Rate
coefficients for the reactions of Cl atoms with isopropyl
formate (IPF) and isobutyl formate (IBF) were measured experimentally
over the temperature range of 268–363 K and at 760 Torr of
nitrogen using relative rate method. Ethyl acetate and ethyl formate
were used as reference compounds for the measurement of rate coefficients
for the reaction of IPF with Cl atoms. Ethane and ethylene were used
as reference compounds for the measurement of rate coefficients for
the reaction of IBF with Cl atoms. The obtained rate coefficients
for the reactions of IPF and IBF with Cl atoms at 298 K are (1.56
± 0.47) × 10–11 and (7.60 ± 1.10)
× 10–11 cm3 molecule–1 s–1 respectively. The derived temperature dependent
Arrhenius expression for the reactions of IPF and IBF with Cl atoms
are k
R1(268–363K)
Experimental = (3.87 ± 0.88) ×
10–12 exp [(418 ± 70)/T] and k
R2(268–363K)
Experimental = (1.83 ± 0.45) × 10–11 exp [(421 ± 70)/T] cm3 molecule–1 s–1 respectively. A qualitative analysis of the
products formed during the reactions of Cl atoms with IPF and IBF
were carried out using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry
(GC–MS) and gas chromatography–infrared spectroscopy
(GC–IR) as analytical tools, and the degradation mechanisms
were proposed on the basis of end products. To rationalize our experimentally
obtained results, computational calculations were performed to calculate
the temperature dependent rate coefficients for these reactions over
the temperature range of 200–400 K at CCSD(T)/cc-pVDZ//MP2/6-31+G(d,
p) level of theory using canonical variational transition state theory
(CVT) with small curvature tunneling (SCT). Detailed discussions on
the thermochemistry of the reactions, branching ratios, and atmospheric
implications are discussed in the manuscript.