Pulsed Laser Photolysis-laser Induced Fluorescence Research Articles

A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Study to Determine the Kinetics of 2-Ethoxy Ethanol with OH Radical in the Gas Phase.

The reactivity of 2-ethoxy ethanol with OH radicals was experimentally measured in the temperature range of 278-363 K using the pulsed laser photolysis-laser-induced fluorescence (PLP-LIF) technique. The rate coefficient at room temperature was measured to be (1.14 ± 0.03) × 10-11 cm3 molecule-1 s-1, and the Arrhenius expression was derived to be kexpt278-363K = (1.61 ± 0.35) × 10-13 exp{(1256 ± 236)/T} cm3 molecule-1 s-1. Computational calculations were performed to compute the kinetics of the titled reaction in the temperature range of 200-400 K using advanced methods incorporated with tunneling correction at the CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVTZ//M06-2X/6-31+G(d,p) level of theory. The Arrhenius expression derived from the computationally calculated rate coefficients is ktheo200-400K = (1.59 ± 0.35) × 10-13exp{(1389 ± 62)/T} cm3 molecule-1 s-1. The feasibility of each reaction pathway was also determined using the calculated thermochemical parameters. Atmospheric implication parameters such as cumulative atmospheric lifetime and photochemical ozone creation potential were calculated and are discussed in this paper.

Gas-Phase Rate Coefficient of OH + 1,2-Epoxybutane Determined between 220 and 950 K

Epoxides have many primary and secondary atmospheric sources. As with other oxygenates, they exhibit a complex temperature-dependent reaction with OH, whose full description is necessary in order to understand their interactions in atmospheric and combustion environments. We measured the kinetics of the title reaction using two complementary absolute methods: pulsed-laser photolysis–laser-induced fluorescence (PLP–LIF) and a discharge-flow mass spectrometric system (DF-MS), both monitoring temporal decays in OH. In addition, two relative methods employing the DF-MS as a function of temperature as well as several simulation chamber experiments at room temperature were performed. A very weak negative temperature dependence was observed at T ≤ 285 K, and only through the combination of precise data and a large temperature range were we able to discern the transition toward positive temperature dependence found at T ≥ 295 K. The non-Arrhenius temperature dependence of OH + 1,2-epoxybutane implies the agency of prereactive complexes in this reaction mechanism, albeit with a smaller effect than that with its acyclic ether analogues. This will have implications for understanding the chemical fate of epoxides within oxidizing environments.

Rate Constants of the CN + Toluene Reaction from 15 to 294 K and Interstellar Implications

CN is known for its fast reactions with hydrocarbons at low temperatures, but relatively few studies have focused on the reactions between CN and aromatic molecules. The recent detection of benzonitrile in the interstellar medium, believed to be produced by the reaction of CN and benzene, has ignited interest in studying these reactions. Here, we report rate constants of the CN + toluene (C7H8) reaction between 15 and 294 K using a CRESU (Cinétique de Réaction en Ecoulement Supersonique Uniforme; reaction kinetics in uniform supersonic flow) apparatus coupled with the pulsed laser photolysis - laser induced fluorescence (PLP-LIF) technique. We also present the stationary points on the potential energy surface of this reaction to study the available reaction pathways. We find the rate constant does not change over this temperature range, with an average value of (4.1 ± 0.2) × 10-10 cm3 s-1, which is notably faster than the only previous measurement at 105 K. While the reason for this disagreement is unknown, we discuss the possibility that it is related to enhanced multiphoton effects in the previous work.

Low Temperature Kinetics of the Reaction Between Methanol and the CN Radical.

