Atmospheric Chemistry of Toxic Contaminants. 2. Saturated Aliphatics: Acetaldehyde, Dioxane, Ethylene Glycol Ethers, Propylene Oxide

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Abstract
Detailed mechanisms are outlined for the chemical reactions that contribute to In-situ formation and atmospheric removal of the saturated aliphatic contaminants acetaldehyde, dioxane, ethylene glycol ethers (methyl, ethyl, n-butyl) and propylene oxide. In-situ formation Is of major Importance for acetaldehyde. In-situ removal Involves reaction with OH (all compounds) and, for acetaldehyde, photolysis and reaction with NO3. Acetaldehyde, dioxane, and the ethers are rapidly removed (half-lives of less than one day), leading to PAN (acetaldehyde) and to 2-oxodioxane and formaldehyde (dioxane). Reaction products of the glycol ethers include a large number of hydroxyesters, hydroxyacids, and hydroxycarbonyls. Propylene oxide reacts only slowly with OH, with an atmospheric half-life of 3-10 days, to yield formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and PAN. Uncertainties in the reaction mechanisms for dioxane, the glycol ethers, and propylene oxide are discussed and include C-C vs C-0 bond scission in alkoxy radicals as well as alkoxy radical unimolecular decomposition vs reaction with oxygen.