Atmospheric degradation of volatile organic compounds

Photolysis of Heptanal

Photolysis of heptanal is investigated from an experimental and theoretical point of view. Photoexcited heptanal is believed to undergo rapid intersystem crossing to the triplet manifold and from there undergoes internal H-abstraction to form biradical intermediates. The favored gamma-H abstraction pathway can cyclize or cleave to 1-pentene and hydroxyethene, which tautomerizes to acetaldehyde. Yields of 1-pentene and acetaldehyde were measured at 62 +/- 7% and 63 +/- 7%, respectively, relative to photolyzed heptanal. Additionally, small quantities of hexanal and hexanol were observed. On the basis of combined experimental and theoretical evidence, the remaining heptanal photolysis proceeds to form an estimated 10% HCO + hexyl radical and 30% cyclic alcohols, particularly 2-propyl cyclobutanol and 2-ethyl cyclopentanol.

Determination of complex mixtures of volatile organic compounds in ambient air: an overview

This article reviews developments in the sampling and analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in ambient air since the 1970s, particularly in the field of environmental monitoring. Global monitoring of biogenic and anthropogenic VOC emissions is briefly described. Approaches used for environmental monitoring of VOCs and industrial hygiene VOC exposure assessments are compared. The historical development of the sampling and analytical methods used is discussed, and the relative advantages and disadvantages of sorbent and canister methods are identified. Overall, there is considerable variability in the reliability of VOC estimates and inventories. In general, canister methods provide superior precision and accuracy and are particulary useful for the analysis of complex mixtures of VOCs. Details of canister methods are reviewed in a companion paper.

Kinetic mechanism of ClONO2 uptake on polycrystalline film of NaCl

Kinetic studies and the mechanism determination of ClONO2 uptake on polycrystalline NaCl were carried out using a coated-insert flow tube reactor combined with high-resolution, low-energy electron-impact mass spectrometer under the following conditions: p = 1-2 Torr, linear flow velocity v = 3.5-75 m s(-1), T = 293 and 387 K, [ClONO2] = (0.5-25) x 10(12) molecules cm(-3). The salt was deposited as a film from nonsaturated aqueous solution on the sliding rod. The temporal dependences of the uptake coefficient and the partial uptake coefficients leading to a formation of the prime Cl2 and HOCl products were measured for different ClONO2 concentrations. These dependences are established to be described by gamma = gamma0 exp(-t/tau) + gamma(s), gamma(0,s)(-1) = a(0,s) + b(0,s)[ClONO2]. In the framework of the proposed kinetic model, the data are explained and the main elementary kinetic parameters of the uptake are evaluated. The model is based on a combination of Langmuir adsorption, formation of surface complexes on initial active sites, Z(ch), followed by their unimolecular decomposition. Decomposition is proposed to proceed concurrently in two channels, one of which is a released surface site that conserves the properties of the initial site. In the other channel, the initial Z(ch) transforms into Z(ph) followed by steady-state uptake and reproduction of final Z(ph). The model gives an analytical expression for experimental parameters gamma0, gamma(s), and tau in terms of elementary rate constants and the reactant volume concentration. The final objective of the proposed model is the extrapolation of gamma0, gamma(s), and tau parameters to real tropospheric conditions.

Kinetic Study of the Gas-Phase Reactions of OH and NO3 Radicals and O3 with Selected Vinyl Ethers

Kinetic studies on the gas-phase reactions of OH and NO3 radicals and ozone with ethyl vinyl ether (EVE), propyl vinyl ether (PVE) and butyl vinyl ether (BVE) have been performed in a 405 L borosilicate glass chamber at 298 +/- 3 K in synthetic air using in situ FTIR spectroscopy to monitor the reactants. Using a relative kinetic method rate coefficients (in units of cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1)) of (7.79 +/- 1.71) x 10(-11), (9.73 +/- 1.94) x 10(-11) and (1.13 +/- 0.31) x 10(-10) have been obtained for the reaction of OH with EVE, PVE and BVE, respectively, (1.40 +/- 0.35) x 10(-12), (1.85 +/- 0.53) x 10(-12) and (2.10 +/- 0.54) x 10(-12) for the reaction of NO3 with EVE, PVE and BVE, respectively, and (2.06 +/- 0.42) x 10(-16), (2.34 +/- 0.48) x 10(-16) and (2.59 +/- 0.52) x 10(-16) for the ozonolysis of EVE, PVE and BVE, respectively. Tropospheric lifetimes of EVE, PVE and BVE with respect to the reactions with reactive tropospheric species (OH, NO3 and O3) have been estimated for typical OH and NO3 radical and ozone concentrations.

