2-Methyltetrol Sulfate Oxidation by Hydroxyl Radical in Atmospheric Water Mimics and Implications for the Fate of Isoprene-Derived Secondary Organic Aerosol

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Authors: Haley M. Royer, Ashley Harrill, Cade M. Christensen, Yuzhi Chen, Zhenfa Zhang, Avram Gold, Andrew P. Ault, Jason D. Surratt, Barbara J. Turpin
Cited by: 2
References: 62

Abstract

2-Methyltetrol sulfate diastereomers (2-MTS) form from acid-driven multiphase chemical conversion of inorganic sulfate (Sulf inorg ) aerosol by isoprene-derived epoxydiols (IEPOX). Studies have explored 2-MTS sinks within aerosols, but observations of 2-MTS in atmospheric waters indicate a need to understand the fate of 2-MTS in clouds and fogs. In batch reactor experiments, we oxidized 2-MTS in 30, 300, and 3000 μM solutions to understand 2-MTS fate in cloud, fog, and aerosol water. Ion chromatography (IC) revealed production of acetate, oxalate, and Sulf inorg with 2-MTS oxidation. Our 30, 300, and 3000 μM experiments revealed a 5%, 20%, and 32% gap in the sulfur mass balance, respectively, suggesting organosulfates (OSs) formed from 2-MTS oxidation. OSs produced by 2-MTS oxidation were detected by hydrophilic liquid interaction chromatography interfaced to electrospray ionization high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry at mass-to-charge ratios 139 (C 2 H 3 O 5 S – ), 169 (C 3 H 5 O 6 S – ), 185 (C 3 H 5 O 7 S – ), 199 (C 4 H 7 O 7 S – ), 211 (C 5 H 7 O 7 S – ), 213 (C 5 H 9 O 7 S – ), 227 (C 5 H 7 O 8 S – ), and 229 (C 5 H 9 O 8 S – ). 2-MTS oxidation was then accurately predicted with a rate constant of 1.5 × 10 9 M –1 s –1 . Results emphasize the utility of 2-MTS for sulfur cycling in the atmosphere, and the potential for IC to measure 2-MTS in atmospheric waters.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Atmospheric chemistry and aerosols Pesticide and Herbicide Environmental Studies Toxic Organic Pollutants Impact

Publication details

Journal / source
ACS ES&T Air
Publisher
American Chemical Society (ACS)
Volume
3
Issue
3
Pages
806–815
Publication date
4 February 2026
Language
EN