Surprising Stability of Larger Criegee Intermediates on Aqueous Interfaces

Criegee intermediates have implications as key intermediates in atmospheric, organic, and enzymatic reactions. However, their chemistry in aqueous environments is relatively unexplored. Herein, Born–Oppenheimer molecular dynamics (BOMD) simulations examine the dynamic behavior of syn ‐ and anti ‐CH₃CHOO at the air–water interface. They show that unlike the simplest Criegee intermediate (CH₂OO), both syn ‐ and anti ‐CH₃CHOO remain inert towards reaction with water. The unexpected high stability of C₂ Criegee intermediates is due to the presence of a hydrophobic methyl substituent on the Criegee carbon that lowers the proton transfer ability and inhibits the formation of a pre‐reaction complex for the Criegee–water reaction. The simulation of the larger Criegee intermediates, (CH₃)₂COO, syn ‐ and anti ‐CH₂C(CH₃)C(H)OO on the water droplet surface suggests that strongly hydrophobic substituents determine the reactivity of Criegee intermediates at the air–water interface.     

Clustering of sulfamic acid: ESI MS and theoretical study

Sulfamic acid has wide application in industry and has been suggested to act as an effective nucleation agent for the formation of aerosols and cloud particles. From the point of view of the role that sulfamic acid may play in aerosol formation, the study of its homoaggregation is important. Gas phase clustering study was performed for sulfamic acid H₃N·SO₃, (ASA), from water and methanol–water solutions, by help of a TOF‐Q spectrometer equipped with electrospray ionization source, in the negative‐ion mode. The structure and stability of the (H₃N·SO₃)_n and [(H₃N·SO₃)_n‐H]^? (n = 1–6) were studied using DFT/B3LYP/aug‐cc‐pVDZ method. The ESI MS study evidenced that both singly and doubly charged clusters are formed when the acids are electrosprayed from water solutions; they may be described as [(H₃N·SO₃)_n‐zH]^z? where z = 1 or 2. The largest identified clusters are built of 20 monomers. The theoretical studies showed that formation of higher order (ASA)_n aggregates in the gas phase is energetically profitable. In contrast with the gas phase, aqueous solution does not favor the formation of (ASA)_n aggregates. The study led to the conclusion that the ASA clusters are formed in the gas phase under the experimental conditions of the mass spectrometer. A hypothetical mechanism concerning the formation of the doubly negatively charged anionic aggregates is discussed. The obtained data suggest that small (NH₃·SO₃)_n aggregates may also contribute to formation of aerosols in heavily polluted atmospheres with relatively large NH₃ concentration. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Rapid Autoxidation Forms Highly Oxidized RO2 Radicals in the Atmosphere

Gas‐phase oxidation routes of biogenic emissions, mainly isoprene and monoterpenes, in the atmosphere are still the subject of intensive research with special attention being paid to the formation of aerosol constituents. This laboratory study shows that the most abundant monoterpenes (limonene and α‐pinene) form highly oxidized RO₂ radicals with up to 12 O atoms, along with related closed‐shell products, within a few seconds after the initial attack of ozone or OH radicals. The overall process, an intramolecular ROO→QOOH reaction and subsequent O₂ addition generating a next R′OO radical, is similar to the well‐known autoxidation processes in the liquid phase (QOOH stands for a hydroperoxyalkyl radical). Field measurements show the relevance of this process to atmospheric chemistry. Thus, the well‐known reaction principle of autoxidation is also applicable to the atmospheric gas‐phase oxidation of hydrocarbons leading to extremely low‐volatility products which contribute to organic aerosol mass and hence influence the aerosol–cloud–climate system.     

