AbstractRelative rate constants for the reaction of OH radicals with a series of α,β‐unsaturated carbonyls have been determined at 299 ± 2 K, using methyl nitrite photolysis in air as a source of OH radicals. Using a rate constant for the reaction of OH radicals with propene of 2.52 × 10−11cm3/molec·s, the rate constants obtained are (× 1011cm3/molec·s: acrolein, 1.83 ± 0.13; crotonaldehyde, 3.50 ± 0.40; methacrolein, 2.85 ± 0.23; and methylvinylketone, 1.88 ± 0.14). These data, which are necessary input to chemical computer models of the NOx–air photooxidations of conjugated dialkenes, are discussed and compared with l