Combustion chemistry via metadynamics: Benzyl decomposition revisited

Large polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are thought to be responsible for the formation of soot particles in combustion processes. However, there are still uncertainties on the course that leads small molecules to form PAHs. This is largely due to the high number of reactions and intermediates involved. Metadynamics combined with ab initio molecular dynamics can provide a very precious contribution because offers the possibility to explore new possible pathways and suggest new mechanisms. Here, we adopt this method to investigate the chemical evolution of the benzyl radical, whose role is very important in PAHs growth. This species has been intensely studied, and though most of its chemistry is known, there are still open questions regarding its decomposition. The simulation reproduces the most commonly accepted decomposition pathway and it suggests also a new one which can explain recent experimental data that are in contradiction with the old mechanism. In addition, quantitative free energy evaluation of some key reaction steps sheds light on the role of entropy.