T
he kinetics of t
he reactions of
hydroxyl radical wit
h n-octane (
k1),
n-nonane (
k2), and
n-decane (
k3) at 240-340 K and a total pressure of ~1 Torr
has been studied using relative rate combined wit
h disc
harge flow andmass spectrometer (RR/DF/MS) tec
hnique. T
he rate constant for t
hese reactions was found to be positivelydependent on temperature, wit
h an Arr
henius expression of
k1 = (2.27 ± 0.21) × 10
-11exp[(-296 ± 27)/
T],
k2 = (4.35 ± 0.49) × 10
-11exp[(-411 ± 32)/
T], and
k3 = (2.26 ± 0.28) × 10
-11exp[(-160 ± 36)/
T] cm
3molecule
-1 s
-1 (uncertainties taken as 2
![](/images/gifc<font color=)
hars/sigma.gif" BORDER=0 >), respectively. Our results are in good agreement wit
h previousstudies at and above room temperature using different tec
hniques. Assuming t
hat t
he reaction of alkane wit
hhydroxyl radical is t
he predominant form for loss of t
hese alkanes in t
he troposp
here, t
he atmosp
heric lifetimefor
n-octane,
n-nonane, and
n-decane is estimated to be about 43, 35, and 28
h, respectively.