KinBot: Automated Reaction Kinetics of Gas-Phase Organic Species over Multiwell Potential Energy Surfaces

Description

This repository contains the KinBot code version 2.4.1, a tool for automatically searching for reactions on the potential energy surface.

If you are using this tool in scientific publications, please reference the following publications:

• Ruben Van de Vijver, Judit Zádor: KinBot: Automated stationary point search on potential energy surfaces, Comp. Phys. Comm., 2019, 248, 106947. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpc.2019.106947

@article{Vijver2020,
   author = {Van de Vijver, Ruben and Z\'ador, Judit},
   title = {KinBot: Automated stationary point search on potential energy surfaces},
   journal = {Comput. Phys. Commun.},
   volume = {248},
   pages = {106947},
   year = {2020},
   type = {Journal Article}
}

• Judit Zádor, Carles Martí, Ruben Van de Vijver, Sommer L. Johansen, Yoona Yang, Hope A. Michelsen, Habib N. Najm: Automated reaction kinetics of gas-phase organic species over multiwell potential energy surfaces, J. Phys. Chem. A, 2023, 127, 565–588. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpca.2c06558

@article{Zador2022,
   author = {Z\'ador, Judit and Mart\'i, Carles and Van de Vijver, Ruben and Johansen, Sommer L. and Yang, Yoona and Michelsen, Hope A. and Najm, Habib N.},
   title = {Automated reaction kinetics of gas-phase organic species over multiwell potential energy surfaces},
   journal = {J. Phys. Chem. A},
   volume = {127},
   pages = {565-588},
   year = {2023},
   type = {Journal Article}
}

We appreciate if you send us the DOI of your published paper that used KinBot, so we can feature it here below.

How to Install

KinBot can be installed in three different ways: from the PyPI index (pip install), from the conda-forge repo (conda install), or by cloning this github repo and installing it locally.

PyPI

pip install kinbot

Note KinBot only works with Python >= 3.11.

To use the FAIRChem/UMA machine-learning interatomic potential backend (qc = 'fc'), install the optional fc dependencies (this also pulls in fairchem-core, torch, and a compatible numpy/scipy):

pip install kinbot[fc]

The optional plot extra (matplotlib, pyvis, rdkit) enables the plotting utilities:

pip install kinbot[plot]

conda-forge

conda install -c conda-forge kinbot

From Github

If you want to have the very last version of KinBot without waiting for a release or you want to modify KinBot according to your needs you can clone the project from github:

git clone git@github.com:zadorlab/KinBot.git

and then, from within the KinBot directory produced after cloning, type:

pip install -e .

Note If you want to modify KinBot yourself it's better to fork the project into your own repository and then clone it.

How to Run

To run a single-well exploration of KinBot, make an input file (e.g. input.json) and run:

kinbot input.json

To run a full PES search, make an input file (e.g. input.json) and run:

pes input.json

You can find additional command line arguments in the manual.

Documentation

See the wiki for keywords, and our tutorial for a more hands-on introduction to the code.

List of files in this project

See list.

Authors

• Judit Zádor (jzador@sandia.gov)
• Ruben Van de Vijver
• Amanda Dewyer
• Carles Martí
• Clément Soulié (csoulie@sandia.gov)

Papers using KinBot

1. Kendall, D. T., Zádorm J.: Benchmarking the UMA foundation interatomic potential for gas-phase chemical kinetics J. Phys. Chem. A, 2026, 130, 4450-4468. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jpca.6c01748
2. Kjaersgaard, A., Zádor J., Zwier, T. S., Shiels, O.J., Sheps, L.: Measurement of the CH3SCH2O2 -> CH2SCH2OOH rate coefficient and mass spectrometric characterization of hydroperoxymethyl thioformate (HPMTF) at T = 400 – 550 K. J. Phys. Chem. A, 2025, 129, 10452-10462. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpca.5c06279
3. Shiels, O. J., Kjaersgaard, A., Zádor, J., Sheps, L.: Low-temperature autooxidation of cyclopentanone and 3-pentanone: The critical role of competing radical chain-branching and chain inhibiting pathways. Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2025, 27, 23813-23825. https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CP03403E
4. Osborn, D. L., Samanta, B. R., Soulié, C., Reisler, H., Zádor, J.: Chemistry of sugar formation in the gas phase: Following the activated aldehyde. J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2025 147, 32468–32479. https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.5c05357
5. Hansen, N., Gaiser, N., Bierkandt, T., Oßwald, P., Köhler, M., Zádor, J., Hemberger, P.: Identification of dihydropentalenes as products of the molecular-weight growth reaction of cyclopentadienyl plus propargyl. J. Phys. Chem. A, 2025, 129, 1714-1725. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpca.4c06549
6. Wang, Z.-M., Wang, D., Mansy, A. E., Tian, Z.-Y.: Pyrolysis and kinetic modeling investigation of 1-methoxy-2-propanol. Combust. Flame, 2025, 271, 113804. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.combustflame.2024.113804
7. Almeida, T. G., Martí, C., Kurtén, T., Zádor, J., Johansen, S. L.: Theoretical analysis of the OH-Initiated atmospheric oxidation reactions of imidazole. Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2024, 26, 23570-23587. https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CP02103G
8. Yuan, E. C.-Y., Kumar, A., Guan, X., Hermes, E. D., Rosen, A. S., Zádor, J., Head-Gordon, T., Blau, S. M.: Analytical ab initio Hessian from a Deep Learning Potential for Transition State Optimization. Nat. Comm., 2024, 15, 8865. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-52481-5
9. Doner, A. C., Zádor, J., Rotavera, B.: Stereoisomer-dependent rate coefficients and reaction mechanisms of 2-ethyloxetanylperoxy radicals. Proc. Combust. Inst., 2024, 40, 105578. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proci.2024.105578
10. Hansen, N. A, Price, T. D., Filardi, L. R., Gurses, S. M., Zhou, W., Hansen, N., Osborn, D. L. Zádor, J., Kronawitter, C. X.: The photoionization of methoxymethanol: Fingerprinting a reactive C2 oxygenate in a complex reactive mixture. J. Chem. Phys., 2024, 160, 124306. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0197827
11. Martí, C., Devereux, C., Najm, H. N., Zádor, J.: Evaluation of rate coefficients in the gas-phase using a machine learned potential. J. Phys. Chem. A, 2024, 128, 1958–1971. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpca.3c07872
12. Lang, J., Foley, C. D., Thawoos, S., Behzadfar, A., Liu, Y., Zádor, J., Suits, A. G.: Reaction dynamics of S(3P) with 1,3-butadiene and isoprene: Crossed beam scattering, low temperature flow experiments, and high-level electronic structure calculations. Farad. Discuss., 2024, 251, 550-572. https://doi.org/10.1039/D4FD00009A
13. Wang, D., Tian, Z.-Y., Zheng, Z.-H., Li, W., Wu, L.-N., Kuang, J.-J., Yang, J.-Z.: Experimental and modeling study of the n, n-dimethylformamide pyrolysis at atmospheric pressure. Combust. Flame, 2024, 260, 113240. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.combustflame.2023.113240
14. Wang, D. Dai, W.-K., Tian, Z.-Y., Liu, Y.-W., Wang, Z.-M., Wu, L.-N., Kuang, J.-J., Wang ,Q.-P., Xu, Q., Wang, Z.-D.: Theoretical and experimental study on the pyrolysis of N-methylpyrrolidone. J Anal Appl Pyrolysis, 2024, 183, 106751. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaap.2024.106751
15. Doner, A. C., Zádor, J., Rotavera, B.: Unimolecular reactions of 2,4-dimethyloxetanyl radicals. J. Phys. Chem A, 2023, 127, 2591–2600 https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpca.2c08290
16. Li, H., Lang, J., Foley, C. D., Zádor, J., Suits, A. G.: Sulfur (3P) reaction with conjugated dienes gives cyclization to thiophenes under single collision conditions. J. Phys. Chem. Letters, 2023, 14, 7611–7617. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpclett.3c01953
17. Martí, C., Michelsen, H. A., Najm, H. N., Zádor, J.: Comprehensive kinetics on the C7H7 potential energy surface under combustion conditions. J. Phys. Chem. A, 2023, 127, 1941–1959. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/acs.jpca.2c08035
18. Zádor, J, Martí, C., Van de Vijver, R., Johansen, S. L., Yang, Y., Michelsen, H. A., Najm, H. N.: Automated reaction kinetics of gas-phase organic species over multiwell potential energy surfaces. J. Phys. Chem. A, 2023, 127, 565–588. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpca.2c06558
19. Lockwood, K. S., Ahmed, S. F., Huq, N. A., Stutzman, S. C., Foust, T. D., Labbe, N. J.: Advances in predictive chemistry enable a multi-scale rational design approach for biofuels with advantaged properties Sustainable Energy Fuels, 2022, 6, 5371-5383. https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SE00773H
20. Takahashi, L., Yoshida, S., Fujima, J., Oikawa, H., Takahashi, K.: Unveiling the reaction pathways of hydrocarbons via experiments, computations and data science. Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2022, 24, 29841-29849. https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2022/CP/D2CP04499D
21. Doner, A. C., Zádor, J., Rotavera, B.: Stereoisomer-dependent unimolecular kinetics of 2,4-dimethyloxetane peroxy radicals. Faraday Discuss., 2022, 238, 295-319. https://doi.org/10.1039/D2FD00029F
22. Ramasesha, K., Savee, J. D., Zádor, J., Osborn, D. L.: A New Pathway for Intersystem Crossing: Unexpected Products in the O(3P) + Cyclopentene Reaction. J. Phys. Chem. A, 2021, 125 9785-9801. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpca.1c05817
23. Rogers, C. O, Lockwood, K. S., Nguyen, Q. L. D., Labbe, N. J.: Diol isomer revealed as a source of methyl ketene from propionic acid unimolecular decomposition. Int. J. Chem. Kinet., 2021, 53, 1272–1284. https://doi.org/10.1002/kin.21532
24. Lockwood, K. S., Labbe, N. J.: Insights on keto-hydroperoxide formation from O2 addition to the beta-tetrahydrofuran radical. Proceedings of the Combustion Institute, 2021, 38, 1, 533. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proci.2020.06.357
25. Sheps, L., Dewyer, A. L., Demireva, M., and Zádor, J.: Quantitative Detection of Products and Radical Intermediates in Low-Temperature Oxidation of Cyclopentane. J. Phys. Chem. A 2021, 125, 20, 4467. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpca.1c02001
26. Zhang, J., Vermeire, F., Van de Vijver, R., Herbinet, O.; Battin-Leclerc, F., Reyniers, M.-F., Van Geem, K. M.: Detailed experimental and kinetic modeling study of 3-carene pyrolysis. Int. J. Chem. Kinet., 2020, 52, 785-795. https://doi.org/10.1002/kin.21400
27. Van de Vijver, R., Zádor, J.: KinBot: Automated stationary point search on potential energy surfaces. Computer Physics Communications, 2020, 248, 106947. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpc.2019.106947
28. Joshi, S. P., Seal, P., Pekkanen, T. T., Timonen, R. S., Eskola, A. J.: Direct Kinetic Measurements and Master Equation Modelling of the Unimolecular Decomposition of Resonantly-Stabilized CH2CHCHC(O)OCH3 Radical and an Upper Limit Determination for CH2CHCHC(O)OCH3+O2 Reaction. Z. Phys. Chem., 2020, 234, 1251. https://doi.org/10.1515/zpch-2020-1612

