agreement with the stoichiometric data was obtained: however, neither model was capable of simulating the =5 data. Several modifications to one of the models were made, and these modifications are discussed. The final version of the model provides much more accurate predictions of the experimental data and forms the first step in developing a comprehensive model for ethane oxidation that has been tested against experimental data covering a pressure range from 1 to 600 bar.

A single pulse shock tube has been designed and constructed in order to achieve extremely high pressures and temperatures to facilitate gas-phase chemical kinetic experiments. Postshock pressures of greater than 1000 atmospheres have been obtained. Temperatures greater than 1400 K have been achieved and, in principle, temperatures greater than 2000 K are easily attainable. These high temperatures and pressures permit the investigation of hydrocarbon species pyrolysis and oxidation reactions. Since these reactions occur on the time scale of 0.5–2 ms the shock tube has been constructed with an adjustable length driven section that permits variation of reaction viewing times. For any given reaction viewing time, samples can be withdrawn through a specially constructed automated sampling apparatus for subsequent species analysis with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. The details of the design and construction that have permitted the successful generation of very high-pressure shocks in this unique app...

Two chemical thermometers, 1,1,1-trifluoroethane and cyclohexene, have been used to calibrate the temperatures behind reflected shock waves, T5real, in a unique high-pressure, single-pulse shock tube. Experiments with 1,1,1-trifluoroethane were performed at nominal postshock pressures of 5000 psi and 9000 psi, and T5real was calculated from the extent of the reaction and literature values for k∞. Both parent molecule decomposition and product formation were used to calculate the extent of reaction. At each pressure the two methods of calculating T5real are in excellent agreement. The values for T5real obtained from the cyclohexene experiments are in good agreement with those from 1,1,1-trifluoroethane. The range of the temprature calibration is 1050–1350 K. No discernable pressure dependence between the two sets of experiments was observed for the calculated values of T5real. The effect of a 10% rise in pressure during the residence time on the calculated temperatures was also examined and is found to give rise to only small errors in T5real. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 33: 722–731, 2001

We report CASSCF/cc-PVDZ calculations of the potential surface for the title Jahn–Teller molecule. Energies are calculated along all normal coordinates that can be affected by Jahn–Teller distortion. Both the E′2 in-plane bend and stretch modes are found to be involved, but the bend contribution is very small and its contribution to the entropy is negligible. The in-plane stretch modes strongly dominate, affording a maximum stabilization energy of 4.73 kcal/mol. Harmonic frequencies are calculated for the other modes in the D5h configuration, and these are scaled in accordance with a comparison of experimental frequencies with similar calculations on cyclopentadiene. Energy levels for nuclear motion in the Jahn–Teller modes are then determined using the calculated surface, and these are combined with the scaled harmonic frequencies to obtain complete thermodynamic functions for the radical. The results are then fit to both the NASA polynomial form and a compact power series in inverse temperature for modeling applications. Because of changes in degeneracy and symmetry number, the entropy is actually lower than previous estimates. Nonetheless, the effect of the pseudorotation on the entropy is noticeable over the entire span of temperatures. This work is evidently the first to present both energy levels and thermodynamic functions for a Jahn–Teller molecule derived from a complete and consistent theoretical treatment. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 33: 834–845, 2001

A miniature high repetition rate shock tube with excellent reproducibility has been constructed to facilitate high temperature, high pressure, gas phase experiments at facilities such as synchrotron light sources where space is limited and many experiments need to be averaged to obtain adequate signal levels. The shock tube is designed to generate reaction conditions of T > 600 K, P < 100 bars at a cycle rate of up to 4 Hz. The design of the apparatus is discussed in detail, and data are presented to demonstrate that well-formed shock waves with predictable characteristics are created, repeatably. Two synchrotron-based experiments using this apparatus are also briefly described here, demonstrating the potential of the shock tube for research at synchrotron light sources.

