Secondary organic aerosols (SOAs) are particles that are formed in the atmosphere from reactions of organic compounds. Methylglyoxal and glyoxal are common dicarbonyls and major SOA precursors.  Since they are ubiquitous in the atmosphere, they are commonly used to understand the formation of secondary organic aerosols in radical and nonradical reactions.  When exposed to UV light, hydrogen peroxide forms OH radicals initiating the photooxidation reaction of aqueous phase organic molecules. Kinetic studies of the OH-initiated photooxidation of methylglyoxal and glyoxal were conducted at 293 K and the concentration of starting material was monitored using GC/FID.  Glyoxal and methylglyoxal photooxidation produced a first order reaction and rate constants were found to be 0.0167 s<sup>-1</sup> and 0.015 s<sup>-1</sup>, respectively.   Products were identified using GC/MS, providing evidence of formic acid formation with glyoxal degradation, and acetic acid with methylglyoxal degradation.  Future research will include identifying the effects of inorganic acids and salts on reaction rates and products formed from methylglyoxal and glyoxal.

Kinetic studies of hydroxyl radical reactions with aqueous-phase methylglyoxal and glyoxal in atmospherically relevant conditions

255th National Meeting (2018)

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