Amines are important trace atmospheric constituents emitted to the atmosphere through animal husbandry and a variety of industrial activities. The proposed use of amines as solvents in carbon capture and storage (CCS) plants presents the possibility of large new amine sources to the atmosphere. At present, however, relatively little is known about the atmospheric products of amine photooxidation, limiting our understanding of the potential impact of CCS activities on air quality. It has recently been demonstrated that alpha-aminoalkyl free radicals formed as intermediates in the atmospheric oxidation of amines react with oxygen via a unimolecular mechanism leading directly to imine products and the HO2 radical. This process is HOx radical neutral overall and largely bypasses stabilised peroxyl radical intermediates. In this talk the wider importance of this and other peroxyl radical mechanisms are examined using theoretical modelling techniques, within the context of the photochemical oxidation of simple alkylamines and substituted alkanolamines, as well as their oxidation products such as amides and imines.

Oxidation of amines in the atmosphere: A theoretical examination of the role of unimolecular peroxyl radical reactions

248th National Meeting (2014)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.