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 NO 3 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 NO 3 electrophilic addition were olefinic C C 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.