Volatile
organic compounds (VOCs), released from both natural and
anthropogenic activities, undergo oxidation in the atmosphere to form
alkyl peroxy radicals (RO2) that, through subsequent chemistry,
form a variety of oxygenated species that may impact both air quality
and climate. Among the potential oxygenated species formed are organic
nitrates (ON) that can be transported over long distances and contribute
to ozone production and particle formation. The atmospheric lifetime
of an ON is influenced by its molecular structure. The ON structure
impacts both further gas phase reaction (e.g., photolysis and photo-oxidation
with OH radical reaction) and gas-to-particle partitioning that may
result in multiphase chemistry (e.g., hydrolysis) and secondary organic
aerosol (SOA) formation. This study investigates the photo-oxidation
of two atmospheric-relevant ON, specifically, hydroxy nitrates, 2-methyl-1-nitrooxy-3-buten-2-ol
(C5H9NO4, secondary -ONO2, C5-ON), and 3-methyl-2-nitrooxy-4-penten-3-ol (C6H11NO4, tertiary -ONO2, C6-ON). Significant
differences in their reactivity are demonstrated, and the C5-ON underwent
faster photolysis, while the C6-ON was more resistant to photolysis,
whereas the C6-ON underwent faster degradation during OH-initiated
photo-oxidation. These differences in reactivity are attributed to
the presence of the extra methyl group on C6-ON. Furthermore, oxidation
products that demonstrate the complexity of the reaction processes
were detected by chemical ionization Orbitrap mass spectrometry operated
in negative mode. Notably, cleavage of the O–N bond and subsequent
alkoxy radical chemistry is the dominant pathway during photolysis,
whereas OH addition followed by RO2 bimolecular reactions
(i.e., RO2 + RO2 or HO2) is the dominant
pathway during OH oxidation. This research sheds light on the intricate
chemistry of organic nitrates in the atmosphere, emphasizing the role
of the molecular structure on their fate.