RATE CONSTANTS FOR THE GAS-PHASE REACTIONS OF THE OH RADICAL WITH THE CRESOLS AND DIMETHYLPHENOLS AT 296+/-2K

Using a relative rate technique, rate constants for the gas‐phase reactions of the OH radical with the three cresols and the six dimethylphenols have been determined at 296 ± 2 K and atmospheric pressure. The rate constants for the cresols, which range from 4.3 × 10−11 cm3molecule−1 s−1to 6.8 × 10−11 cm3molecule−1 s−1, are in good agreement with previous literature data. The rate constants for 2,3‐, 2,4‐, 2,5‐, 2,6‐, and 3,4‐dimethylphenol are all in the range (6.6–8.1) × 10−11 cm3 molecule−1 s−1, with the rate constant for 3,5‐dimethylphenol being somewhat higher at 1.13 × 10−10 cm3 molecule−1 s−1. Rate constants estimated from the number, identity, and positions of the substituent groups around the aromatic ring agree to within a factor of approximately 2 with these experimentally determined rate constants. Copyright © 1990 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.