Direct Measurements of Covalently Bonded Sulfuric Anhydrides from Gas-Phase Reactions of SO3 with Acids under Ambient Conditions

Sulfur trioxide (SO3) is an important oxide of sulfur and a key intermediate in the formation of sulfuric acid (H2SO4, SA) in the Earth's atmosphere. This conversion to SA occurs rapidly due to the reaction of SO3 with a water dimer. However, gas-phase SO3 has been measured directly at concentrations that are comparable to that of SA under polluted mega-city conditions, indicating gaps in our current understanding of the sources and fates of SO3. Its reaction with atmospheric acids could be one such fate that can have significant implications for atmospheric chemistry. In the present investigation, laboratory experiments were conducted in a flow reactor to generate a range of previously uncharacterized condensable sulfur-containing reaction products by reacting SO3 with a set of atmospherically relevant inorganic and organic acids at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. Specifically, key inorganic acids known to be responsible for most ambient new particle formation events, iodic acid (HIO3, IA) and SA, are observed to react promptly with SO3 to form iodic sulfuric anhydride (IO3SO3H, ISA) and disulfuric acid (H2S2O7, DSA). Carboxylic sulfuric anhydrides (CSAs) were observed to form by the reaction of SO3 with C2 and C3 monocarboxylic (acetic and propanoic acid) and dicarboxylic (oxalic and malonic acid)-carboxylic acids. The formed products were detected by a nitrate-ion-based chemical ionization atmospheric pressure interface time-of-flight mass spectrometer (NO3--CI-APi-TOF; NO3--CIMS). Quantum chemical methods were used to compute the relevant SO3 reaction rate coefficients, probe the reaction mechanisms, and model the ionization chemistry inherent in the detection of the products by NO3--CIMS. Additionally, we use NO3--CIMS ambient data to report that significant concentrations of SO3 and its acid anhydride reaction products are present under polluted, marine and polar, and volcanic plume conditions. Considering that these regions are rich in the acid precursors studied here, the reported reactions need to be accounted for in the modeling of atmospheric new particle formation.

Theoretical Investigation on Electronic Excited States of the HSO Radical

HSO radicals play an important role in the photochemical processes in combustion, the atmosphere, and the interstellar medium. In this work, we perform a high-level ab initio study on the electronic excited states of HSO using the internally contracted multireference configuration interaction methods including Davidson correction (icMRCI + Q) in combination with the correlation-consistent basis sets. The molecular geometries, vertical transition energies, oscillator strengths, and electronic configurations of 19 electronic states of HSO are computed. The electronic potential energy curves of HSO along the bond lengths and bond angles are presented. Based on our calculations, the interactions between the electronic states involved in the ultraviolet region and the mechanism of photodissociation are discussed, which will lay a foundation for revealing the dissociation dynamics of gas-phase HSO molecules in outer space and the earth's atmosphere.

Chamber studies of OH + dimethyl sulfoxide and dimethyl disulfide: insights into the dimethyl sulfide oxidation mechanism

The oxidation of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) in the marine atmosphere represents an important natural source of non-sea-salt sulfate aerosol, but the chemical mechanisms underlying this process remain uncertain. While recent studies have focused on the role of the peroxy radical isomerization channel in DMS oxidation, this work revisits the impact of the other channels (OH addition and OH abstraction followed by bimolecular RO2 reaction) on aerosol formation from DMS. Due to the presence of common intermediate species, the oxidation of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) can shed light on these two DMS reaction channels; they are also both atmospherically relevant species in their own right. This work examines the OH oxidation of DMSO and DMDS, using chamber experiments monitored by chemical ionization mass spectrometry and aerosol mass spectrometry to study the full range of sulfur-containing products across a range of NO concentrations. The oxidation of both compounds is found to lead to rapid aerosol formation (which does not involve the intermediate formation of SO2), with a substantial fraction (14%-47 % S yield for DMSO and 5 %-21 % for DMDS) of reacted sulfur ending up in the particle phase and the highest yields observed under elevated NO conditions. Aerosol is observed to consist mainly of sulfate, methanesulfonic acid, and methanesulfinic acid. In the gas phase, the NOx dependence of several products, including SO2 and S2-containing organosulfur species, suggest reaction pathways not included in current mechanisms. Based on the commonalities with the DMS oxidation mechanism, DMSO and DMDS results are used to reconstruct DMS aerosol yields; these reconstructions roughly match DMS aerosol yield measurements from the literature but differ in composition, underscoring remaining uncertainties in sulfur chemistry. This work indicates that both the abstraction and addition channels contribute to rapid aerosol formation from DMS and highlights the need for more study into the fate of small sulfur radical intermediates (e.g., CH3S, CH3SO2, and CH3SO3) that are thought to play central roles in the DMS oxidation mechanism.

