On the identification of oxiranes formed in the reactions of NO3 radicals with alkenes

Abstract

Products of the reaction of the NO3 radical with monoalkenes, i.e., 2,3-dimethyl-2-butane, 2-methyl-2-butene, cis-2-butene, isobutene and propene were identified using a fast flow system with mass spectrometric detection. The reaction mixtures were analyzed in situ without applying enrichment procedures. Oxiranes were found to be the predominant hydrocarbon compound produced at low pressures with yields of (90 ± 10)% for 2,3-dimethyl-2-butene and (80 ± 10)% for cis-2-butene. For the unsubstituted butenes and for propene formation of products containing a carbonyl group was also suggested.