Interpretation of kinetic isotope effects in the decomposition of N2O overCoO

Nitrogen and oxygen kinetic isotope effects on the decomposition of N2O on CoO powder, determined experimentally in the temperature range of 575-775 K and at initial N2O pressures in the range of 40-60 kPa, were interpreted t heoretically following the Bigeleisen formalism. Four models of the transit ion state of the rate determining step were used (linear and bent NNO, cis ONNO, and fork-type NNOO) but only a bent NNO transition state with an inte rbond angle of 110-140 degrees is consistent with previous experimental dat a. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.