Reactions of hydroxyl radicals with selected hydrocarbons of importance in atmospheric chemistry

The kinetics of the reactions of OH with i-butanol and t-butanol have been studied by laser flash photolysis-laser induced fluorescence (LP-LIF), under pseudo-first-order conditions. The values, k(OH + i-butanol) equals (9.0 +/- 0.9) X 10-12 cm3 molecule-1 s-1 and k(OH + t-butanol) equals 1.8 +/- 0.2) X 10-13 cm3 molecule-1 s-1 at 292 K were obtained. As a check on the technique measurements were also made of the OH + CH4 reaction. The value obtained, k(OH + CH4) equals (5.4 +/- 0.2) X 10-15 cm3 molecule-1 s-1 at T equals 292 K, is in excellent agreement with the most recent literature value.