Intramolecular vibrational-energy decomposition

Meagher J F, Chao K J, Barker J R and Rabinovitch B S 1974 Intramolecular vibrational energy relaxation. Decomposition of a series of chemically activated fluoroalkyl cyclopropanes J. Phys. Chem. 78 2535 3... 

For many of the model molecules studied by the trajectory simulations, the decay of P t) was exponential with a decay constant equal to the RRKM rate constant. However, for some models with widely disparate vibrational frequencies and/or masses, decay was either nonexponential or exponential with a decay constant larger than k E) determined from the intercept of P(f). This behavior occurs when some of the molecule s vibrational states are inaccessible or only weakly coupled. Thus, a micro-canonical ensemble is not maintained during the molecule s decomposition. These studies were a harbinger for what is known now regarding inelficient intramolecular vibrational energy redistribution (IVR) in weakly coupled systems such as van der Waals molecules and mode-specific unimolecular dynamics. 

The first step in a unimolecular reaction involves energizing the reactant molecule above its decomposition threshold. An accurate description of the ensuing unimolecular reaction requires an understanding of the state prepared by this energization process. In the first part of this chapter experimental procedures for energizing a reactant molecule are reviewed. This is followed by a description of the vibrational/rotational states prepared for both small and large molecules. For many experimental situations a superposition state is prepared, so that intramolecular vibrational energy redistribution (IVR) may occur (Parmenter, 1982). IVR is first discussed quantum mechanically from both time-dependent and time-independent perspectives. The chapter ends with a discussion of classical trajectory studies of IVR. 

Dynaniical theories of unimolecuiar decomposition deal with the properties of vibrational/rotational energy levels, state preparation and intramolecular vibrational energy redistribution (IVR). Thus, the presentation in this chapter draws extensively on the previous chapters 2 and 4. Unimolecuiar decomposition d)mamics can be treated using quantum and classical mechanics, and both perspectives are considered here. The role of nonadiabatic electronic transitions in unimolecuiar dynamics is also discussed. 

The reason for the observation of the direct trajectory is believed to involve the relation between inefficient stmctural transitions and inefficient intramolecular vibrational energy redistribution. This relation has also been identified in the unimolecular decomposition of fluxional molecules, for... 

RRKM theory assumes the mieroeanonieal ensemble exists at t = 0 and is maintained during the unimolecular decomposition. For the latter to occur, repopulation of the decomposing states results from rapid intramolecular vibrational energy redistribution (IVR). The states are strongly coupled. 

The thermal decompositions of diazirines appear to be homogeneous, uni-molecular processes " . Cyclic diazirines decompose with a slightly smaller activation energy (Table 14) due to ring strain. Product distributions presumably result from intramolecular rearrangement of carbene intermediates, and the fact that the product ratios differ from those obtained on photolysis supports the hypothesis that the carbenes generated photolytically contain considerable excess vibrational energy. 

The first classical trajectory study of iinimoleciilar decomposition and intramolecular motion for realistic anhannonic molecular Hamiltonians was perfonned by Bunker [12,13], Both intrinsic RRKM and non-RRKM dynamics was observed in these studies. Since this pioneering work, there have been numerous additional studies [9,k7,30,M,M, ai d from which two distinct types of intramolecular motion, chaotic and quasiperiodic [14], have been identified. Both are depicted in figure A3,12,7. Chaotic vibrational motion is not regular as predicted by tire nonnal-mode model and, instead, there is energy transfer between the modes. If all the modes of the molecule participate in the chaotic motion and energy flow is sufficiently rapid, an initial microcanonical ensemble is maintained as the molecule dissociates and RRKM behaviour is observed [9], For non-random excitation initial apparent non-RRKM behaviour is observed, but at longer times a microcanonical ensemble of states is fonned and the probability of decomposition becomes that of RRKM theory. 

As discussed in section A3.12.2. intrinsic non-RRKM behaviour occurs when there is at least one bottleneck for transitions between the reactant molecule s vibrational states, so drat IVR is slow and a microcanonical ensemble over the reactant s phase space is not maintained during the unimolecular reaction. The above discussion of mode-specific decomposition illustrates that there are unimolecular reactions which are intrinsically non-RRKM. Many van der Waals molecules behave in this maimer [4,82]. For example, in an initial microcanonical ensemble for the ( 211 )2 van der Waals molecule both the C2H4—C2H4 intennolecular modes and C2H4 intramolecular modes are excited with equal probabilities. However, this microcanonical ensemble is not maintained as the dimer dissociates. States with energy in the intermolecular modes react more rapidly than do those with the C2H4 intramolecular modes excited [85]. 

The consequence of the restrictions imposed by the product rule on vibrational frequencies of transition states and critical energies of decompositions is that there is generally very little leeway in the mechanistic interpretation of intramolecular kinetic isotope effects. There are tight constraints upon the type of transition state structure consistent with a given intramolecular kinetic isotope effect. 

---