Theoretical Studies on the Dynamics of the Fluorine Atom Reaction with trans-1,3-butadiene

Theoretical studies of F atom reaction with trans-1,3-butadiene were carried out at the CCSD(T)/6-311G(d,p)/B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) levels. Energies and structures for all reactants, products and transition states were determined. Two reaction pathways involving the formation of the complexes CH2CHCHFCH2 and CH2CHCHCH2F were found in this reaction. Theoretical results suggest that the H atom channel observed in previous crossed beam experiment occurs likely via these two long-lived complex formation pathways. For the complex CH2CHCHFCH2 pathway, another reaction channel (C2H3+C2H3F) is also accessible. Relative importance of the C2H3+C2H3F channel versus the H formation channel via the same reaction pathway has also been estimated, suggesting that it would be difficult to observe the C2H3+C2H3F channel in a crossed molecular beam experiment. Theoretical analysis also shows that the HF formation proceeds via direct abstraction mechanisms, though it is likely a minor process in this reaction.