Gas-phase reactivity study of (E)-3-pentenenitrile and 4-pentenenitrile towards OH radicals and Cl atoms at atmospheric pressure

► First kinetic study of OH and Cl-initiated oxidation of two unsaturated nitriles. ► Experiments in large volume photoreactors using “in situ” FTIR. ► Experimental rate constants were compared by SAR method. ► Free energy relationships were used to estimate rate constants. ► Atmospheric lifetimes of nitriles were discussed.