Transition state structure, energetics, and rate constants for the CH4 +F(2P)→CH3 +HF reaction

Abstract: The CH4 +F(2P)→CH3 +HF abstraction reaction was investigated using the BH&HLYP, MP2, and CCSD(T) approaches, and two series of correlation consistent basis sets. At the CCSD(T)/cc-pVTZ level, the classical barrier height (ΔV #), and the vibrationally adiabatic ground-state barrier height () are equal to 1.8 and 0.5kcal/mol, respectively. CCSD(T)/cc-pVQZ calculations give a value for the enthalpy of reaction at 0K () of −31.5kcal/mol (Expt. −32.1kcal/mol). Rate constants calculated with the zero-order interpolated variational transition state (IVTST-0) method are in agreement with experiment. The activation energy computed as local two-points slopes of Arrhenius plots in the temperature range of 200–400K, equal to 0.59kcal/mol, is also in good agreement with experiment (0.53kcal/mol). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]