Criegee Intermediate-Mediated Oxidation of Dimethyl Disulfide: Effect of Formic Acid and Its Atmospheric Relevance

The oxidation-reduction reactions of disulfides are important in both chemistry and biology. Dimethyl disulfide (DMDS), the smallest reduced sulfur species with a disulfide bond, is emitted in significant quantities from natural sources and contributes to the formation of aerosols and hazardous haze. Although atmospheric removal of DMDS via the reactions with OH or NO3 radicals and photolysis is known, the reactions of DMDS with other atmospheric oxidants are yet to be explored. Herein, using quantum chemical calculations, we explored the reactions of DMDS with CH2OO (formaldehyde oxide) and other methyl-substituted Criegee intermediates. The various reaction pathways evaluated were found to have positive energy barriers. However, in the presence of formic acid, a direct oxygen-transfer pathway leading to the corresponding sulfoxide (CH3SS(O)CH3) was found to proceed through a submerged transition state below the separated reactants. Calculations for the methyl-substituted Criegee intermediates, particularly for anti-CH3CHOO, show a significant increase in the rate of the direct oxygen-transfer reaction when catalyzed by formic acid. The presence of formic acid also alters the mechanism and reduces the enthalpic barrier of a second pathway, forming thioformaldehyde and hydroperoxide without any rate enhancement. Our data indicated that, although Criegee intermediates are unlikely to be an important atmospheric sink of DMDS under normal conditions, in regions rich in DMDS and formic acid, the formic acid-catalyzed Criegee intermediate-mediated oxidation of DMDS via the direct oxygen-transfer pathway could lead to organic sulfur compounds contributing to atmospheric aerosol.

Direct sulfuric acid formation from the gas-phase oxidation of reduced-sulfur compounds

Sulfuric acid represents a fundamental precursor for new nanometre-sized atmospheric aerosol particles. These particles, after subsequent growth, may influence Earth´s radiative forcing directly, or indirectly through affecting the microphysical and radiative properties of clouds. Currently considered formation routes yielding sulfuric acid in the atmosphere are the gas-phase oxidation of SO2 initiated by OH radicals and by Criegee intermediates, the latter being of little relevance. Here we report the observation of immediate sulfuric acid production from the OH reaction of emitted organic reduced-sulfur compounds, which was speculated about in the literature for decades. Key intermediates are the methylsulfonyl radical, CH3SO2, and, even more interestingly, its corresponding peroxy compound, CH3SO2OO. Results of modelling for pristine marine conditions show that oxidation of reduced-sulfur compounds could be responsible for up to ∼50% of formed gas-phase sulfuric acid in these areas. Our findings provide a more complete understanding of the atmospheric reduced-sulfur oxidation.

SO2 Photodissociation at 193 nm Directly Forms S(3P) + O2(3Σg-): Implications for the Archean Atmosphere on Earth

It is well-documented that photodissociation of SO₂ at λ = 193 nm produces O(³P_j) + SO X(³Σ^-). We provide experimental evidence of a new product channel from one-photon absorption producing S(³P_j) + O₂ X(³Σ_g^-) in 2-4% yield. We probe the reactant and all products with time-resolved photoelectron photoion coincidence spectroscopy. High-level ab initio calculations suggest that the new product channel can only occur on the ground-state potential energy surface through internal conversion from the excited state, followed by isomerization to a transient SOO intermediate. Classical trajectories on the ground-state potential energy surface with random initial conditions qualitatively reproduce the experimental yields. This unexpected photodissociation pathway may help reconcile discrepancies in sulfur mass-independent fractionation mechanisms in Earth's geologic history, which shape our understanding of the Archean atmosphere and the Great Oxygenation Event in Earth's evolution.