Mechanism of the Water–Gas Shift Reaction Catalyzed by Efficient Ruthenium‐Based Catalysts: A Computational and Experimental Study

Supported ionic liquid phase (SILP) catalysis enables a highly efficient, Ru‐based, homogeneously catalyzed water‐gas shift reaction (WGSR) between 100 °C and 150 °C. The active Ru‐complexes have been found to exist in imidazolium chloride melts under operating conditions in a dynamic equilibrium, which is dominated by the [Ru(CO)₃Cl₃]^? complex. Herein we present state‐of‐the‐art theoretical calculations to elucidate the reaction mechanism in more detail. We show that the mechanism includes the intermediate formation and degradation of hydrogen chloride, which effectively reduces the high barrier for the formation of the requisite dihydrogen complex. The hypothesis that the rate‐limiting step involves water is supported by using D₂O in continuous catalytic WGSR experiments. The resulting mechanism constitutes a highly competitive alternative to earlier reported generic routes involving nucleophilic addition of hydroxide in the gas phase and in solution.     

Electrocatalytic Synthesis of Ammonia at Room Temperature and Atmospheric Pressure from Water and Nitrogen on a Carbon‐Nanotube‐Based Electrocatalyst

Ammonia is synthesized directly from water and N₂ at room temperature and atmospheric pressure in a flow electrochemical cell operating in gas phase (half‐cell for the NH₃ synthesis). Iron supported on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was used as the electrocatalyst in this half‐cell. A rate of ammonia formation of 2.2×10⁻³ g m⁻² h⁻¹ was obtained at room temperature and atmospheric pressure in a flow of N₂, with stable behavior for at least 60 h of reaction, under an applied potential of −2.0 V. This value is higher than the rate of ammonia formation obtained using noble metals (Ru/C) under comparable reaction conditions. Furthermore, hydrogen gas with a total Faraday efficiency as high as 95.1 % was obtained. Data also indicate that the active sites in NH₃ electrocatalytic synthesis may be associated to specific carbon sites formed at the interface between iron particles and CNT and able to activate N₂, making it more reactive towards hydrogenation.     

Formic acid catalyzed gas-phase reaction of H2O with SO3 and the reverse reaction: a theoretical study

The formic acid catalyzed gas‐phase reaction between H₂O and SO₃ and its reverse reaction are respectively investigated by means of quantum chemical calculations at the CCSD(T)//B3LYP/cc‐pv(T+d)z and CCSD(T)//MP2/aug‐cc‐pv(T+d)z levels of theory. Remarkably, the activation energy relative to the reactants for the reaction of H₂O with SO₃ is lowered through formic acid catalysis from 15.97 kcal mol^?1 to ?15.12 and ?14.83 kcal mol^?1 for the formed H₂O ??? SO₃ complex plus HCOOH and the formed H₂O ??? HCOOH complex plus SO₃, respectively, at the CCSD(T)//MP2/aug‐cc‐pv(T+d)z level. For the reverse reaction, the energy barrier for decomposition of sulfuric acid is reduced to ?3.07 kcal mol^?1 from 35.82 kcal mol^?1 with the aid of formic acid. The results show that formic acid plays a strong catalytic role in facilitating the formation and decomposition of sulfuric acid. The rate constant of the SO₃+H₂O reaction with formic acid is 10⁵ times greater than that of the corresponding reaction with water dimer. The calculated rate constant for the HCOOH+H₂SO₄ reaction is about 10^?13 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 in the temperature range 200–280 K. The results of the present investigation show that formic acid plays a crucial role in the cycle between SO₃ and H₂SO₄ in atmospheric chemistry.     

Controlled Growth of CH3NH3PbBr3 Perovskite Nanocrystals via a Water–Oil Interfacial Synthesis Method

Fundamental insights into the reaction kinetics of organic–inorganic lead halide perovskite nanocrystals (LHP NCs) are still limited due to their ultrafast formation rate. Herein, we develop a water–oil interfacial synthesis of MAPbBr₃ NCs (MA=CH₃NH₃⁺), which prolongs the reaction time to tens of minutes. This method makes it possible to monitor in situ the formation process of MAPbBr₃ NCs and observe successive spectral evolutions from 438 to 534 nm in a single reaction by extending reaction time. The implementation of this method depends on reducing the formation rate of PbBr₆^4? octahedra and the diffusion rate of MA. The formation of PbBr₆^4? is a rate‐determining step, and the biphasic system offers a favorable reaction condition to control the mass transfer of MA. The effects of temperature and concentration of precursor and ligand are investigated in detail.     

