OH radical initiated photooxidation of 2-ethoxyethanol under laboratory conditions related to the troposphere: product studies and proposed mechanism

The hydroxyl radical (OH)-initiated oxidation of 2-ethoxyethanol yields as major products ethyl formate, ethylene glycol monoformate, ethylene glycol monoacetate and ethoxyacetaldehyde. A mechanism involving initial OH attack at the three CH2 groups in 2-ethoxyethanol and subsequent reactions of the resulting alkyl and alkoxy radicals is proposed to explain the product distribution. Preferential C-C cleavage is involved in the decomposition reactions of the alkoxy radicals from 2-ethoxyethanol.