Separation, detection and occurrence of (C2–C8)-alkyl- and phenyl-alkyl nitrates as trace compounds in clean and polluted air

Nitric acid, HNO₃, and nitrous acid, HNO₂, are forming stable esters with alcohols, the alkyl nitrates and alkyl nitrites. Both groups of compounds are used as fuel additives, explosives and pharmaceuticals. Alkyl nitrates are also formed as complex mixtures during incomplete combustion and the abiotic transformation of alkanes, alkenes and aldehydes in air. Organic nitrates can be assigned to anthropogenic and natural sources alike. Here the synthesis of reference mixtures of alkyl nitrates is described starting with alcohols, alkyl bromides, alkyl iodides or alkanes, respectively, sampling techniques in air analysis, and the separation of alkyl nitrates and alkyl dinitrates by high resolution capillary gas chromatography using various stationary phases and electron capture (HRGC/ECD) as well as mass spectrometric detection (HRGC/MSD). A highly selective detection mode for alkyl nitrates and alkyl di- and trinitrates — in general in the presence of other organic trace compounds — is the single ion monitoring of 46 amu in GC/MS. The separation and occurrence of alkyl- and phenyl-alkyl nitrates in polluted air is reported using capillary gas chromatography with electron capture and ion trap MS detection. The reaction of alkanes with nitric acid at room temperature simulates in a good approximation the pattern of alkyl nitrates formed in air chemistry.     

Formation of alkyl nitrates from the reaction of branched and cyclic alkyl peroxy radicals with NO

The yields of C₅ and C₆ alkyl nitrates from neopentane, 2-methylbutane, 2-methylpentane, 3-methylpentane, and cyclohexane have been measured in irradiated CH₃ONONO-alkane-air mixtures at 298 ± 2 K and 735-torr total pressure. Additionally, OH radical rate constants for neopentyl nitrate, 3-nitro-2-methylbutane, 2-nitro-2-methylpentane, 2-nitro-3-methylpentane, and cyclohexyl nitrate, relative to that for n-butane, have been determined at 298 ± 2 K. Using a rate constant for the reaction of OH radicals with n-butane of 2.58 × 10^?12 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, these OH radical rate constants are (in units of 10^?12 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1): neopentyl nitrate, 0.87 ± 0.21; cyclohexyl nitrate, 3.35 ± 0.36; 3-nitro-2-methylbutane, 1.75 ± 0.06; 2-nitro-2-methylpentane, 1.75 ± 0.22; and 2-nitro-3-methylpentane, 3.07 ± 0.08. After accounting for consumption of the alkyl nitrates by OH radical reaction and for the yields of the individual alkyl peroxy radicals formed in the reaction of OH radicals with the alkanes studied, the alkyl nitrate yields (which reflect the fraction of the individual RO₂ radicals reacting with NO to form RONO₂) determined were: neopentyl nitrate, 0.0513 ± 0.0053; cyclohexyl nitrate, 0.160 ± 0.015; 3-nitro-2-methylbutane, 0.109 ± 0.003; 2-nitro-2methylbutane, 0.0533 ± 0.0022; 2-nitro-2-methylpentane, 0.0350 ± 0.0096; 3- + 4-nitro-2-methylpentane, 0.165 ± 0.016; and 2-nitro-3-methylpentane, 0.140 ± 0.014. These results are discussed and compared with previous literature values for the alkyl nitrates formed from primary and secondary alkyl peroxy radicals generated from a series of n-alkanes.     

Kinetics of the gas-phase reactions of OH radicals with alkyl nitrates at 299 ± 2 K

Relative rate constants for the gas-phase reactions of OH radicals with a series of alkyl nitrates have been determined at 299 ± 2 K, using methyl nitrite photolysis in air as a source of OH radicals. Using a rate constant for the reaction of OH radicals with cyclohexane of 7.57 × 10^?12 cm³/molec·s, the rate constants obtained are (× 10¹² cm³/molec·s): 2-propyl nitrate, 0.18 ± 0.05; 1-butyl nitrate, 1.42 ± 0.11; 2-butyl nitrate, 0.69 ± 0.10; 2-pentyl nitrate, 1.87 ± 0.12; 3-pentyl nitrate, 1.13 ± 0.20; 2-hexyl nitrate, 3.19 ± 0.16; 3-hexyl nitrate, 2.72 ± 0.22; 3-heptyl nitrate, 3.72 ± 0.43; and 3-octyl nitrate, 3.91 ± 0.80. These rate constants, which are the first reported for the alkyl nitrates, are significantly lower than those for the parent alkanes, and a formula, based on the numbers of the various types of C? H bonds in the alkyl nitrates, is derived for rate constant estimation purposes.     

Role of Radical Elimination Reactions with Concerted Fragmentation in the Chain Decomposition of Alkyl Nitrates

The reactions X? + HCR₂ONO₂ → XH + R₂C=O + ?NO₂ are very exothermic due to the cleavage of the weak N?O bond and the formation of the energy-intensive C=O bond. The quantum chemical calculation of the transition state of these reactions for X? = Et? and EtO? used as examples showed that they actually proceed in one elementary act as eliminations with concerted fragmentation. The kinetic parameters were estimated within the framework of the intersecting parabolas model; the parameters allow the calculation of the activation energy and rate constant from the enthalpy of the above reaction. For a series of reactions involving the Et?, EtO?, RO?₂, and ?NO₂ radicals, on the one hand, and a number of alkyl nitrates, on the other, their enthalpies, activation energies, and rate constants were calculated. Based on the data obtained, new kinetic schemes of the chain decomposition of alkyl nitrates involving eliminations with fragmentation were proposed.     

EI- and NCI-mass spectrometry of arylalkyl nitrates and their occurrence in urban air

The overall probability of the formation of arylalkyl nitrates is low in comparison to alkyl nitrates. However, measurable amounts of arylalkyl nitrates are found in traffic influenced air. It is reported here an analytical protocol based on high-volume sampling, adsorption liquid chromatography as a step in sample preparation, and high-resolution gas chromatography with electron ionization mass selective detection (HRGC/EI-MSD) as well as high-resolution gas chromatography with negative chemical ionization mass selective detection (HRGC/NCI (methane)-MSD) for the determination of arylalkyl nitrates as atmospheric constituents in urban air. The synthesis of arylalkyl nitrates as reference compounds is described. The arylalkyl nitrates can be selectively detected by the fragments M-46 (M-NO₂) and M-48 (M-NO₂-2H) in HRGC/NCI(methane)-MSD. In EI(70 EV)-MSD the dominating ions are at 46, 77, 91 and 105 u, which correspond to the NO₂ ⁺ and the phenyl, benzyl, and ethylbenzene fragments, respectively. The molecular ions are missing in (NCI-methane)-MSD and are of medium intensity in EI-MSD. Phenylethyl and phenylpropyl nitrates elute in GC in the range of n-octyl to n-dodecyl nitrate. The following arylalkyl nitrates have been identified in urban air: Benzyl nitrate (PhC1) and the three xylyl nitrates (M-PhC1), phenylethyl-1-nitrate (1Ph1C2), phenylethyl-2-nitrate (1Ph2C2), phenyl-n-propyl-1-nitrate (1Ph1C3), and phenyl-n-propyl-2-nitrate (1Ph2C3). Benzyl nitrate is the dominating compound in this group and is found at levels of 10–300 ng/m³ in urban air.     

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     

Kinetics of the gas-phase reactions of NO3 radicals and O3 with 3-methylfuran and the OH radical yield from the O3 reaction

Using relative rate methods, rate constants have been measured for the gas-phase reactions of 3-methylfuran with NO₃ radicals and O₃ at 296 ± 2 K and atmospheric pressure of air. The rate constants determined were (1.31 ± 0.461) × 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ for the NO₃ radical reaction and (2.05 ± 0.52) × 10⁻¹⁷ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ for the O₃ reaction, where the indicated errors include the estimated overall uncertainties in the rate constants for the reference reactions. Based on the cyclohexanone plus cyclohexanol yield in the presence of sufficient cyclohexane to scavenge > 95% of OH radicals formed, it is estimated that the O₃ reaction leads to the formation of OH radicals with a yield of 0.59, uncertain to a factor of ca. 1.5. In the troposphere, 3-methylfuran will react dominantly with the OH radical during daylight hours, and with the NO₃ radical during nighttime hours for nighttime NO₃ radical concentrations > 10⁷ molecule cm ⁻³. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Reactivity of Semivolatile Organic Compounds with Hydroxyl Radicals,Nitrate Radicals,and Ozone in Indoor Air

