Kinetics and mechanism for the oxidation of 1,1,1-trichloroethane

The reaction mechanisms for oxidation of CH₃CCl₂ and CCl₃CH₂ radicals, formed in the atmospheric degradation of CH₃CCl₃ have been elucidated. The primary oxidation products from these radicals are CH₃CClO and CCl₃CHO, respectively. Absolute rate constants for the reaction of hydroxyl radicals with CH₃CCl₃ have been measured in 1 atm of Argon at 359, 376, and 402 K using pulse radiolysis combined with UV kinetic spectroscopy giving ??(OH + CH₃CCl₃) = (5.4 ± 3) 10^?12 exp(?3570 ± 890/RT) cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1. A value of this rate constant of 1.3 × 10^?14 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 at 298 K was calculated using this Arrhenius expression. A relative rate technique was utilized to provide rate data for the OH + CH₃ CCl₃ reaction as well as the reaction of OH with the primary oxidation products. Values of the relative rate constants at 298 K are: ??(OH + CH₃CCl₃) = (1.09 ± 0.35) × 10^?14, ??(OH + CH₃CClO) = (0.91 ± 0.32) × 10^?14, ??(OH + CCl₃CHO) = (178 ± 31) × 10^?14, ??(OH + CCl₂O) < 0.1 × 10^?14; all in units of cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1. The effect of chlorine substitution on the reactivity of organic compounds towards OH radicals is discussed.     

Room temperature rate constants for the reaction of OH with selected chlorinated and oxygenated hydrocarbons

A study was conducted to measure the hydroxyl radical rate constants using a relative rate procedure in which the photolysis of methyl nitrite was the source of OH. During the course of this study, the OH rate constant was measured for a number of chlorinated solvents for which measurements have not previously been reported or for which there are few reliable measurements. Room temperature OH rate constants are presented for six chlorinated hydrocarbons (allyl chloride, benzyl chloride, chlorobenzene, epichlorohydrin, trichloroethylene, and vinylidene chloride) and four oxygenated hydrocarbons (acrolein, methacrolein, methyl ethyl ketone, and propylene oxide). Also included are OH rate constants for alkanes (ethane, propane, isobutane, and cyclohexane), alkenes (trans?2-butene and isoprene), and aromatic hydrocarbons (benzene, toluene, o^?, m^?, and p-xylene). Rate constants for compounds not previously reported include vinylidene chloride (1.49 ± 0.21 × 10^?11 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1) and benzyl chloride (2.96 ± 0.15 × 10^?12 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1). The analysis for chlorinated hydrocarbons included a correction for possible chlorine atom reactions.     

The photooxidation of allyl chloride

The photooxidation of allyl chloride was studied by irradiation either in 100-L Teflon bags or in a 22.7-m³ Teflon smog chamber in the presence of added NO_x. In the absence of added hydrocarbons, the reaction involves a Cl atom chain, which leads to a highly reactive system. A reaction mechanism is presented to account for the following photooxidation products: chloroacetaldehyde, formaldehyde, 1,3-dichloroacetone, 3-chloroacrolein, acrolein, glyoxal, chloroperoxyacetyl nitrate, and peroxypropenyl nitrate. The rate constant for OH reaction with allyl chloride at 298 K was measured by a relative rate method under conditions where the Cl atom chain length was small and was found to be k_OH = 1.7 × 10^?11 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1. The rate constant for O₃ reaction with allylchloride at 298 K was found to be k_O3 = 1.5 × 10^?18 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1.     

Kinetics of the gas-phase reactions of NO3 radicals with a series of alkynes,haloalkenes, and α,β-unsaturated aldehydes

Rate constants for the gas-phase reactions of NO₃ radicals with a series of alkynes, haloalkenes, and α,β-unsaturated aldehydes have been determined at 298 ± 2 K using a relative rate technique. Using rate constants for the reactions of NO₃ radicals with ethene and propene of (1.1 ± 0.5) × 10^?16 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 and (7.5 ± 1.6) × 10^?15 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, respectively, the following rate constants (in units of 10^?16 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1) were obtained: acetylene, ≤0.23; propyne, 0.94 ± 0.44; vinyl chloride, 2.3 ± 1.1; 1,1-dichloroethene, 6.6 ± 3.1; cis-1,2-dichloroethene, 0.75 ± 0.35; trans-1,2-dichloroethene, 0.57 ± 0.27; trichloroethene, 1.5 ± 0.7; tetrachloroethene, <0.4; allyl chloride, 2.9 ± 1.3; acrolein, 5.9 ± 2.8; and crotonaldehyde, 41 ± 9. The atmospheric implications of these data are discussed.     

Kinetics of the reactions of naphthalene, 2-methylnaphthalene,and 2,3-dimethylnaphthalene with OH radicals and with O3 at 295 ± 1 K

The kinetics of the gas-phase reactions of naphthalene, 2-methylnaphthalene, and 2,3-dimethylnaphthalene with O₃ and with OH radicals have been studied at 295 ± 1 K in one atmosphere of air. Upper limit rate constants for the O₃ reactions of <3 × 10^?19, <4 × 10^?19, and <4 × 10^?19 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 were obtained for naphthalene, 2-methylnaphthalene, and 2,3-dimethylnaphthalene, respectively. For the OH radical reactions, rate constants of (in units of 10^?11 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1) 2.59 ± 0.24, 5.23 ± 0.42, and 7.68 ± 0.48 were determined for naphthalene, 2±methylnaphthalene, and 2,3-dimethylnaphthalene, respectively. These data show that under atmospheric conditions these naphthalenes will react mainly with the OH radical, with life-times due to this reaction ranging from ca. 11 h for naphthalene to ca. 4 h for 2,3-dimethylnaphthalene.     

An FTIR study of the Cl-atom-initiated reaction of glyoxal

The kinetics and mechanism of Cl-atom-initiated reactions of CHO? CHO were studied using the FTIR detection method to monitor the photolysis of Cl₂–CHO? CHO mixtures in 700 torr of N₂–O₂ diluent at 298 ± 2 K. The observed product distribution in the [O₂] pressure of 0–700 torr combined with relative rate measurements provide evidence that: (1) the primary step is Cl + CHO? CHO → HCl + CHO? CO with a rate constant of [3.8 ± 0.3(σ)] × 10^?11 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1; (2) the primary product CHO? CO unimolecularly dissociates to CHO and CO with an estimated lifetime of ≤ca. 1 × 10^?7 s; (3) alternatively, the CHO? CO reacts with O₂ leading to the formation of CO, CO₂, and most likely the HO radical, but no stable products containing two carbon atoms; (4) the HO₂ radical, formed in the secondary reaction CHO + O₂ → HO₂ + CO, reacts with the CHO? CHO with a rate constant ca. 5 × 10^?16 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 to form HCOOH and a new transient product resembling that detected previously in the HO₂ reaction with HCHO.     

Measurements of the kinetics of the OH‐initiated oxidation of methyl vinyl ketone and methacrolein

The mechanisms of the OH‐initiated oxidation of methyl vinyl ketone and methacrolein have been studied at 300 K and 100 Torr total pressure, using a turbulent flow technique coupled with laser‐induced fluorescence detection of the OH radical. The rate constants for the OH + methyl vinyl ketone and OH + methacrolein reactions were measured to be (1.78 ± 0.08) × 10^?11 and (3.22 ± 0.10) × 10^?11 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, respectively, and were found to be in excellent agreement with previous studies. In the presence of O₂ and NO, the OH radical propagation and the loss of OH through radical termination resulting from the production of methyl vinyl ketone‐ and methacrolein‐based alkyl nitrates were measured at 100 Torr total pressure and compared to the simulations of the kinetics of these reaction systems. The results of these experiments are consistent with an overall rate constant of (2.0 ± 1.3) × 10^?11 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 for both the methyl vinyl ketone‐based peroxy radical + NO and methacrolein‐based peroxy radical + NO reactions, each with branching ratios of 0.90 ± 0.10 for the bimolecular channel (oxidation of NO to NO₂) and 0.10 ± 0.10 for the termolecular channel (production of methyl vinyl ketone‐ and methacrolein‐based alkyl nitrates). © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 36: 12–25, 2003     

