Decomposition, rate

Because the decomposition is first order, the rate of free-radical formation can be controlled by regulating the temperature equations relating half-life to temperature are provided in Table 7. These decomposition rates ate essentially independent of the solvent (73). 

The problems of monomer recovery, reaction medium viscosity, and control of reaction heat are effectively dealt with by the process design of Montedison Fibre (53). This process produces polymer of exceptionally high density, so although the polymer is stiU swollen with monomer, the medium viscosity remains low because the amount of monomer absorbed in the porous areas of the polymer particles is greatly reduced. The process is carried out in a CSTR with a residence time, such that the product k jd x. Q is greater than or equal to 1. is the initiator decomposition rate constant. This condition controls the autocatalytic nature of the reaction because the catalyst and residence time combination assures that the catalyst is almost totally expended in the reactor. 

The following conditions are stipulated the catalyst decomposition rate constant must be one hour or greater the residence time of the continuous reactor must be sufficient to decompose the catalyst to at least 50% of the feed level the catalyst concentration must be greater than or equal to 0.002 x Q, where the residence time, is expressed in hours. An upper limit on the rate of radical formation was also noted that is, when the rate of radical formation is greater than the addition rate of the primary radicals to the monomers, initiation efficiency is reduced by the recombination of primary radicals. 

Because PTFE resins decompose slowly, they may be heated to a high temperature. The toxicity of the pyrolysis products warrants care where exposure of personnel is likely to occur (120). Above 230°C decomposition rates become measurable (0.0001% per hour). Small amounts of toxic perfiuoroisobutylene have been isolated at 400°C and above free fluorine has never been found. Above 690°C the decomposition products bum but do not support combustion if the heat is removed. Combustion products consist primarily of carbon dioxide, carbon tetrafluoride, and small quantities of toxic and corrosive hydrogen fluoride. The PTFE resins are nonflammable and do not propagate flame. 

The decomposition rate of NaBH solutions in water is convenientiy estimated from equation 23 which expresses half-life in terms of the two most important variables, pH and temperature when is in minutes and Tis in K (23). 

If a self-sustained oxidation is carried out under limiting rate conditions, the hydroperoxide provides the new radicals to the system (by reaction 4 or analogues) and is maintained at a low concentration (decomposition rate = generation rate). For these circumstances, the rate equation 9 holds, where n = average number of initiating radicals produced (by any means) per molecule of ROOH decomposed and / = fraction of RH consumed which disappears by ROO attack (25). 

Although the decomposition rate of peroxide is thus increased, the consequent lowering of steady-state peroxide concentration leaves the effective rate unchanged in the simple peroxide cycle kinetic scheme (25). In real systems, at certain critical levels, a catalyst can become an inhibitor (2,180). 

The stabihty of pure hydrogen peroxide solutions increases with increasing concentration and is maximum between pH 3.5—4.5. The decomposition rate of ultrapure hydrogen peroxide increases 2.2—2.3-fold for each 10 °C rise in temperature from ambient to about 100 °C. This approximates an Arrhenius-type response with activation energy of about 58 kJ/mol (13.9 kcal/mol). However, decomposition increases as low as 1.6-fold for each 10 °C rise have been noted for impure, unstabilized solutions. 

Activation Parameters. Thermal processes are commonly used to break labile initiator bonds in order to form radicals. The amount of thermal energy necessary varies with the environment, but absolute temperature, T, is usually the dominant factor. The energy barrier, the minimum amount of energy that must be suppHed, is called the activation energy, E. A third important factor, known as the frequency factor, is a measure of bond motion freedom (translational, rotational, and vibrational) in the activated complex or transition state. The relationships of yi, E and T to the initiator decomposition rate (kJ) are expressed by the Arrhenius first-order rate equation (eq. 16) where R is the gas constant, and and E are known as the activation parameters. 

The activation parameters for an initiator can be deterrnined at normal atmospheric pressure by plotting In vs 1/T using initiator decomposition rates obtained in dilute solution (0.2 M or lower) at several temperatures. Rate data from dilute solutions are requited in order to avoid higher order reactions such as induced decompositions. The intercept for the resulting straight line is In and the slope of the line is —E jR therefore both and E can be calculated. 

Decomposition late studies on dialkyl peioxydicaibonates ia vaiious solvents leveal diamatic solvent effects that ptimatily lesult fiom the susceptibiUty of peioxydicaibonates to iaduced decompositions. These studies show a decieasiag oidei of stabiUty of peioxydicaibonates ia solvents as follows TCE > saturated hydrocarbons > aromatic hydrocarbons > ketones (29). Decomposition rates are lowest in TCE where radicals are scavenged before they can induce the decomposition of peroxydicarbonate molecules. 

Dioxetanones decompose near or below room temperature to aldehydes or ketones (56). The decomposition reactions are weakly chemiluminescent Qc ca 10 ein/mol) because the products are poorly fluorescent. However, addition of 10 M mbrene provides 2iQc ca 10 ein/mol, and 2iQc on the order of was calculated at mbrene concentrations above 10 M after correcting for yield loss factors (57). The decomposition rates are first order ia... 

HMnO 2H20 [24653-70-1] decomposes at 18°C. Aqueous solutions of permanganic acid below a concentration of 3 wt % are stable over time, whereas in the concentration range of 5—15% HMnO, the decomposition rate increases with increasing initial solution concentration at room temperature (103). 

The kinetics of the reaction are relatively slow and permanganate solutions exhibit greatest stabiUty around a neutral pH. The decomposition rates increase below pH 3 or above pH 10. Potassium permanganate solutions are stable at elevated temperatures, up to approximately 3 N sodium hydroxide, above which decomposition into manganate occurs. 

