Photo-oxidation of ethyl pyruvate initiated by chlorine atoms. Kinetics and reaction mechanism

Ethyl pyruvate is a bifunctional aliphatic ester derived from pyruvic acid. It is widely used in massive industries such as pharmaceuticals, food, agrochemicals, and materials, implyin g an important injection into the atmo-sphere. The kinetic parameters of the reaction of ethyl pyruvate with chlorine atoms at 298 K and atmospheric pressure were determined employing the Relative Method. A rate coefficient ofkEPv= (3.8 & PLUSMN; 0.6) x 10 � 12cm3 molec � 1 s � 1 was determined . In addition, the followin g degradation products were identified: carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, formic, acetic, and pyruvic acids, as wel l as a new tricarboxylic compound. Based on these products, and with the support of computational studies, a degradation mechanism is proposed.