Mechanisms for the chlorine atom initiated oxidation of dimethoxymethane and 1,2-dimethoxyethane in the presence of NOx

The chlorine atom initiated gas-phase oxidations of dimethoxymethane and 1,2-dimethoxyethane, have been investigated in the presence of NOx. Methoxymethyl formate and dimethyl carbonate were identified as the oxidation products of dimethoxymethane with molar yields of 0.72 ± 0.05 and 0.26 ± 0.02 respectively. The oxidation products of 1,2-dimethoxyethane were methyl formate (1.51 ± 0.16) and methoxyethyl formate (0.11 ± 0.01). The results of these studies are used to elucidate simplified gas-phase atmospheric degradation schemes for the diethers and also provide valuable information on the atmospheric fate of the alkoxy radicals produced in these and similar reactions.