N + CN → C + N 2: A global potential energy surface, entrance channel recrossing and the applicability of capture theory

Terry J. Frankcombe*, Steven D. McNeil, Gunnar Nyman

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    9 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    A global potential energy surface for the CN2 system has been developed with the aim of studying the N+CN→C+N2 reaction at low temperatures. A three-dimensional analytic functional form has been fit to CASPT3/cc-pVQZ energies. Classical trajectory simulations on this fitted representation of the potential show a significant proportion of trajectories returning to the entrance channel after forming the CN2 intermediate, violating a key assumption of capture theory. While the fitted potential is considered inappropriate for calculating accurate low-temperature thermal rate constants, the potential can be used in future studies of the poorly characterised N+CN and C+N2 reactions at temperatures relevant to combustion.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)40-43
    Number of pages4
    JournalChemical Physics Letters
    Volume514
    Issue number1-3
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 27 Sept 2011

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