Temperature‐Dependence of the Rates of Reaction of Trifluoroacetic Acid with Criegee Intermediates

The rate coefficients for gas‐phase reaction of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) with two Criegee intermediates, formaldehyde oxide and acetone oxide, decrease with increasing temperature in the range 240–340 K. The rate coefficients k(CH₂OO + CF₃COOH)=(3.4±0.3)×10⁻¹⁰ cm³ s⁻¹ and k((CH₃)₂COO + CF₃COOH)=(6.1±0.2)×10⁻¹⁰ cm³ s⁻¹ at 294 K exceed estimates for collision‐limited values, suggesting rate enhancement by capture mechanisms because of the large permanent dipole moments of the two reactants. The observed temperature dependence is attributed to competitive stabilization of a pre‐reactive complex. Fits to a model incorporating this complex formation give k [cm³ s⁻¹]=(3.8±2.6)×10⁻¹⁸ T² exp((1620±180)/T) + 2.5×10⁻¹⁰ and k [cm³ s⁻¹]=(4.9±4.1)×10⁻¹⁸ T² exp((1620±230)/T) + 5.2×10⁻¹⁰ for the CH₂OO + CF₃COOH and (CH₃)₂COO + CF₃COOH reactions, respectively. The consequences are explored for removal of TFA from the atmosphere by reaction with biogenic Criegee intermediates.     

Channel‐Rich RuCu Nanosheets for pH‐Universal Overall Water Splitting Electrocatalysis

Channel‐rich RuCu snowflake‐like nanosheets (NSs) composed of crystallized Ru and amorphous Cu were used as efficient electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER), hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), and overall water splitting in pH‐universal electrolytes. The optimized RuCu NSs/C‐350 °C and RuCu NSs/C‐250 °C show attractive activities of OER and HER with low overpotentials and small Tafel slopes, respectively. When applied to overall water splitting, the optimized RuCu NSs/C can reach 10 mA cm^?2 at cell voltages of only 1.49, 1.55, 1.49 and 1.50 V in 1 m KOH, 0.1 m KOH, 0.5 m H₂SO₄ and 0.05 m H₂SO₄, respectively, much lower than those of commercial Ir/C∥Pt/C. The optimized electrolyzer exhibits superior durability with small potential change after up to 45 h in 1 m KOH, showing a class of efficient functional electrocatalysts for overall water splitting.     

Tautomerism and proton transfer in photoionized acetaldehyde and acetaldehyde–water clusters

Understanding the gas‐phase chemistry of acetaldehyde can be challenging because the molecule can assume several tautomeric forms, namely keto, enol and carbene. The two last forms are the most stable ionic forms. Here, insight into the gas‐phase cluster ion chemistry of homogeneous acetaldehyde and mixed water–acetaldehyde clusters is provided by mass spectrometry/vacuum ultraviolet photoionization combined with density functional theory calculations. (AA)_nH⁺ clusters (AA = acetaldehyde) and mixed (AA)_nH₃O⁺ clusters were detected using tunable vacuum ultraviolet photoionization. Barrierless proton transfers were observed during the geometry optimization of the most stable dimer structures and helped to explain the cluster ion chemistry induced by photoionization, namely the formation of deprotonated tautomers and protonated keto tautomers. Water was found to catalyze the keto–enol and keto–carbene isomerizations and facilitate the proton transfer from the ionized enol or carbene part of the cluster to the neutral keto part, resulting in protonated keto structures. The production of protonated keto structures was identified to be the main fragmentation channel following ionization of the homogeneous acetaldehyde cluster and a channel for ionized mixed clusters as well. These findings are significant for a broad range of fields, including current atmospheric models, because acetaldehyde is one of the most prominent organic species in the troposphere and ions play a crucial role in aerosol formation. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A computational investigation of the sulphuric acid‐catalysed 1,4‐hydrogen transfer in higher Criegee intermediates

