Mechanisms of Atmospheric Oxidation of the Alkanes

An international team of eminent atmospheric scientists have prepared Mechanisms of Atmospheric Oxidation of the Alkanes as an authoritative source of information on the role of alkanes in the chemistry of the atmosphere. The book includes the properties of the alkanes and haloalkanes, as well as a comprehensive review and evaluation of the existing literature on the atmospheric chemistry of the alkanes and their major atmospheric oxidation products, and the various approaches now used to model the alkane atmospheric chemistry. Comprehensive coverage is given of both the unsubstituted alkanes and the many haloalkanes. All the existing quality measurements of the rate coefficients for the reactions of OH, Cl, O(3P), NO3, and O3 with the alkanes, the haloalkanes, and their major oxidation products have been reviewed and evaluated. The expert authors then give recommendations of the most reliable kinetic data. They also review the extensive literature on the mechanisms and rates and modes of photodecomposition of the haloalkanes and the products of atmospheric oxidation of the alkanes and the haloalkanes, and make recommendations for future use by atmospheric scientists. The evaluations presented allow an extrapolation of the existing kinetic and photochemical data to those alkanes and haloalkanes that are as yet unstudied. The current book should be of special interest and value to the modelers of atmospheric chemistry as a useful input for development of realistic modules designed to simulate the atmospheric chemistry of the alkanes, their major oxidation products, and their influence on ozone and other trace gases within the troposphere.

Jack G. Calvert, Emeriturs Senior Scientist at National Center for Atmospheric Reseach Richard G. Derwent, Independent consultant, OBE, past scientist with UK Meterological Office John J. Orlando, Scientist III at National Center for Atmospheric Research Geoffrey S. Tyndall, NCAR, Leader of Laboratory Kinetics Group Timothy J. Wallington, Technical Leader in Physical and Environmental Sciences at Ford Motor Company