Reaction of oxygen atoms with methyl and ethyl nitrites
Abstract
The reactions of oxygen atoms with methyl nitrite and with ethyl nitrite have been studied in a discharge flow system between 300 and 410 K. Initial attack is by abstraction of a hydrogen atom, for which the rate expressions are 1.4 × 1010 exp(–21.8 ± 2 kJ mol–1/RT) and 2.6 × 1010 exp(–20.3 ± 2 kJ mol–1/RT) dm3 mol–1 s–1. The activation energy for hydrogen abstraction is not reduced by the fact that the initially formed radical can rupture exothermically to yield an aldehyde and nitric oxide.