VOCs are essential precursors for the formation of tropospheric (ground-level) ozone, a primary component of photochemical smog. In the presence of sunlight ([latex]hnu[/latex]) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), VOCs are oxidized by hydroxyl radicals ([latex]bullet OH[/latex]). This process generates peroxy radicals ([latex]RO_2bullet[/latex]) that convert nitric oxide (NO) to nitrogen dioxide ([latex]NO_2[/latex]), which then photolyzes to produce the oxygen atoms needed for ozone ([latex]O_3[/latex]) formation.