Indoor semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs) originate from indoor and outdoor sources. These SVOCs partition among different phases and available surfaces, which increases their residence time indoors to several years. SVOCs may also react with indoor oxidants, such as hydroxyl radicals (OH), nitrate radicals (NO₃), and ozone. In the present study, the second‐order reaction rate constants of 72 SVOCs in indoor air (gas and particle phases) at room temperature and ambient air pressure were retrieved from the literature. The pseudo–first‐order reaction rate constants of these SVOCs were calculated for the indoor concentration ranges of OH, NO₃, and ozone. Then, the extent to which the chemical reaction had a meaningful impact on the removal of SVOCs from the indoor environment was quantitatively analyzed. The orders of magnitude of the second‐order rate constant ranged between 10⁻¹⁵ and 10⁻¹⁰ cm³/(molecule·s) for OH/SVOC reactions, 10⁻¹⁷ and 10⁻¹² cm³/(molecule·s) for NO₃/SVOC reactions, and 10⁻²⁰ and 10⁻¹⁶ cm³/(molecule·s) for ozone/SVOC reactions in indoor air. Assuming that the highest indoor reactant concentrations were 1.8 × 10⁶ molecules/cm³ (7.3 × 10⁻⁵ ppb) for OH, 2.5 × 10⁸ molecules/cm³ (10⁻² ppb) for NO₃, and 1.4 × 10¹² molecules/cm³ (58 ppb) for ozone, the highest pseudo–first‐order rate constants in the gas phase for the studied reactions of OH/SVOCs (n = 72), NO₃/SVOCs (n = 3), and ozone/SVOCs (n = 14) reached 1.5 h⁻¹ (OH/benzo[a]pyrene), 0.41 h⁻¹ (NO₃/acenaphthene), and 1.0 h⁻¹ (ozone/aldrin and ozone/heptachlor), respectively. The pseudo–first‐order rate constants in the particle phase for the studied reactions of OH/SVOCs (n = 13), NO₃/SVOCs (n = 6), and ozone/SVOCs (n = 14) at the high indoor reactant concentrations reached 0.09 h⁻¹ (OH/DEHP), 5.8 h⁻¹ (NO₃/pyrene), and 11 h⁻¹ (ozone/benzo[a ]pyrene), respectively. These results indicate that the chemical reactions of some SVOCs in indoor air have a meaningful impact compared to the air exchange rate, which should be considered in future studies on indoor air quality modeling.     

Kinetics of the gas-phase reactions of OH radicals with a series of α,β-unsaturated carbonyls at 299 ± 2 K

Relative rate constants for the reaction of OH radicals with a series of α,β-unsaturated carbonyls have been determined at 299 ± 2 K, using methyl nitrite photolysis in air as a source of OH radicals. Using a rate constant for the reaction of OH radicals with propene of 2.52 × 10^?11 cm³/molec·s, the rate constants obtained are (× 10¹¹ cm³/molec·s: acrolein, 1.83 ± 0.13; crotonaldehyde, 3.50 ± 0.40; methacrolein, 2.85 ± 0.23; and methylvinylketone, 1.88 ± 0.14). These data, which are necessary input to chemical computer models of the NO_x–air photooxidations of conjugated dialkenes, are discussed and compared with literature values.     

Rate constants for the gas-phase reactions of cis-3-Hexen-1-ol,cis-3-Hexenylacetate,trans-2-Hexenal,and Linalool with OH and NO3 radicals and O3 at 296 ± 2 K,and OH radical formation yields from the O3 reactions

Rate constants for the gas-phase reactions of the four oxygenated biogenic organic compounds cis-3-hexen-1-ol, cis-3-hexenylacetate, trans-2-hexenal, and linalool with OH radicals, NO₃ radicals, and O₃ have been determined at 296 ± 2 K and atmospheric pressure of air using relative rate methods. The rate constants obtained were (in cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 units): cis-3-hexen-1-ol: (1.08 ± 0.22) × 10^?10 for reaction with the OH radical; (2.72 ± 0.83) × 10^?13 for reaction with the NO₃ radical; and (6.4 ± 1.7) × 10^?17 for reaction with O₃; cis-3-hexenylacetate: (7.84 ± 1.64) × 10^?11 for reaction with the OH radical; (2.46 ± 0.75) × 10^?13 for reaction with the NO₃ radical; and (5.4 ± 1.4) × 10^?17 for reaction with O₃; trans-2-hexenal: (4.41 ± 0.94) × 10^?11 for reaction with the OH radical; (1.21 ± 0.44) × 10^?14 for reaction with the NO₃ radical; and (2.0 ± 1.0) × 10^?18 for reaction with O₃; and linalool: (1.59 ± 0.40) × 10^?10 for reaction with the OH radical; (1.12 ± 0.40) × 10^?11 for reaction with the NO₃ radical; and (4.3 ± 1.6) × 10^?16 for reaction with O₃. Combining these rate constants with estimated ambient tropospheric concentrations of OH radicals, NO₃ radicals, and O₃ results in calculated tropospheric lifetimes of these oxygenated organic compounds of a few hours. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Gas-phase reaction of NO3 radicals with isoprene: a kinetic and mechanistic study

