The Hydroxyl Radical Reaction Rate Constant and Products of Dimethyl Succinate

Abstract

The relative rate technique has been used to examine the kinetics for the reaction of the hydroxyl radical (OH) with dimethyl succinate (DMS, CH3OC(=O)CH2CH2C(=O)OCH3). The measured rate constant for OH + DMS was 1.5 +/- 0.4 x 10(exp -12) cc/molecule/s at 297 +/- 3 deg K and 1 atmosphere total pressure. This is in agreement with the predicted value of 1.15 x 10(exp -12) cc/molecule/s determined by structure activity relationships. To more clearly define DMS's atmospheric degradation mechanism, the products of the OH + DMS reaction were also investigated. The only primary product detected was mono methyl succinate (MMS, CH3OC(=O)CH2CH2C(=O)OH)) at a yield of only 2.17 +/- 0.25%. Extensive efforts were used to identify other primary products but none were measured. Formic acid (HC(=O)OH ); however, was observed as a secondary product being formed at a rate of (4.6 +/- 1.3) x 10(exp 14) molecules/second, 60 minutes after initiating the OH + DMS reaction. Formic acid is believed to be a degradation product of the primary product, methyl glyoxylate (MG, CH3OC(=O)C(=O)H). Product formation pathways are discussed in light of current understanding of the atmospheric chemistry of oxygenated organic compounds.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 2008
Accession Number
ADA479436

Entities

People

  • Sheryl E. Calidonna
  • William R. Bradley

Organizations

  • Applied Research Associates (United States)

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Detection
  • Detectors
  • Dielectric Gases
  • Environment
  • Formic Acid
  • Governments
  • Hydroxyl Radical
  • Materials
  • Measurement
  • Nitrogen Oxides
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Organic Compounds
  • Volatile Organic Compounds

Fields of Study

  • Chemistry
  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Analytical Mechanics
  • Molecular Photonics/Laser Physics