Rate Coefficients of the Reactions of Fluorine Atoms with H2S and SH over the Temperature Range 220-960 K

Reaction F + H2S→SH + HF (1) is an effective source of SH radicals and an important intermediate in atmospheric and combustion chemistry. We employed a discharge-flow, modulated molecular beam mass spectrometry technique to determine the rate coefficient of this reaction and that of the secondary one, F + SH→S + HF (2), at a total pressure of 2 Torr and in a wide temperature range 220-960 K. The rate coefficient of Reaction (1) was determined directly by monitoring consumption of F atoms under pseudo-first-order conditions in an excess of H2S. The rate coefficient of Reaction (2) was determined via monitoring the maximum concentration of the product of Reaction (1), SH radical, as a function of [H2S]. Both rate coefficients were found to be virtually independent of temperature in the entire temperature range of the study: k1 = (1.86 ± 0.28) × 10-10 and k2 = (2.0 ± 0.40) × 10-10 cm3 molecule-1 s-1. The kinetic data from the present study are compared with previous room temperature measurements.

Investigating role of abiotic side and finding optimum abiotic condition for improving gas biodesulfurization using Thioalkalivibrio versutus

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is a super toxic substance that produces SO_x gases when combusted. Therefore, it should be removed from gas streams. Biodesulfurization is one of the developing methods for removing sulfide. Gas biodesulfurization must be accelerated to be competitive with chemical processes. This process has two sides: biotic and abiotic sides. To increase the rate of sulfide removal, this substance should be given to the bacteria in the maximum amount (Max. − R_{HS B}). Therefore, it is necessary to minimize the rate of adverse abiotic reactions of sulfide (Min. − R_{HS A}). Minimizing the sulfide reaction with biosulfur and oxygen and thiosulfate generation (Min. − R_{HS thio2}) was assessed in de-microbized medium. It was concluded that the pH should be kept as low as possible. The kinetics of thiosulfate formation from sulfide oxidation (− R_{HS thio1}) are strongly dependent on the sulfide concentration, and to minimize this reaction rate, sulfide should be gently injected into the culture. To minimize sulfide reduction to hydrogen sulfide (Min. − R_{HS rev}), the pH should be kept as high as possible. Using the Design Expert v.13, a model was driven for the abiotic side to obtain optimum condition. The pH value was found to be 8.2 and the sulfide concentration to 2.5E−05 M. Thioalkalivibrio versutus cultivation under identified abiotic conditions resulted in biological removal of sulfide up to 1.5 g/h. The culture was not able to remove 2 g/h input sulfide, and to increase this, the biotic side should be studied.

Photochemistry of HOSO2 and SO3 and Implications for the Production of Sulfuric Acid

Sulfur trioxide (SO₃) and the hydroxysulfonyl radical (HOSO₂) are two key intermediates in the production of sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) on Earth's atmosphere, one of the major components of acid rain. Here, the photochemical properties of these species are determined by means of high-level quantum chemical methodologies, and the potential impact of their light-induced reactivity is assessed within the context of the conventional acid rain generation mechanism. Results reveal that the photodissociation of HOSO₂ occurs primarily in the stratosphere through the ejection of hydroxyl radicals (^•OH) and sulfur dioxide (SO₂). This may decrease the production rate of H₂SO₄ in atmospheric regions with low O₂ concentration. In contrast, the photostability of SO₃ under stratospheric conditions suggests that its removal efficiency, still poorly understood, is key to assess the H₂SO₄ formation in the upper atmosphere.