The gas-phase reaction of NO₃ radicals with isoprene was investigated under flow conditions at 298 K in the pressure range 6.8<P(mbar)<100 using GC-MS/FID, direct MS, and long-path FT–IR spectroscopy as detection techniques. By means of a relative rate method, the rate constant for the primary attack of NO₃ radicals toward isoprene was determined to be (6.86±2.60)×10⁻¹³ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹. The formation of the possible oxiranes, 2-methyl-2-vinyl-oxirane and 2-(1-methyl-vinyl)-oxirane, was observed in dependence on total pressure. In the presence of O₂ in the carrier gas, the product distribution was found to be strongly dependent on the reaction pathways of formed peroxy radicals. If the peroxy radicals mainly reacted in a self-reaction, the formation of organic nitrates was detected and 4-nitroxy-3-methyl-but-2-enal was identified as a main product. On the other hand, when NO was added to the gas mixture and the peroxy radicals were converted via RO₂+NO→RO+NO₂, the formation of methyl vinyl ketone as the main product as well as 3-methylfuran and meth-acrolein was observed. From the ratio of the product yields if NO was added to the gas mixture it was concluded that the attack of NO₃ radicals predominantly takes place in the 1-position. A reaction mechanism is proposed and the application of these results to the troposphere are discussed. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Products of the gas-phase reaction of the OH radical with 3-methyl-1-butene in the presence of NO

The products of the gas-phase reaction of the OH radical with 3-methyl-1-butene in the presence of NO have been investigated at room temperature and 740 torr total pressure of air by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection, in situ Fourier transform infrared absorption spectroscopy, and direct air sampling atmospheric pressure ionization tandem mass spectrometry. The products identified and quantified by GC-FID and in situ FT-IR absorption spectroscopy were HCHO, 2-methylpropanal, acetone, glycolaldehyde, and methacrolein, with formation yields of 0.70±0.06, 0.58±0.08, 0.17±0.02, 0.18±0.03, and 0.033±0.007, respectively. In addition, IR absorption bands due to organic nitrates were observed, consistent with API-MS observations of product ion peaks attributed to the β-hydroxynitrates (CH₃)₂CHCH(ONO₂)CH₂OH and/or (CH₃)₂CHCH(OH)CH₂ONO₂ formed from the reactions of the corresponding β-hydroxyalkyl peroxy radicals with NO. A formation yield of ca. 0.15 for these nitrates was estimated using IR absorption band intensities for known organic nitrates. These products account for essentially all of the reacted 3-methyl-1-butene. Analysis of the potential reaction pathways involved shows that H-atom abstraction from the allylic C(SINGLEBOND)H bond in 3-methyl-1-butene is a minor pathway which accounts for 5–10% of the overall OH radical reaction. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet: 30: 577–587, 1998     

Kinetics of the gas-phase reactions of β-phellandrene with OH and NO3 radicals and O3 at 297 ± 2 K

Rate constants for the gas-phase reactions of the biogenically emitted monoterpene β-phellandrene with OH and NO₃ radicals and O₃ have been measured at 297 ± 2 K and atmospheric pressure of air using relative rate methods. The rate constants obtained were (in cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 units): for reaction with the OH radical, (1.68 ± 0.41) × 10^?10; for reaction with the NO₃ radical, (7.96 ± 2.82) × 10^?12; and for reaction with O₃, (4.77 ± 1.23) × 10^?17, where the error limits include the estimated uncertainties in the reference reaction rate constants. Using these rate constants, the lifetime of β-phellandrene in the lower troposphere due to reaction with these species is calculated to be in the range of ca. 1–8 h, with the OH radical reaction being expected to dominate over the O₃ reaction as a loss process for β-phellandrene during daylight hours.     

Nitrogen Dioxide Catalyzed Aerobic Oxidative Cleavage of C(OH)–C Bonds of Secondary Alcohols to Produce Acids

Stable organic nitroxyl radicals are an important class of catalysts for oxidation reactions, but their wide applications are hindered by their steric hinderance, high cost, complex operation, and separation procedures. Herein, NO₂ in DMSO is shown to effectively catalyze the aerobic oxidative cleavage of C(OH)?C bonds to form a carboxylic group, and NO₂ was generated in situ by decomposition of nitrates. A diverse range of secondary alcohols were selectively converted into acids in excellent yields in this transition‐metal‐free system without any additives. Preliminary results also indicate its applicability to depolymerize recalcitrant macromolecular lignin. Detail studies revealed that NO₂ from nitrates promoted the reaction, and NO₂ served as hydrogen acceptor and radical initiator for the tandem oxidative reaction.     