Temperature-Dependent Rate Constants for the Gas-Phase Reactions of OH Radicals with 1,3,5-Trimethylbenzene, Triethyl Phosphate, and a Series of Alkylphosphonates

Rate constants for the reactions of OH radicals with dimethyl methylphosphonate [DMMP, (CH3O)2P(O)CH3], dimethyl ethylphosphonate [DMEP, (CH3O)2P(O)C2H5], diethyl methylphosphonate [DEMP, (C2H5O)2P(O)CH3], diethyl ethylphosphonate [DEEP, (C2H5O)2P(O)C2H5], triethyl phosphate [TEP, (C2H5O)3PO] and 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene have been measured over the temperature range 278-348 K at atmospheric pressure of air using a relative rate method. alpha-Pinene (for DEMP, DEEP, TEP and 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene) and di-n-butyl ether (for DMMP and DMEP) were used as the reference compounds, and rate constants for the reaction of OH radicals with di-n-butyl ether were also measured over the same temperature range using alpha-pinene and n-decane as the reference compounds. The Arrhenius expressions obtained for these OH radical reactions (in cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1) units) are 8.00 x 10(-14)e(1470+/-132)/T for DMMP (296-348 K), 9.76 x 10(-14)e(1520+/-14)/T for DMEP (296-348 K), 4.20 x 10(-13)e(1456+/-227)/T for DEMP (296-348 K), 6.46 x 10(-13)e(1339+/-376)/T for DEEP (296-348 K), 4.29 x 10(-13)e(1428+/-219)/T for TEP (296-347 K), and 4.40 x 10(-12)e(738+/-176)/T for 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene (278-347 K), where the indicated errors are two least-squares standard deviations and do not include the uncertainties in the rate constants for the reference compounds. The measured rate constants for di-n-butyl ether are in good agreement with literature data over the temperature range studied (278-348 K).

The photolysis of ortho-nitrophenols: a new gas phase source of HONO

Formation of nitrous acid (HONO) in the gas phase has been observed for the first time in a flow tube photoreactor upon irradiation (lambda = 300-500 nm) of 2-nitrophenol and methyl substituted derivatives using a selective and sensitive instrument (LOPAP) for the detection of HONO. Formation of HONO by heterogeneous NO2 photochemistry has been excluded, since production of NO2 under the experimental conditions is negligible. Variation of the surface to volume ratio and the nitrophenol concentration showed that the photolysis occurred in the gas phase indicating that HONO formation is initiated by intramolecular hydrogen transfer from the phenolic OH group to the nitro group. From the measured linear dependence of the HONO formation rate on the reactant's concentration and photolysis light intensity, a non-negligible new HONO source is proposed for the urban atmosphere during the day. Unexpectedly high HONO mixing ratios have been observed recently in several field campaigns during the day. It is proposed that the photolysis of aromatic compounds containing the ortho-nitrophenol entity could help to explain, at least in part, this high contribution of HONO to the oxidation capacity of the urban atmosphere.

Reaction of Oleic Acid Particles with NO3 Radicals: Products, Mechanism, and Implications for Radical-Initiated Organic Aerosol Oxidation

The heterogeneous reaction of liquid oleic acid aerosol particles with NO3 radicals in the presence of NO2, N2O5, and O2 was investigated in an environmental chamber using a combination of on-line and off-line mass spectrometric techniques. The results indicate that the major reaction products, which are all carboxylic acids, consist of hydroxy nitrates, carbonyl nitrates, dinitrates, hydroxydinitrates, and possibly more highly nitrated products. The key intermediate in the reaction is the nitrooxyalkylperoxy radical, which is formed by the addition of NO3 to the carbon-carbon double bond and subsequent addition of O2. The nitrooxyalkylperoxy radicals undergo self-reactions to form hydroxy nitrates and carbonyl nitrates, and may also react with NO2 to form nitrooxy peroxynitrates. The latter compounds are unstable and decompose to carbonyl nitrates and dinitrates. It is noteworthy that in this reaction nitrooxyalkoxy radicals appear not to be formed, as indicated by the absence of the expected products of decomposition or isomerization of these species. This is different from gas-phase alkene-NO3 reactions, in which a large fraction of the products are formed through these pathways. The results may indicate that, for liquid organic aerosol particles in low NOx environments, the major products of the radical-initiated oxidation (including by OH radicals) of unsaturated and saturated organic compounds will be substituted forms of the parent compound rather than smaller decomposition products. These compounds will remain in the particle and can potentially enhance particle hygroscopicity and the ability of particles to act as cloud condensation nuclei.

