Night-time atmospheric degradation of a series of butyl methacrylates

Abstract

Rate coefficients for the reactions of NO3 with n-butyl methacrylate (k1), iso-butyl methacrylate (k2) and tert-butyl methacrylate (k3) have been determined at 298 K and atmospheric pressure using the relative rate method. The following rate coefficients (×10−15 cm3 molecule−1 s−1) were obtained for the first time: k1 = (5.5 ± 2.6), k2 = (5.8 ± 2.8) and k3 = (5.6 ± 2.5). The NO3 reactions of these compounds could contribute to the removal of NOx and as NOy reservoirs. The potential importance for the tropospheric nitrogen budget of these reactions is discussed and atmospheric lifetimes for the butyl esters are calculated.