FT–IR study of the ring-retaining products from the reaction of OH radicals with phenol, o-, m-, and p-cresol

• Published in: Atmospheric environment (1994) 2002-08, Vol.36 (22), p.3685-3697
• Main Authors: Olariu, Romeo Iulian, Klotz, Björn, Barnes, Ian, Becker, Karl Heinz, Mocanu, Raluca
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Atmospheric photochemistry; Benzoquinones; Chemical composition and interactions. Ionic interactions and processes; Chemistry; Dihydroxybenzenes; Earth, ocean, space; Exact sciences and technology; External geophysics; Kinetics and mechanisms; Meteorology; OH-radical; Organic chemistry; Phenols; Reactivity and mechanisms
• ISSN: 1352-2310; 1873-2844
• DOI: 10.1016/S1352-2310(02)00202-9

The ring-retaining products of the OH-initiated degradation of phenol and o-, m-, and p-cresol in the presence of NO x have been investigated and their formation yields determined. The experiments were carried out in a large volume reactor at (298±2) K and 1000 mbar total pressure of synthetic air using FT–IR spectroscopy for the analysis of reactants and products. The products observed and their respective molar yields were: from phenol: 1,2-dihydroxybenzene (80.4±12.1)%, 1,4-benzoquinone (3.7±1.2)% and 2-nitrophenol (5.8±1.0)%; from o-cresol: 3-methyl-1,2-dihydroxybenzene (73.4±14.6)%, methyl-1,4-benzoquinone (6.8±1.0)% and 6-methyl-2-nitrophenol (6.8±1.5)%; from m-cresol: 3-methyl-1,2-dihydroxybenzene (68.6±13.4)%, 4-methyl-1,2-dihydroxybenzene (9.7±2.7)%, methyl-1,4-benzoquinone (11.3±2.5)%, 5-methyl-2-nitrophenol (4.4±1.5)% and 3-methyl-2-nitrophenol (4.3±1.6)% and from p-cresol: 4-methyl-1,2-dihydroxybenzene (64.1±11.3)% and 4-methyl-2-nitrophenol (7.6±2.2)%. Reaction pathways leading to the observed products are proposed and potential ramifications for the atmospheric reaction mechanisms of aromatic hydrocarbons are considered.