Rate constants and atmospheric lifetimes for the reactions of OH radicals and Cl atoms with haloalkanes

Abstract Rate constants for the reactions of Cl atoms and OH radicals with haloalkanes were measured using the relative rate technique. From these values the atmospheric lifetimes of the organics with respect to Cl atoms and OH radicals were calculated. Cl atoms were produced by the photolysis of chlorine gas, and photolysis of methyl nitrite was the source of OH radicals. The rate constants were measured for a series of brominated and chlorinated alkanes for which measurements have not yet been reported excepting: k (Cl + 1‐chloropropane) and k (OH + 1‐chloropropane, 2‐chloropropane, and bromoethane). The organics studied were 1‐chloropropane, 2‐chloropropane, 1,3 dichloropropane, 2‐chloro 2methylpropane, bromoethane, 1‐bromopropane, 2‐bromopropane, 1‐bromobutane, 1‐bromopentane, and 1‐bromohexane. Cl atom reactions were measured at 298 K, the OH radical reactions were measured at temperatures between 298–308 K. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.