Computational study on the existence of organic peroxy radical-water complexes (RO2.H2O)

J Phys Chem A. 2008 Feb 21;112(7):1587-95. doi: 10.1021/jp077266d. Epub 2008 Jan 29.

Abstract

The existence of a series of organic peroxy radical-water complexes [CH3O2.H2O (methyl peroxy); CH3CH2O2.H2O (ethyl peroxy); CH3C(O)O2.H2O (acetyl peroxy); CH3C(O)CH2O2.H2O (acetonyl peroxy); CH2(OH)O2.H2O (hydroxyl methyl peroxy); CH2(OH)CH2O2.H2O (2-hydroxy ethyl peroxy); CH2(F)O2.H2O (fluoro methyl peroxy); CH2(F)CH2O2.H2O (2-fluoro ethyl peroxy)] is evaluated using high level ab initio calculations. A wide range of binding energies is predicted for these complexes, in which the difference in binding energies can be explained by examination of the composition of the R group attached to the peroxy moiety. The general trend in binding energies has been determined to be as follows: fluorine approximately alkyl < carbonyl < alcohol. The weakest bound complex, CH3O2.H2O, is calculated to be bound by 2.3 kcal mol-1, and the strongest, the CH2(OH)O2.H2O complex, is bound by 5.1 kcal mol-1. The binding energy of the peroxy radical-water complexes which contain carbonyl and alcohol groups indicates that these complexes may perturb the kinetics and product branching ratios of reactions involving these complexes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Computer Simulation*
  • Free Radicals / chemistry
  • Hydrogen Bonding
  • Models, Chemical*
  • Peroxides / chemistry*
  • Quantum Theory
  • Water / chemistry*

Substances

  • Free Radicals
  • Peroxides
  • Water