A theoretical investigation of the mechanism of the NO3 addition to alkenes

A theoretical study of the gas-phase reactions of propadiene with NO3: mechanism, kinetics and insights

In this study, the conversion mechanisms and kinetics of propadiene (CH₂[double bond, length as m-dash]C[double bond, length as m-dash]CH₂) induced by NO₃ were researched using density functional theory (DFT) and transition state theory (TST) measurements. The NO₃-addition pathways to generate IM1 (CH₂ONO₂CCH₂) and IM2 (CH₂CONO₂CH₂) play a significant role. P3 (CH₂CONOCHO + H) was the dominant addition/elimination product. Moreover, the results manifested that one H atom from the -CH₂- group has to be abstracted by NO₃ radicals, leading to the final product h-P1 (CH₂CCH + HNO₃). Due to the high barrier, the H-abstraction pathway is not important for the propadiene + NO₃ reaction. In addition, the computed k_tot value of propadiene reacting with NO₃ at 298 K is 3.34 × 10^-15 cm³ per molecule per s, which is in accordance with the experimental value. The computed lifetime of propadiene oxidized by NO₃ radicals was assessed to be 130.16-6.08 days at 200-298 K and an altitude of 0-12 km. This study provides insights into the transformation of propadiene in a complex environment.

Theoretical study on gas-phase reactions of nitrate radicals with methoxyphenols: Mechanism, kinetic and toxicity assessment

Creosol and 4-ethylguaiacol are two important methoxyphenols, lignin pyrolysis products, which are discharge into the atmosphere in large quantities. In this work, theoretical calculations of the reaction mechanism towards the two compounds with NO₃ radicals was performed using DFT method. The rate constants and toxicity assessment were also investigated. The atmospheric lifetime for creosol and 4-ethylguaiacol were 0.82 and 0.19 h, respectively. A new reaction pathway was proposed for the transformation of methoxyl into hydroxyl, which has not yet been clarified in previous studies. The toxicity of methoxyphenols and their degradation products is closely related to their hydrophobicity. Although most degradation products are less toxic, they also should be pay more attention, especially for nitro-substituents. A new reaction pathway was proposed for the transformation of methoxyl into hydroxyl. The toxicity is closely related to their hydrophobicity.

Kinetics of atmospheric reactions of 4-chloro-1-butene

Chloroalkenes are among the important anthropogenic organic compounds emitted in the atmosphere as a result of their wide use in synthetic processes in industry. Despite their well-known adverse effects on human health and air quality, the chemistry of these chloroalkenes remains poorly explored. In this work, reactions of 4-chloro-1-butene (CBE), a representative example of chloroalkenes, with O₃, OH, NO₃, and Cl are investigated in a 100-L Teflon reaction chamber equipped with gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID). The absolute rate method was used for the reaction with O₃ while the relative rate method was used for reactions with OH, NO₃, and Cl. The following rate constants were obtained at room temperature (298 ± 2) K and atmospheric pressure: (3.96 ± 0.43) × 10^-18, (2.63 ± 0.96) × 10^-11, (4.48 ± 1.23) × 10^-15, and (2.35 ± 0.90) × 10^-10 cm³ molecule^-1 s^-1, for reactions with O₃, OH, NO₃, and Cl, respectively. Atmospheric lifetimes of CBE calculated from rate constants of the different reactions obtained in this work showed that reaction with OH is the main loss process for CBE, while in coastal areas and in the marine boundary layer, the CBE loss by Cl reaction becomes important. Estimation of the value of the photochemical ozone creation potential (POCP) indicated that CBE has a large ozone formation potential. The present work underlines the need for further studies on the atmospheric chemistry of chlorinated VOCs.