Measurement of the reactivity of OH with methyl nitrate: Implications for prediction of alkyl nitrate-OH reaction rates

The rate of the gas phase reaction of hydroxyl radical with methyl nitrate has been measured to be (3.4 ± 0.4) × 10^?14 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 at 298 K using flow discharge/ resonance fluorescence techniques. By means of correlation methods, this rate determination is used to predict a vertical ionization potential of 12.6 eV, a bond dissociation energy for H? CH₂ONO₂ of 101 kcal mol^?1, and a rate for O(³P) reaction with methyl nitrate of ca. 9 × 10^?17 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1. In conjunction with previously derived relative data for reaction of alkyl nitrates with OH radical in the gas phase, a priori estimated reactivities for 1-, 2-, and 3-positionally substituted straight chain alkyl nitrates have been reexamined. Revised reactivities for OH abstraction of specific hydrogens substituted on straight chain alkyl nitrates are presented and discussed, and an atmospheric lifetime of ca. 2 yrs is estimated for methyl nitrate removal due to OH.     

The kinetics of radical reactions in the radiolysis of aqueous solutions of organic nitro compounds

Pulsed radiolysis and computer simulation of gamma radiolytic decomposition of organic nitrates in aqueous solutions were performed to determine the rate constants for reactions with the participation of intermediates determining the mechanism of the process. 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene, 2,4-dinitrotoluene, and cyclic nitramine, cyclotrimethylene-trinitramine, were used as substrates. The bimolecular rate constants for the reactions of hydrated electrons (e _aq ^? ) and hydroxyl radicals (^?OH) with the substrates and constants for the recombination of electron adducts and carbon-centered radicals (the products of the detachment of the H atom from the nitro compound molecule by the OH radical) were determined by direct measurements with the use of high-speed spectrophotometry. Computer simulation of the reaction scheme was used to estimate the rate constant for significant reactions, monomolecular forward and back reactions of electron adducts and electron transfer to molecular oxygen, and refine the rate constant for the reaction of e _aq ^? with tert-butanol.     

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

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.     

Multifunctional organic nitrates as constituents in European and US urban photo-smog

Air samples of the atmospheric ground layer in the cities of Ulm in Germany, Las Vegas, Nevada, and Salt Lake City, Utah, in the US were analyzed for organic nitrates. The air samples were taken around noon in summer at sunny weather conditions. 43 (C₆–C₁₃) alkyl mononitrates, 24 (C₃–C₆) alkyl dinitrates, and 19 (C₂–C₆) hydroxy alkyl nitrates have been identified. The analytical protocol included high-volume-sampling, NP-HPLC group separation, high resolution capillary gas chromatography, and detection by the highly selective mass spectrometer detector (SIM mode, m/z = 46). The levels of the sum of 15 (C₆–C₁₀) alkyl mononitrates ranged from 2.9 to 11.0 parts per trillion (ppt(v)). The levels of the sum of 21 (C₃–C₆) alkyl dinitrates ranged from 2.3 to 10.5 ppt(v), and the levels of the sum of 7 (C₂–C₄) hydroxy alkyl nitrates ranged from 7.3 to 28 ppt(v), respectively, in the urban air samples. These results emphazise the contribution of the alkyl dinitrates and hydroxy alkyl nitrates besides the alkyl mononitrates to the budget of NO_Y compounds. No major differences in levels and pattern of the organic nitrates are present in air of the German and the US cities.     

Gas-phase chlorine-initiated photooxidation of methanol and isopropanol

The photolysis of CH₃OH/Cl₂/air, CH₃OH/Cl₂/NO₂/air, and (CH₃)₂CHOH/Cl₂/NO₂/air at 28 ± 2°C was studied using the long-path FTIR method. The primary reactions of methanol and isopropanol with Cl atoms were α-hydrogen abstraction (100%), and α hydrogen (85%), and α-hydrogen abstraction (15%), respectively. The failure to detect hydroxyalkyl-peroxy nitrates suggested that the oxygen addition to α-hydroxy radicals is not important. From the product distribution an upper limit of the ratio of oxygen addition to CH₂OH and CH₃CHOH was estimated to be about 6 and 7%, respectively. The oxygen addition ratio to (CH₃)₂COH was very low. The reaction mechanism is also discussed.