The recombination of allyl radicals (C3H5), generated from the dissociation of 1,5-hexadiene or allyl iodide dilute in krypton, has been investigated in a diaphragmless shock tube using laser schlieren densitometry, LS, (900-1700 K, 10 ± 1, 29 ± 3, 57 ± 3, and 120 ± 4 Torr). The LS density gradient profiles were simulated and excellent agreement was found between simulations and experimental profiles. Rate coefficients for C3H5I → C3H5 + I and C3H5 + C3H5 → C6H10 were obtained and showed strong fall-off. Second order rate coefficients for allyl radical recombination were determined as k(1a,124Torr) = (2.6 ± 0.8) × 10(55)T( -12.995) exp(-8426/T), k(1a,57Torr) = (1.7 ± 0.5) × 10(60)T( -14.49) exp(-9344/T), and k(1a,30Torr) = (7.5 ± 2.3) × 10(66)T( -15.935) exp(-10192/T) cm(3) mol(-1)s(-1). The contribution of a disproportionation channel in allyl radical reactions was assessed, and the best agreement was obtained with no more than 5% disproportionation. Notably, because both the forward and back reactions of C6H10 ⇌ C3H5 + C3H5 were measured, utilizing two different precursors, the equilibrium constant of this reaction could be found, suggesting an entropy of formation of 1,5-hexadiene, 87.3 cal mol(-1 )K(-1), which is significantly smaller than that group additivity predicts, but larger than other reference literature values.

Shock tubes are vital experimental tools that are used to study high temperature gas-phase kinetics and shock tube research accounts for most of the high temperature experimental data relevant to combustion. Several shock tube techniques are briefly discussed and references to prior more detailed reviews supplied. The use of shock tube techniques to elucidate reaction rates and mechanisms for elementary unimolecular and bimolecular reactions is discussed. Particular attention is given to studies that provide fundamental data that can be extrapolated to systems that cannot be studied in isolated experiments. In this context, experiments on the dissociation and isomerization of fuel radicals, pyrolysis of saturated cyclic and heterocyclic molecules of importance in surrogate fuels and nontraditional fuels, and the role of resonantly stabilized radicals in formation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are discussed.

A shock tube is a device in which a shock wave is normally formed by the rupture of a diaphragm, which divides a gas at high pressure from a test section containing the species of interest at a lower pressure. The shock wave brings the test gas virtually instantaneously to a known high temperature and pressure, maintains that condition for a time and then is supplanted by an expansion wave which cools the sample rapidly. During this time, the test gas can be studied by continuous sampling, for example to a time-of-flight mass spectrometer or alternatively sampled at the end of process by gas chromatography or other appropriate analytical techniques. Here, we discuss both methodologies and show with examples the benefits of both approaches.

The dissociation of nitrosobenzene in a shock tube and the corresponding association of phenyl radicals () and NO in a flow reactor have been investigated. From the shock tube, high-temperature absorption spectra were obtained for nitrosobenzene and its decay products. The absorption coefficients of these species around 275 nm are sufficiently different to permit the direct measurement of the rate of the nitrosobenzene decay. The rate coefficient for the reaction C 6 H 5 NO→C 6 H 5 +NO in the temperature range 800–1000 K at pressures between 2.0 and 2.2 bar was determined to be k 1 -10 15.29±0.53 exp(−(24.720±1110)/ T ) s −1 Variation of the pressure between 0.9 and 4.4 bar showed k 1 to be independent of pressure, which indicates that reaction (1) is close to its high-pressure limit. In a complementary set of experiments, the recombination reaction C 6 H 5 +NO→C 6 H 5 NO was studied in a fast flow reactor under pseudo-first-order conditions. Helium was used as the carrier gas, the pressure was 10 mbar, and the temperature was varied from 420 to 820 K. The pyrolysis of nitrosobenzene was used as a reliable source of phenyl radicals. Under the experimental conditions, the reaction was close to its high-pressure limit for T By using a falloff formalism, both sets of experiments could be fitted very well. An expression k rec,02 =6.2×10 12 × e 233/T cm 3 /mol/s was deduced. The heat of reaction required for these calculations is in good agreement with the thermochemical literature data for C 6 H 5 NO, C 6 H 5 , and NO.

Isomeric C{sub 6}H{sub 6} species produced by high-pressure shock tube pyrolysis of 1,5-hexadiyne have been investigated by gas chromatography-matrix isolation FTIR spectroscopy-mass spectrometry. In addition to benzene (stable end product) and 1,5-hexadiyne (starting material), six isomeric C{sub 6}H{sub 6} species have been identified on the basis of spectroscopic characteristics. The results are consistent with theoretical predictions of stable species that will be formed in the pyrolysis of 1,5-hexadiyne and key species have been positively identified for the first time.

