Kinetic investigation of gas‐phase reactions between the OH‐radical and o‐, m‐, p‐ethyltoluene and n‐nonane in air

We have carried out relative rate experiments (T = 294 ± 2 K, atmospheric pressure) to investigate the OH‐oxidation of o‐, m‐, and p‐ethyltoluene and n‐nonane (k1, k2, k3, and k4 respectively). The experiments were performed in a 2‐m3 smog chamber with Teflon coated walls. The rate constants obtained are (in cm3 molecule−1 s−1 with two sigma uncertainties): k1 = (1.36 ± 0.07) × 10−11; k2 = (2.12 ± 0.26) × 10−11; k3 = (1.47 ± 0.04) × 10−11, and k4 = (0.95 ± 0.02) × 10−11. The measured rate constants are in accordance with previously published data, so that a coherent group of values for the compounds studied can be established. Atmospheric implications, ozone, and particle production are discussed. In addition, we have determined the amount of o‐, m‐, and p‐ethyltoluenes in different types of gasoline.