Formation of 9,10-phenanthrenequinone by atmospheric gas-phase reactions of phenanthrene [An article from: Atmospheric Environment]

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Description:
Phenanthrene is a 3-ring polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon which exists mainly in the gas-phase in the atmosphere. Recent concern over the presence of 9,10-phenanthrenequinone in ambient particles led us to study the products of the gas-phase reactions of phenanthrene with hydroxyl radicals, nitrate radicals and ozone. The formation yields of 9,10-phenanthrenequinone were measured to be ~3%, 33+/-9%, and ~2% from the OH radical, NO"3 radical and O"3 reactions, respectively. Calculations suggest that daytime OH radical-initiated and nighttime NO"3 radical-initiated reactions of gas-phase phenanthrene may be significant sources of 9,10-phenanthrenequinone in ambient atmospheres. In contrast, the ozone reaction with phenanthrene is unlikely to contribute significantly to ambient 9,10-phenanthrenequinone.