Hydrotrioxide (ROOOH) formation in the atmosphere

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Organic hydrotrioxides (ROOOH) are known to be strong oxidants used in organic synthesis. Previously, it has been speculated that they are formed in the atmosphere through the gas-phase reaction of organic peroxy radicals (RO2) with hydroxyl radicals (OH). Here, we report direct observation of ROOOH formation from several atmospherically relevant RO2 radicals. Kinetic analysis confirmed rapid RO2 + OH reactions forming ROOOH, with rate coefficients close to the collision limit. For the OH-initiated degradation of isoprene, global modeling predicts molar hydrotrioxide formation yields of up to 1%, which represents an annual ROOOH formation of about 10 million metric tons. The atmospheric lifetime of ROOOH is estimated to be minutes to hours. Hydrotrioxides represent a previously omitted substance class in the atmosphere, the impact of which needs to be examined.

Original languageEnglish
JournalScience
Volume376
Issue number6596
Pages (from-to)979-982
Number of pages4
ISSN0036-8075
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 27 May 2022

    Research areas

  • KINETIC-DATA EVALUATION, C-H BONDS, IUPAC SUBCOMMITTEE, RATE CONSTANTS, OH, CHEMISTRY, RADICALS, MODEL, MECHANISM, OXIDATION

ID: 312484409