Criegee intermediates (CIs) are formed during the ozonolysis of unsaturated hydrocarbons in the troposphere. The fate of CIs is of critical importance to tropospheric oxidation chemistry, particularly in the context of radical and secondary organic aerosol formation. Using the high‐level ab initio G4(MP2) method, we investigate the 1,4 hydrogen shift reaction in CIs formed from ozonolysis of two common biogenic hydrocarbons: isoprene and α‐pinene. We consider the uncatalysed reaction, as well as the reaction catalysed by a water molecule and by sulphuric acid. We show that sulphuric acid is a very effective catalyst, leading to a barrierless tautomerization relative to the free reactants and to very low reaction barrier heights relative to the reactant complexes. In particular, we obtain reaction barrier heights of Δ = 24.5 (isoprene CI) and 8.4 (α‐pinene CI) kJ mol⁻¹ relative to the reactant complexes. Given the reaction of OH radicals with SO₂ in the troposphere can ultimately yield sulphuric acid, these findings may have significant consequences for current atmospheric chemical models for regions of high sulphur concentrations.     

Heterogeneous oxidation reaction of gas‐phase ozone with anthracene in thin films and on aerosols by infrared spectroscopic methods

In this paper, a real‐time laboratory study of the heterogeneous oxidation reaction of gas‐phase ozone with anthracene on surface substrates by using infrared spectroscopy in two distinctly different experimental configurations is reported. One set of kinetic measurements was made by attenuated total internal reflection infrared (ATR‐IR) spectroscopy using approximately 75‐nm films of anthracene adsorbed on ZnSe, for which the reactive uptake coefficient was determined to be (2.0 ± 1.1) × 10^?7. Using an aerosol flow tube coupled to an infrared spectrometer (AFT‐IR), similar measurements were made on (NH₄)₂SO₄ (ammonium sulfate) aerosols coated with a 0.1‐μm film of anthracene. The aerosol kinetic results as a function of the ozone concentration are consistent with a Langmuir–Hinshelwood‐type mechanism, for which the ozone‐partitioning coefficient was K = (1.4 ± 1.7) × 10^?16 cm³ molecule^?1, and the maximum pseudo‐first‐order rate coefficient was k^I_max = (0.035 ± 0.016) s^?1. Infrared spectroscopic and mass spectrometric analysis of the ozonolysis reaction in the bulk phase identified the main ozonolysis products as dihydroxyanthrones, 9,10‐endoperoxide–anthracene, 9,10‐anthraquinone, and anthrone. Larger products were also seen in the mass spectra, most likely the result of secondary product and oligomer formation. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 43: 694–707, 2011     

Identification of organic hydroperoxides and hydroperoxy acids in secondary organic aerosol formed during the ozonolysis of different monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes by on‐line analysis using atmospheric pressure chemical ionization ion trap mass spectrometry

