Pulse radiolysis study of reactions of alkyl and alkylperoxy radicals originating from methyl tert-butyl ether in the gas phase

UV spectra and kinetics for the reactions of alkyl and alkylperoxy radicals from methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) were studied in 1 atm of SF6 by the pulse radiolysis-UV absorption technique. UV spectra for the radical mixtures were quantified from 215 to 340 nm. At 240 nm. σR = (2.6 ± 0.4) × 10−18 cm2 molecule−1 and σRO2 = (4.1 ± 0.6) × 10−18 cm2 molecule−1 (base e). The rate constant for the self-reaction of the alkyl radicals is (2.5 ± 1.1) × 10−11 cm3 molecule−1 s−1. The rate constants for reaction of the alkyl radicals with molecular oxygen and the alkylperoxy radicals with NO and NO2 are (9.1 ± 1.5) × 10−13, (4.3 ± 1.6) × 10−12 and (1.2 ± 0.3) × 10−11 cm3 molecule−1 s−1, respectively. The rate constants given above refer to reaction at the tert-butyl side of the molecule.