Methanol (CH3OH) is considered by astronomers to be the simplest complex organic molecule (COM) and has been detected in various astrophysical environments, including protoplanetary disks, comets, and the interstellar medium (ISM). Studying the reactivity of methanol at low temperatures will aid our understanding of the formation of other complex and potentially prebiotic molecules. A major destruction route for many neutral COMs, including methanol, is via their reactions with radicals such as CN, which is ubiquitous in space. Here, we study the kinetics of the reaction between methanol and the CN radical using the well-established CRESU technique (a French acronym standing for Reaction Kinetics in Uniform Supersonic Flow) combined with Pulsed-Laser Photolysis-Laser-Induced Fluorescence (PLP-LIF). Electronic structure calculations were also performed to identify the exothermic channels through which this reaction can proceed. Our results for the rate coefficient are represented by the modified Arrhenius equation, k(T) = 1.26 × 10-11(T/300 K)-0.7 exp(-5.4 K/T), and display a negative temperature dependence over the temperature range 16.7-296 K, which is typical of what has been seen previously for other radical-neutral reactions that do not possess potential energy barriers. The rate coefficients obtained at room temperature strongly disagree with a previous kinetics study, which is currently available in the Kinetics Database for Astrochemistry (KIDA) and therefore used in some astrochemical models.

Rate Coefficients for the Gas-Phase Reaction of ( E)- and ( Z)-CF3CF═CFCF3 with the OH Radical and Cl-Atom.

The rate coefficients, k, for the gas-phase reaction of the OH radical and Cl-atom with ( E)- and ( Z)-CF3CF═CFCF3 were measured using a relative rate technique over a range of temperature (240-375 K) and bath gas pressure (50-630 Torr, He). The obtained rate coefficients were found to be independent of pressure under these conditions. The obtained rate coefficients for the reaction of Cl-atom with ( E)- and ( Z)-CF3CF═CFCF3 at 296 K were k1(296 K) = (7.23 ± 0.3) × 10-12 cm3 molecule-1 s-1 and k2(296 K) = (6.70 ± 0.3) × 10-12 cm3 molecule-1 s-1, respectively, with the temperature dependence described by the Arrhenius expressions: k1( T) = (3.47 ± 0.35) × 10-12 exp[(210 ± 25)/ T] cm3 molecule-1 s-1 and k2( T) = (3.37 ± 0.35) × 10-12 exp[(199 ± 25)/ T] cm3 molecule-1 s-1. The rate coefficients for the OH radical reaction with ( E)- and ( Z)-CF3CF═CFCF3 were found to be k3(296-375 K) = (4.34 ± 0.45) × 10-13 cm3 molecule-1 s-1 and k4(296-375 K) = (3.30 ± 0.35) × 10-13 cm3 molecule-1 s-1, respectively. The quoted rate coefficient uncertainties are 2σ (95% confidence level) and include estimated systematic errors. The rate coefficients for the reaction of OH with a mixture of the two stereoisomers were determined using a pulsed laser photolysis-laser-induced fluorescence (PLP-LIF) technique for comparison with previous kinetic measurements using stereoisomer mixtures. The effective rate coefficient for the 0.7/0.3 ( E)/( Z) stereoisomer sample was found to be nearly independent of temperature over the range 222-375 K with a value of (4.47 ± 0.36) × 10-13 cm3 molecule-1 s-1. The atmospheric lifetimes for ( E)- and ( Z)-CF3CF═CFCF3 due to OH-reactive loss are estimated to be 25 and 35 days, respectively. The lifetime-corrected radiative efficiencies (W m-2 ppb-1) and 100 year time horizon global warming potentials derived in this work are 0.05 and 1.2 for ( E)-CF3CF═CFCF3 and 0.13 and 4.1 for ( Z)-CF3CF═CFCF3. The photochemical ozone creation potentials for ( E)- and ( Z)-CF3CF═CFCF3 are estimated to be 2.5 and 2.1, respectively.

Rate Coefficient Measurements and Theoretical Analysis of the OH + ( E)-CF3CH═CHCF3 Reaction.

