Products of the Gas-Phase OH and NO₃ Radical-Initiated Reactions of Naphthalene

Abstract

Naphthalene is the most abundant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) in polluted urban areas. Naphthalene is present in the gas phase under typical atmospheric conditions, and its most important atmospheric loss process is reaction with the hydroxyl (OH) radical. The products of the gas-phase reaction of naphthalene with OH radicals and with nitrate (NO 3 ) radicals have been investigated using gas chromatographic techniques with flame ionization, mass spectrometric, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic detection and using in situ atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry. The major products identified from the OH radical-initiated reaction of gas-phase naphthalene were ring cleavage species, including 2-formylcinnamaldehyde. The major products observed from the NO 3 radical-initiated reaction were 1- and 2-nitronaphthalene.