Older Version of KinBot:

1. Van de Vijver, R., Van Geem, K. M., Marin, G. B., Zádor, J.: Decomposition and isomerization of 1-pentanol radicals and the pyrolysis of 1-pentanol. Combustion and Flame, 2018, 196, 500. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.combustflame.2018.05.011
2. Grambow, C. A., Jamal, A., Li, Y.-P., Green, W. H., Zádor, J., Suleimanov, Y. V.: Unimolecular reaction pathways of a g-ketohydroperoxide from combined application of automated reaction discovery methods. J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2018, 140, 1035. https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.7b11009
3. Rotavera, B., Savee, J. D., Antonov, I. O., Caravan, R. L., Sheps, L., Osborn, D. L., Zádor, J., Taatjes, C. A.: Influence of oxygenation in cyclic hydrocarbons on chain-termination reactions from R + O2: tetrahydropyran and cyclohexane. Proceedings of the Combustion Institute, 2017, 36, 597. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proci.2016.05.020
4. Antonov, I. O., Zádor, J., Rotavera, B., Papajak, E., Osborn, D. L., Taatjes, C. A., Sheps, L.: Pressure-Dependent Competition among Reaction Pathways from First- and Second-O2 Additions in the Low-Temperature Oxidation of Tetrahydrofuran. J. Phys. Chem. A, 2016, 120 6582. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpca.6b05411
5. Antonov, I. O., Kwok, J., Zádor, J., Sheps, L.: OH + 2-butene: A combined experimental and theoretical study in the 300-800 K temperature range. J. Phys. Chem. A, 2015, 119, 7742. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpca.5b01012
6. Zádor, J., Miller, J.A.: Adventures on the C3H5O potential energy surface: OH + propyne, OH + allene and related reactions. Proceedings of the Combustion Institute, 2015, 35, 181. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proci.2014.05.103
7. Rotavera, B., Zádor, J., Welz, O., Sheps, L., Scheer, A.M., Savee, J.D., Ali, M.A., Lee, T.S., Simmons, B.A., Osborn, D.L., Violi, A., Taatjes, C.A.: Photoionization mass spectrometric measurements of initial reaction pathways in low-temperature oxidation of 2,5-dimethylhexane. J. Phys. Chem. A, 2014, 44, 10188. https://doi.org/10.1021/jp507811d

Acknowledgement

This research was supported by the Exascale Computing Project (ECP), Project Number: 17-SC-20-SC, a collaborative effort of two DOE organizations, the Office of Science and the National Nuclear Security Administration, responsible for the planning and preparation of a capable exascale ecosystem including software, applications, hardware, advanced system engineering, and early test bed platforms to support the nation's exascale computing imperative. RVdV was also supported by the AITSTME project as part of the Predictive Theory and Modeling component of the Materials Genome Initiative. Sandia National Laboratories is a multimission laboratory managed and operated by National Technology and Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC., a wholly owned subsidiary of Honeywell International, Inc., for the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration under contract DE-NA0003525.