Atmospheric Fate of the CH3SOO Radical from the CH3S + O2 Equilibrium

The atmospheric oxidation mechanisms of reduced sulfur compounds are of great importance in the biogeochemical sulfur cycle. The CH₃S radical represents an important intermediate in these oxidation processes. Under atmospheric conditions, CH₃S will predominantly react with O₂ to form the peroxy radical CH₃SOO. The formed CH₃SOO has two competing unimolecular reaction pathways: isomerization to CH₃SO₂, which further decomposes into CH₃ and SO₂, or a hydrogen shift followed by HO₂ loss, leading to CH₂S. Previous theoretical calculations have suggested that CH₂S formation should be the dominant pathway, in disagreement with existing experimental results. Our large active space multireference configuration interaction calculations agree with the experimental results that the formation of CH₃ and SO₂ is the dominant route and the formation of CH₂S and HO₂ can, at most, be a minor pathway. We support the calculations with new experiments starting from the OH + CH₃SH reaction for CH₃S formation under low NO_x conditions and find a SO₂ yield of 0.86 ± 0.18 within our reaction time of 7.9 s. Model simulations of our experiments show that the SO₂ yield converges to 0.98. This combined theoretical and experimental study thus furthers the understanding of the general oxidation mechanisms of sulfur compounds in the atmosphere.

Photochemistry and Non-adiabatic Photodynamics of the HOSO Radical

Hydroxysulfinyl radical (HOSO) is important due to its involvement in climate geoengineering upon SO₂ injection and generation of the highly hygroscopic H₂SO₄. Its photochemical behavior in the upper atmosphere is, however, uncertain. Here we present the ultraviolet-visible photochemistry and photodynamics of this species by simulating the atmospheric conditions with high-level quantum chemistry methods. Photocleavage to HO + SO arises as the major solar-induced channel, with a minor contribution of H + SO₂ photoproducts. The efficient generation of SO is relevant due to its reactivity with O₃ and the consequent depletion of ozone in the stratosphere.

Isomerization and Fragmentation Reactions on the [C2SH4] Potential Energy Surface: The Metastable Thione S-Methylide Isomer

Thione S-methylide, parent species of the thiocarbonyl ylide family, is a 1,3-dipolar species on the [C₂SH₄] potential energy surface, not so much studied as its isomers, thiirane, vinyl thiol, and thioacetaldehyde. The conrotatory ring-closure reaction toward thiirane was studied in the 90s, but no complete analysis of the potential energy surface is available. In this paper, we report a computational study of the reaction scheme linking all species. We employed several computational methods (density functional theory, CCSD(T) composite schemes, and CASSCF/CASPT2 multireference procedures) to find the best description of thione S-methylide, its isomers, and transition states. The barrier from thiirane to thione S-methylide amounts to 52.2 kcal mol^-1 (against 17.6 kcal mol^-1 for the direct one), explaining why thiocarbonyl ylides cannot be prepared from thiiranes. Conversion of thiirane to vinyl thiol implies a large barrier, supporting why the reaction has been observed only at high temperatures. Fragmentations of thiirane to S(³P) or S(¹D) and ethylene as well as decomposition to hydrogen sulfide plus acetylene were also explored. Triplet and singlet open-shell species were identified as intermediates in the fragmentations, with energies lower than the transition state between thiirane and vinyl thiol, explaining the preference of the latter at low temperatures.

Influence of Water on the Gas-Phase Reaction of Dimethyl Sulfide with BrO in the Marine Boundary Layer

The effect of a single water molecule on the reaction of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) with BrO reaction has been investigated using quantum chemical calculations at the CCSD(T)/6-311++G**//BH&HLYP/aug-cc-pVTZ level of theory. Two reaction mechanisms have been considered both in the absence and the presence of water, namely, oxygen atom transfer and hydrogen abstraction, among which the oxygen atom transfer was predominant. Five reaction channels were found in the absence of water, in which the channels starting from the cis-configuration of the pre-reaction complexes were more favorable because of the low energy barrier. The inclusion of water slightly decreased the energy barrier height of most oxygen atom transfer channels, while making the hydrogen abstraction channels more complex. While the effective rate coefficients for the oxygen atom transfer paths are found to have decreased by 3-7 orders of magnitude in the presence of water relative to the water-free reactions, the negligible fraction of reactants that are effectively clustered with water does not significantly change the overall rate of the formation of dimethyl sulfoxide and Br. The present results show that the overall mechanism and rate of the DMS + BrO reaction may not be affected by humidity under atmospheric conditions.

