Unexpected significance of a minor reaction pathway in daytime formation of biogenic highly oxygenated organic compounds.

ABSTRACT: Secondary organic aerosol (SOA), formed by oxidation of volatile organic compounds, substantially influence air quality and climate. Highly oxygenated organic molecules (HOMs), particularly those formed from biogenic monoterpenes, contribute a large fraction of SOA. During daytime, hydroxyl radicals initiate monoterpene oxidation, mainly by hydroxyl addition to monoterpene double bonds. Naturally, related HOM formation mechanisms should be induced by that reaction route, too. However, for α-pinene, the most abundant atmospheric monoterpene, we find a previously unidentified competitive pathway under atmospherically relevant conditions: HOM formation is predominately induced via hydrogen abstraction by hydroxyl radicals, a generally minor reaction pathway. We show by observations and theore

SUBMITTER: Shen H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9586481 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature