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https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-476
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-476
31 Mar 2023
 | 31 Mar 2023

Technical Note: Improved synthetic routes to cis- and trans-(2-Methyloxirane-2,3-diyl)dimethanol (cis- and trans-β-isoprene epoxydiol)

Molly Frauenheim, Jason D. Surratt, Zhenfa Zhang, and Avram Gold

Abstract. We report improved synthetic routes to the isomeric isoprene-derived β-epoxydiols (β-IEPOX) in high yield (57–69 %) from inexpensive, readily available starting compounds. The syntheses do not require protection/deprotection steps or time-consuming purification of intermediates and can readily be scaled up to yield the target IEPOX isomers in gram quantities. Emissions of isoprene (2-methyl-1,3-butadiene, C5H8), primarily from deciduous vegetation, constitute the largest source of nonmethane atmospheric hydrocarbons. In the gas phase under low-nitric oxide (NO) conditions, addition of atmospheric hydroxyl radical (OH) followed by rapid addition of O2 yields isoprene-derived hydroxyperoxyl radicals. The major sink (> 90 %) for the peroxyl radicals is sequential reaction with hydroperoxyl radical (HO2), OH and O2, which is then followed by the elimination of OH to yield a ~2 : 1 mixture of (2-methyloxirane-cis/trans-2,3-dilyl)dimethanol (cis/trans-β-IEPOX). The IEPOX isomers account for about 80 % of the closed-shell hydroxyperoxyl products, and are rapidly taken up into acidic aerosols to form secondary organic aerosol (SOA). IEPOX-derived SOA makes a significant mass contribution to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which is known to be a major factor in climate forcing as well as adversely affects respiratory and cardiovascular systems of exposed populations. Prediction of ambient PM2.5 composition and distribution, both in regional- and global-scale atmospheric chemistry models, crucially depends on the accuracy of identification and quantitation of uptake product formation. Accessibility of authentic cis- and trans-β-IEPOX in high purity and in large quantity for laboratory studies underpins progress in developing models as well as identification and quantitation of PM2.5 components.

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Journal article(s) based on this preprint

17 Jul 2023
Technical note: Improved synthetic routes to cis- and trans-(2-methyloxirane-2,3-diyl)dimethanol (cis- and trans-β-isoprene epoxydiol)
Molly Frauenheim, Jason D. Surratt, Zhenfa Zhang, and Avram Gold
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 7859–7866, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-7859-2023,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-7859-2023, 2023
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The requested preprint has a corresponding peer-reviewed final revised paper. You are encouraged to refer to the final revised version.

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Atmospheric oxidation products of isoprene, the major non-methane volatile organic hydrocarbon...
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