Methyl acetate reaction with OH and Cl: Reaction rates and products for a biodiesel analogue

Relative rate experiments performed in a photochemical reactor at 293 ± 0.5 K and a total air pressure of 980 mbar were used to determine k(CH3C(O)OCH3 + Cl) = (1.93 ± 0.27) × 10−12 cm3 molecule−1 s−1 and k(CH3C(O)OCH3 + OH) = (3.18 ± 0.13) × 10−13 cm3 molecule−1 s−1. The product branching ratio for the Cl-initiated oxidation of CH3C(O)OCH3 was investigated at 293 ± 0.5 K and 980 mbar N2, air, or O2, in the presence and absence of NO. Products observed were CH3C(O)OCHO, CH3C(O)OH, HC(O)OH, CO, and CO2. The product branching ratios were dependent on NO, but not on the oxygen partial pressure.