Rate coefficients, k, for the gas-phase reaction of the OH radical with ( E)-CF3CH═CHCF3 (( E)-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene, HFO-1336mzz(E)) were measured over a range of temperatures (211-374 K) and bath gas pressures (20-300 Torr; He, N2) using a pulsed laser photolysis-laser-induced fluorescence (PLP-LIF) technique. k1( T) was independent of pressure over this range of conditions with k1(296 K) = (1.31 ± 0.15) × 10-13 cm3 molecule-1 s-1 and k1( T) = (6.94 ± 0.80) × 10-13exp[-(496 ± 10)/ T] cm3 molecule-1 s-1, where the uncertainties are 2σ, and the pre-exponential term includes estimated systematic error. Rate coefficients for the OD reaction were also determined over a range of temperatures (262-374 K) at 100 Torr (He). The OD rate coefficients were ∼15% greater than the OH values and showed similar temperature dependent behavior with k2( T) = (7.52 ± 0.44) × 10-13exp[-(476 ± 20)/ T] and k2(296 K) = (1.53 ± 0.15) × 10-13 cm3 molecule-1 s-1. The rate coefficients for reaction 1 were also measured using a relative rate technique between 296 and 375 K with k1(296 K) measured to be (1.22 ± 0.1) × 10-13 cm3 molecule-1 s-1, in agreement with the PLP-LIF results. In addition, the 296 K rate coefficient for the O3 + ( E)-CF3CH═CHCF3 reaction was determined to be <5.2 × 10-22 cm3 molecule-1 s-1. A theoretical computational analysis is presented to interpret the observed positive temperature dependence for the addition reaction and the significant decrease in OH reactivity compared to the ( Z)-CF3CH═CHCF3 stereoisomer reaction. The estimated atmospheric lifetime of ( E)-CF3CH═CHCF3, due to loss by reaction with OH, is estimated to be ∼90 days, while the actual lifetime will depend on the location and season of its emission. Infrared absorption spectra of ( E)-CF3CH═CHCF3 were measured and used to estimate the 100 year time horizon global warming potentials (GWP) of 32 (atmospherically well-mixed) and 14 (lifetime-adjusted).

OH Radical Reaction Rate Coefficients, Infrared Spectrum, and Global Warming Potential of (CF3)2CFCH═CHF (HFO-1438ezy(E)).

Rate coefficients, k(T), for the OH radical + (E)-(CF3)2CFCH═CHF ((E)-1,3,4,4,4-pentafluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1-butene, HFO-1438ezy(E)) gas-phase reaction were measured using pulsed laser photolysis-laser-induced fluorescence (PLP-LIF) between 214 and 380 K and 50 and 450 Torr (He or N2 bath gas) and with a relative rate method at 296 K between 100 and 400 Torr (synthetic air). Over the range of pressures included in this study, no pressure dependence in k(T) was observed. k(296 K) obtained using the two techniques agreed to within ∼3% with (3.26 ± 0.26) × 10(-13) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) (2σ absolute uncertainty) obtained using the PLP-LIF technique. k(T) displayed non-Arrhenius behavior that is reproduced by (7.34 ± 0.30) × 10(-19)T(2) exp[(481 ± 10)/T) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1). With respect to OH reactive loss, the atmospheric lifetime of HFO-1438ezy(E) is estimated to be ∼36 days and HFO-1438ezy(E) is considered a very short-lived substance (VSLS) (the actual lifetime will depend on the time and location of the HFO-1438ezy(E) emission). On the basis of the HFO-1438ezy(E) infrared absorption spectrum measured in this work and its estimated lifetime, a radiative efficiency of 0.306 W m(-2) ppb(-1) (well-mixed gas) was calculated and its 100-year time-horizon global warming potential, GWP100, was estimated to be 8.6. CF3CFO, HC(O)F, and CF2O were identified using infrared spectroscopy as stable end products in the oxidation of HFO-1438ezy(E) in the presence of O2. Two additional fluorinated products were observed and theoretical calculations of the infrared spectra of likely degradation products are presented. The photochemical ozone creation potential of HFO-1438ezy(E) was estimated to be ∼2.15.

CH3CO + O2 + M (M = He, N2) Reaction Rate Coefficient Measurements and Implications for the OH Radical Product Yield.

The gas-phase CH3CO + O2 reaction is known to proceed via a chemical activation mechanism leading to the formation of OH and CH3C(O)OO radicals via bimolecular and termolecular reactive channels, respectively. In this work, rate coefficients, k, for the CH3CO + O2 reaction were measured over a range of temperature (241-373 K) and pressure (0.009-600 Torr) with He and N2 as the bath gas and used to characterize the bi- and ter-molecular reaction channels. Three independent experimental methods (pulsed laser photolysis-laser-induced fluorescence (PLP-LIF), pulsed laser photolysis-cavity ring-down spectroscopy (PLP-CRDS), and a very low-pressure reactor (VLPR)) were used to characterize k(T,M). PLP-LIF was the primary method used to measure k(T,M) in the high-pressure regime under pseudo-first-order conditions. CH3CO was produced by PLP, and LIF was used to monitor the OH radical bimolecular channel reaction product. CRDS, a complementary high-pressure method, measured k(295 K,M) over the pressure range 25-600 Torr (He) by monitoring the temporal CH3CO radical absorption following its production via PLP in the presence of excess O2. The VLPR technique was used in a relative rate mode to measure k(296 K,M) in the low-pressure regime (9-32 mTorr) with CH3CO + Cl2 used as the reference reaction. A kinetic mechanism analysis of the combined kinetic data set yielded a zero pressure limit rate coefficient, kint(T), of (6.4 ± 4) × 10(-14) exp((820 ± 150)/T) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) (with kint(296 K) measured to be (9.94 ± 1.3) × 10(-13) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1)), k0(T) = (7.39 ± 0.3) × 10(-30) (T/300)(-2.2±0.3) cm(6) molecule(-2) s(-1), and k∞(T) = (4.88 ± 0.05) × 10(-12) (T/300)(-0.85±0.07) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) with Fc = 0.8 and M = N2. A He/N2 collision efficiency ratio of 0.60 ± 0.05 was determined. The phenomenological kinetic results were used to define the pressure and temperature dependence of the OH radical yield in the CH3CO + O2 reaction. The present results are compared with results from previous studies and the discrepancies are discussed.

Measurements of Rate Coefficients for Reactions of OH with Ethanol and Propan-2-ol at Very Low Temperatures.

The low temperature kinetics of the reactions of OH with ethanol and propan-2-ol have been studied using a pulsed Laval nozzle apparatus coupled with pulsed laser photolysis-laser-induced fluorescence (PLP-LIF) spectroscopy. The rate coefficients for both reactions have been found to increase significantly as the temperature is lowered, by approximately a factor of 18 between 293 and 54 K for ethanol, and by ∼10 between 298 and 88 K for OH + propan-2-ol. The pressure dependence of the rate coefficients provides evidence for two reaction channels: a zero pressure bimolecular abstraction channel leading to products and collisional stabilization of a weakly bound OH-alcohol complex. The presence of the abstraction channel at low temperatures is rationalized by a quantum mechanical tunneling mechanism, most likely through the barrier to hydrogen abstraction from the OH moiety on the alcohol.

