| Volumes and Issues Contents of Issue 4 |
www.atmos-chem-phys-discuss.net/8/14643/2008/
doi:10.5194/acpd-8-14643-2008
© Author(s) 2008. This work is distributed
under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
Isoprene photooxidation mechanism: resonance channels and implications for the production of nitrates and acids
1Division of Environmental Science and Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
2Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
3Department of Chemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
4Center for Aerosol and Cloud Chemistry, Aerodyne Inc., Billerica, MA, USA
5Division of Geophysical and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
Abstract. We describe a nearly explicit chemical mechanism for isoprene photooxidation guided by chamber studies that include time-resolved observation of an extensive suite of volatile compounds. We provide new constraints on the chemistry of the poorly-understood isoprene resonance channels, which account for more than one third of the total isoprene carbon flux and a larger fraction of the nitrate yields. We show that the cis branch dominates the chemistry of the isoprene resonance channel with less than 5% of the carbon following the trans branch. We find that the yield of isoprene nitrates is approximately 11%. The oxidation of these nitrates releases nearly 50% of the NOx. Methacrolein nitrates (15% yield) and methylvinylketone nitrates (10% yield) are also observed. Propanone nitrate is produced with a yield of 1% and appears to be the longest-lived nitrate formed in the total oxidation of isoprene. We find a large molar yield of formic acid and suggest a novel mechanism leading to its formation from the organic nitrates. Finally, the most important features of this mechanism are summarized in a condensed scheme appropriate for inclusion in global chemical transport models.
Discussion Paper (PDF, 2040 KB) Interactive Discussion (Closed, 6 Comments) Final Revised Paper (ACP)
Notice on Discussion StatusCitation: Paulot, F., D. Crounse, J., Kjaergaard, H. G., Kroll, J. H., Seinfeld, J. H., and Wennberg, P. O.: Isoprene photooxidation mechanism: resonance channels and implications for the production of nitrates and acids, Atmos. Chem. Phys. Discuss., 8, 14643-14716, doi:10.5194/acpd-8-14643-2008, 2008. Bibtex EndNote Reference Manager XML
