Rate coefficients for the gas-phase reactions of
1,3,5-trimethylbenzene (TMB) and m-xylene with the
OH
radical relative to 10 reference compounds were measured yielding (57.3
± 5.3) × 10-12 and (22.0 ±
2.7)
× 10-12 cm3
molecule-1 s-1,
respectively (uncertainties are 2σ). These uncertainties arise
from a combination
of the uncertainty of the reference rate coefficients and experimental
errors; thus, the average uncertainty for
the rate coefficients of the 10 reference compounds must be less than
or equal to the scatter observed in this
study. For 16 and 21 measurements with TMB and
m-xylene, the observed scatter was ±10% and
±12%,
respectively. The average of the uncertainties is significantly
smaller than the uncertainties that are frequently
assumed or recommended, which range from ±15 to 35%. Absolute
rate coefficients for the reaction of
TMB and m-xylene with ozone are also reported. Relative
rate coefficients for reaction with OH for di-n-butyl ether, methylcyclohexane, cyclopentane, toluene, and cyclohexane
of 28.9 ± 2.3, 9.4 ± 0.6, 4.8 ± 0.6,
5.5 ± 0.5, and 7.2 ± 0.6 (×10-12
cm3 molecule-1
s-1) were also measured (uncertainties
indicate the whole
range of scatter).