Low Temperature Rate Coefficients for the Reaction CN + HC3N

The reaction of CN radicals with HC3N is of interest for interstellar and circumstellar chemistry as well as for the chemistry of Titan's atmosphere, as part of a general scheme for cyanopolyyne synthesis within these low temperature environments. Here, we present the first experimental measurements of its rate coefficient below room temperature down to 22 K, employing the CRESU (Cinétique de Réaction en Ecoulement Supersonique Uniforme or Reaction Kinetics in Uniform Supersonic Flow) technique coupled with pulsed laser photolysis-laser-induced fluorescence. A novel pulsed version of the CRESU technique employing a new spinning disk valve was used for some of the kinetics measurements. The measurements were in excellent agreement with the only previous determination at room temperature and show a marked increase in the rate coefficient as the temperature is lowered, with the results being well represented by the equation k(T) = 1.79 × 10(-11)(T/300 K)(-0.67) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), with a root-mean-square (statistical) error of 0.61 × 10(-11) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), to which should be added 10% estimated likely systematic error. High accuracy ab initio quantum chemical calculations coupled with variational two-transition state theory calculations were also performed and demonstrate excellent agreement within the combined experimental and predicted theoretical uncertainties. The theoretical rate coefficients, adjusted within expected uncertainties, can be accurately reproduced over the 5 to 400 K temperature range by the expression [(1.97 × 10(-8)) T (-1.51) exp(-3.24/T) + (4.85 × 10(-13)) T (0.563) exp (17.6/T)] cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), where T is in K. The new measurements are likely to be of interest to astrochemical and planetary atmospheric modelers.

Laboratory Studies of CHF2CF2CH2OH and CF3CF2CH2OH: UV and IR Absorption Cross Sections and OH Rate Coefficients between 263 and 358 K

Fluorinated alcohols, such as 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropanol (TFPO, CHF(2)CF(2)CH(2)OH) and 2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropanol (PFPO, CF(3)CF(2)CH(2)OH), can be potential replacements of hydrofluorocarbons with large global warming potentials, GWPs. IR absorption cross sections for TFPO and PFPO were determined between 4000 and 500 cm(-1) at 298 K. Integrated absorption cross sections (S(int), base e) in the 4000-600 cm(-1) range are (1.92 ± 0.34) × 10(-16) cm(2) molecule(-1) cm(-1) and (2.05 ± 0.50) × 10(-16) cm(2) molecule(-1) cm(-1) for TFPO and PFPO, respectively. Uncertainties are at a 95% confidence level. Ultraviolet absorption spectra were also recorded between 195 and 360 nm at 298 K. In the actinic region (λ > 290 nm), an upper limit of 10(-23) cm(2) molecule(-1) for the absorption cross sections (σ(λ)) was reported. Photolysis in the troposphere is therefore expected to be a negligible loss for these fluoropropanols. In addition, absolute rate coefficients for the reaction of OH radicals with CHF(2)CF(2)CH(2)OH (k(1)) and CF(3)CF(2)CH(2)OH (k(2)) were determined as a function of temperature (T = 263-358 K) by the pulsed laser photolysis/laser induced fluorescence (PLP-LIF) technique. At room temperature, the average values obtained were k(1) = (1.85 ± 0.07) × 10(-13) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) and k(2) = (1.19 ± 0.03) × 10(-13) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1). The observed temperature dependence of k(1)(T) and k(2)(T) is described by the following expressions: (1.35 ± 0.23) × 10(-12) exp{-(605 ± 54)/T} and (1.36 ± 0.19) × 10(-12) exp{-(730 ± 43)/T} cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), respectively. Since photolysis of TFPO and PFPO in the actinic region is negligible, the tropospheric lifetime (τ) of these species can be approximated by the lifetime due to the homogeneous reaction with OH radicals. Global values of τ(OH) were estimated to be of 3 and 4 months for TFPO and PFPO, respectively. GWPs relative to CO(2) at a time horizon of 500 years were calculated to be 8 and 12 for TFPO and PFPO, respectively. Despite the higher GWP relative to CO(2), these species are not expected to significantly contribute to the greenhouse effect in the next decades since they are short-lived species and will not accumulate in the troposphere even as their emissions grow up.

PLP–LIF study of the reactions of chlorine atoms with C 2H 2, C 2H 4, and C 3H 6 in 2–100 Torr of N 2 diluent at 295 K

Pulsed laser photolysis–laser-induced fluorescence (PLP–LIF) techniques were used to study the reactions of Cl( 2P 3/2) atoms with C 2H 2 ( k 1), C 2H 4 ( k 2), and C 3H 6 ( k 3) in 2–100 Torr of N 2 diluent at 295 ± 2 K. The results are in good agreement with those from relative rate studies, improve our understanding of the pressure dependence of the title reactions, and indicate that when timescales for chlorine atom decay and regeneration are not decoupled the results from PLP–RF experiments do not provide reliable kinetic data for reactions of chlorine atoms with organic compounds.

