Unimolecular reactions Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel theory

In the statistical description of ununolecular kinetics, known as Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel-Marcus (RRKM) theory [4,7,8], it is assumed that complete IVR occurs on a timescale much shorter than that for the unimolecular reaction [9]. Furdiemiore, to identify states of the system as those for the reactant, a dividing surface [10], called a transition state, is placed at the potential energy barrier region of the potential energy surface. The assumption implicit m RRKM theory is described in the next section. 

The RRKM (after Rice, Ramsperger, Kassel, and Marcus) theory is, basically, transition-state theory (see, in particular, the description in Section 6.2) applied to a unimolecular reaction. Thus, one focuses on the activated complex... 

In more detail, our approach can be briefly summarized as follows gas-phase reactions, surface structures, and gas-surface reactions are treated at an ab initio level, using either cluster or periodic (plane-wave) calculations for surface structures, when appropriate. The results of these calculations are used to calculate reaction rate constants within the transition state (TS) or Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel-Marcus (RRKM) theory for bimolecular gas-phase reactions or unimolecular and surface reactions, respectively. The structure and energy characteristics of various surface groups can also be extracted from the results of ab initio calculations. Based on these results, a chemical mechanism can be constructed for both gas-phase reactions and surface growth. The film growth process is modeled within the kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) approach, which provides an effective separation of fast and slow processes on an atomistic scale. The results of Monte Carlo (MC) simulations can be used in kinetic modeling based on formal chemical kinetics. 

Theoretical Expressions. The Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel-Marcus (RRKM14) theory of unimolecular reactions employs a quantum statis-... 

The most common theory used to treat bimolecular recombination and unimolecular dissociation reactions in the literature is a statistical theory, "RRKM" theory (Rice, Ramsperger, Kassel, Marcus) [34-39]. However, symmetrical iso-topomers such as and have fewer intramolecu-... 

The most accepted modern activation theory for the outer electron transfer is that of Rudolph A. Marcus (Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1992) [14], which is different from the transition state theory. His studies on unimolecular reactions and the transition and collision theories committed him to elaborate on the Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel-Marcus (RRKM) theory in 1952. This theory is an extension of the previous RRK theory proposed by Rice, Ramsperger, and Kassel between 1927 and 1928. Moreover, Hush and Marcus further extended the electron transfer theory of Marcus for inner electron transfers [15-17]. 

Multifrequency Quantum Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel (QRRK) is a method used to predict temperature and pressure-dependent rate coefficients for complex bimolecular chemical activation and unimolecular dissociation reactions. Both the forward and reverse paths are included for adducts, but product formation is not reversible in the analysis. A three-frequency version of QRRK theory is developed coupled with a Master Equation model to account for collisional deactivation (fall-off). The QRRK/Master Equation analysis is described thoroughly by Chang et al. [62, 63]. 

In this spirit, we will also briefly describe the basis for some of the microscopic kinetic theories of unimolecular reaction rates that have arisen from nonlinear dynamics. Unlike the classical versions of Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel-Marcus (RRKM) theory and transition state theory, these theories explicitly take into account nonstatistical dynamical effects such as barrier recrossing, quasiperiodic trapping (both of which generally slow down the reaction rate), and other interesting effects. The implications for quantum dynamics are currently an active area of investigation. 

In recent years the semiclassical "statistical theory of RICE, RAMSPERGER, KASSEL, and MARCUS /136/ has made great progress in its development. The computational techniques of this theory provide the possibility of calculating the velocities of unimolecular reactions using suitable, models for the activated complex. This approach is certainly very useful for a correlation of the experimental facts and a description of various aspects of the observed phenomena. The success of such applications of the RRKM-theory does not at all preclude an alternative treatment based on the collision theory of... 

Rate constants for unimolecular homogeneous PH3 decomposition were calculated by the Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel-Marcus (RRKM) theory and by the use of estimated values for the activation energies. Rate constants at the high-pressure limit for reaction (5), log(k/s)= 14.18-11 610/T [5] or 14.00-12610/T [4], include activation energies of 222 or 241 kJ/mol, respectively. Calculated rate constants for reaction (6) are log(k/s)=15.74-18 040/T with an activation energy of 345 kJ/mol. At 900 K PH formation is thus predicted to exceed PH2 formation by a factor -10. Calculated fall-off pressures for both reactions which indicate the onset of second-order decomposition, are quite high, about 10 Torr in an H2 bath gas [5]. 

Rice, Ramsperger, and Kassel developed a simple theory, now known as RRK theory, which contains many fundamental elements underlying most modem theories of unimolecular reaction. According to RRK theory, the... 

The QET is formally identical to the Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel-Marcus (RRKM) theory of unimolecular decay, in which the rate constant for dissociation to reaction products of an energized species with total angular momentum J and internal energy E over a barrier of Eq is given by the following relation ... 

Transition state theory (TST) and Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel-Marcus (RRKM) theory are the theories most widely used to calculate the rate constant. TST is used to study bimolecular reactions and RRKM theory is the generalization of TST which is applicable for unimolecular reactions. 

Rice and Ramsperger and independently Kassel proposed the theories to explain unimolecular reaction, in which both (k2) and (kfk[) have been treated as dependent on the energy of an individual energized molecule E. These theories jointly are referred as RRK theory. According to the theory the expression for the first order rate constant given by Lindemann theory i.e. 

The quasi-equilibrium theory (QET) of mass spectra is a theoretical approach to describe the unimolecular decompositions of ions and hence their mass spectra. [12-14,14] QET has been developed as an adaptation of Rice-Ramsperger-Marcus-Kassel (RRKM) theory to fit the conditions of mass spectrometry and it represents a landmark in the theory of mass spectra. [11] In the mass spectrometer almost all processes occur under high vacuum conditions, i.e., in the highly diluted gas phase, and one has to become aware of the differences to chemical reactions in the condensed phase as they are usually carried out in the laboratory. [15,16] Consequently, bimolecular reactions are rare and the chemistry in a mass spectrometer is rather the chemistry of isolated ions in the gas phase. Isolated ions are not in thermal equilibrium with their surroundings as assumed by RRKM theory. Instead, to be isolated in the gas phase means for an ion that it may only internally redistribute energy and that it may only undergo unimolecular reactions such as isomerization or dissociation. This is why the theory of unimolecular reactions plays an important role in mass spectrometry. 

Rice, Ramsperger, and Kassel [206,333,334] developed further refinements in the theory of unimolecular reactions in what is known as RRK theory. Kassel extended the model to account for quantum effects [207] this treatment is known as QRRK theory. 

The RRK (after Rice, Ramsperger, and Kassel) theory is, like the Slater theory, a model for a unimolecular reaction rather than a faithful representation. The molecule is again represented by a collection of s uncoupled harmonic oscillators, which is an exact representation close to a stationary point on the potential energy surface. One of these... 

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