scholarly journals Isoprene nitrates: preparation, separation, identification, yields, and atmospheric chemistry

2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 10625-10651 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. L. Lockwood ◽  
P. B. Shepson ◽  
M. N. Fiddler ◽  
M. Alaghmand

Abstract. Isoprene is an important atmospheric volatile organic compound involved in ozone production and NOx (NO+NO2) sequestration and transport. Isoprene reaction with OH in the presence of NO can form either isoprene nitrates or convert NO to NO2 which can photolyze to form ozone. While it has been shown that isoprene nitrate production can represent an important sink for NOx in forest impacted environments, there is little experimental knowledge of the relative importance of the individual isoprene nitrate isomers, each of which has a different fate and reactivity. In this work, we have identified the 8 individual isomers and determined their total and individual production yields. The overall yield of isoprene nitrates at atmospheric pressure and 295 K was found to be 0.070(+0.025/–0.015). Three isomers, the (4,3)-IN, (1,2)-IN and Z-(4,1)-IN represent 90% of the total IN yield. We also determined the ozone rate constants for three of the isomers, and have calculated their atmospheric lifetimes, which range from ~1–2 h, making their oxidation products likely more important as atmospheric organic nitrates and sinks for nitrogen.

2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (13) ◽  
pp. 6169-6178 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. L. Lockwood ◽  
P. B. Shepson ◽  
M. N. Fiddler ◽  
M. Alaghmand

Abstract. Isoprene is an important atmospheric volatile organic compound involved in ozone production and NOx (NO+NO2) sequestration and transport. Isoprene reaction with OH in the presence of NO can form either isoprene hydroxy nitrates ("isoprene nitrates") or convert NO to NO2 which can photolyze to form ozone. While it has been shown that isoprene nitrate production can represent an important sink for NOx in forest impacted environments, there is little experimental knowledge of the relative importance of the individual isoprene nitrate isomers, each of which has a different fate and reactivity. In this work, we have identified the 8 individual isomers and determined their total and individual production yields. The overall yield of isoprene nitrates at atmospheric pressure and 295 K was found to be 0.070(+0.025/−0.015). Three isomers, representing nitrates resulting from OH addition to a terminal carbon, represent 90% of the total IN yield. We also determined the ozone rate constants for three of the isomers, and have calculated their atmospheric lifetimes, which range from ~1–2 h, making their oxidation products likely more important as atmospheric organic nitrates and sinks for nitrogen.


2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 6845-6874
Author(s):  
S. X. Ma ◽  
J. D. Rindelaub ◽  
K. M. McAvey ◽  
P. D. Gagare ◽  
B. A. Nault ◽  
...  

Abstract. The biogenic volatile organic compound α-pinene is one of the dominant monoterpenes emitted to the Earth's atmosphere at an estimated rate of ~50 Tg yr−1. Its atmospheric oxidation products in the presence of NO can lead to ozone production, as well as production of secondary organic aerosol (SOA). The major oxidation pathway of α-pinene is reaction with OH, which in the presence of NO can form either α-pinene nitrates or convert NO to NO2, which can photolyze to form ozone. In this work, we successfully synthesized four α-pinene hydroxy nitrates through three different routes, and have identified the 4 individual isomers in α-pinene/OH/NO reaction chamber experiments. From the experiments, we determined their individual production yields, estimated the total RONO2 yield, and calculated the relative branching ratios of the nitrate precursor peroxy radicals (RO2). The combined yield of the four α-pinene nitrates was found to be 13.0 (±0.7) % at atmospheric pressure and 296 K, and the total organic nitrate yield was estimated to be 0.19 (+0.10/−0.06). We also determined the OH rate constants for two of the isomers, and have calculated their overall atmospheric lifetimes, which range between 22 and 38 h.


2012 ◽  
Vol 12 (13) ◽  
pp. 5773-5785 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. R. Beaver ◽  
J. M. St. Clair ◽  
F. Paulot ◽  
K. M. Spencer ◽  
J. D. Crounse ◽  
...  