The title reaction has been investigated in a diaphragmless shock tube by laser schlieren densitometry over the temperature range 1163-1629 K and pressures of 60, 120, and 240 Torr. Methyl radicals were produced by dissociation of 2,3-butanedione in the presence of an excess of dimethyl ether. Rate coefficients for CH(3) + CH(3)OCH(3) were obtained from simulations of the experimental data yielding the following expression which is valid over the range 1100-1700 K: k = (10.19 ± 3.0)T(3.78) exp((-4878/T)) cm(3) mol(-1)s(-1). The experimental results are in good agreement with estimates by Curran and co-workers [Fischer, S. L.; Dryer, F. L.; Curran, H. J. Int. J. Chem. Kinet.2000, 32 (12), 713-740. Curran, H. J.; Fischer, S. L.; Dryer, F. L. Int. J. Chem. Kinet.2000, 32 (12), 741-759] but about a factor of 2.6 lower than those of Zhao et al. [Zhao, Z.; Chaos, M.; Kazakov, A.; Dryer, F. L. Int. J. Chem. Kinet.2008, 40 (1), 1-18].

The thermal dissociation of fluoroethane has been studied using shock tube (ST)/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOF-MS) at 500 and 1200 Torr over the temperature range 1200-1550 K. The ST/TOF-MS experiments confirm that elimination of HF is the only reaction channel and rate coefficients for this reaction were extracted from concentration/time profiles derived from the mass spectra. Results from a novel diaphragmless shock tube coupled to the TOF-MS are also presented and demonstrate the unique ability of this apparatus to generate sufficiently reproducible shock waves that signal averaging can be performed over multiple experiments; something that is not possible with a conventional shock tube. The dissociation is also studied with ab initio transition state theory based master equation simulations. A modest increase in the calculated barrier height (i.e., by 1 kcal mol(-1)) yields predicted high pressure rate coefficients that are in good agreement with the existing literature data. The present pressure dependent observations are accurately reproduced for a downwards energy transfer for neon at 1200 to 1500 K of approximately 270 cm(-1), which is somewhat smaller than that found in previous studies on fluorinated ethanes with the same bath gases.

This paper reports measurements of the thermal dissociation of 1,1-difluoroethane in the shock tube. The experiments employ laser-schlieren measurements of rate for the dominant HF elimination using 10% 1,1-difluoroethane in Kr over 1500–2000 K and 43 < P < 424 torr. The vinyl fluoride product of this process then dissociates affecting the late observations. We thus include a laser schlieren study (1717–2332 K, 75 < P < 482 torr in 10 and 4% vinyl fluoride in Kr) of this dissociation. This latter work also includes a set of experiments using shock-tube time-of-flight mass spectrometry (4% vinyl fluoride in neon, 1500–1980 K, 500 < P < 1300 torr). These time-of-flight experiments confirm the theoretical expectation that the only reaction in vinyl fluoride is HF elimination. The dissociation experiments are augmented by laser schlieren measurements of vibrational relaxation (1–20% C2H3F in Kr, 415–1975 K, 5 < P < 50 torr, and 2 and 5% C2H4F2 in Kr, 700–1350 K, 6 < P < 22 torr). These experiments exhibit very rapid relaxation, and incubation delays should be negligible in dissociation. An RRKM model of dissociation in 1,1-difluoroethane based on a G3B3 calculation of barrier and other properties fits the experiments but requires a very large 〈ΔE〉down of 1600 cm−1, similar to that found in a previous examination of 1,1,1-trifluoroethane. Dissociation of vinyl fluoride is complicated by the presence of two parallel HF eliminations, both three-center and four-center. Structure calculations find nearly equal barriers for these, and TST calculations show almost identical k∞. An RRKM fit to the observed falloff again requires an unusually large 〈ΔE〉down and the experiments actually support a slightly reduced barrier. These large energy-transfer parameters now seem routine in these large fluorinated species. It is perhaps a surprising result for which there is as yet no explanation.

The dissociation of 1,1,1,-trifluoroethane, a potential non-RRKM reaction, has been studied at 600 and 1200 Torr and high temperatures (1500-1840 K) using a new shock tube/time-of-flight mass spectrometer (ST/TOF-MS). These data obtained by an independent method are in good agreement with the laser schlieren, LS, experiments of Kiefer et al. [J. Phys. Chem. A 2004, 108, 2443-2450] and extend the range of that experimental dataset. The data have been simulated by both standard RRKM calculations and the non-RRKM model reported by Kiefer et al. but withDeltaE(down)= 750 cm(-1). Both the RRKM and non-RRKM calculations provide equally good fits to the ST/TOF-MS data. Neither model simulates the combined ST/TOF-MS and LS datasets particularly well. However, the non-RRKM model predicts a pressure dependency closer to that observed in the experiments than the RRKM model.

