Atmospheric degradation of biofuel cyclic esters initiated by chlorine atom: Product yields and ring-retaining oxidation vs. ring opening mechanisms

Key Points

• Chemical degradation of biofuel cyclic esters shows significant variation in product yields, emphasizing the role of chlorine atoms in oxidation.
• When chlorine atoms initiate degradation, both ring-retaining oxidation and ring opening mechanisms are observed, impacting overall product formation.
• The study highlights distinct pathways in the atmospheric degradation process, which is essential for understanding biofuel sustainability and environmental impact.
• Further research is needed to explore these degradation pathways under different environmental conditions to validate findings.