SO2 formation and peroxy radical isomerization in the atmospheric reaction of OH radicals with dimethyl disulfide

The atmospheric reaction of OH radicals with dimethyl disulfide, CH3SSCH3, proceeds primarily via OH addition forming CH3S and CH3SOH as reactive intermediates, and to a lesser extent via H-abstraction resulting in the peroxy radical CH3SSCH2OO in the presence of O2. The latter undergoes a fast two-step isomerization process leading to HOOCH2SSCHO. CH3S and CH3SOH are both converted to SO2 and CH3O2 with near unity yields under atmospheric conditions.

From "S" to "O": experimental and theoretical insights into the atmospheric degradation mechanism of dithiophosphinic acids

Dithiophosphinic acids (DPAHs, expressed as R1R2PSSH) are a type of sulfur-donor ligand that have been vastly applied in hydrometallurgy. In particular, DPAHs have shown great potential in highly efficient trivalent actinide/lanthanide separation, which is one of the most challenging tasks in separation science and is of great importance for the development of an advanced fuel cycle in nuclear industry. However, DPAHs have been found liable to undergo oxidative degradation in the air, leading to significant reduction in the selectivity of actinide/lanthanide separation. In this work, the atmospheric degradation of five representative DPAH ligands was investigated for the first time over a sufficiently long period (180 days). The oxidative degradation process of DPAHs elucidated by ESI-MS, 31P NMR, and FT-IR analyses is R1R2PSSH → R1R2PSOH → R1R2POOH → R1R2POO-OOPR1R2, R1R2PSSH → R1R2PSS-SSPR1R2, and R1R2PSSH → R1R2PSOH → R1R2POS-SOPR1R2. Meanwhile, the determination of pK a values through pH titration and oxidation product by PXRD further confirms the S → O transformation in the process of DPAH deterioration. DFT calculations suggest that the hydroxyl radical plays the dominant role in the oxidation process of DPAHs and the order in which the oxidation products formed is closely related to the reaction energy barrier. Moreover, nickel salts of DPAHs have shown much higher chemical stability than DPAHs, which was also elaborated through molecular orbital (MO) and adaptive natural density portioning (AdNDP) analyses. This work unambiguously reveals the atmospheric degradation mechanism of DPAHs through both experimental and theoretical approaches. At the application level, the results not only provide an effective way to preserve DPAHs but could also guide the design of more stable sulfur-donor ligands in the future.

Atmospheric reaction of methyl mercaptan with hydroxyl radical as an acid rain primary agent

For the CH₃SH + OH atmospheric reaction, we study the mechanism, potential energy surface, thermodynamic parameters of all stationary points, and rate of generation of the main product channels at high, low, and intermediate pressures. In this study, the UMP2, UM062X, UB3LYP, and CCSD(T) methods by Dunning and Pople basis sets are used and the results are compared with the experimental data. It is theoretically predicted that the reaction has fourteen possible pathways with eight different products in the gas phase. The thermodynamic results show that OH radical extracts predominantly the hydrogen of the SH functional group compared to the hydrogen of the CH₃ group of CH₃SH. Also, the rate constant calculations indicate that the extraction of the hydrogen atom of the SH group has a major role in 150–3000 K, while a good contribution is observed for the hydrogen of methyl group above 1200 K. Our results show that the used methods lead to good agreement with experiment. Finally, we demonstrated that why the main path is the main path.

