Gas‐phase thermal decomposition of peroxy‐ N ‐butyryl nitrate

The gas‐phase thermal decomposition rate of peroxy‐ n ‐butyryl nitrate ( n ‐C 3 H 7 C(O)OONO 2 , PnBN) has been measured at ambient temperature (296 K) and 1 atm of air relative to that of peroxyacetyl nitrate (CH 3 C(O)OONO 2 , PAN) using mixtures of PAN (14–19 ppb), PnBN (22–46 ppb), and nitric oxide (1.35–1.90 ppm). The PnBN/PAN decomposition rate ratio was 0.773 ± 0.030. This ratio, together with a literature value of 3.0 × 10 −4 s −1 for the thermal decomposition rate of PAN at 296 K, yields a PnBN thermal decomposition rate of (2.32 ± 0.09) × 10 −4 s −1 . The results are briefly discussed by comparison with data for other peroxyacyl nitrates and with respect to the atmospheric persistence of PnBN. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.