Computational Study of the Reaction of n-Bromopropane with OH Radicals and Cl Atoms

Ab initio molecular orbital theory is utilized to study the hydrogen abstraction reaction of n-bromopropane with hydroxyl radical and chlorine atom. The stability of the trans and gauche isomers of n-bromopropane is explored. The potential energy surface of both reactions is characterized by pre- and post-reactive complexes, as well as transition state structures in both trans and gauche isomeric forms. The importance of these two reactions relies on the ultimate product distribution from both reactions. Differences in the reactivity of 1-bromopropane toward OH and Cl are observed. The reaction of n-bromopropane with OH radical favors the abstraction of β hydrogen atoms while the reaction with Cl atoms favors the abstraction of hydrogen atoms at the α and β carbon sites.