Removal of H2S to produce hydrogen in the presence of CO on a transition metal-doped ZSM-12 catalyst: a DFT mechanistic study

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) leads to corrosion in transport lines and poisoning of many catalysts. Meanwhile, H₂S is an inexhaustible potential source of hydrogen, which is a very valuable chemical reagent and an environmentally friendly energy product. Therefore, removal of H₂S and producing hydrogen gas using potential catalysts has been intensively studied, according to the equation: H₂S(g) + CO(g) → COS(g) + H₂(g). In this study, hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) decomposition in the presence of CO over transition metal-doped ZSM-12 clusters (TM-ZSM-12) has been investigated based on DFT calculations at the B3LYP-D3/6-31G(d,p) level. The calculation results reveal that the proposed reaction mechanism is controlled by 4 key steps, (i) hydrogen dissociation (E_a1 = +0.04 eV for the 1st hydrogen and E_a2 = +0.22 eV for the 2nd hydrogen), (ii) COS desorption (the rate-determining step of this H₂S removal process, E_des = +1.18 eV), (iii) hydrogen diffusion to the transition metal with an energy barrier (E_a3) of +0.62 eV, and (iv) the H₂ formation step (E_a4 = +0.94 eV). Our results indicate that in the presence of CO, the Cu-ZSM-12 cluster has a potential application as a highly active catalyst for H₂S removal together with hydrogen production.

Experimental rainwater divalent mercury speciation and photoreduction rates in the presence of halides and organic carbon

Mercury (Hg) photochemical redox reactions control atmospheric Hg lifetime and therefore play an important role in global Hg cycling. Oxidation of Hg(0) to Hg(II) is currently thought to be a Br-initiated two-stage reaction with end-products HgBr₂, HgBrOH, HgBrONO, HgBrOHO. Atmospheric photoreduction of these Hg(II) compounds can take place in both the gas and aqueous phase. Here we present new experimental observations on aqueous Hg(II) photoreduction rates in the presence of dissolved organic carbon and halides and compare the findings to rainfall Hg(II) photoreduction rates. The pseudo first-order, gross photoreduction rate constant, k_red, for 0.5 μM Hg(II) in the presence of 0.5 mg/ L of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is 0.23 h^-1, which is similar to the mean k_red (0.15 ± 0.01 h^-1(σ, n = 3)) in high altitude rainfall and at the lower end of the median k_red (0.41 h^-1, n = 24) in continental and marine waters. Addition of bromide (Br^-) to experimental Hg(II)-DOC solutions progressively inhibits Hg(II) photoreduction to reach 0.001 h^-1 at total Br^- of 10 mM. Halide substitution experiments give Hg(II)X_n^(n-2) photoreduction rate constants of 0.016, 0.004 h^-1, and < detection limit for X = Cl^-, Br^-, and I^- respectively and reflect increasing stability of the Hg(II)-halide complex. We calculate equilibrium Hg(II) speciation in urban and high-altitude rainfall using Visual Minteq, which indicates Hg(II)-DOC to be the dominant Hg species. The ensemble of observations suggests that atmospheric gaseous HgBr₂, HgCl₂, HgBrNO₂, HgBrHO₂ forms, scavenged by aqueous aerosols and cloud droplets, are converted to Hg(II)-DOC forms in rainfall due to abundant organic carbon in aerosols and cloud water. Eventual photoreduction of Hg(II)-DOC in aqueous aerosols and clouds is, however, too slow to be relevant in global atmospheric Hg cycling.

Reactivity of Small Oxoacids of Sulfur

Oxidation of sulfide to sulfate is known to consist of several steps. Key intermediates in this process are the so-called small oxoacids of sulfur (SOS)—sulfenic HSOH (hydrogen thioperoxide, oxadisulfane, or sulfur hydride hydroxide) and sulfoxylic S(OH)₂ acids. Sulfur monoxide can be considered as a dehydrated form of sulfoxylic acid. Although all of these species play an important role in atmospheric chemistry and in organic synthesis, and are also invoked in biochemical processes, they are quite unstable compounds so much so that their physical and chemical properties are still subject to intense studies. It is well-established that sulfoxylic acid has very strong reducing properties, while sulfenic acid is capable of both oxidizing and reducing various substrates. Here, in this review, the mechanisms of sulfide oxidation as well as data on the structure and reactivity of small sulfur-containing oxoacids, sulfur monoxide, and its precursors are discussed.

