Experimental and theoretical studies of the methylidyne CH(X2II) radical reaction with ethane (C2H6):: Overall rate constant and product channels

The reaction of CH with ethane was studied, at room temperature, in a low-pressure fast-flow reactor. CH(X(2)Pi, v = 0) radicals were obtained from the reactions of CHBr3 with potassium atoms. The overall rate constant is found at 300 K to be (1.6 +/- 0.6) x 10(-10) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1). The absolute atomic hydrogen production was determined by V.U.V. resonance fluorescence, the reference used being the H production from the CH + CH4 reaction. The H atoms production from the CH + C2H6 reaction was found equal to 22 +/- 8%. Ab initio studies of the different stationary points relevant to this reaction and RRKM calculations have been performed for comparison with experimental results.