Because of the delay in decomposition of the peroxide, oxygen evolution follows carbon dioxide sorption. A catalyst is required to obtain total decomposition of the peroxides 2 wt % nickel sulfate often is used. The temperature of the bed is the controlling variable 204°C is required to produce the best decomposition rates (18). The reaction mechanism for sodium peroxide is the same as for lithium peroxide, ie, both carbon dioxide and moisture are required to generate oxygen. Sodium peroxide has been used extensively in breathing apparatus. 

Reaction 1 is the rate-controlling step. The decomposition rate of pure ozone decreases markedly as oxygen builds up due to the effect of reaction 2, which reforms ozone from oxygen atoms. Temperature-dependent equations for the three rate constants obtained by measuriag the decomposition of concentrated and dilute ozone have been given (17—19). 

Therefore, first-order, decomposition rates for alkyl hydroperoxides, ie, from oxygen—oxygen bond homolysis, are vaUd only if induced decomposition reactions... 

Although primary and secondary alkyl hydroperoxides are attacked by free radicals, as in equations 8 and 9, such reactions are not chain scission reactions since the alkylperoxy radicals terminate by disproportionation without forming the new radicals needed to continue the chain (53). Overall decomposition rates are faster than the tme first-order rates if radical-induced decompositions are not suppressed. 

The ultimate fate of the oxygen-centered radicals generated from alkyl hydroperoxides depends on the decomposition environment. In vinyl monomers, hydroperoxides can be used as efficient sources of free radicals because vinyl monomers generally are efficient radical scavengers which effectively suppress induced decomposition. When induced decomposition occurs, the hydroperoxide is decomposed with no net increase of radicals in the system (see eqs. 8, 9, and 10). Hydroperoxides usually are not effective free-radical initiators since radical-induced decompositions significantly decrease the efficiency of radical generation. Thermal decomposition-rate studies in dilute solutions show that alkyl hydroperoxides have 10-h HLTs of 133—172°C. 

Thermal decomposition of 00-acyl O-alkyl monoperoxycarbonates (22, R, = alkyl or aryl) yield first-order decomposition rates between those... 

The first-order decomposition rates of alkyl peroxycarbamates are strongly influenced by stmcture, eg, electron-donating substituents on nitrogen increase the rate of decomposition, and some substituents increase sensitivity to induced decomposition (20). Alkyl peroxycarbamates have been used to initiate vinyl monomer polymerizations and to cure mbbers (244). They Hberate iodine quantitatively from hydriodic acid solutions. Decomposition products include carbon dioxide, hydrazo and azo compounds, amines, imines, and O-alkyUiydroxylarnines. Many peroxycarbamates are stable at ca 20°C but decompose rapidly and sometimes violently above 80°C (20,44). 

Pyrotechnic mixtures may also contain additional components that are added to modify the bum rate, enhance the pyrotechnic effect, or serve as a binder to maintain the homogeneity of the blended mixture and provide mechanical strength when the composition is pressed or consoHdated into a tube or other container. These additional components may also function as oxidizers or fuels in the composition, and it can be anticipated that the heat output, bum rate, and ignition sensitivity may all be affected by the addition of another component to a pyrotechnic composition. An example of an additional component is the use of a catalyst, such as iron oxide, to enhance the decomposition rate of ammonium perchlorate. Diatomaceous earth or coarse sawdust may be used to slow up the bum rate of a composition, or magnesium carbonate (an acid neutralizer) may be added to help stabilize mixtures that contain an acid-sensitive component such as potassium chlorate. Binders include such materials as dextrin (partially hydrolyzed starch), various gums, and assorted polymers such as poly(vinyl alcohol), epoxies, and polyesters. Polybutadiene mbber binders are widely used as fuels and binders in the soHd propellant industry. The production of colored flames is enhanced by the presence of chlorine atoms in the pyrotechnic flame, so chlorine donors such as poly(vinyl chloride) or chlorinated mbber are often added to color-producing compositions, where they also serve as fuels. 

Thermal decomposition of spent acids, eg, sulfuric acid, is required as an intermediate step at temperatures sufficientiy high to completely consume the organic contaminants by combustion temperatures above 1000°C are required. Concentrated acid can be made from the sulfur oxides. Spent acid is sprayed into a vertical combustion chamber, where the energy required to heat and vaporize the feed and support these endothermic reactions is suppHed by complete combustion of fuel oil plus added sulfur, if further acid production is desired. High feed rates of up to 30 t/d of uniform spent acid droplets are attained with a single rotary atomizer and decomposition rates of ca 400 t/d are possible (98). 

Chemical Properties. Anhydrous sodium dithionite is combustible and can decompose exothermically if subjected to moisture. Sulfur dioxide is given off violentiy if the dry salt is heated above 190°C. At room temperature, in the absence of oxygen, alkaline (pH 9—12) aqueous solutions of dithionite decompose slowly over a matter of days. Increased temperature dramatically increases the decomposition rate. A representation of the decomposition chemistry is as follows ... 

The solutions are most stable above pH 11 where the decomposition rate is nearly independent of pH. In this region, the decomposition rate has a second-order dependence on the concentration of hypochlorite. It also increases with increa sing ionic strength. Thus concentrated solutions decompose much faster than dilute solutions. Because of an unusually high activation energy, the decomposition rate increases greatiy with temperature. Nevertheless, solutions with less than about 6% available chlorine and a pH above 11 have acceptable long-term stabiUty below about 30°C. 

Below pH 11, the decomposition rate becomes dependent on pH and the mechanism becomes more compHcated. The rate increases greatiy as the... 

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