The pyrolysis of toluene, the simplest methyl-substituted aromatic molecule, has been studied behind reflected shock waves using a single pulse shock tube. Experiments were performed at nominal high pressures of 27 and 45 bar and spanning a wide temperature range from 1200 to 1900 K. A variety of stable species, ranging from small hydrocarbons to single ring aromatics (principal soot precursors such as phenylacetylene and indene) were sampled from the shock tube and analyzed using standard gas chromatographic techniques. A detailed chemical kinetic model with 262 reactions and 87 species was assembled to simulate the stable species profiles (specifically toluene, benzene and methane) from the current high-pressure pyrolysis data sets and shock tube-atomic resonance absorption spectrometry (ARAS) H atom profiles obtained from prior toluene pyrolysis experiments performed under similar high-temperature conditions and lower pressures from 1.5 to 8 bar. The primary steps in toluene pyrolysis represent the most sensitive and dominant reactions in the model. Consequently, in the absence of unambiguous direct experimental measurements, we have utilized recent high level theoretical estimates of the barrierless association rate coefficients for these primary reactions, C6H5 + CH3 --C6H5CH3 (1a) and C6H5CH2 + H --C6H5CH3 (1b) in the detailed chemical kinetic model. The available data sets can be successfully reconciled with revised values for deltaH0f(298K)(C6H5CH2) = 51.5 +/- 1.0 kcal/mol and deltaH0f(298K)(C6H5) = 78.6 +/- 1.0 kcal/mol that translate to primary dissociation rate constants, reverse of 1a and 1b, represented by k(-1a,infinity) = (4.62 x 10(25))T(-2.53)exp[-104.5 x 10(3)/RT] s(-1) and k(-1b,infinity) = (1.524 x 10(16))T(-0.04)exp[-93.5 x 10(3)/RT] s(-1) (R in units of cal/(mol K)). These high-pressure limiting rate constants suggest high-temperature branching ratios for the primary steps that vary from 0.39 to 0.52 over the temperature range 1200-1800 K.

We have investigated the isomeric C6H6 product distributions of the self-reaction of propargyl (C3H3) radicals at two nominal pressures of 25 and 50 bar over the temperature range 720-1350 K. Experiments were performed using propargyl iodide as the radical precursor in a high-pressure single-pulse shock tube with a residence time of 1.6-2.0 ms. The relative yields of the C6H6 products are strongly temperature dependent, and the main products are 1,5-hexadiyne (15HD), 1,2-hexadiene-5-yne (12HD5Y), 3,4-dimethylenecyclobutene (34DMCB), 2-ethynyl-1,3-butadiene (2E13BD), fulvene, and benzene, with the minor products being cis- and trans-1,3-hexadiene-5-yne (13HD5Y). 1,2,4,5-Hexatetraene (1245HT) was observed below 750 K but the concentrations were too low to be quantified. The experimentally determined entry branching ratios are: 44% 15HD, 38% 12HD5Y, and 18% 1245HT, which is efficiently converted to 34DMCB. Following the initial recombination step, various C6H6 isomers are formed by thermal rearrangement. The experimentally observed concentrations for the C6H6 species are in good agreement with earlier experiments on 15HD thermal rearrangement.

Density functional theory (DFT) has been used along with isodesmic reaction schemes to estimate heats of formation for aromatics and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Calculations have been performed for 42 molecules, 12 of which have uncertain or unknown experimental values, using the B3-LYP functional with the small 6-31G(d) basis set. Heats of formation for the group of test molecules were estimated using both conventional bond separation (BS) isodesmic reactions as well as a new technique of ring conserved (RC) isodesmic reactions which is able to correct systematic errors in B3-LYP calculations. When a ring conserved isodesmic reaction based on delocalization energies is used, the estimated heat of formation is more accurate than that obtained by the bond separation technique. The methodology for creating and using appropriate ring conserved isodesmic reactions is discussed. The present scheme also compares favorably against a recently developed bond centered group additivity scheme that was tested against a large number of PAH molecules.

Vibrational relaxation has been seen in shock waves in propane, isobutene, isobutane, neopentane, and toluene dilute in krypton with the laser-schlieren technique. These experiments cover about 600-2200 K and post-shock pressures from 5 to 29 Torr. The process cannot be resolved in any for T600 K, or in any for large molecule fraction. All the ultrasonic measurements of relaxation in these at room temperature show characteristic times in the 1-5 ns atm range, corresponding to fewer than five collisions, whereas the relaxation times in the shock waves range from 20 to 200 ns atm, with a clearly defined negative or "inverted" temperature dependence. It would seem the observed slowdown of relaxation with increasing T is simply a consequence of the much increased energy transfer required at high temperature in such large polyatomics when this is combined with a collision efficiency, here interpreted asDeltaEdown, already so large it cannot much increase. The simple method for the extraction of aDeltaEdown from relaxation data offered here by consideration of the energy relaxation equation for Evib=0 appears to be original and should prove quite useful in connecting thermal relaxation data to values obtained from spectroscopy and master-equation analyses. Here it is found that the derivedDeltaEdown extrapolate well to room temperature ultrasonic measurements, showing a slight increase with temperature.

The pyrolysis of methyl acetate, 2% and 4% dilute in krypton, was investigated in a diaphragmless shock tube (DFST) using laser schlieren densitometry (LS). Experiments were performed at 122 ± 3 and 63 ± 2 Torr over the temperature range of 1492-2266 K. Master equation models for the four main dissociation paths of methyl acetate based on a prior study by Peukert et al. [S. Peukert, R. Sivaramakrishnan, M. Su and J. Michael, Combust. Flame, 2012, 159, 2312-2323] were refined and formed the basis for simulating the LS experiments. The density gradient profiles from the LS experiments indicate that the initial dissociation proceeds predominantly by breakage of the C-O bond leading ultimately to two methyl radicals and CO2, accounting for 83-88% of the methyl acetate loss over this temperature range. Rate coefficients for dissociation of methyl acetate were satisfactorily simulated with a master equation model, with modelled rate coefficients of k120 Torr = 9.06 × 10(81) × T(-19.07) × exp(-61 600K/T) s(-1), k60 Torr = 3.71 × 10(82) × T(-19.34) × exp(-61 200K/T) s(-1), and of k∞ = 1.97 × 10(30) × T(-3.80) × exp(-47 900K/T) s(-1) for the major channel, based on fitting to 120 Torr and 60 Torr data taken in this study. The model also captures the pressure dependency of methyl acetate dissociation and resolves an earlier discrepancy concerning the mechanism of dissociation of methyl acetate.

The pyrolysis of ethylene glycol vinyl ether (EGVE), an initial product of 1,4-dioxane dissociation, was examined in a diaphragmless shock tube (DFST) using laser schlieren densitometry (LS) at 57 ± 2 and 122 ± 3 Torr over 1200-1800 K. DFST/time-of-flight mass spectrometry experiments were also performed to identify reaction products. EGVE was found to dissociate via two channels: (1) a molecular H atom transfer/C-O scission to produce C(2)H(3)OH and CH(3)CHO, and (2) a radical channel involving C-O bond fission generating ˙CH(2)CH(2)OH and ˙CH(2)CHO radicals, with the second channel being strongly dominant over the entire experimental range. A reaction mechanism was constructed for the pyrolysis of EGVE which simulates the LS profiles very well over the full experimental range. The decomposition of EGVE is clearly well into the falloff region for these conditions, and a Gorin model RRKM fit was obtained for the dominant radical channel. The results are in good agreement with the experimental data and suggest the following rate coefficient expressions: k(2,∞) = (6.71 ± 2.6) × 10(27) × T(-3.21)exp(-35512/T) s(-1); k(2)(120 Torr) = (1.23 ± 0.5) × 10(92) × T(-22.87)exp(-48 248/T) s(-1); k(2)(60 Torr) = (2.59 ± 1.0) × 10(88) × T(-21.96)exp(-46283/T) s(-1).

