Mechanisms for the chlorine atom initiated oxidation of dimethoxymethane and 1,2,dimethoxyethane in the presence of NOx

The chlorine atom initiated gas-phase oxidations of dimethoxymethane and 1, 2-dimethoxyethane, have been investigated in the presence of NOx. Methoxyme thyl formate and dimethyl carbonate were identified as the oxidation produc ts of dimethoxymethane with molar yields of 0.72 +/- 0.05 and 0.26 +/- 0.02 respectively. The oxidation products of 1,2-dimethoxyethane were methyl fo rmate (1.51 +/- 0.16) and methoxyethyl formate (0.11 +/- 0.01). The results of these studies are used to elucidate simplified gas-phase atmospheric de gradation schemes for the diethers and also provide valuable information on the atmospheric fate of the alkoxy radicals produced in these and similar reactions.