Theoretical study on the mechanism of the NCO + HCNO reaction.

The complex doublet potential surface of the NCO + HCNO reaction has been investigated at the QCISD(T)/6-311g(d,p)//UB3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level. We have found 29 isomers on the potential surface, which are connected by 38 transition states. The single-point energy calculations are performed at the high-level QCISD(T)/6-311G(d,p) for more accurate energy values. In various possible initial association ways, the end-N attack leading to HC2N2O2 a1 and a2 is the most favorable association way through a barrierless process. Through the thermodynamic and kinetic analyses, the product NO + CO + HCN should be the major product in both the low- and high-temperature conditions for its low-energy determination transition state. Our calculation is consistent with the available data in low-temperature condition and expected to be confirmed in the high-temperature condition.