Time-resolved gas-phase kinetic, quantum chemical, and RRKM studies of reactions of silylene with alcohols

Time-resolved kinetic studies of silylene, SiH2, generated by laser flash photolysis of 1-silacyclopent-3-ene and phenylsilane, have been carried out to obtain rate constants for its bimolecular reactions with methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 1-butanol and 2-methyl-1-butanol. The reactions were studied in the gas phase over the pressure range 1-100 Torr in SF6 bath gas, at room temperature. In the study with methanol several buffer gases were used. All five reactions showed pressure dependences characteristic of third body assisted association reactions. The rate constant pressure dependences were modelled using RRKM theory, based on Eo values of the association complexes obtained by ab initio calculation (G3 level). Transition state models were adjusted to fit experimental fall-off curves and extrapolated to obtain k∞ values in the range 1.9 to 4.5 × 10-10 cm3 molecule-1 s-1. These numbers, corresponding to the true bimolecular rate constants, indicate efficiencies of between 16 and 67% of the collision rates for these reactions. In the reaction of SiH2 + MeOH there is a small kinetic component to the rate which is second order in MeOH (at low total pressures). This suggests an additional catalysed reaction pathway, which is supported by the ab initio calculations. These calculations have been used to define specific MeOH-for-H2O substitution effects on this catalytic pathway. Where possible our experimental and theoretical results are compared with those of previous studies

Time-resolved gas-phase kinetic, quantum chemical and RRKM studies of the reaction of silylene with 2,5-dihydrofuran

Time-resolved kinetic studies of silylene, SiH2, generated by laser flash photolysis of phenylsilane, have been carried out to obtain rate coefficients for its bimolecular reaction with 2,5-dihydrofuran (2,5-DHF). The reaction was studied in the gas phase over the pressure range 1-100 Torr in SF6 bath gas, at five temperatures in the range 296-598 K. The reaction showed pressure dependences characteristic of a third body assisted association. The second order rate coefficients obtained by RRKM-assisted extrapolation to the high pressure limits at each temperature, fitted the following Arrhenius equation where the error limits are single standard deviations: log(k/cm3 molecule-1 s-1) = (-9.96 ± 0.08) + (3.38 ± 0.62 kJ mol-1)/ RT ln10 End product analysis revealed no GC-identifiable product. Quantum chemical (ab initio) calculations indicate that reaction of SiH2 with 2,5-DHF can occur at both the double bond (to form a silirane) and the O-atom (to form a donor acceptor, zwitterionic complex) via barrierless processes. Further possible reaction steps have been explored, of which the only viable one appears to be decomposition of the O-complex to give 1,3-butadiene + silanone, although isomerisation of the silirane cannot be completely ruled out. The potential energy surface for SiH2 + 2,5-DHF is consistent with that of SiH2 with Me2O, and with that of SiH2 with cis-but-2-ene, the simplest reference reactions. RRKM calculations incorporating reaction at both π- and O-atom sites, can be made to fit the experimental rate coefficient pressure dependence curves at 296-476 K, giving values for k∞(π) and k∞(O) which indicate the latter is larger in magnitude at all temperatures, in contrast to values from individual model reactions. This unexpected result suggests that, in 2,5-DHF with its two different reaction sites, the O-atom exerts the more pronounced electrophilic attraction on the approaching silylene. Arrhenius parameters for the individual pathways have been obtained. The lack of a fit at 598K is consistent with decomposition of the O-complex to give 1,3-butadiene + silanone

The reaction between silylene and ammonia: some gas-phase kinetic and quantum chemical studies

Time-resolved kinetic studies of the reaction of silylene, SiH2, generated by 193 nm laser flash photolysis of silacyclopent-3-ene, have been carried out in the presence of ammonia, NH3. Second order kinetics were observed. The reaction was studied in the gas phase at 10 Torr total pressure in SF6 bath gas at each of the three temperatures, 299, 340 and 400 K. The second order rate constants (laser pulse energy of 60 mJ/pulse) fitted the Arrhenius equation: log(k/cm3 molecule-1 s-1) = (-10.37 ± 0.17) + (0.36 ± 1.12 kJ mol-1)/RTln10 Experiments at other pressures showed that these rate constants were unaffected by pressure in the range 10-100 Torr, but showed small decreases in value at 3 and 1 Torr. There was also a weak intensity dependence, with rate constants decreasing at laser pulse energies of 30 mJ/pulse. Ab initio calculations at the G3 level of theory, show that SiH2 + NH3 should form an initial adduct (donor-acceptor complex), but that energy barriers are too great for further reaction of the adduct. This implies that SiH2 + NH3 should be a pressure dependent association reaction. The experimental data are inconsistent with this and we conclude that SiH2 decays are better explained by reaction of SiH2 with the amino radical, NH2, formed by photodissociation of NH3 at 193 nm. The mechanism of this previously unstudied reaction is discussed

Time‐resolved, gas‐phase kinetic and quantum chemical studies of the reaction of germylene with hydrogen chloride

Time‐resolved studies of germylene, GeH2, generated by laser flash photolysis of 3,4‐dimethyl‐1‐germacyclopent‐3‐ene at 193 nm and monitored by laser absorption, have been carried out to obtain rate constants for its bimolecular reaction with HCl. The reaction was studied in the gas phase, mainly at a total pressure of 10 Torr (in SF6 bath gas) at five temperatures in the range 295–558 K. Experiments at other pressures showed that these rate constants were unaffected by pressure. The second‐order rate constants at 10 Torr (SF6 bath gas) fitted the Arrhenius equation: log(k/cm3 molecule−1 s−1)=(−12.06±0.14)+(2.58±1.03 kJ mol−1)/RTln10 where the uncertainties are single standard deviations. Quantum chemical calculations at G4 level support a mechanism in which an initial weakly bound donor‐acceptor complex is formed. This can then rearrange and decompose to give H2 and HGeCl (chlorogermylene). The enthalpy barrier (36 kJ mol−1) is too high to allow rearrangement of the complex to GeH3Cl (chlorogermane)

Direct time-resolved study of the kinetics of the reaction of silylene with phenylsilane in the gas phase. Does SiH2 react with the aromatic ring?

