ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY OF ACROLEIN

The atmospheric oxidation of acrolein, the simplest unsaturated carbon yl, has been studied with focus on reaction products. The reaction of acrolein with ozone in the dark, with cyclohexane added to scavenge th e hydroxyl radical, yielded glyoxal, formaldehyde and glyoxylic acid. Sunlight irradiation of acrolein-NO mixtures resulted in the formation of ozone, formaldehyde, glyoxal and/or hydroxyacetaldehyde and the un saturated peroxyacyl nitrate CH2 = CHC(O)OONO2, 'vinyl-PAN', which acc ounted for 2-11% of the initial NO. Oxidation mechanisms are outlined for the acrolein-ozone and acrolein-hydroxyl radical reactions. The at mospheric persistence of acrolein and its oxidation products is briefl y discussed.