A product study of the gas‐phase reaction of Isoprene with the OH radical in the presence of NOx

Abstract The gas‐phase reaction of isoprene with the OH radical, in the resence of NOx, was investigated at 298 ± 2 K and atmospheric pressure of air by long path length FT‐IR spectroscopy. The primary products identified and their formation yields were: methacrolein, 0.21 ± 0.05; methyl vinyl ketone, 0.29 ± 0.07; and HCHO, with the observed yield being consistent with the sum of the methacrolein and methyl vinyl ketone yields. Combined with the previously reported yield of 0.044 ± 0.006 for 3‐methylfuran, these products accounted for 55 ± 9% of the isoprene which reacted. Under conditions where the dark reaction of isoprene with NO2is not significant, the balance of the isoprene consumed could possibly be accounted for by the “organic nitrates” and “other carbonyl compounds” formed in estimated overall yields of ca. 12% and ca. 25%, respectively.