Journal of Physical Chemistry A, Vol.105, No.21, 5260-5265, 2001
Thermal decomposition pathways and rates for dimethylaluminum hydride
Calculations have been carried out for the thermal decomposition of dimethylaluminum hydride (DMAlH), For each decomposition pathway, the stationary point geometries and harmonic frequencies were characterized using complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF)/derivative methods and the correlation consistent polarized valence double-zeta; (cc-pVDZ) basis set. Accurate energetics were obtained by combining the coupled cluster singles and doubles with perturbational estimate of triples [CCSD(T)] results using the cc-pVTZ basis set with an extrapolation to the basis set limit using the cc-pVDZ, cc-pVTZ, and cc-pVQZ basis sets at the Moller-Plesset second-order perturbation theory (MP2) level. The geometries, energetics, and harmonic frequencies were used to obtain rate constants using conventional transition state theory. It was found that the lowest energy pathway leads to CH3AlCH2 + H-2 with a barrier of 71.1 kcal/mol, which is below the first product resulting from direct bond breaking (CH3Al + CH3 at 82.2 kcal/mol). Decomposition of DMAlH dimer was also considered. The rate-limiting step here is elimination of Hz from the DMAlH dimer, and the best estimate of the barrier for this process is 80 kcal/mol [from CCSD(T) calculations with the cc-pVDZ basis set]. This barrier is too large for this pathway to play a major role in Al chemical vapor deposition.