Mechanisms for the formation of secondary organic aerosol components from the gas-phase ozonolysis of α-pinene

Abstract

Gas-phase ozonolysis of α-pinene was studied in static chamber experiments under ‘OH-free’ conditions. A range of multifunctional products—in particular low-volatility carboxylic acids—were identified in the condensed phase using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry after derivatisation. The dependence of product yields on reaction conditions (humidity, choice of OH radical scavengers, added Criegee intermediate scavengers, NO₂etc.) was investigated to probe the mechanisms of formation of these products; additional information was obtained by studying the ozonolysis of an enal and an enone derived from α-pinene. On the basis of experimental findings, previously suggested mechanisms were evaluated and detailed gas-phase mechanisms were developed to explain the observed product formation. Atmospheric implications of this work are discussed.