A general ultrasound-assisted access to room-temperature ionic liquids

The replacement of common organic solvents by room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) is a topical subject in both academia and industry. In the last decades, the number of applications for RTILs has followed an exponential curve and spilled over the boundaries of chemistry. Still, one of the main drawbacks of these compounds is their difficult access. The present ultrasound-assisted method affords a general and easy access to a large variety of room-temperature ionic liquids.

Variability in Nocturnal Nitrogen Oxide Processing and Its Role in Regional Air Quality

Nitrogen oxides in the lower troposphere catalyze the photochemical production of ozone (O3) pollution during the day but react to form nitric acid, oxidize hydrocarbons, and remove O3 at night. A key nocturnal reaction is the heterogeneous hydrolysis of dinitrogen pentoxide, N2O5. We report aircraft measurements of NO3 and N2O5, which show that the N2O5 uptake coefficient, g(N2O5), on aerosol particles is highly variable and depends strongly on aerosol composition, particularly sulfate content. The results have implications for the quantification of regional-scale O3 production and suggest a stronger interaction between anthropogenic sulfur and nitrogen oxide emissions than previously recognized.

Products and mechanism of secondary organic aerosol formation from reactions of n-alkanes with OH radicals in the presence of NOx

Secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation from reactions of n-alkanes with OH radicals in the presence of NOx was investigated in an environmental chamber using a thermal desorption particle beam mass spectrometer for particle analysis. SOA consisted of both first- and higher-generation products, all of which were nitrates. Major first-generation products were sigma-hydroxynitrates, while higher-generation products consisted of dinitrates, hydroxydinitrates, and substituted tetrahydrofurans containing nitrooxy, hydroxyl, and carbonyl groups. The substituted tetrahydrofurans are formed by a series of reactions in which sigma-hydroxycarbonyls isomerize to cyclic hemiacetals, which then dehydrate to form substituted dihydrofurans (unsaturated compounds) that quickly react with OH radicals to form lower volatility products. SOA yields ranged from approximately 0.5% for C8 to approximately 53% for C15, with a sharp increase from approximately 8% for C11 to approximately 50% for C13. This was probably due to an increase in the contribution of first-generation products, as well as other factors. For example, SOA formed from the C10 reaction contained no first-generation products, while for the C15 reaction SOA was approximately 40% first-generation and approximately 60% higher-generation products, respectively. First-generation sigma-hydroxycarbonyls are especially important in SOA formation, since their subsequent reactions can rapidly form low volatility compounds. In the atmosphere, substituted dihydrofurans created from sigma-hydroxycarbonyls will primarily react with O3 or NO3 radicals, thereby opening reaction pathways not normally accessible to saturated compounds.

Atmospheric Chemistry of Dimethyl Phosphonate, Dimethyl Methylphosphonate, and Dimethyl Ethylphosphonate

Rate constants for the reactions of OH radicals and NO3 radicals with dimethyl phosphonate [DMHP, (CH3O)2P(O)H], dimethyl methylphosphonate [DMMP, (CH3O)2P(O)CH3], and dimethyl ethylphosphonate [DMEP, (CH3O)2P(O)C2H5] have been measured at 296 +/- 2 K and atmospheric pressure using relative rate methods. The rate constants obtained for the OH radical reactions (in units of 10(-12) cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1)) were as follows: DMHP, 4.83 +/- 0.25; DMMP, 10.4 +/- 0.6; and DMEP, 17.0 +/- 1.0, with a deuterium isotope effect of k(OH + DMMP)/k(OH + DMMP-d9) = 4.8 +/- 1.2. The rate constants obtained for the NO3 radical reactions (in units of 10(-16) cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1)) were as follows: DMHP, < 1.4; DMMP, 2.0 +/- 1.0; and DMEP, 3.4 +/- 1.4. Upper limits to the rate constants for the O3 reactions of < 8 x 10(-20) cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1) for DMHP and < 6 x 10(-20) cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1) for DMMP and DMEP were determined. Products of the reactions of OH radicals with DMHP, DMMP, and DMEP were investigated in situ using atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry (API-MS) and, for the DMMP and DMEP reactions, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. API-MS analyses showed the formation of products of molecular weight 96 and 126, attributed to CH3OP(O)(H)OH and (CH3O)2P(O)OH, respectively, from DMHP; of molecular weight 110, attributed to CH3OP(O)(CH3)OH, from DMMP; and of molecular weight 124 and 126, attributed to CH3OP(O)(C2H5)OH and (CH3O)2P(O)OH, respectively, from DMEP. FT-IR analyses showed formation (values given are % molar yields) of the following: from DMMP, CO, 54 +/- 6; CO2, 5 +/- 1 in dry air; HCHO, 3.9 +/- 0.7; HC(O)OH, < 1.4 in dry air; RONO2, approximately 4; and formate ester, approximately 8; and from DMEP, CO, 50 +/- 7; CO2, 11 +/- 4; CH3CHO, 18 +/- 8; HCHO, < 7; HC(O)OH, < 6; RONO2, < or = 5; and formate ester, 5.0 +/- 1.5. Possible reaction mechanisms are discussed.

