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Chemistry Forums for Students => Undergraduate General Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: bau-student on May 27, 2019, 09:53:18 AM

Title: Oxidation of butane in urban photochemical smog
Post by: bau-student on May 27, 2019, 09:53:18 AM

I have the following assignment:

Write down all the reactions that take place during the oxidation of butane in an urban photochemical smog episode. You have to show that all the C atoms of butane end up as CO₂. It is recommended that you label each different C of butane with a number (ex. C¹H₃C²H₂C³H₂C⁴H₃). In case the CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂-O· is formed it decomposes in CH₃CH₂· and CH₃CH_O.

I found NO_x, SO₂, O₃, HO and HCHO to be abundant in urban photochemical smog episodes. However, this is my only chemistry course and I am a bit lost on how to approach this question. Can someone help me to get started?