Temperature dependence of the rate coefficients for the reactions of atomic bromine with toluene, tetrahydrofuran, and tetrahydropyran

The rate coefficients for the reactions of atomic bromine with toluene, tetrahydrofuran, and tetrahydropyran were measured from approximately 295 to 362 K using the relative rate method. Iso-octane was used as the reference compound for the reaction with toluene, and iso-octane and toluene were used as the reference compounds for the reaction with tetrahydrofuran; tetrahydrofuran was used as the reference compound for the reaction with tetrahydropyran. The rate coefficients were found to be unaffected by changes in pressure and oxygen concentration. The rate coefficient ratios were converted to absolute values using the absolute rate coefficient for the reaction of Br with the reference compound. The absolute rate coefficients, in the units cm³ molecule^-1 s^-1, for the reaction of Br with toluene are given by k(T) = (3.7 ± 1.7) x 10^-12 exp(-(1.63 ± 0.15) x 10³/T), for the reaction of Br with tetrahydrofuran by k(T) = (3.7 ± 2.7) x 10^-10 exp(-(2.20 ± 0.22) x 10³/T), and for the reaction of Br with tetrahydropyran by k(T) = (3.6 ± 1.8) x 10^-10 exp(-(2.35 ± 0.16) x 10³/T). The uncertainties represent one standard deviation. The Arrhenius parameters for these reactions are compared with results in the literature for dimethyl ether, diethyl ether, and a series of saturated hydrocarbons, and the effects of structural variation on these parameters are identified.