Quantifying primary oxidation products in the OH-initiated reaction of benzyl alcohol
<p>Benzyl alcohol is found in many volatile chemical products (VCPs) including a number of personal care products and industrial solvents. We report here on the products of the gas-phase oxidation of benzyl alcohol by OH and its dependence on nitric oxide (NO) levels. Using a gas chromatograp...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics |
| Online Access: | https://acp.copernicus.org/articles/25/1883/2025/acp-25-1883-2025.pdf |
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| Summary: | <p>Benzyl alcohol is found in many volatile chemical products (VCPs) including a number of personal care products and industrial solvents. We report here on the products of the gas-phase oxidation of benzyl alcohol by OH and its dependence on nitric oxide (NO) levels. Using a gas chromatography in tandem with a chemical ionization mass spectrometer (CIMS) and gas chromatographer with a flame ionization detector (GC-FID), we measure the branching fractions to the major gas-phase oxidation products: hydroxybenzyl alcohol (HBA) and benzaldehyde. Later-generation oxidation products from both HBA and benzaldehyde pathways are also observed. In particular, catechol is a major gas-phase product of HBA. The fraction of H abstraction from benzyl alcohol leading to benzaldehyde formation is unaffected by [NO], with an average branching fraction of <span class="inline-formula">(21±10) <i>%</i></span>. The fraction of OH addition leading to HBA formation <span class="inline-formula">(36±18) <i>%</i></span> also does not appear to vary with [NO]. Consistent with the known high SOA yields of catechol, we find that HBA has a very high secondary organic aerosol (SOA) yield. Thus, benzyl alcohol and its oxidation products efficiently produce secondary organic aerosol – under some conditions approaching unity. Insights from the present study can help elucidate the chemistry of other atmospherically relevant aromatic compounds, especially those found in VCPs.</p> |
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| ISSN: | 1680-7316 1680-7324 |