Photochemical Reactivities of N-Butane and Other Paraffinic Hydrocarbons

Abstract

Photooxidation of lower-reactivity paraffinic hydrocarbons with nitrogen oxide was investigated. Maximum oxidant yield occurred at much lower ratios of hydrocarbon to nitrogen oxide than in more reactive systems such as propylene-nitrogen oxide mixtures. Appreciable oxidant yields were obtained even from irradiation of propane-nitrogen oxide mixtures at low ratios of nitrogen oxide to propane. These results, and nitrogen dioxide and oxidant dosages computed from these measurements, substantiate the importance of reactivity characteristics in formulation of decisions on control of hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides.