Photochemical synthesis of peroxyacyl nitrates in gas phase via chlorine-aldehyde reaction
A new peroxyacyl nitrate synthesis in the gas phase has been developed. Molecular chlorine is photolyzed to yield chlorine atoms that abstract aldehydic hydrogen from the aldehyde. The acyl radical then adds oxygen and nitrogen dioxide to form the PAN. Any member of the PAN family can thus be produced from its parent aldehyde cleanly and in very high yield.