Temperature dependence of the UV absorption cross sections and photodissociation products of C3C5 nitrates

Cavity ring-down spectroscopy has been used to measure the UV absorption cross sections of 1-propyl, 2-propyl, 1-butyl, and 1-pentyl nitrates as a function of temperature between 265 and 340 nm. Absorption cross sections increased with tempperature from 238 to 298K. The photodissociation of these C3C5 alkyl nitrates at 308 nm was investigated; the exclusive fragmentation channel was cleavage of the RO−NO2 bond to form RO + NO2. The NO2 yield was1.0 ± 0.1, with no temperature dependence. Tropospheric photolysis rates of C3C5 alkyl nitrates were calculated.