Experimental Studies of the Kinetics of the Reaction of OH Radicals with Ethanol at Low Pressure

Ethanol is a reagent of particular interest due to its increased use as an alternative fuel. Despite its importance, there is still uncertainty associated with the mechanism of the reaction of hydroxyl (OH) radicals with ethanol at atmospheric temperatures. An accurate understanding of the rate coefficient and mechanism for this reaction under atmospheric conditions is important for understanding the overall impact of ethanol emissions to the atmosphere. The rate coefficient for the reaction of OH with ethanol has been measured as a function of temperature using discharge-flow techniques coupled with laser induced fluorescence (LIF) detection of OH. In addition, measurements of the rate coefficients for the reactions of OH with several deuterated isotopomers of ethanol, including CD3CD2OD, CD3CH2OH, CH3CD2OH, and CH3CH2OD, will be presented to gain a better understanding of the branching ratios associated with this reaction at atmospheric temperatures.