The C7H5 Fulvenallenyl Radical as a Combustion Intermediate: Potential New Pathways to Two- and Three-Ring PAHs

This study proposes the existence of a new, highly resonantly stabilized free radical, fulvenallenyl (C7H5). Fulvenallenyl forms from dissociation or abstraction of the weak H atoms in the C7H6 compounds fulvenallene and 1-ethynylcyclopentadiene, which were recently identified as intermediates in the combustion of aromatic fuels and in sooting flames. The fulvenallenyl radical shares properties of the propargyl and cyclopentadienyl radicals, and like these species, we propose that fulvenallenyl has a significant resonance stabilization energy. This resonance energy is lost upon further reaction, making the fulvenallenyl radical resistant to oxidation and thermal decomposition. As with the resonantly stabilized radicals propargyl and cyclopentadienyl, fulvenallenyl is expected to react with other radicals in molecular weight growth reactions. Several pathways are proposed for self-reaction and cross-reactions of fulvenallenyl that directly produce two- and three-ring PAHs like naphthalene, diphenyl, and phenanthrene. Rate constants are calculated for H atom abstraction from fulvenallene and 1-ethynylcyclopentadiene by the common radicals H, OH, and CH3, to facilitate the inclusion of fulvenallenyl in kinetic models.