Isoprene photooxidation: new insights into the production of acids and organic nitrates

• Main Authors: F. Paulot, J. D. Crounse, H. G. Kjaergaard, J. H. Kroll, J. H. Seinfeld, P. O. Wennberg
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Copernicus Publications 2009-02-01
• Series: Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics
• Online Access: http://www.atmos-chem-phys.net/9/1479/2009/acp-9-1479-2009.pdf

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 δ-hydroxy 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 <i>cis</i> branch dominates the chemistry of the δ-hydroxy channel with less than 5% of the carbon following the <i>trans</i> branch. The modelled yield of isoprene nitrates is 12&plusmn3% with a large difference between the δ and β branches. The oxidation of these nitrates releases about 50% of the NO<sub>x</sub>. Methacrolein nitrates (modelled yield <u>~</u>15±3% from methacrolein) and methylvinylketone nitrates (modelled yield <u>~</u>11±3% yield from methylvinylketone) are also observed. Propanone nitrate, produced with a yield of 1% from isoprene, 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 use in global chemical transport models.