Temperature‐dependent rate coefficients and mechanism for the gas‐phase reaction of chlorine atoms with acetone

The rate coefficient for the gas‐phase reaction of chlorine atoms with acetone was determined as a function of temperature (273–363 K) and pressure (0.002–700 Torr) using complementary absolute and relative rate methods. Absolute rate measurements were performed at the low‐pressure regime (～2 mTorr), employing the very low pressure reactor coupled with quadrupole mass spectrometry (VLPR/QMS) technique. The absolute rate coefficient was given by the Arrhenius expression k(T) = (1.68 ± 0.27) × 10^?11 exp[?(608 ± 16)/T] cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 and k(298 K) = (2.17 ± 0.19) × 10^?12 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1. The quoted uncertainties are the 2σ (95% level of confidence), including estimated systematic uncertainties. The hydrogen abstraction pathway leading to HCl was the predominant pathway, whereas the reaction channel of acetyl chloride formation (CH₃C(O)Cl) was determined to be less than 0.1%. In addition, relative rate measurements were performed by employing a static thermostated photochemical reactor coupled with FTIR spectroscopy (TPCR/FTIR) technique. The reactions of Cl atoms with CHF₂CH₂OH (3) and ClCH₂CH₂Cl (4) were used as reference reactions with k₃(T) = (2.61 ± 0.49) × 10^?11 exp[?(662 ± 60)/T] and k₄(T) = (4.93 ± 0.96) × 10^?11 exp[?(1087 ± 68)/T] cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, respectively. The relative rate coefficients were independent of pressure over the range 30–700 Torr, and the temperature dependence was given by the expression k(T) = (3.43 ± 0.75) × 10^?11 exp[?(830 ± 68)/T] cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 and k(298 K) = (2.18 ± 0.03) × 10^?12 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1. The quoted errors limits (2σ) are at the 95% level of confidence and do not include systematic uncertainties. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 42: 724–734, 2010     

Flash photolysis resonance fluorescence investigation of the reactions of OH radicals with OCS and CS2

Rate constants for the reaction of OH radicals with OCS and CS₂ have been determined at 296 K using the flash photolysis resonance fluorescence technique. The values derived from this study are k_{OH + OCS} = (5.66 ± 1.21) × 10^?14 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 and k_{OH + CS2} = (1.85 ± 0.34) × 10^?13 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, where the uncertainties are 95% confidence limits making allowance for possible systematic errors.     

OH radical reaction rate constants for polycyclic alkanes: Effects of ring strain and consequences for estimation methods

Using a relative rate method, rate constants for the gas-phase reactions of the OH radical with trans-pinane [(1R, 2R)-2, 6, 6-trimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]heptane], tricyclene (1, 7, 7-trimethyltricyclo[2.2.1.0^{2, 6}]heptane), and quadricyclane (quadricyclo[2.2.1.0^{2, 6}.0^{3, 5}]heptane) of (1.34 ± 0.29) × 10^?11 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, (2.86 ± 0.62) × 10^?12 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 and (1.83 ± 0.41) × 10^?12 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, respectively, have been determined at 296 ± 2 K. These rate constants are compared with values calculated from an empirical estimation method and used to refine this estimation technique for the calculation of OH radical reaction rate constants for polycyclic systems. © John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Rate coefficients for the reactions of OH radicals with Methylglyoxal and Acetaldehyde