A possible mechanism for furan formation in the tropospheric oxidation of dienes

The isoprene + OH gas-phase reaction has been widely studied because of its relevance in tropospheric chemistry. However, an unsolved question remains concerning the mechanism for the formation of the observed 3-methylfuran. OH addition to dienes, such as isoprene and butadiene, is assumed to occur only at the external carbon atoms, thus restricting furan formation to a step after addition at C1 and C4. Moreover, cyclization of the carbon chain necessarily involves a cis conformation. In this work, several quantum chemistry methods have been used to model five different reaction paths for furan formation. A mechanism that is highly favored for intermediates that do not undergo collisional stabilization has been identified.

Atmospheric Degradation of 2-Butanol, 2-Methyl-2-butanol, and 2,3-Dimethyl-2-butanol: OH Kinetics and UV Absorption Cross Sections

The absolute rate coefficients for the reactions of hydroxyl radical (OH) with 2-butanol (k(1)), 2-methyl-2-butanol (k(2)), and 2,3-dimethyl-2-butanol (k(3)) were measured as a function of temperature (263-354 K) and pressure (41-193 Torr of He, Ar, and N(2)) by the pulsed laser photolysis/laser-induced fluorescence technique. This work represents the first absolute determination of k(1)(-)k(3) and their temperature dependence. No pressure dependence of the rate coefficients was observed in the range studied. Thus, k(i)(298 K) values (x10(-12) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) with an uncertainty of +/-2sigma) were averaged over the pressure range studied yielding 8.77 +/- 1.46, 3.64 +/- 0.60, and 9.01 +/- 1.00 for 2-butanol (k(1)), 2-methyl-2-butanol (k(2)), and 2,3-dimethyl-2-butanol (k(3)), respectively. k(1) and k(3) exhibit a slightly negative temperature dependence over the temperature range studied. In contrast, the rate coefficient for the reaction of OH with 2-methyl-2-butanol (k(2)) did not show any temperature dependence. Some deviation of the conventional Arrhenius behavior was clearly observed for k(3). In this case, the best fit to our data was found to be described by the three-parameter expression k(T) = A + B exp(-C/T). The UV absorption cross sections of 2-butanol, 2-methyl-2-butanol, and 2,3-dimethyl-2-butanol have also been measured at room temperature between 208 and 230 nm. The values reported constitute the first determination of the UV cross sections of those alcohols. Our results are compared with previous studies, when possible, and are discussed in terms of the H-abstraction by OH radicals. The atmospheric implications of these reactions and the photochemistry of these alcohols are also discussed.

Reactions of chlorine atoms with a series of aromatic hydrocarbons

Aromatic hydrocarbons, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), are present in urban and rural atmospheres. Reactions of PAHs with Cl atoms may occur in the marine boundary layer and in coastal regions. To assess the importance of these reactions and to investigate whether any unique chlorine-containing products are formed from these reactions, we have measured the rate constants for the gas-phase reactions of Cl atoms with toluene-d8, 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene (1,3,5-TMB), naphthalene, 1-methylnaphthalene-d10 (1-MN-d10), 1- and 2-methylnaphthalene (1- and 2-MN), 1- and 2-ethylnaphthalene (1- and 2-EN), and the dimethylnaphthalenes (DMNs) at 296 +/- 2 K. A relative rate technique was used, and, using our measured rate constant forthe reaction of Cl atoms with 1,3,5-TMB of 2.42 x 10(-10) cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1), the rate constants (in units of 10(-10) cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1)) are as follows: naphthalene, < or = 0.0091 +/- 0.0003; 1-MN, 1.21 +/- 0.16; 2-MN, 1.05 +/- 0.13; 1-EN, 2.12 +/- 0.35; 2-EN, 1.38 +/- 0.27; 1,2-DMN, 3.61 +/- 0.68; 1,3-DMN, 2.90 +/- 0.22; 1,4-DMN, 2.93 +/- 0.30; 1,5-DMN, 2.31 +/- 0.19; 1,6-DMN, 2.15 +/- 0.20; 1,7-DMN, 3.05 +/- 0.34; 1,8-DMN, 3.07 +/- 0.44; 2,3-DMN, 2.93 +/- 0.49; 2,6-DMN, 2.34 +/- 0.18; and 2,7-DMN, 2.00 +/- 0.22, where the indicated errors are two standard deviations and do not include the uncertainty in the rate constant for 1,3,5-TMB. The measured deuterium isotope effects for the toluene-d8 and 1-MN-d10 reactions indicate that the reactions proceed by initial H- (or D-) atom abstraction. The products identified and quantified from the toluene and 1-MN reactions using gas chromatography and in situ direct air sampling atmospheric pressure ionization tandem mass spectrometry were benzaldehyde (84% +/- 7% yield) and benzyl alcohol (11% +/- 2% yield) from toluene and 1-naphthaldehyde (approximately 36%, lower limit to yield) and 1-naphthyl alcohol (approximately 12%, lower limit to yield) from 1-MN. These products confirm that H-atom abstraction is the dominant, if not sole, reaction pathway for the alkylbenzenes and alkylnaphthalenes, consistent with the 100-fold lower rate constant measured for naphthalene compared to the alkylnaphthalenes and with the measured deuterium isotope effects.

1,4-hydroxycarbonyl products of the OH radical initiated reactions of C5-C8 n-alkanes in the presence of NO

Alkanes account for approximately 50% of nonmethane organic compounds present in urban atmospheres. Previous studies have shown that hydroxycarbonyls are important products ofthe OH radical initiated reactions of > or = C5 n-alkanes, but isomer-specific identifications and quantifications of these products have not been carried out. In this work, we have used solid-phase microextraction fibers precoated with O-(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorobenzyl)hydroxylamine for on-fiber derivatization of carbonyl-containing compounds with subsequent analyses by combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and GC with flame ionization detection (GC-FID). GC-MS analyses showed the presence of the oximes of 5-hydroxy-2-pentanone and 4-hydroxypentanal from the n-pentane reaction; 5-hydroxy-2-hexanone, 6-hydroxy-3-hexanone, and 4-hydroxyhexanal from the n-hexane reaction; 5-hydroxy-2-heptanone, 6-hydroxy-3-heptanone, 1-hydroxy-4-heptanone, and 4-hydroxyheptanal from the n-heptane reaction; and 5-hydroxy-2-octanone, 6-hydroxy-3-octanone, 7-hydroxy-4-octanone, and 4-hydroxyoctanal from the n-octane reaction. The formation yields of these 1,4-hydroxycarbonyls were determined from GC-FID analyses. By use of the yields of 1,4-hydroxycarbonyls formed from n-hexane, n-heptane, and n-octane at 50% relative humidity (and those from n-pentane at both 5 and 50% relative humidity), then formation of 1,4-hydroxycarbonyls accounts for 54% of the reaction products from n-pentane, 57% from n-hexane, 51% from n-heptane, and 53% from n-octane. Combined with previously measured yields of carbonyls, alkyl nitrates, and hydroxyalkyl nitrates, we can now accountfor approximately 74-118% of the products formed from the n-pentane through n-octane reactions.

Formation and reaction of hydroxycarbonyls from the reaction of OH radicals with 1,3-butadiene and isoprene

1,3-Butadiene and isoprene (2-methyl-1,3-butadiene) are emitted into the atmosphere in vehicle exhaust and, in the case of isoprene, from vegetation. We have investigated the formation and further reaction of products of their hydroxyl radical-initiated reactions using atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry (API-MS) and solid-phase microextraction fibers precoated with O-(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorobenzyl)hydroxylamine for on-fiber derivatization of carbonyl compounds, with subsequent analysis by thermal desorption and gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (SPME/GC-FID) or MS detection. Products attributed as HOCH2CH=CHCHO and HOCH2CH=CHCH2ONO2 (and isomers) from 1,3-butadiene; HOCD2CD=CDCDO and HOCD2CD=CDCD2ONO2 (and isomers) from 1,3-butadiene-d6; HOCH2C(CH3)=CHCHO and/or HOCH2CH=C(CH3)CHO, and HOCH2C(CH3)=CHCH2ONO2 (and isomers) from isoprene; and HOCD2C(CD3)=CDCDO and/or HOCD2CD=C(CD3)CDO, and HOCD2C(CD3)=CDCD2ONO2 (and isomers) from isoprene-d8 were observed as their NO2- adducts in the API-MS analyses. The hydroxycarbonyls were observed from SPME/GC-FID analyses of the 1,3-butadiene and isoprene reactions as their oximes, together with acrolein, glycolaldehyde, and glyoxal from the 1,3-butadiene reaction. A rate constant for the reaction of OH radicals with 4-hydroxy-2-butenal of (5.7 +/- 1.4) x 10(-11) cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1) at 298 +/- 2 K was derived, and formation yields of acrolein and 4-hydroxy-2-butenal from the 1,3-butadiene reaction of 58 +/- 10% and 25 (+15/-10)%, respectively, were determined. Analogous experiments showed that the two C5-hydroxycarbonyls formed from isoprene have rate constants for their reactions with OH radicals of (1.0 +/- 0.3) x 10(-10) cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1) and (4 +/- 2) x 10(-11) cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1) and a combined yield of approximately 15%, although isomer-specific identification of the hydroxycarbonyls was not achieved.

The kinetics of the gas-phase decomposition of the 2-methyl-2-butoxyl and 2-methyl-2-pentoxyl radicals

The kinetics of the title reactions have been studied by relative-rate methods as a function of temperature. Relative-rate coefficients for the two decomposition channels of 2-methyl-2-butoxyl have been measured at five different temperatures between 283 and 345 K and the observed temperature dependence is consistent with the results of some previous experimental studies. The kinetics of the two decomposition channels of 2-methyl-2-pentoxyl have also been investigated, as a function of temperature, relative to the estimated rate of isomerisation of this radical. Room-temperature rate coefficient data for the two decomposition channels of both 2-methyl-2-pentoxyl and 2-methyl-2-butxoyl (after combining the relative rate coefficient for this latter with a value for the rate coefficient of the major channel, extrapolated from the data presented by Batt et al., Int. J. Chem. Kinet., 1978, 10, 931) are shown to be consistent with a non-linear kinetic correlation, for alkoxyl radical decomposition rate data, previously presented by this laboratory (Johnson et al., Atmos. Environ., 2004, 38, 1755-1765).

Products and Mechanism of Secondary Organic Aerosol Formation from Reactions of Linear Alkenes with NO3 Radicals

Secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation from reactions of linear alkenes with NO(3) radicals was investigated in an environmental chamber using a thermal desorption particle beam mass spectrometer for particle analysis. A general chemical mechanism was developed to explain the formation of the observed SOA products. The major first-generation SOA products were hydroxynitrates, carbonylnitrates, nitrooxy peroxynitrates, dihydroxynitrates, and dihydroxy peroxynitrates. The major second-generation SOA products were hydroxy and oxo dinitrooxytetrahydrofurans, which have not been observed previously. The latter compounds were formed by a series of reactions in which delta-hydroxycarbonyls isomerize to cyclic hemiacetals, which then dehydrate to form substituted dihydrofurans (unsaturated compounds) that rapidly react with NO(3) radicals to form very low volatility products. For the approximately 1 ppmv alkene concentrations used here, aerosol formed only for alkenes C(7) or larger. SOA formed from C(7)-C(9) alkenes consisted only of second-generation products, whereas for larger alkenes first-generation products were also present and contributions increased with increasing carbon number apparently due to the formation of lower volatility products. The estimated mass fractions of first- and second-generation products were approximately 50:50, 30:70, 10:90, and 0:100, for 1-tetradecene, 1-dodecene, 1-decene, and 1-octene SOA, respectively. This study shows that delta-hydroxycarbonyls play a key role in the formation of SOA in alkene-NO(3) reactions and are likely to be important in other systems because delta-hydroxycarbonyls can also be formed from reactions of OH radicals and O(3) with hydrocarbons.

The reaction of anthracene with OH radicals: An experimental study of the kinetics between 58 and 470K

The first direct measurement of the reaction rate constant of a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon in the gas phase in the temperature range 58-470 K is reported. The reaction is OH+ anthracene and the experiment has been performed in a continuous flow Cinetique de Reaction en Ecoulement Supersonique Uniforme apparatus, which had to be modified for this purpose. Pulsed laser photolysis of H(2)O(2) has been used to generate OH radicals and laser-induced fluorescence to observe the kinetic decay of the radicals and hence determine the rate coefficients. The reaction is found to be fast, and the rate constant increases monotonically as the temperature is lowered. The rate coefficients match the expression k(cm(3) molecules(-1) s(-1))=1.12 x 10(-10)(T/300)(-0.46).

