The Cl-initiated oxidation of CH3C(O)OCH=CH2, CH3C(O)OCH2CH=CH2, and CH2=CHC(O)O(CH2)(3)CH3 in the troposphere

Unsaturated esters are emitted to the atmosphere from biogenic and anthropogenic sources, including those from the polymer industry. Little information exists concerning the atmospheric degradation of unsaturated esters, which are mainly initiated by OH radicals. Limited information is available on the degradation of alkenes by Cl atoms and almost no data exists for the reactions of unsaturated esters with Cl atoms. This data is necessary to assess the impact of such reactions in maritime environments where, under circumstances, OH radical- and Cl atom-initiated oxidation of the compounds can be important. Rate coefficients for the reactions of chlorine atoms with vinyl acetate, allyl acetate, and n-butyl acrylate have been determined at 298 +/- 3 K and atmospheric pressure. The kinetic data have been used in combination with that for structurally similar compounds to infer the kinetic contributions from the possible reaction channels to the overall reaction rate.