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www.atmos-chem-phys-discuss.net/8/16585/2008/
doi:10.5194/acpd-8-16585-2008
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Secondary organic aerosol formation from reaction of tertiary amines with nitrate radical
1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
2Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering and College of Engineering, Center for Environmental Research and Technology (CE-CERT), University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
Abstract. Secondary organic aerosol formation from the reaction of tertiary amines with nitrate radical was investigated in an indoor environmental chamber. Particle chemistry was monitored using a high resolution aerosol mass spectrometer while gas-phase species were detected using a proton transfer reaction mass spectrometer. Trimethylamine, triethylamine and tributylamine were studied. Results indicate that tributylamine forms the most aerosol mass followed by trimethylamine and triethylamine respectively. Spectra from the aerosol mass spectrometer indicate the formation of complex non-salt aerosol products. We propose a reaction mechanism that proceeds via abstraction of a proton by nitrate radical followed by RO2 chemistry. Rearrangement of the aminyl alkoxy radical through hydrogen shift leads to the formation of hydroxylated amides, which explain most of the higher mass ions in the mass spectra. These experiments show that oxidation of tertiary amines by nitrate radical may be an important night-time source of secondary organic aerosol.
Discussion Paper (PDF, 964 KB) Interactive Discussion (Closed, 4 Comments) Publication in ACP not foreseen
Citation: Erupe, M. E., Price, D. J., Silva, P. J., Malloy, Q. G. J., Qi, L., Warren, B., and Cocker III, D. R.: Secondary organic aerosol formation from reaction of tertiary amines with nitrate radical, Atmos. Chem. Phys. Discuss., 8, 16585-16608, doi:10.5194/acpd-8-16585-2008, 2008. Bibtex EndNote Reference Manager XML
