Temperature dependence of the UV absorption cross sections and photodissociation products of C3-C5 alkyl nitrates

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0009-2614(97)01011-7

Cavity ring-down spectroscopy has been used to measure the UV absorption cross sections of 1-propyl, 2-propyl, 1-butyl, and 1-pentyl nitrates as a function of temperature between 265 and 340 nm. Absorption cross sections increased with temperature from 238 to 298 K. The photodissociation of these C₃-C₅ alkyl nitrates at 308 nm was investigated; the exclusive fragmentation channel was cleavage of the RO-NO₂ bond to form RO + NO₂. The NO₂ yield was 1.0 ± 0.1, with no temperature dependence. Tropospheric photolysis rates of C₃-C₅ alkyl nitrates were calculated.