Heat release kinetics in the reaction of decane with nitric acid

The kinetics of the reaction of decane with nitric acid (25.07-75.53 %) at 57.8 to 119 degrees C in an acid-decane-gas triphasic system was studied. The main contribution to the rate of heat release is made by the oxidation of decane with nitrogen dioxide in the organic phase proceeding via the mechanism of a degenerate branched-chain reaction. Nitration plays the role of a chain termination reaction. The acid phase is the source of NO2, whose content increases with oxidation. The equilibrium of the nitrogen dioxide distribution in the triphasic system was analyzed. The kinetic law of the reaction, the dependences of the reaction constants of the initial and catalytic stages on temperature and the acid phase composition were determined. The results allow one to calculate the rate of heat release in the decane-HNO3 system under any conditions of the process.