Laser flash photolysis studies of silylene, SiH2, generated by the 193 nm laser flash photolysis phenylsilane, PhSiH3, have been carried out to obtain rate constants for its bimolecular reaction with PhSiH3 itself, in the gas phase. The reaction was studied in SF6 (mostly at 10 Torr total pressure) over the temperature range 298-595 K. The rate constants (also found to be pressure independent) gave the following Arrhenius equation: log(k/cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1)) = (-9.92 +/- 0.04) + (3.31 +/- 0.27) kJ mol(-1)/RT ln 10 Similar investigations of the reaction of silylene with benzene, C6H6, (295-410 K) gave data suggestive of the fact that SiH2 might be reacting with photochemical products of C6H6 as well as with C6H6 itself. However, in the latter system, apparent rate constants were sufficiently low to indicate that in the reaction of SiH2 with PhSiH3 addition to the aromatic ring was unlikely to be in excess of 3% of the total. Quantum chemical calculations of the energy surface for SiH2 + C6H6 indicate that 7-silanorcaradiene and 7-silacycloheptatriene are possible products but that PhSiH3 formation is unlikely. RRKM calculations suggest that 7-silanorcaradiene should be the initial product but that it cannot be collisionally stabilized under experimental condition

Time-resolved, Gas-phase Kinetic and Quantum Chemical Studies of the Reaction of Germylene with Hydrogen Chloride

6 pags., 5 figs., 5 tabs.Time-resolved studies of germylene, GeH2 , generated by laser flash photolysis of 3,4-dimethyl-1-germacyclopent-3-ene at 193 nm and monitored by laser absorption, have been carried out to obtain rate constants for its bimolecular reaction with HCl. The reaction was studied in the gas phase, mainly at a total pressure of 10 Torr (in SF6 bath gas) at five temperatures in the range 295-558 K. Experiments at other pressures showed that these rate constants were unaffected by pressure. The second-order rate constants at 10 Torr (SF6 bath gas) fitted the Arrhenius equation: log(k/cm3  molecule-1  s-1 )=(-12.06±0.14)+(2.58±1.03 kJ mol-1 )/RTln10 where the uncertainties are single standard deviations. Quantum chemical calculations at G4 level support a mechanism in which an initial weakly bound donor-acceptor complex is formed. This can then rearrange and decompose to give H2 and HGeCl (chlorogermylene). The enthalpy barrier (36 kJ mol-1 ) is too high to allow rearrangement of the complex to GeH3 Cl (chlorogermane).Peer reviewe

The gas-phase reaction between silylene and 2-butyne: kinetics, isotope studies, pressure dependence studies and quantum chemical calculations

Time-resolved kinetic studies of the reactions of silylene, SiH2, and dideutero-silylene, SiD2, generated by laser. ash photolysis of phenylsilane and phenylsilane-d(3), respectively, have been carried out to obtain rate coefficients for their bimolecular reactions with 2-butyne, CH3C CCH3. The reactions were studied in the gas phase over the pressure range 1-100 Torr in SF6 bath gas at five temperatures in the range 294-612 K. The second-order rate coefficients, obtained by extrapolation to the high pressure limits at each temperature, fitted the Arrhenius equations where the error limits are single standard deviations: log(k(H)(infinity)/cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1)) = (-9.67 +/- 0.04) + (1.71 +/- 0.33) kJ mol(-1)/RTln10 log(k(D)(infinity)/cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1)) = (-9.65 +/- 0.01) + (1.92 +/- 0.13) kJ mol(-1)/RTln10 Additionally, pressure-dependent rate coefficients for the reaction of SiH2 with 2-butyne in the presence of He (1-100 Torr) were obtained at 301, 429 and 613 K. Quantum chemical (ab initio) calculations of the SiC4H8 reaction system at the G3 level support the formation of 2,3-dimethylsilirene [cyclo-SiH2C(CH3)=C(CH3)-] as the sole end product. However, reversible formation of 2,3-dimethylvinylsilylene [CH3CH=C(CH3)SiH] is also an important process. The calculations also indicate the probable involvement of several other intermediates, and possible products. RRKM calculations are in reasonable agreement with the pressure dependences at an enthalpy value for 2,3-dimethylsilirene fairly close to that suggested by the ab initio calculations. The experimental isotope effects deviate significantly from those predicted by RRKM theory. The differences can be explained by an isotopic scrambling mechanism, involving H - D exchange between the hydrogens of the methyl groups and the D-atoms in the ring in 2,3-dimethylsilirene-1,1-d(2). A detailed mechanism involving several intermediate species, which is consistent with the G3 energy surface, is proposed to account for this