Heterogeneous reaction of coniferyl alcohol adsorbed on silica particles with NO3 radicals

4-[(1E)-3-Hydroxy-1-propenyl)]-2-methoxyphenol (coniferyl alcohol) is a potential marker compound for wood smoke emissions in the atmosphere. In this work, the heterogeneous reaction of coniferyl alcohol adsorbed on silica particles with NO3 radicals was investigated. According to gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis, five products including glycolic acid, oxalic acid, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-benzaldehyde, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-benzoic acid, and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-5-nitrobenzaldehyde were confirmed. Based on the identified products, the reaction mechanisms were proposed and the favored sites for NO3 electrophilic addition were olefinic CC bond and the meta-position to the hydroxyl group in the benzene ring. The obtained results might shed light on the chemical behaviors of coniferyl alcohol at night.