Rate coefficients have been measured for the reaction of OH radicals with methylglyoxal from 260 to 333 K using the discharge flow technique and laser-induced fluorescence detection of OH. The rate coefficient was found to be (1.32±0.30) × 10^?11 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 at room temperature, with a distinct negative temperature dependence (E/R of ?830 ± 300 K). These are the first measurements of the temperature dependence of this reaction. The reaction of OH with acetaldehyde was also investigated, and a rate coefficient of (1.45 ± 0.25) × 10^?11 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 was found at room temperature, in accord with recent studies. Experiments in which O₂ was added to the flow showed regeneration of OH following the reaction of CH₃CO radicals with O₂. However, chamber experiments at atmospheric pressure using FTIR detection showed no evidence for OH production. FTIR experiments have also been used to investigate the chemistry of the CH₃COCO radical formed by hydrogen abstraction from methylglyoxal. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Rate coefficients and mechanisms of the reaction of cl‐atoms with a series of unsaturated hydrocarbons under atmospheric conditions

Rate coefficients and/or mechanistic information are provided for the reaction of Cl‐atoms with a number of unsaturated species, including isoprene, methacrolein ( MACR ), methyl vinyl ketone ( MVK ), 1,3‐butadiene, trans‐2‐butene, and 1‐butene. The following Cl‐atom rate coefficients were obtained at 298 K near 1 atm total pressure: k(isoprene) = (4.3 ± 0.6) × 10^?10cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 (independent of pressure from 6.2 to 760 Torr); k( MVK ) = (2.2 ± 0.3) × 10^?10 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1; k( MACR ) = (2.4 ± 0.3) × 10^?10 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1; k(trans‐2‐butene) = (4.0 ± 0.5) × 10^?10 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1; k(1‐butene) = (3.0 ± 0.4) × 10^?10 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1. Products observed in the Cl‐atom‐initiated oxidation of the unsaturated species at 298 K in 1 atm air are as follows (with % molar yields in parentheses): CH₂O (9.5 ± 1.0%), HCOCl (5.1 ± 0.7%), and 1‐chloro‐3‐methyl‐3‐buten‐2‐one (CMBO, not quantified) from isoprene; chloroacetaldehyde (75 ± 8%), CO₂ (58 ± 5%), CH₂O (47 ± 7%), CH₃OH (8%), HCOCl (7 ± 1%), and peracetic acid (6%) from MVK ; CO (52 ± 4%), chloroacetone (42 ± 5%), CO₂ (23 ± 2%), CH₂O (18 ± 2%), and HCOCl (5%) from MACR ; CH₂O (7 ± 1%), HCOCl (3%), acrolein (≈3%), and 4‐chlorocrotonaldehyde (CCA, not quantified) from 1,3‐butadiene; CH₃CHO (22 ± 3%), CO₂ (13 ± 2%), 3‐chloro‐2‐butanone (13 ± 4%), CH₂O (7.6 ± 1.1%), and CH₃OH (1.8 ± 0.6%) from trans‐2‐butene; and chloroacetaldehyde (20 ± 3%), CH₂O (7 ± 1%), CO₂ (4 ± 1%), and HCOCl (4 ± 1%) from 1‐butene. Product yields from both trans‐2‐butene and 1‐butene were found to be O₂‐dependent. In the case of trans‐2‐butene, the observed O₂‐dependence is the result of a competition between unimolecular decomposition of the CH₃CH(Cl)? CH(O?)? CH₃ radical and its reaction with O₂, with k_decomp/k_O2 = (1.6 ± 0.4) × 10¹⁹ molecule cm^?3. The activation energy for decomposition is estimated at 11.5 ± 1.5 kcal mol^?1. The variation of the product yields with O₂ in the case of 1‐butene results from similar competitive reaction pathways for the two β‐chlorobutoxy radicals involved in the oxidation, ClCH₂CH(O?)CH₂CH₃ and ?OCH₂CHClCH₂CH₃. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 35: 334–353, 2003     

Kinetics of the gas-phase reactions of the OH radical with (C2H5)3PO and (CH3O)2P(S)Cl at 296 ± 2 K

The kinetics of the gas-phase reactions of the OH radical with (C₂H₅O)₃PO and (CH₃O)₂P(S)Cl and of the reactions of NO₃ radicals and O₃ with (CH₃O)₂P(S)Cl have been studied at room temperature. Using a relative rate technique, the rate constants determined for the reactions of the OH radical with (C₂H₅O)₃PO and (CH₃O)₂P(S)Cl at 296 ± 2 K and 740 torr total pressure of air were (5.53 ± 0.35) × 10^?11 and (5.96 ± 0.38) × 10^?11 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, respectively. Upper limits to the rate constants for the NO₃ radical and O₃ reactions with (CH₃O)₂P(S)Cl of <3 × 10^?14 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 and <2 × 10^?19 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, respectively, were obtained. These data are compared and discussed with previous literature data for organophosphorus compounds.     

