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Title: A master equation simulation for the OH + CH 3 OH reaction

Journal Article · · Journal of Chemical Physics
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5081827· OSTI ID:1503282

A combined (fixed-J) two-dimensional master-equation / semi-classical transition state theory / variational Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel-Marcus (2DME/SCTST/vRRKM) approach has been used to compute reaction rate coefficients of •OH with CH3OH over a wide range of temperatures (10 - 2500 K) and pressures (10-1-104 Torr) based on a potential energy surface that has been constructed using a modification of the HEAT thermochemical protocol. The calculated results show that the title reaction is nearly pressure-independent when T > 250 K, but depends strongly on pressure at lower temperatures. Also, the preferred mechanism and rate constants are found to be very sensitive to temperature. The reaction pathway CH3OH + OH → CH3O + H2O proceeds exclusively through tunneling at exceedingly low temperatures (T ≤50 K) typical of those established in interstellar environments. In this regime, the rate constant is found to increase with decreasing temperature, which agrees with low-temperature experimental results. The thermodynamically favored reaction pathway CH3OH + OH → CH2OH + H2O becomes dominant at higher temperatures (T ≥ 200 K), such as those found in Earth’s atmosphere as well as combustion environments. By modifying the ab initio barrier heights slightly, experimental rate constants from 200 to 1250 K can be satisfactorily reproduced.

Research Organization:
Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES). Chemical Sciences, Geosciences, and Biosciences Division
Grant/Contract Number:
AC02-06CH11357; FG02-07ER15884
OSTI ID:
1503282
Journal Information:
Journal of Chemical Physics, Vol. 150, Issue 8; ISSN 0021-9606
Publisher:
American Institute of Physics (AIP)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 28 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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