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Unimolecular dissociation of cyclohexene at extremely high temperatures: behavior of the energy-transfer collision efficiency

Journal Article · · J. Phys. Chem.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/j100295a076· OSTI ID:6420900

The dissociation of cyclehexene has been observed in shock waves with the laser schlieren and pulsed laser flash absorption techniques over 1200-2000 K and 110-550 Torr, using 2% and 4% cyclohexene in krypton and 0.2% cyclohexene in argon. The inverse Diels-Alder molecular elimination to 1,3-butadiene and ethylene is clearly the dominant dissociation channel under all conditions. Rate constants derived for this reaction have a high precision, with rms deviations of only a few percent. Unimolecular falloff, although slight at the lowest temperatures, is clearly discernible for all temperatures. A simple RRKM calculation, using a nonspecific vibration model transition state, is fit to the measured rate constants, giving log k/sub infinity/ = 15.57 - 65.7 (kcal/mol)/2.303RT with a barrier of 61.9 kcal/mol. These RRKM calculations were performed with the energy-transfer collision efficiency derived from both fixed <..delta..E>/sub down/ and <..delta..E>/sub all/. A good fit is achieved with either below 1500 K, but above this a fixed <..delta..E>/sub down/ gives rates which are much too small, and this deficiency cannot be compensated by other changes, whereas a fixed <..delta..E>/sub all/ provides quite satisfactory agreement with the measurements for all conditions. This situation is similar to that indicated by other large molecule dissociations at extreme temperatures.

Research Organization:
Univ. of Illinois, Chicago
DOE Contract Number:
AC02-78ER04759
OSTI ID:
6420900
Journal Information:
J. Phys. Chem.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Phys. Chem.; (United States) Vol. 91:11; ISSN JPCHA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English