Products of the reaction of hydroxyl radicals with trans-2-butene in the presence of oxygen and nitrogen dioxide

The reactions of hydroxy-substituted alkyl radicals, formed as secondary products in the reaction of ozone with trans-2-butene, have been identified in photoionization mass spectrometry studies, using acetaldehyde and nitrogen dioxide as free-radical scavengers. Products derived from 2-hydroxy-1-methylpropl in the absence of scavengers include 2,3-butanedione (diacetyl), 3-hydroxy-2-butanone (acetoin),and 2,3-butanediol. In the presence of added acetaldehyde or nitrogen dioxide, the formation of these products is suppressed. In addition, with added nitrogen dioxide, new products are formed which have been identified as a series of oxoalkyl and hydroxy-substituted-alkyl nitrates and peroxynitrates. These observations may have an important bearing on the chemistry of photochemical smog.