GAS-PHASE THERMAL-DECOMPOSITION OF PEROXY-N-BUTYRYL NITRATE

The gas-phase thermal decomposition rate of peroxy-n-butyryl nitrate (n-C3H7C(O)OONO2, PnBN) hag been measured at ambient temperature (296 K) and 1 atm of air relative to that of peroxyacetyl nitrate (CH3O(O)OONO2, PAN) using mixtures of PAN (14-19 ppb), PnBN (22-46 ppb), and nitric oxide (1.35-1.90 ppm). The PnBN/PAN decomposition rate ratio was 0.773 +/- 0.030. This ratio, together with a literature value of 3.0 x 10(-4) s-1 for the thermal decomposition rate of PAN at 296 K, yields a PnBN thermal decomposition rate of (2.32 +/- 0.09) x 10(-4) s-1. The results are briefly discussed by comparison with data for other peroxyacyl nitrates and with respect to the atmospheric persistence of PnBN. (C) 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.