Studies of complex reactions using modem hyphenated methods : α-pinene ozonolysis as a model reaction

Modern analytical equipment, in this case the combinations of gas chromatography (GC) with mass spectrometry (MS) and infrared spectroscopy (IR) and liquid chromatography (LC) with mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and infrared spectroscopy, respectively, have been used to monitor complex reactions that do not only form one or two but a larger number of products. Additionally, side reactions of one primary product with a reactant form a second line of secondary products. To be able to propose formation pathways or even mechanistic interpretation of reactions like these, sophisticated analytical instrumentation is necessary to be able to observe all steps of such a reaction. In this case, the gas phase reaction of alpha-pinene with ozone has been used as a model reaction. A number of both volatile and low-volatile reaction products could be characterized and formation pathways for a reaction with ozone and OH radicals were proposed.