Rate constants for the reaction of OH radicals with a series of alkanes and alkenes at 299 ± 2 K

Abstract Using methyl nitrite photolysis in air as a source of hydroxyl radicals, relative rate constants for the reaction of OH radicals with a series of alkanes and alkenes have been determined at 299 ± 2 K. The rate constant ratios obtained are: relative to n ‐hexane = 1.00, neopentane 0.135 ± 0.007, n ‐butane 0.453 ± 0.007, cyclohexane 1.32 ± 0.04; relative to cyclohexane = 1.00, n ‐butane 0.341 ± 0.002, cyclopentane 0.704 ± 0.007, 2,3‐dimethylbutane 0.827 ± 0.004, ethene 1.12 ± 0.05; relative to propene = 1.00, 2‐methyl‐2‐butene 3.43 ± 0.13, isoprene 3.81 ± 0.17, 2,3‐dimethyl‐2‐butene 4.28 ± 0.21. These relative rate constants are placed on an absolute basis using previous absolute rate constant data and are compared and discussed with literature data.