Reaction of Oxygen Atoms with Carbonyl Compounds: Part 2.—Acetaldehyde

Abstract

The reaction of excess atomic oxygen with acetaldehyde in a discharge-flow system has been studied at temperatures between 195 and 573 K. Kinetic studies and product analyses establish the mechanism to be O + CH3CHO → CH3CO + OH (1), O + OH → O2+ H (2), O + CH3CO → CH3+ CO2(9), O + CH3→ H2CO + H (7) followed by reaction between oxygen atoms and formaldehyde. At 573 K, the reduction of the carbon dioxide yield on increasing the pressure from 1 to 10 Torr is caused by unimolecular decomposition of acetyl radicals. At 300 K, k1=(2.88 ± 0.3)× 1011 cm3 mol–1 s–1.