A product study of the gas‐phase reaction of Isoprene with the OH radical in the presence of NO_x

Abstract

Abstract The gas‐phase reaction of isoprene with the OH radical, in the resence of NO x , was investigated at 298 ± 2 K and atmospheric pressure of air by long path length FT‐IR spectroscopy. The primary products identified and their formation yields were: methacrolein, 0.21 ± 0.05; methyl vinyl ketone, 0.29 ± 0.07; and HCHO, with the observed yield being consistent with the sum of the methacrolein and methyl vinyl ketone yields. Combined with the previously reported yield of 0.044 ± 0.006 for 3‐methylfuran, these products accounted for 55 ± 9% of the isoprene which reacted. Under conditions where the dark reaction of isoprene with NO 2 is not significant, the balance of the isoprene consumed could possibly be accounted for by the “organic nitrates” and “other carbonyl compounds” formed in estimated overall yields of ca. 12% and ca. 25%, respectively.