Classical Dynamics Simulations of Unimolecular Decomposition of CH2NNO2: HONO Elimination vs. N-N Bond Scission
Abstract
Classical dynamics simulations of the unimolecular decomposition of CH2NNO2 have been performed. The potential energy function was based on MCSCF and MRCI calculations of Mowrey et al. (1990). CH2NNO2 primary decomposition rates and mechanisms are presented. The two primary decomposition pathways are (1) N-N bond scission to form H2CN and NO2 and (2) concerted dissociation via a five-center transition state to eliminate HONO + HCN. The classical barrier heights differ by 2 kcal/mol. Reactions (1) and (2) are first-order decay processes and are well-behaved with increasing energy. At low energies, (1) is the major decomposition pathway, but at high energies, (2) becomes equally probable. Product energy distributions for (1) are unremarkable, with the relative translational and rotational distributions peaked near zero; however, distributions for (2) show interesting behavior. The trajectories resulting in (2) that do not experience secondary HONO decomposition have a translational energy distribution shifting significantly away from zero, as expected with large back reaction barriers. The trajectories resulting in (2) that undergo secondary HONO decomposition, however, have a distribution that is similar to the distributions in (1), indicating little translational energy excitation upon formation. Rotational energy distributions for (2) are peaked near zero, regardless of whether HONO decomposes. Most of the available product energy for (2) goes into vibration. Our results, calculated under microcanonical conditions in which energy is partitioned in a statistical manner among the internal modes, are not consistent with the RDX molecular beam measurements in which CH2NNO2 is a primary decomposition product which decomposes only through concerted molecular eliminations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1995
- Accession Number
- ADA290886
Entities
People
- Betsy M. Rice
- Donald L. Thompson
Organizations
- United States Army Research Laboratory