On‐line ion trap mass spectrometry (ITMS) enables the real‐time characterization of reaction products of secondary organic aerosol (SOA). The analysis was conducted by directly introducing the aerosol particles into the ion source. Positive‐ion chemical ionization at atmospheric pressure (APCI(+)) ITMS was used for the characterization of constituents of biogenic SOA produced in reaction‐chamber experiments. APCI in the positive‐ion mode usually enables the detection of [M+H]⁺ ions of the individual SOA components. In this paper the identification of organic peroxides from biogenic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by on‐line APCI‐ITMS is presented. Organic peroxides containing a hydroperoxy group, generated by gas‐phase ozonolysis of monoterpenes (α‐pinene and β‐pinene) and sesquiterpenes (α‐cedrene and α‐copaene), could be detected via on‐line APCI(+)‐MS/MS experiments. A characteristic neutral loss of 34 Da (hydrogen peroxide, H₂O₂) in the on‐line MS/MS spectra is a clear indication for the existence of an organic peroxide, containing a hydroperoxy functional group. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Organic Phase Cyclopentadienylnickelthiolate Sensor System for Electrochemical Determination of Sulfur Dioxide

A series of cyclopentadienylnickelthiolate complexes, [Ni(PBu₃)(η⁵‐C₅H₅)(SC₆H₄X‐4)] (X=F, Cl, Br, NH₂), were shown to express stable reversible electrochemical properties even after formation of SO₂ adducts in organic phase consisting of argon purged CH₂Cl₂/0.1 M [n‐Bu₄N][BF₄]. The formal potentials (E°′) values of the compounds ranged from 265 to 431 mV/Ag‐AgCl depending on the para substituent of the benzene thiolate ligand. Electrochemical, UV‐vis and ¹H NMR spectroscopic analyses show that the formation of SO₂ adducts causes the perturbation of the electronic density of the nickel metal center, indicated by shifts in the E°′ values of the Ni^II/III redox couple that is dependent on SO₂ concentration. The detection limits of the resulting organic phase electrochemical gas sensor system was as low as 0.56 ppm SO₂ for the fluoro complex, while the linear range was as high as 700–2000 ppm SO₂ for the amino complex.     

An advanced LC-MS (Q-TOF) technique for the detection of amino acids in atmospheric aerosols

Methodology for detection of native (underivatized) amino acids (AA) in atmospheric aerosols has been developed. This article describes the use of LC-MS (Q-TOF) and microwave-assisted gas phase hydrolysis for detection of free and combined amino acids in aerosols collected in a Southeastern U.S. forest environment. Accurate mass detection and the addition of isotopically labeled surrogates prior to sample preparation allows for sensitive quantitation of target AA in a complex aerosol matrix. A total of 16 native AA were detected above the reporting threshold as water-soluble free AA, with an average concentration of 22 ± 9 ng m⁻³ (N = 13). Following microwave-assisted gas phase hydrolysis, the total AA concentration in the forest environment increased significantly (70 ± 35 ng m⁻³) and additional compounds (methionine, isoleucine) were detected above the reporting threshold. The ability to quantify AA in aerosol samples without derivatization reduces time-consuming preparation procedures while providing the advancement of selective mass determination for important organic nitrogen (ON) species. Details on sample preparation that eliminates the freeze-drying approach typically practiced for water removal with biological samples, and vapor phase microwave hydrolysis parameters are provided. Method application for determination of atmospheric ON is discussed.     

The Oxidation of Sulfur Dioxide by Single and Double Oxygen Transfer Paths

The oxidation of SO₂ by nonmetal oxoanions in the gas phase is investigated in an experimental and theoretical study of the structure of the species involved and the reaction kinetics and mechanism. SO₃, SO₃^.? and SO₄^.? are efficiently produced by reaction of O_nXO^? anions (X=Cl, Br, and I; n=0 and 1) with SO₂; XO^? ions mainly react to give SO₃ by oxygen‐atom transfer, whereas OXO^? ions mainly give SO₃^.? by oxygen‐anion transfer. On descending the halogen group from chlorine to iodine, the SO₃/SO₃^.? ratio decreases and increases for reactions involving XO^? and OXO^? anions, respectively, whereas the formation of SO₄^.? is particularly significant with OIO^?. Kinetic factors play a major role in the reactions of O_nXO^?, depending on the halogen atom and its oxidation state.     

