FT–IR study of the ring-retaining products from the reaction of OH radicals with phenol, o-, m-, and p-cresol

The ring-retaining products of the OH-initiated degradation of phenol and o-, m-, and p-cresol in the presence of NOx have been investigated and their formation yields determined. The experiments were carried out in a large volume reactor at (298±2) K and 1000 mbar total pressure of synthetic air using FT–IR spectroscopy for the analysis of reactants and products. The products observed and their respective molar yields were: from phenol: 1,2-dihydroxybenzene (80.4±12.1)%, 1,4-benzoquinone (3.7±1.2)% and 2-nitrophenol (5.8±1.0)%; from o-cresol: 3-methyl-1,2-dihydroxybenzene (73.4±14.6)%, methyl-1,4-benzoquinone (6.8±1.0)% and 6-methyl-2-nitrophenol (6.8±1.5)%; from m-cresol: 3-methyl-1,2-dihydroxybenzene (68.6±13.4)%, 4-methyl-1,2-dihydroxybenzene (9.7±2.7)%, methyl-1,4-benzoquinone (11.3±2.5)%, 5-methyl-2-nitrophenol (4.4±1.5)% and 3-methyl-2-nitrophenol (4.3±1.6)% and from p-cresol: 4-methyl-1,2-dihydroxybenzene (64.1±11.3)% and 4-methyl-2-nitrophenol (7.6±2.2)%. Reaction pathways leading to the observed products are proposed and potential ramifications for the atmospheric reaction mechanisms of aromatic hydrocarbons are considered.