The potential energy surface for the decomposition of methyl hypochlorite (
CH3OCl) is calculated using G2MP2 theory. Geometries, vibrational frequenci
es, IR intensities and relative energies for various stationary points have
been determined. The obtained vibrational frequencies and IR intensities f
or CH3OCl are in good agreement with the experimental values. The calculate
d reaction heats are also in accord with the available data in the literatu
re. Among the unimolecular decomposition paths of CH3OCl, the formation of
HCl and CH2O is suggested to be the major one, (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.
V. All rights reserved.