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Experimental investigation of the atmospheric chemistry of aromatic hydrocarbons and long-chain alkanes. Final report

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6829540

The interaction of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and oxides of nitrogen in the presence of sunlight leads to the formation of ozone and other manifestations of photochemical air pollution. There are, however, significant uncertainties in our knowledge of the products and mechanisms of the atmospheric reactions of alkanes and aromatic hydrocarbons, important constituents of ambient air in urban areas, with the hydroxyl (OH) radical. A series of product studies of the OH radical-initiated reactions of selected alkanes, ketones and alcohols have been carried out to obtain further insights into alkoxy radical isomerization. Product studies of the OH radical reaction with 4-methyl-2-pentanone, 2,6-dimethyl-4-heptanone, 2,4-dimethyl-2-pentanol and 3,5-dimethyl-3-hexanol in the presence of NOx have provided unambiguous evidence for alkoxy radical isomerization and these studies have provided rate constant ratios for the isomerization reaction versus alkoxy radical decomposition and reaction with O2.

Research Organization:
California Univ., Riverside, CA (United States). Statewide Air Pollution Research Center
OSTI ID:
6829540
Report Number(s):
PB-95-109591/XAB; CNN: ARB-A032-067
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English