The gas phase tropospheric removal of fluoroaldehydes (CxF2x+1CHO, x = 3, 4, 6)

The rate coefficient of the OH reaction with the perfluoroaldehydes C(3)F(7)CHO and C(4)F(9)CHO have been determined in the temperature range 252-373 K using the pulsed laser photolysis-laser induced fluorescence (PLP-LIF) method: k(C(3)F(7)CHO+OH) = (2.0 +/- 0.6) x 10(-12) exp[-(369 +/- 90)/T] and k(C(4)F(9)CHO+OH) = (2.0 +/- 0.5) x 10(-12) exp[-(356 +/- 70)/T] cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), corresponding to (5.8 +/- 0.6) x 10(-13) and (6.1 +/- 0.5) x 10(-13) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), respectively, at 298 K. The UV absorption cross sections of these two aldehydes and CF(3)(CF(2))(5)CH(2)CHO have been measured over the range 230-390 nm at 298 K and also at 328 K for CF(3)(CF(2))(5)CH(2)CHO. The obtained results for C(3)F(7)CHO and C(4)F(9)CHO are in good agreement with two recent determinations but the maximum value of the absorption cross section for CF(3)(CF(2))(5)CH(2)CHO is over a factor of two lower than the single one recently published. The photolysis rates of C(3)F(7)CHO, C(4)F(9)CHO and CF(3)(CF(2))(5)CHO have been measured under sunlight conditions in the EUPHORE simulation chamber in Valencia (Spain) at the beginning of June. The photolysis rates were, respectively, J(obs) = (1.3 +/- 0.6) x 10(-5), (1.9 +/- 0.8) x 10(-5) and (0.6 +/- 0.3) x 10(-5) s(-1). From the J(obs) measurements and calculated photolysis rate J(calc), assuming a quantum yield of unity across the atmospheric range of absorption of the aldehydes, quantum yields J(obs)/J(calc) = (0.023 +/- 0.012), (0.029 +/- 0.015) and (0.046 +/- 0.028) were derived for the photodissociation of C(3)F(7)CHO, C(4)F(9)CHO and CF(3)(CF(2))(5)CHO, respectively. The atmospheric implication of the data obtained in this work is discussed. The main conclusion is that the major atmospheric removal pathway for fluoroaldehydes will be photolysis, which under low NO(x) conditions, may be a source of fluorinated carboxylic acids in the troposphere.

Rate Coefficients for the Reactions of OH with CF3CH2CH3 (HFC-263fb), CF3CHFCH2F (HFC-245eb), and CHF2CHFCHF2 (HFC-245ea) between 238 and 375 K

Rate coefficients for reaction of the hydroxyl radical (OH) with three hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) CF3CH2CH3, HFC-263fb, (k1); CF3CHFCH2F, HFC-245eb, (k2); and CHF2CHFCHF2, HFC-245ea, (k3); which are suggested as potential substitutes to chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), were measured using pulsed laser photolysis-laser-induced fluorescence (PLP-LIF) between 235 and 375 K. The Arrhenius expressions obtained are k1(T) = (4.36 +/- 0.72) x 10(-12) exp[-(1290 +/- 40)/T] cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1); k2(T) = (1.23 +/- 0.18) x 10(-12) exp[-(1250 +/- 40)/T] cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1); k3(T) = (1.91 +/- 0.42) x 10(-12) exp[-(1375 +/- 100)/T] cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1). The quoted uncertainties are 95% confidence limits and include estimated systematic errors. The present results are discussed and compared with rate coefficients available in the literature. Our results are also compared with those calculated using structure activity relationships (SAR) for fluorinated compounds. The IR absorption cross-sections at room temperature for these compounds were measured over the range of 500 to 4000 cm-1. The global warming potentials (GWPs) of CF3CH2CH3(HFC-263fb), CF3CHFCH2F(HFC-245eb), and CHF2CHFCHF2(HFC-245ea) were calculated to be 234, 962, and 723 for a 20-year horizon; 70, 286, and 215 for a 100-year horizon; and 22, 89, and 68 for a 500-year horizon; and the atmospheric lifetimes of these compounds are 0.8, 2.5, and 2.6 years, respectively. It is concluded that these compounds are acceptable substitutes for CFCs in terms of their impact on Earth's climate.

Rate coefficients for the reactions of OH radicals with the keto/enol tautomers of 2,4-pentanedione and 3-methyl-2,4-pentanedione, allyl alcohol and methyl vinyl ketone using the enols and methyl nitrite as photolytic sources of OH

The kinetics of the reaction of OH radicals with 2,4-pentanedione and 3-methyl-2,4-pentanedione have been investigated in the gas-phase using a pulsed laser photolysis-laser induced fluorescence (PLP-LIF) technique. Hydroxyl radicals were generated from the parent compounds following pulsed laser photolysis at 248 nm. The rate coefficients were also determined using a conventional relative rate method. Average values of the bimolecular rate coefficients of k(OH + CH 3C(O)CH C(OH)CH 3) = (8.78 ± 0.58) × 10 −11, k(OH + CH 3C(O)C(CH 3) C(OH)CH 3) = (6.06 ± 0.54) × 10 −11 and k(OH + CH 3C(O)CH(CH 3)C(O)CH 3) = (1.16 ± 0.09) × 10 −11 cm 3 (molecule s) −1 were determined at 298 ± 2 K. Rate coefficients for the reaction of OH radicals with allyl alcohol and methyl vinyl ketone were also determined at 298 ± 2 K using the PLP-LIF technique employing the photolysis of 2,4-pentanedione and 3-methyl-2,4-pentanedione as the OH radical sources respectively, k(OH + CH 2 CHCH 2OH) = (4.60 ± 0.19) × 10 −11 and k(OH + CH 2 CHC(O)CH 3) = (1.86 ± 0.12) × 10 −11 cm 3 (molecule s) −1. The measured rate coefficients are used to derive tropospheric lifetimes for the compounds.

Rate coefficients for the OH + CFH2CH2OH reaction between 238 and 355 K

The rate coefficient for the reaction OH + CFH2CH2OH --> products (k1) between 238 and 355 K was measured using the pulsed laser photolysis-laser induced fluorescence (PLP-LIF) technique to be (5.15 +/- 0.88)x 10(-12) exp[-(330 +/- 45)/T] cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1); k1(298 K)= 1.70 x 10(-12) cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1). The quoted uncertainties are 2sigma(95% confidence level) and include estimated systematic errors. The present results are discussed in relation to the measured rate coefficients for the reaction of OH with other fluorinated alcohols and those calculated using recently reported structure additivity relationships for fluorinated compounds (K. Tokuhashi, H. Nagai, A. Takahashi, M. Kaise, S. Kondo, A. Sekiya, M. Takahashi, Y. Gotoh and A. Suga, J. Phys. Chem. A, 1999, 103, 2664-2672, ). Infrared absorption cross sections for CFH2CH2OH are reported and they are used to calculate the global warming potentials (GWP) for CFH2CH2OH of approximately 8, approximately 2, and approximately 1, respectively, for the 20, 100 and 500 year horizons. A brief discussion of the atmospheric degradation of CFH2CH2OH is provided. It is concluded that CFH2CH2OH is an acceptable substitute for CFCs in terms of its impact on Earth's climate and the composition of the atmosphere. The room temperature rate coefficient for the reaction OH + CFH2CH2OH --> products (k10) was measured to be 3.26 x 10(-12) cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1), in good agreement with recent measurements from this laboratory.