Abstract. Alkyl and multifunctional organic nitrates, molecules of the chemical form RONO2, are products of chain terminating reactions in the tropospheric HOx and NOx catalytic cycles and thereby impact ozone formation locally. Many of the molecules in the class have lifetimes that are long enough that they can be transported over large distances. If the RONO2 then decompose to deliver NOx to remote regions they affect ozone production rates in locations distant from the original NOx source. While measurements of total RONO2 (ΣANs) and small straight chain alkyl nitrates are routine, measurements of the specific multifunctional RONO2 molecules that are believed to dominate the total have rarely been reported and never reported in coincidence with ambient ΣANs measurements. Here we describe observations obtained during the BEARPEX 2009 experiment including ΣANs and a suite of multifunctional nitrates including isoprene derived hydroxynitrates, oxidation products of those nitrates, 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol (MBO) derived hydroxynitrates, and monoterpene nitrates. At the BEARPEX field site, the sum of the individual biogenically derived nitrates account for two-thirds of the ΣANs, confirming predictions of the importance of biogenic nitrates to the NOy budget. Isoprene derived nitrates, transported to the site, are a much larger fraction of the ΣANs at the site than the nitrates derived from the locally emitted MBO. Evidence for additional nitrates, possibly from nocturnal chemistry of isoprene and α-pinene, is presented.


2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (13) ◽  
pp. 6337-6347 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. X. Ma ◽  
J. D. Rindelaub ◽  
K. M. McAvey ◽  
P. D. Gagare ◽  
B. A. Nault ◽  
...  

Abstract. The biogenic volatile organic compound α-pinene is one of the dominant monoterpenes emitted to the Earth's atmosphere at an estimated rate of ~50 Tg C yr−1. Its atmospheric oxidation products in the presence of NO can lead to ozone production, as well as production of secondary organic aerosol (SOA). The major oxidation pathway of α-pinene is reaction with OH, which in the presence of NO can form either α-pinene nitrates or convert NO to NO2, which can photolyze to form ozone. In this work, we successfully synthesized four α-pinene hydroxy nitrates through three different routes, and have identified these 4 individual isomers in α-pinene/OH/NO reaction chamber experiments. From the experiments, we determined their individual production yields, estimated the total RONO2 yield, and calculated the relative branching ratios of the nitrate precursor peroxy radicals (RO2). The combined yield of the four α-pinene nitrates was found to be 0.130 (±0.035) at atmospheric pressure and 296 K, and the total organic nitrate yield was estimated to be 0.19 (+0.10/−0.06). We also determined the OH rate constants for two of the isomers, and have calculated their overall atmospheric lifetimes, which range between 22 and 38 h.


2012 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 319-349 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. R. Beaver ◽  
J. M. St. Clair ◽  
F. Paulot ◽  
K. M. Spencer ◽  
J. D. Crounse ◽  
...  

Abstract. Alkyl and multifunctional organic nitrates, molecules of the chemical form RONO2, are products of chain terminating reactions in the tropospheric HOx and NOx catalytic cycles and thereby impact ozone formation locally. Many of the molecules in the class have lifetimes that are long enough that they serve as reservoir species that can be transported over large distances. If the RONO2 then react to deliver NOx to remote regions they affect ozone production rates in locations distant from the original NOx source. While measurements of total RONO2 (ΣANs) and small straight chain alkyl nitrates are routine, measurements of the specific multifunctional RONO2 molecules that are believed to dominate the total have rarely been reported and never reported in coincidence with ambient ΣANs measurements. Here we describe observations obtained during the BEARPEX 2009 experiment including ΣANs and a suite of multifunctional nitrates including isoprene derived hydroxynitrates, oxidation products of those nitrates, 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol (MBO) derived hydroxynitrates, and monoterpene nitrates. At the BEARPEX field site, the sum of the individual biogenically derived nitrates account for two-thirds of the ΣANs, confirming predictions of the importance of biogenic nitrates to the NOy budget. Isoprene derived nitrates, transported to the site, are a much larger fraction of the ΣANs at the site than the nitrates derived from the locally emitted MBO. Evidence for additional nitrates from nocturnal chemistry of isoprene and α-pinene is presented.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leigh Crilley ◽  
Yashar Iranpour ◽  
Cora J. Young

