The gas phase reactions of hydroxyl radicals with a series of nitroalkanes over the temperature range 240-400 K

Absolute rate constants were determined for the gas phase reactions of OH radicals with a series of nitroalkanes by the flash photolysis-resonance fluorescence technique. Experiments were performed at total pressures from 25 to 50 Torr using Ar as a diluent gas. Experiments with nitromethane and nitromethane-d3 at 296 K yielded rate constants of (1.58±0.09) × 10−14 and (0.9±0.04) × 10−14 cm3 molecule−1 s−1, respectively.

Data from experiments over the temperature range 240–400 K for nitroethane, 1-nitropropane, 2-nitropropane, 1-nitrobutane, and 1-nitropentane were used to evaluate their Arrhenius parameters. The results are discussed in terms of the reaction mechanism, and are compared to previous literature data.