A novel, diaphragmless shock tube (DFST) has been developed for use in high temperature chemical kinetic studies. The design of the apparatus is presented along with performance data that demonstrate the range and reproducibility of reaction conditions that can be generated. The ability to obtain data in the fall off region, confined to much narrower pressure ranges than can be obtained with a conventional shock tube is shown, and results from laser schlieren densitometry experiments on the unimolecular dissociation of phenyl iodide (P(2)=57+/-9 and 122+/-7 torr, T(2)=1250-1804 K) are presented. These are compared with results similar to those that would be obtained from a classical shock tube and the implications for extrapolation by theoretical methods are discussed. Finally, the use of the DFST with an online mass spectrometer to create reproducible experiments that can be signal averaged to improve signal/noise and the quality of mass peaks is demonstrated; something that is not possible with a conventional shock tube where each experiment has to be considered unique.

A shock tube (ST) with online, time-of-flight mass spectrometric (TOF-MS) detection has been constructed for the study of elementary reactions at high temperature. The ST and TOF-MS are coupled by a differentially pumped molecular beam sampling interface, which ensures that the samples entering the TOF-MS are not contaminated by gases drawn from the cold end wall thermal boundary layer in the ST. Additionally, the interface allows a large range of postshock pressures to be used in the shock tube while maintaining high vacuum in the TOF-MS. The apparatus and the details of the sampling system are described along with an analysis in which cooling of the sampled gases and minimization of thermal boundary layer effects are discussed. The accuracy of kinetic measurements made with the apparatus has been tested by investigating the thermal unimolecular dissociation of cyclohexene to ethylene and 1,3-butadiene, a well characterized reaction for which considerable literature data that are in good agreement exist. The experiments were performed at nominal reflected shock wave pressures of 600 and 1300 Torr, and temperatures ranging from 1260 to 1430 K. The rate coefficients obtained are compared with the earlier shock tube studies and are found to be in very good agreement. As expected no significant difference is observed in the rate constant between pressures of 600 and 1300 Torr.

The thermal decomposition of styrene was investigated in a combined experimental, theory and modeling study with particular emphasis placed on the initial dissociation reactions. Two sets of shock tube/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOF-MS) experiments were performed to identify reaction products and their order of appearance. One set of experiments was conducted with a miniature high repetition rate shock tube at the Advanced Light Source at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory using synchrotron vacuum ultraviolet photoionization. The other set of experiments was performed in a diaphragmless shock tube (DFST) using electron impact ionization. The datasets span 1660–2260 K and 0.5–12 atm. The results show a marked transition from aromatic products at low temperatures to polyacetylenes, up to C8H2, at high temperatures. The TOF-MS experiments were complemented by DFST/LS (laser schlieren densitometry) experiments covering 1800–2250 K and 60–240 Torr. These were particularly sensitive to the initial dissociation reactions. These reactions were investigated theoretically and revealed the dissociation of styrene to be a complex multichannel process with strong pressure and temperature dependencies that were evaluated with multi-well master equation simulations. Simulations of the LS data with a mechanism developed in this work are in excellent agreement with the experimental data. From these simulations, rate coefficients for the dissociation of styrene were obtained that are in good agreement with the theoretical predictions. The simulation results also provide fair predictions of the temperature and pressure dependencies of the products observed in the TOF-MS studies. Prior experimental studies of styrene pyrolysis concluded that the main products were benzene and acetylene. In contrast, this study finds that the majority of styrene dissociates to create five styryl radical isomers. Of these, α-styryl accounts for about 50% with the other isomers consuming approximately 20%. It was also found that C–C bond scission to phenyl and vinyl radicals consumes up to 25% of styrene. Finally the dissociation of styrene to benzene and vinylidene accounts for roughly 5% of styrene consumption. Comments are made on the apparent differences between the results of this work and prior literature., A combined theoretical and experimental study showing styrene primarily decomposes to styryl radicals + H.

A detailed chemical kinetic model has been developed to predict the oxidation of toluene in the high temperature regime (1200–1500 K) over wide pressure ranges (25–610 bar) based on experimental data obtained in the high pressure single pulse shock tube at the University of Illinois at Chicago. The experimental data were obtained at pressures of 25, 50, and 610 bar over the temperature range from 1210 to 1480 K for stoichiometries of Φ = 1 and Φ = 5. The proposed model is derived from an earlier literature model for toluene oxidation that had been validated against experimental data obtained at 1 atm and at lower temperatures ( Φ = 5 (fuel-rich) data set and forms the first step in the development of a more comprehensive model for toluene combustion for fuel-rich oxidation and pyrolysis.