Reactions of C12–C14 n-Alkylcyclohexanes with Cl Atoms: Kinetics and Secondary Organic Aerosol Formation

Abstract

Long-chain alkanes are a type of intermediate volatility organic compound (IVOC) in the atmosphere and a potential source of secondary organic aerosols (SOAs). C12-C14n-alkylcyclohexanes are important compositions of IVOCs, with considerable concentrations and emission rates. The reaction rate constants and SOA formation of the reactions of C12-C14n-alkylcyclohexanes with Cl atoms were investigated in the present study. The reaction rate constants of the long-chain alkanes obtained via the relative-rate method at 298 ± 0.2 K (in units of ×10-10 cm3 molecule-1 s-1) were as follows: khexylcyclohexane = 5.11 ± 0.28, kheptylcyclohexane = 5.56 ± 0.30, and koctylcyclohexane = 5.74 ± 0.31. The gas-phase products of the reactions were identified as mainly small molecules of aldehydes, ketones, and acids. The particle-phase products were mostly monomers and oligomers, but there were still trimers even under high-NOx conditions. Moreover, under high-NOx conditions (urban atmosphere), the SOA yields of hexylcyclohexane are higher than that under low-NOx conditions (remote atmosphere), indicating that more attention should be given to the SOA formation of Cl-initiated n-alkylcyclohexane oxidations in polluted regions. This research can further clarify the oxidation processes and SOA formation of n-alkylcyclohexanes in the atmosphere.