Evidence for oligomer formation in clouds: Reactions of isoprene oxidation products

Katye E. Altieri, Annmarie G. Carlton, Ho Jin Lim, Barbara J. Turpin, Sybil P. Seitzinger

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

141 Scopus citations

Abstract

Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) was used to investigate product formation in laboratory experiments designed to study secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation in clouds. It has been proposed that water soluble aldehydes derived from aromatics and alkenes, including isoprene, oxidize further in cloud droplets forming organic acids and, upon droplet evaporation, SOA. Pyruvic acid is an important aqueous-phase intermediate. Time series samples from photochemical batch aqueous phase reactions of pyruvic acid and hydrogen peroxide were analyzed for product formation. In addition to the monomers predicted by the reaction scheme, products consistent with an oligomer system were found when pyruvic acid and OH radical were both present. No evidence of oligomer formation was found in a standard mix composed of pyruvic, glyoxylic, and oxalic acids prepared in the same matrix as the samples analyzed using the same instrument conditions. The distribution of high molecular weight products is consistent with oligomers composed of the mono-, oxo-, and di-carboxylic acids expected from the proposed reaction scheme.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)4957-4960
Number of pages4
JournalEnvironmental Science and Technology
Volume40
Issue number16
DOIs
StatePublished - 15 Aug 2006

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Evidence for oligomer formation in clouds: Reactions of isoprene oxidation products'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this