Atmospheric Chemistry of Diethyl Methylphosphonate, Diethyl Ethylphosphonate, and Triethyl Phosphate

Rate constants for the reactions of OH radicals and NO(3) radicals with diethyl methylphosphonate [DEMP, (C(2)H(5)O)(2)P(O)CH(3)], diethyl ethylphosphonate [DEEP, (C(2)H(5)O)(2)P(O)C(2)H(5)], and triethyl phosphate [TEP, (C(2)H(5)O)(3)PO] have been measured at 296 +/- 2 K and atmospheric pressure of air using relative rate methods. The rate constants obtained for the OH radical reactions (in units of 10(-11) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1)) were as follows: DEMP, 5.78 +/- 0.24; DEEP, 6.45 +/- 0.27; and TEP, 5.44 +/- 0.20. The rate constants obtained for the NO(3) radical reactions (in units of 10(-16) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1)) were the following: DEMP, 3.7 +/- 1.1; DEEP, 3.4 +/- 1.4; and TEP, 2.4 +/- 1.4. For the reactions of O(3) with DEMP, DEEP, and TEP, an upper limit to the rate constant of <6 x 10(-20) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) was determined for each compound. Products of the reactions of OH radicals with DEMP, DEEP, and TEP were investigated using in situ atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry (API-MS) and, for the TEP reaction, gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC-FID) and in situ Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The API-MS analyses show that the reactions are analogous, with formation of one major product from each reaction: C(2)H(5)OP(O)(OH)CH(3) from DEMP, C(2)H(5)OP(O)(OH)C(2)H(5) from DEEP, and (C(2)H(5)O)(2)P(O)OH from TEP. The FT-IR and GC-FID analyses showed that the major products (and their molar yields) from the TEP reaction are (C(2)H(5)O)(2)P(O)OH (65-82%, initial), CO(2) (80 +/- 10%), and HCHO (55 +/- 5%), together with lesser yields of CH(3)CHO (11 +/- 2%), CO (11 +/- 3%), CH(3)C(O)OONO(2) (8%), organic nitrates (7%), and acetates (4%). The probable reaction mechanisms are discussed.

Tropospheric reaction of OH with selected linear ketones: kinetic studies between 228 and 405 K

The absolute rate coefficients for the tropospheric reactions of hydroxyl radical (OH) with a series of linear aliphatic ketones (2-butanone (k1), 2-pentanone (k2), 2-hexanone (k3), and 2-heptanone (k4)) were measured as a function of temperature (228-405 K) and pressure (45-600 Torr of He) by the pulsed laser photolysis/laser induced fluorescence technique. These studies are essential to model the atmospheric chemistry of these ketones and their impact in the air quality. No pressure dependence of the rate coefficients was observed in the range studied. Thus, k1(298 K) (x10(-12) cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1)) were averaged over the pressure range studied yielding the following: (1.04+/-0.74), (3.14+/-0.40), (6.37+/-1.40), and (8.22+/-1.10), for 2-butanone (k1), 2-pentanone (k2), 2-hexanone (k3), and 2-heptanone (k4), respectively. k1 exhibits a slightly positive temperature dependence over the temperature range studied. A conventional Arrhenius expression describes the observed behavior. In contrast, the temperature dependence of k2-k4 shows a distinct deviation from the Arrhenius behavior. The best fit to our data was found to be described by the three-parameter expression: k(T) = A + B exp(-C/T) in cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1). This work constitutes the first determination of the temperature dependence of k2-k4. Our results are compared with previous studies, when possible, and are discussed in terms of the H-abstraction by OH radicals. The atmospheric implications of these reactions are also discussed.

A temperature-dependent relative-rate study of the OH initiated oxidation of n-butane: The kinetics of the reactions of the 1- and 2-butoxy radicals

The kinetics of the reactions of 1-and 2-butoxy radicals have been studied using a slow-flow photochemical reactor with GC-FID detection of reactants and products. Branching ratios between decomposition, CH3CH(O*)CH2CH3 --> CH3CHO + C2H5, reaction (7), and reaction with oxygen, CH3CH(O*)CH2CH3+ O2 --> CH3C(O)C2H5+ HO2, reaction (6), for the 2-butoxy radical and between isomerization, CH3CH2CH2CH2O* --> CH2CH2CH2CH2OH, reaction (9), and reaction with oxygen, CH3CH2CH2CH2O* + O2 --> C3H7CHO + HO2, reaction (8), for the 1-butoxy radical were measured as a function of oxygen concentration at atmospheric pressure over the temperature range 250-318 K. Evidence for the formation of a small fraction of chemically activated alkoxy radicals generated from the photolysis of alkyl nitrite precursors and from the exothermic reaction of 2-butyl peroxy radicals with NO was observed. The temperature dependence of the rate constant ratios for a thermalized system is given by k7/k6= 5.4 x 10(26) exp[(-47.4 +/- 2.8 kJ mol(-1))/RT] molecule cm(-3) and k9/k8= 1.98 x 10(23) exp[(-22.6 +/- 3.9 kJ mol(-1))/RT] molecule cm(-3). The results agree well with the available experimental literature data at ambient temperature but the temperature dependence of the rate constant ratios is weaker than in current recommendations.