To accurately quantify impact of short-term interventions (such as COVID-19 lockdown) on air pollutant levels, meteorology and atmospheric chemistry need to be considered in addition to emission changes. We demonstrate that regional sources have a significant influence on PM<sub>2.5 </sub>levels in Delhi and Hyderabad due to the small reduction calculated post-lockdown after weather-normalization, indicating that future PM<sub>2.5</sub> mitigation strategies should focus on national-scale, as well as local sources. Furthermore, we demonstrate with field measurements that ozone production in Delhi is likely volatile organic compound (VOC)-limited, in agreement with previous modelling predictions, indicating that ozone mitigation should focus on dominant VOC sources. This work highlights the complexity in developing mitigation strategies for air pollution due to its non-linear relationships with emissions, chemistry and meteorology.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle L. Lew ◽  
Pamela S. Rickly ◽  
Brandon P. Bottorff ◽  
Sofia Sklaveniti ◽  
Thierry Léonardis ◽  
...  

Abstract. Reactions of the hydroxyl (OH) and peroxy radicals (HO2 and RO2) play a central role in the chemistry of the atmosphere. In addition to controlling the lifetimes of many trace gases important to issues of global climate change, OH radical reactions initiate the oxidation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which can lead to the production of ozone and secondary organic aerosols in the atmosphere. Previous measurements of these radicals in forest environments characterized by high mixing ratios of isoprene and low mixing ratios of nitrogen oxides (NOx) have shown serious discrepancies with modeled concentrations. These results bring into question our understanding of the atmospheric chemistry of isoprene and other biogenic VOCs under low NOx conditions. During the summer of 2015, OH and HO2 radical concentrations as well as total OH reactivity were measured using Laser-Induced Fluorescence - Fluorescence Assay by Gas Expansion (LIF-FAGE) techniques as part of the Indiana Radical, Reactivity and Ozone Production Intercomparison (IRRONIC). This campaign took place in a forested area near the Indiana University, Bloomington campus characterized by high mixing ratios of isoprene and low mixing ratios of NOx. Supporting measurements of photolysis rates, VOCs, NOx, and other species were used to constrain a zero-dimensional box model based on the Regional Atmospheric Chemistry Mechanism (RACM2) and the Master Chemical Mechanism (MCM). Using an OH chemical scavenger technique, the study revealed the presence of an interference with the LIF-FAGE measurements of OH that increased with both ambient concentrations of ozone and temperature. Subtraction of the interference resulted in measured OH concentrations that were in better agreement with model predictions, although the model still underestimated the measured concentrations, likely due to an underestimation of the concentration of NO at this site. Measurements of HO2 radical concentrations during the campaign included a fraction of isoprene-based peroxy radicals (HO2* = HO2 + αRO2) and were found to agree with model predictions. On average, the measured reactivity was consistent with that calculated from measured OH sinks to within 20 %, with modeled oxidation products accounting for the missing reactivity, although significant missing reactivity (approximately 40 % of the total measured reactivity) was observed on some days.


2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. 7497-7506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chunmao Zhu ◽  
Kimitaka Kawamura ◽  
Yasuro Fukuda ◽  
Michihiro Mochida ◽  
Yoko Iwamoto

Abstract. Both primary biological aerosol particles (PBAPs) and oxidation products of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) contribute significantly to organic aerosols (OAs) in forested regions. However, little is known about their relative importance in diurnal timescales. Here, we report biomarkers of PBAP and secondary organic aerosols (SOAs) for their diurnal variability in a temperate coniferous forest in Wakayama, Japan. Tracers of fungal spores, trehalose, arabitol and mannitol, showed significantly higher levels in nighttime than daytime (p < 0.05), resulting from the nocturnal sporulation under near-saturated relative humidity. On the contrary, BVOC oxidation products showed higher levels in daytime than nighttime, indicating substantial photochemical SOA formation. Using tracer-based methods, we estimated that fungal spores account for 45 % of organic carbon (OC) in nighttime and 22 % in daytime, whereas BVOC oxidation products account for 15 and 19 %, respectively. To our knowledge, we present for the first time highly time-resolved results that fungal spores overwhelmed BVOC oxidation products in contributing to OA especially in nighttime. This study emphasizes the importance of both PBAPs and SOAs in forming forest organic aerosols.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yinon Rudich ◽  
Quanfu He ◽  
Alexander Laskin ◽  
Steve Brown

&lt;p&gt;Nitrate radical (NO&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt;) oxidation of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) represents one of the most important interactions between anthropogenic emissions related to combustion and natural emissions from the biosphere. The functionalization process during this oxidation process leads to the formation of multifunctional compounds such as organic nitrates (ON). ON account for a significant fraction of total organic aerosols (OA) in ambient air, which influence atmospheric chemistry process, air quality, and climate through regional and global budgets for reactive nitrogen (particularly ON), ozone, and OA formation. Despite the significance of this process in atmospheric chemistry, the climatic effect of SOA from this process is undefined, largely due to a lack of knowledge about their optical properties with respect to their chemical composition. In this study, we generated SOA from NO&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt; radical oxidation of a series BVOCs including isoprene, monoterpenes, and sesquiterpenes followed by photo-chemically aging in oxidation flow reactor (OFR/PAM). The chemical composition of the SOA was characterized online by high-resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometer (HR-Tof-AMS) and off-line by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with photodiode array (PDA) detector coupled to a high-resolution Orbitrap mass spectrometer with a standard electrospray ionization (ESI) source (HPLC-PDA-HRMS). The UV-visible wavelength-resolved refractive index of the SOA, which is essential to understand their radiative forcing, was retrieved by measuring the light extinction using a novel broadband cavity-enhanced spectrometer (BBCES, 315-700 nm). We found that the SOA contain a large fraction of highly oxygenated ON, consisting of monomers and oligomers with single and multiple nitrate groups, which formed through bimolecular and unimolecular reactions. Strong absorption was detected in the UVA range which was attributed to the ON. The influence of the initial BVOCs/NO&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt; ratio and the transition from nighttime oxidation to daytime aging on the SOA optical properties will be discussed. We will highlight the link between the SOA optical properties evolution and the chemical composition transformation with respect to the highly oxygenated ON formation and its atmospheric fate upon daytime photochemical aging.&lt;/p&gt;


2009 ◽  
Vol 9 (14) ◽  
pp. 4945-4956 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. E. Perring ◽  
A. Wisthaler ◽  
M. Graus ◽  
P. J. Wooldridge ◽  
A. L. Lockwood ◽  
...  

Abstract. Oxidation of isoprene through reaction with NO3 radicals is a significant sink for isoprene that persists after dark. The main products of the reaction are multifunctional nitrates. These nitrates constitute a significant NOx sink in the nocturnal boundary layer and they likely play an important role in formation of secondary organic aerosol. Products of the isoprene+NO3 reaction will, in many locations, be abundant enough to affect nighttime radical chemistry and to persist into daytime where they may represent a source of NOx. Product formation in the isoprene + NO3 reaction was studied in a smog chamber at Purdue University. Isoprene nitrates and other hydrocarbon products were observed using Proton Transfer Reaction-Mass Spectrometry (PTR-MS) and reactive nitrogen products were observed using Thermal Dissociation–Laser Induced Fluorescence (TD-LIF). The organic nitrate yield is found to be 65±12% of which the majority was nitrooxy carbonyls and the combined yield of methacrolein and methyl vinyl ketone (MACR+MVK) is found to be ∼10%. PTR-MS measurements of nitrooxy carbonyls and TD-LIF measurements of total organic nitrates agreed well. The PTR-MS also observed a series of minor oxidation products which were tentatively identified and their yields quantified These other oxidation products are used as additional constraints on the reaction mechanism.


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