Isoprene is a volatile organic compound (VOC) that is emitted in large quantities into the atmosphere by vegetation. Isoprene reacts with atmospheric hydroxyl radicals, ozone, nitrates, sulfates, hydrogen peroxides, and oxygen. The resulting products potentially produce secondary organic aerosols (SOA) that may impact air quality and climate. Nighttime atmospheric chemistry involves hydrogen peroxide as a primary reactant with isoprene and has been poorly studied. We proposed a synthetic route to produce isoprene hydroperoxides for mechanistic and kinetic studies. Preliminary results present hydroperoxide formation through chemistry involving reactions of epoxides with peroxy nucleophiles. However, due to the unstable nature of peroxy compounds, the overall synthesis and purification process have been challenging. The goal of this project is to gain insight into atmospheric chemistry with an emphasis on relatively unexplored reactions involving isoprene and other reactive species present in the atmosphere.

Design, synthesis, and characterization of isoprene hydroperoxides

249th National Meeting (2015)

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