Reaction of oxygen atoms with carbonyl compounds. Part 2.—Acetaldehyde

Abstract

The reaction of excess atomic oxygen with acetaldehyde in a discharge-flow system has been studied at temperatures between 195 and 573 K. Kinetic studies and product analyses establish the mechanism to be O + CH₃CHO → CH₃CO + OH (1), O + OH → O₂+ H (2), O + CH₃CO → CH₃+ CO₂(9), O + CH₃→ H₂CO + H (7) followed by reaction between oxygen atoms and formaldehyde. At 573 K, the reduction of the carbon dioxide yield on increasing the pressure from 1 to 10 Torr is caused by unimolecular decomposition of acetyl radicals. At 300 K, k₁=(2.88 ± 0.3)× 10¹¹ cm³ mol^–1 s^–1.