Extent of H-atom abstraction from the reaction of the OH radical with 1-butene under atmospheric conditions

Abstract

Products of the reaction of OH radicals with 1‐butene have been investigated in the presence of NO in one atmosphere of air at room temperature using gas chromatography and in situ long pathlength Fourier transform infrared absorption spectroscopy. The major product observed was propionaldehyde, with a formation yield (after allowing for its subsequent loss processes) of 0.94 ± 0.12. Minor yields of organic nitrates (RONO₂) and of peroxypropionyl nitrate, a secondary product arising from propionaldehyde, were also observed. However, none of the products expected from the reactions subsequent to H‐atom abstraction from 1‐butene by OH radicals were observed, allowing an upper limit of 10% for this process to be derived. These data are compared with the available literature results and the implications are discussed.