Rate constants for the reactions of the OH radical with the propyl and butyl nitrates and 1-nitrobutane at 298 ± 2 k

Using a relative rate method, rate constants for the gas-phase reactions of the OH radical with 1- and 2-propyl nitrate, 1- and 2-butyl nitrate and 1-nitrobutane have been determined in the presence of one atmosphere of air at 298 ± 2 K. Using rate constants for the reactions of the OH radical with propane and cyclohexane of 1.15 × 10^?12 and 7.49 × 10^?12 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, respectively, following rate constants (in units of 10^?12 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1) were obtained: 1-propyl nitrate, 0.62; 2-propyl nitrate, 0.41; 1-butyl nitrate, 1.78; 2-butyl nitrate, 0.93; and 1-nitrobutane, 1.35. These rate constants are compared and discussed with the literature data.     

Rate coefficients for the reactions of OH with n‐propanol and iso‐propanol between 237 and 376 K

The rate coefficients for the reaction OH + CH₃CH₂CH₂OH → products (k₁) and OH + CH₃CH(OH)CH₃ → products (k₂) were measured by the pulsed‐laser photolysis–laser‐induced fluorescence technique between 237 and 376 K. Arrhenius expressions for k₁ and k₂ are as follows: k₁ = (6.2 ± 0.8) × 10^?12 exp[?(10 ± 30)/T] cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, with k₁(298 K) = (5.90 ± 0.56) × 10^?12 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, and k₂ = (3.2 ± 0.3) × 10^?12 exp[(150 ± 20)/T] cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, with k₂(298) = (5.22 ± 0.46) × 10^?12 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1. The quoted uncertainties are at the 95% confidence level and include estimated systematic errors. The results are compared with those from previous measurements and rate coefficient expressions for atmospheric modeling are recommended. The absorption cross sections for n‐propanol and iso‐propanol at 184.9 nm were measured to be (8.89 ± 0.44) × 10^?19 and (1.90 ± 0.10) × 10^?18 cm² molecule^?1, respectively. The atmospheric implications of the degradation of n‐propanol and iso‐propanol are discussed. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 42: 10–24, 2010     

Gas phase reaction of the hydroxyl radical with the unsaturated peroxyacyl nitrate CH2C(CH3)C(O)OONO2

The gas phase reaction of the hydroxyl radical with the unsaturated peroxyacyl nitrate CH₂ ? C(CH₃)C(O)OONO₂ (MPAN) has been studied at 298 ± 2 K and atmospheric pressure. The OH-MPAN reaction rate constant relative to that of OH + n-butyl nitrate is 2.08 ± 0.25. This ratio, together with a literature rate constant of 1.74 × 10^?12 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 for the OH + n-butyl nitrate reaction at 298 K, yields a rate constant of (3.6 ± 0.4)× 10^?12 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 for the OH-MPAN reaction at 298 ± 2 K. Hydroxyacetone and formaldehyde are the major carbonyl products. The yield of hydroxyacetone, 0.59 ± 0.12, is consistent with preferential addition of OH at the unsubstituted carbon atom. Atmospheric persistence and removal processes for MPAN are briefly discussed. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Kinetic study of OH radical reaction with n‐heptane and n‐hexane at 240–340K using the relative rate/discharge flow/mass spectrometry (RR/DF/MS) technique

The kinetics of reactions of OH radical with n‐heptane and n‐hexane over a temperature range of 240–340K has been investigated using the relative rate combined with discharge flow/mass spectrometry (RR/DF/MS) technique. The rate constant for the reaction of OH radical with n‐heptane was measured with both n‐octane and n‐nonane as references. At 298K, these rate constants were determined to be k_{1, octane} = (6.68 ± 0.48) × 10^?12 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 and k_{1, nonane} = (6.64 ± 1.36) × 10^?12 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, respectively, which are in very good agreement with the literature values. The rate constant for reaction of n‐hexane with the OH radical was determined to be k₂ = (4.95 ± 0.40) × 10^?12 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 at 298K using n‐heptane as a reference. The Arrhenius expression for these chemical reactions have been determined to be k_{1, octane} = (2.25 ± 0.21) × 10^?11 exp[(?293 ± 37)/T] and k₂ = (2.43 ± 0.52) × 10^?11 exp[(?481.2 ± 60)/T], respectively. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 43: 489–497, 2011     

Gas-phase reactions of 1,4-benzodioxan, 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran,and 2,3-benzofuran with OH radicals and O3

The kinetics of the gas-phase reactions of 1,4-benzodioxan, 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran, and 2,3-benzofuran with OH radicals and O₃ have been studied at 298 ± 2 K and atmospheric pressure of air and the products have also been investigated. 1,4-Benzodioxan and 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran were chosen as volatile model compounds for dibenzo-p-dioxin and dibenzofuran, respectively. The rate constants, or upper limits thereof, for the O₃ reactions were (in cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 units): 1,4-benzodioxan, <1.2 × 10^?20; 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran, <1 × 10^?19; and 2,3-benzofuran, (1.83 ± 0.21) × 10^?18. Using a relative rate method, the rate constants for the OH radical reactions (in cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 units) were: 1,4-dibenzodioxan, (2.52 ± 0.38) × 10^?11; 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran, (3.66 ± 0.56) × 10^?11; and 2,3-benzofuran, (3.73 ± 0.74) × 10^?11. Salicylaldehyde was observed as a product of the OH radical-initiated and O₃ reactions of 2,3-benzofuran, with measured formation yields of 0.26 ± 0.05 and 0.13 ± 0.07, respectively.     

Gas-phase reactions of azulene with OH and NO3 radicals and O3 at 298 ± 2 K

Azulene, which is isomeric with naphthalene, was studied to determine whether it behaves like a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon or an alkene in its gas-phase reactions with OH and NO₃ radicals and O₃. Using relative rate methods, rate constants for the reactions of azulene with OH and NO₃ radicals and O₃ of (2.73 ± 0.56) × 10^?10 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, (3.9) × 10^?10 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, and <7 × 10^?17 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, respectively, were obtained at 298 ± 2 K. The observation that the NO₃ radical reaction did not involve NO₂ in the rate determining step indicates that azulene behaves more like an alkene than a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon in this reaction. No conclusive evidence for the formation of nitroazulene(s) from either the OH or NO₃ radical-initiated reaction of azulene (in the presence of NO_x) was obtained.     

Rate constants for the gas-phase reaction of OH radicals with a series of ketones at 299 ± 2 K

Relative rate constants for the reaction of OH radicals with a series of ketones have been determined at 299 ± 2 K, using methyl nitrite photolysis in air as a source of hydroxyl radicals. Using a rate constant for the reaction of OH radicals with cyclohexane of 7.57 × 10^?12 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, the rate constants obtained are (× 10¹² cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1): 2-pentanone, 4.74 ± 0.14; 3-pentanone, 1.85 ± 0.34; 2-hexanone, 9.16 ± 0.61; 3-hexanone, 6.96 ± 0.29; 2,4-dimethyl-3-pentanone, 5.43 ± 0.41; 4-methyl-2-pentanone, 14.5 ± 0.7; and 2,6-dimethyl-4-heptanone, 27.7 ± 1.5. These rate constants indicate that while the carbonyl group decreases the reactivity of C? H bonds in the α position toward reaction with the OH radical, it enhances the reactivity in the β position.