Photolysis of methylethyl, diethyl and methylvinyl ketones and their role in the atmospheric HOx budget

Quantum yields for acyl (RCO) radical production from ketone photolysis as a function of temperature, pressure and the atmospherically relevant wavelengths (308 and 320 nm) have been determined for methylethyl ketone (MEK), methylvinyl ketone (MVK) and diethyl ketone (DEK) via direct observation of the OH product from the RCO + O2 reaction. The methodology has been applied previously to acetone photolysis. The kinetics and OH yields of the RCO + O2 reactions have been investigated to demonstrate that this technique can be used to monitor the dissociation of higher ketones. These kinetic studies have been used to confirm CH3CO + R as the dominant radical dissociation mechanism in the unsymmetrical ketones MVK and MEK. At 308 nm MEK and DEK photolysis follows conventional Stern Volmer behaviour. MEK and DEK are quenched less efficiently than acetone; quenching efficiency increases with decreasing temperature (213-295 K). At 320 nm Stern Volmer plots of the RCO quantum yields show evidence for the involvement of multiple states in the dissociation. The wavelength dependence of this phenomenon is compared with that for acetone and the atmospheric implications for MEK and DEK lifetimes have been investigated by converting the measured quantum yields to photolysis rates. The calculated rates under typical atmospheric conditions are a factor 2-3 lower than if the quantum yields in the literature are used, influencing both the overall atmospheric lifetime of these ketones and their relative rates of removal by reaction with OH and by photolysis.

Products and mechanism of the reaction of OH radicals with 2,3,4-trimethylpentane in the presence of NO

Alkanes are important constituents of gasoline fuel and vehicle exhaust, with branched alkanes comprising a significant fraction of the total alkanes observed in urban areas. Using a relative rate method, a rate constant for the reaction of OH radicals with 2,3,4-trimethylpentane of (6.84+/-0.12) x 10(-12) cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1) at 298+/-2 K was measured, where the indicated error is two least-squares standard deviations and does not include the uncertainty in the rate constant for the n-octane reference compound. Products of the gas-phase reaction of OH radicals with 2,3,4-trimethylpentane in the presence of NO at 298+/-2 K and atmospheric pressure of air have been investigated using gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC-FID), combined gas chromatographymass spectrometry (GC-MS), and in situ atmospheric pressure ionization tandem mass spectrometry (API-MS). Products identified and quantified by GC-FID and GC-MS were (molar yields given in parentheses): acetaldehyde (47+/-6%), acetone (76+/-11%), 3-methyl-2-butanone (41+/-5%), 3-methyl-2-butyl nitrate (1.6+/-0.2%), and 2-propyl nitrate (6.2+/-0.8%). These compounds account for 69+/-6% of the reaction products, as carbon. Additional products observed by API-MS analyses using positive and negative ion modes were C5- and C8-hydroxynitrates and a C8-hydroxycarbonyl, which, together with the predicted formation of octyl nitrates, account for some or all of the remaining products. The product distribution is compared to those for the linear and branched C8-alkanes n-octane and 2,2,4-trimethylpentane.

A Kinetic Study of the Reaction between the 2-Ċ3H7 Radical and i-C4H8: Enthalpy of Formation of the (CH3)2CHCH2Ċ(CH3)2 Radical

Abstract

The reversible addition reaction

was studied in the temperature range 491–543K by product analysis in experiments in which 2-Ċ 3H7 radicals were generated by the thermal decomposition of azoisopropane. The enthalpy of formation of the radical (CH3)2CHCH2 Ċ(CH3)2 was determined, the value obtained being Δf H° = -21.8 ± 5.2kJ mol-1. From this result, the following group value was deduced: Δf H°[Ċ–(C)3] = 177.1kJ mol-1. From the latter, Δf H°(t-Ċ 4H9) = 51.6kJ mol-1 was estimated.

The rate constant of self-combination of the radical (CH3)2CHCH2 Ċ(CH3)2 was determined for the first time: log(k 12/(dm3mol-1s-1)) = 7.3.