Chemical Composition of Secondary Organic Aerosol Formed from the Oxidation of Semivolatile Isoprene Epoxydiol Isomerization Products
3-Methylenebutane-1,2,4-triol and 3-methyltetrahydrofuran-2,4-diols, previously designated "C<sub>5</sub>-alkene triols", were recently confirmed as in-particle isomerization products of isoprene-derived β-IEPOX isomers that are formed upon acid-driven uptake and partition back into the gas phase. In chamber experiments, we have systematically explored their gas phase oxidation by hydroxyl radical (<sup>•</sup>OH) as a potential source of secondary organic aerosol (SOA). <sup>•</sup>OH-initiated oxidation of both compounds in the presence of ammonium bisulfate aerosol resulted in substantial aerosol volume growth. Compositions of low-volatility products in both the gas and particulate phases were established by high-resolution mass spectrometry measurements. Under conditions mimicking the Southeast USA (50% relative humidity, bulk seed aerosol pH 1.4), we estimate the SOA yield from <sup>•</sup>OH-initiated oxidation of 3-methylenebutane-1,2,4-triol to be 93.1%, equating to 1.95 ± 0.81 Tg C Yr<sup>-1</sup>, and from 3-methyltetrahydrofuran-2,4-diol oxidation to be 26.7%, equating to 1.76 ± 1.26 Tg C Yr<sup>-1</sup>. Previously unreported isoprene-derived oxidation products, 2,3-dihydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)propanal, 1,3,4-trihydroxybutan-2-one, and four organosulfates have been confirmed in ambient SOA, and aid in understanding isoprene oxidation pathways in HO<sub>2</sub><sup>•</sup> dominated environments as NO<sub><i>x</i></sub> levels continue to decline in the US. This work underlines the need for inclusion of partitioning of in-particle formed semivolatile products and their atmospheric oxidation pathways in atmospheric models.
Authors
- Avram Gold (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1383-6635)
- John H. Offenberg (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0213-4024)
- Jason D. Surratt (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6833-1450)
- Molly Frauenheim (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3650-7474)
- Zhenfa Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2672-4416)
Institutions
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (US)
- Environmental Protection Agency (US)
- Research Triangle Park Foundation (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Environmental Science & Technology
- Published
- 2024-12-12
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.4c06850
- Citations
- 3
- Primary Topic
- Atmospheric chemistry and aerosols
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 1.13
Funders
- National Science Foundation
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
- Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences