Reaction of chlorine atom with trichlorosilane from 296 to 473 K.

The reaction of trichlorosilane (HSiCl(3)) with atomic chlorine (Cl) has been investigated by using infrared kinetic spectroscopy of the HCl product. The overall second order rate constant for the reaction has been determined as a function of temperature by using pseudo-first-order kinetic methods. Formation of HCl (nu=0) was monitored on the (nu=1<--0) R(2) line at 2944.914 cm(-1) and that of HCl (nu=1) on the (nu=2<--1) R(2) line at 2839.148 cm(-1). The overall second order rate constant was determined to be (2.8+/-0.1)x10(-11) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) at 296 K. The rate constant shows no pressure dependence and decreases slightly with increased temperature [k=(2.3+/-0.2)x10(-11)e((66+/-3)/T) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1)]. Substantial vibrational excitation is measured in the HCl product, with the fraction of HCl (nu=1)/HCl (total)=0.41+/-0.08. These observations are consistent with the reaction being a barrierless hydrogen abstraction reaction. The experimental results are supported by ab initio quantum chemical calculations that show the transition state for abstraction to lie below the energy of the reactants, in disagreement with previously published calculations.