Experimental and Theoretical Studies of the Methylidyne CH(X²Π) Radical Reaction with Ethane (C₂H₆): Overall Rate Constant and Product Channels

Abstract

The reaction of CH with ethane was studied, at room temperature, in a low-pressure fast-flow reactor. CH(X2Π, v = 0) radicals were obtained from the reactions of CHBr3 with potassium atoms. The overall rate constant is found at 300 K to be (1.6 ± 0.6) × 10-10 cm3 molecule-1 s-1. The absolute atomic hydrogen production was determined by V.U.V. resonance fluorescence, the reference used being the H production from the CH + CH4 reaction. The H atoms production from the CH + C2H6 reaction was found equal to 22 ± 8%. Ab initio studies of the different stationary points relevant to this reaction and RRKM calculations have been performed for comparison with experimental results.