Kinetics of the OH Initiated Oxidation of Nitrogen Monoxide

The kinetics of the recombination reaction, OH+NO+(M) --> Products have been investigated by the Pulsed Laser Photolysis-Laser Induced Fluorescence (PLP-LIF) technique in nitrogen and helium buffer gases at room temperature and as a function of pressure (30-900 Torr). Our values for the absolute rate coefficient in nitrogen at room temperature are in excellent agreement with the JPL 2003 and with the current IUPAC 2003 recommendations. With the exception of a very old study by Overend, our rate constants in helium are the only ones to cover the range of pressures between 30 and 900 Torr.

On the atmospheric degradation of pyruvic acid in the gas phase

The pulsed laser photolysis-laser induced fluorescence (PLP-LIF) technique has been used to measure the rate constant for the gas phase reaction of OH radicals with pyruvic acid (CH 3C(O)C(O)OH) in the temperature range 273–371 K. The data obtained were found to be well represented by the conventional Arrhenius expression: k PA =(4.9±1.9)×10 −14 exp[(276±123)/T] cm 3 molecule −1 s −1, and at 298 K, k PA=(1.2±0.4)×10 −13 cm 3 molecule −1 s −1. In addition, the UV-Vis absorption cross-sections of pyruvic acid were measured in the wavelength range 290–380 nm at 298 K; the obtained values are compared with literature ones. Using the PLP-LIF system, the photolysis of pyruvic acid was found to yield OH radicals with a quantum yield of 5±3% at 355 nm. Evidence was also found for the OH production from the photolysis of pyruvic acid using a set of black lamps as the light source. The data obtained confirm that the photolysis is the major gas phase atmospheric loss process of pyruvic acid.

The Si($^\mathsf3$PJ) + O$_\mathsf2$ reaction: A fast source of SiO at very low temperature; CRESU measurements and interstellar consequences

The rate coecient of the reaction Si( 3 PJ )+O 2! SiO +Oh as been measured at temperatures down to 15 Ku sing aC RESU (Cinetique de R eaction en Ecoulement Supersonique Uniforme) apparatus coupled with the PLP-LIF (Pulsed Laser Photolysis { Laser Induced Fluorescence) technique. The temperature dependence of the rate coecient is well tted using the expression: 1:7210 10 (T /300 K) 0:53 exp( 17 K=T )c m 3 molecule 1 s 1 in the temperature range 15{300 K. The silicon chemistry in interstellar clouds is reviewed and possible consequences of our study are stressed.

Rate constants for reactions of OH radicals with a series of asymmetrical ethers andtert-Butyl alcohol

Absolute rate constants for the reactions of OH radicals with butyl ethyl ether (k1), methyl tert-butyl ether (k2), ethyl tert-butyl ether (k3) tert-amyl methyl ether (k4) and tert-butyl alcohol (k5) have been measured over the temperature range 230–372 K using a pulsed laser photolysis-laser induced fluorescence (PLP-LIF) technique. The temperature dependence of k1 − k5 when expressed in Arrhenius form gave: k1 = (6.59 ± 0.66) × 10 −12 exp|(362 ± 60)/T|, k2 = (5.03 ± 0.27) × 10−12 exp|&minus(133 ± 30)/T|, k3 = (4.40 ± 0.24) × 10−12 exp|(210 ± 37)/T|,k4 = (4.7 ± 0.7) × 10−12 exp|(82 ± 85)/T|, and k5 = (2.66 ± 0.48) × 10−12 exp| −(270 ± 130)/T|. However, the Arrhenius plots for k1–k5, were slightly curved and are best fitted by the three parameter fits which are given in the article. The room temperature values of k1, k2, k3, k4, and k5 are (2.08 ± 0.23) × 10−11, (3.13 ± 0.36) × 10−12, (8.80 ± 0.50) × 10−12, (6.28 ± 0.45) × 10−12, and (1.08 ± 0.10) × 10−12, respectively, in cm3 molecule−1 s−1. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.