Reactions of Free Radicals with Nitro-Compounds and Nitrates
Abstract
A discharge-flow system has been used to study the reaction of oxygen atoms with methyl nitrate, ethyl nitrate, nitromethane and nitroethane. In each case the initial attack involved abstraction of a hydrogen atom from the alpha- position. The pre-exponential factors were 15 x 10 to the 9th power and 3 x 10 to the 10th power/mol sec for the methyl and ethyl compounds respectively. The activation energies were all within 1 kJ/mol of 22 kJ/mol although the fragment derived from the nitrates but not from the nitro-compounds could undergo exothermic rearrangement. Product analyses and computer modelling were undertaken, these provided a clear explanation of why the nitro-compounds but not the nitrates are readily decomposed by a free-radical chain mechanism.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 31, 1981
- Accession Number
- ADA102286
Entities
People
- Brian A. Thrush
- L. F. Salter
Organizations
- University of Cambridge