Gas‐Phase Structure Determination of Dihydroxycarbene,One of the Smallest Stable Singlet Carbenes

Carbenes are reactive molecules of the form R¹ C̈ R² that play a role in topics ranging from organic synthesis to gas‐phase oxidation chemistry. We report the first experimental structure determination of dihydroxycarbene (HO C̈ OH), one of the smallest stable singlet carbenes, using a combination of microwave rotational spectroscopy and high‐level coupled‐cluster calculations. The semi‐experimental equilibrium structure derived from five isotopic variants of HO C̈ OH contains two very short CO single bonds (ca. 1.32 Å). Detection of HO C̈ OH in the gas phase firmly establishes that it is stable to isomerization, yet it has been underrepresented in discussions of the CH₂O₂ chemical system and its atmospherically relevant isomers: formic acid and the Criegee intermediate CH₂OO.     

Sulfonamide‐Promoted Palladium(II)‐Catalyzed Alkylation of Unactivated Methylene C(sp3)?H Bonds with Alkyl Iodides

The alkylation of unactivated β‐methylene C(sp³) H bonds of α‐amino acid substrates with a broad range of alkyl iodides using Pd(OAc)₂ as the catalyst is described. The addition of NaOCN and 4‐Cl‐C₆H₄SO₂NH₂ was found to be crucial for the success of this transformation. The reaction is compatible with a diverse array of functional groups and proceeds with high diastereoselectivity. Furthermore, various β,β‐hetero‐dialkyl‐ and β‐alkyl‐β‐aryl‐α‐amino acids were prepared by sequential C(sp³) H functionalization of an alanine‐derived substrate, thus providing a versatile strategy for the stereoselective synthesis of unnatural β‐disubstituted α‐amino acids.     

Theoretical Studies on Mechanism and Rate Constant of Gas Phase Hydrolysis of Glyoxal Catalyzed by Sulfuric Acid

The gas phase hydration of glyoxal (HCOCHO) in the presence of sulfuric acid (H2SO4) were studied by the high-level quantum chemical calculations with M06-2X and CCSD(T) theoretical methods and the conventional transition state theory (CTST). The mechanism and rate constant of the ve di erent reaction paths are consid-ered corresponding to HCOCHO+H₂O, HCOCHO+H₂O H₂O, HCOCHO H₂O+H₂O, HCOCHO+H₂O H₂SO₄ and HCOCHO H₂O+H₂SO₄. Results show that H₂SO₄ has a strong catalytic ability, which can signi cantly reduce the energy barrier for the hydration reaction of glyoxal. The energy barrier of hydrolysis of glyoxal in gas phase is lowered to 7.08 kcal/mol from 37.15 kcal/mol relative to pre-reactive complexes at the CCSD(T)/6-311++G(3df, 3pd)//M06-2X/6-311++G(3df, 3pd) level of theory. The rate constant of the H₂SO₄ catalyzed hydrolysis of glyoxal is 1.34×10^-11cm³/(molecule s), about 10¹³ higher than that involving catalysis by an equal number of water molecules, and is greater than the reaction rate of glyoxal reaction with OH radicals of 1.10×10^-11cm³/(molecule s) at the room temperature, indicating that the gas phase hydrolysis of glyoxal of H₂SO₄ catalyst is feasible and could compete with the reaction glyoxal+OH under certain atmospheric condi-tions. This study may provide useful information on understanding the mechanistic features of inorganic acid-catalyzed hydration of glyoxal for the formation of oligomer     

Reaction rate constant of SO3 + CH3OH in the gas phase

The reaction rates of SO₃ with CH₃OH in He were measured at total pressures of 0.7–1.6 torr in flow tubes. The concentration of SO₃ was monitored by the SO₂* fluorescence from excitation of SO₃ at 147 nm. The reaction rate constant of SO₃ + CH₃OH in the gas phase is determined to be (1.17 ± 0.16) × 10^?13 cm³ molec^?1 s^?1 at room temperature.