Theoretical Investigations on the Mechanisms for the Reactions of Sevoflurane Radicals [(CF_3)_2C(·)OCH_2F, (CF_3)_2CHOC(·)HF] with O_2 and the OH·Radicals Regeneration
Sevoflurane is an excellent volatile anaesthetic which has been widely in clinical use. However, it was found that sevoflurane is a potent green-house gas with a significant global warming potential. Atmospheric degradation of sevoflurane is desired for its long-term application. The reaction of sevoflurane with hydroxyl radicals (OH·) produces two radical species, namely, (CF_3)_2C(·)OCH_2F and (CF_3)_2CHOC(·)HF, which have different reactivity. Under the low-NO atmospheric conditions, it was found that both radical fragments enable to initialize the regeneration of OH·radicals in the presence of molecular oxygen (O_2). Microscopic mechanisms for the reactions of the two radicals with O_2 have been investigated for the first time in this work. Geometries of various intermediates and transition states on the doublet potential energy surfaces were optimized at the M06-2X/6-311++G (d,p) level of theory. Moreover, the single-point calculations were carried out using the composite model CBS-Q to refine the reaction energetics to the chemical accuracy. It was revealed that the formation of peroxy intermediate (RO_2·) undergoes via the definitive barriers of 1.3 or 1.8 kcal·mol~(-1), in contrast to the barrierless association between the alkyl radicals and O_2. Apparently, the association of the fluorinated alkyl radicals with O_2 takes place more slowly due to the substitute effect. Although the addition of O_2 to the fluorine-rich radical site is more preferable than that to the fluorine-poor site, the latter is more exothermic in view of the exothermicity of the intermediates RO_2·. The barriers for the subsequent H-migration of RO_2·to form the QOOH intermediates are 17.9 and 21.5 kcal·mol~(-1), respectively. Both barriers lie well below the reactant asymptote, indicating the isomerization paths are energetically favorable. Decomposition of QOOH takes place via three competitive mechanisms, including the step-wise bond fission, the three-body concerted cleavage, and the four-center intramolecular S_N2 reaction, to produce OH·radicals predominantly. All the reaction pathways could be competitive for (CF_3)_2C(OC(·)HF)OOH because the energies of the corresponding barriers are close. In contrast, only the S_N2 displacement energetic route is dominant for (CF_3)_2C(·)OC(HF)(OOH). Neither step-wise nor three-body pathways is important because the barrier height is roughly 7 kcal·mol~(-1) higher than that for the S_N2 pathway. The isomerization of QOOH to alkoxy intermediate is of little importance due to the significant barrier even though it is highly exothermic. Implication of the current theoretical findings in the OH·radicals recycling reaction in atmosphere has been illustrated.