Cooperative adsorption of carbon disulfide in diamine-appended metal-organic frameworks

Over one million tons of CS₂ are produced annually, and emissions of this volatile and toxic liquid, known to generate acid rain, remain poorly controlled. As such, materials capable of reversibly capturing this commodity chemical in an energy-efficient manner are of interest. Recently, we detailed diamine-appended metal–organic frameworks capable of selectively capturing CO₂ through a cooperative insertion mechanism that promotes efficient adsorption–desorption cycling. We therefore sought to explore the ability of these materials to capture CS₂ through a similar mechanism. Employing crystallography, spectroscopy, and gas adsorption analysis, we demonstrate that CS₂ is indeed cooperatively adsorbed in N,N-dimethylethylenediamine-appended M₂(dobpdc) (M = Mg, Mn, Zn; dobpdc^4- = 4,4′-dioxidobiphenyl-3,3′-dicarboxylate), via the formation of electrostatically paired ammonium dithiocarbamate chains. In the weakly thiophilic Mg congener, chemisorption is cleanly reversible with mild thermal input. This work demonstrates that the cooperative insertion mechanism can be generalized to other high-impact target molecules.

The large-scale production of CS₂ presents both environmental and biological hazards, yet adsorbents capable of CS₂ capture remain scarcely explored. Here, Long and colleagues demonstrate that CS₂ is adsorbed in diamine-appended metal–organic frameworks through a cooperative and chemically specific insertion process.

Atmospherically Relevant Radicals Derived from the Oxidation of Dimethyl Sulfide

The large number and amounts of volatile organosulfur compounds emitted to the atmosphere and the enormous variety of their reactions in various oxidation states make experimental measurements of even a small fraction of them a daunting task. Dimethyl sulfide (DMS) is a product of biological processes involving marine phytoplankton, and it is estimated to account for approximately 60% of the total natural sulfur gases released to the atmosphere. Ocean-emitted DMS has been suggested to play a role in atmospheric aerosol formation and thereby cloud formation. The reaction of ·OH with DMS is known to proceed by two independent channels: abstraction and addition. The oxidation of DMS is believed to be initiated by the reaction with ·OH and NO₃· radicals, which eventually leads to the formation of sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) and methanesulfonic acid (CH₃SO₃H). The reaction of DMS with NO₃· appears to proceed exclusively by hydrogen abstraction. The oxidation of DMS consists of a complex sequence of reactions. Depending on the time of the day or altitude, it may take a variety of pathways. In general, however, the oxidation proceeds via chains of radical reactions. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) has been reported to be a major product of the addition channel. Dimethyl sulfone (DMSO₂), SO₂, CH₃SO₃H, and methanesulfinic acid (CH₃S(O)OH) have been observed as products of further oxidation of DMSO. Understanding the details of DMS oxidation requires in-depth knowledge of the elementary steps of this seemingly simple transformation, which in turn requires a combination of experimental and theoretical methods. The methylthiyl (CH₃S·), methylsulfinyl (CH₃SO·), methylsulfonyl (CH₃SO₂·), and methylsulfonyloxyl (CH₃SO₃·) radicals have been postulated as intermediates in the oxidation of DMS. Therefore, studying the chemistry of sulfur-containing free radicals in the laboratory also is the basis for understanding the mechanism of DMS oxidation in the atmosphere. The application of matrix-isolation techniques in combination with quantum-mechanical calculations on the generation and structural elucidation of CH₃SO_x (x = 0-3) radicals is reviewed in the present Account. Experimental matrix IR and UV/vis data for all known species of this substance class are summarized together with data obtained using other spectroscopic techniques, including time-resolved spectroscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, and others. We also discuss the reactivity and experimental characterization of these species to illustrate their practical relevance and highlight spectroscopic techniques available for the elucidation of their geometric and electronic structures. The present Account summarizes recent results regarding the preparation, characterization, and reactivity of various radical species with the formula CH₃SO_x (x = 0-3).

Thermochemical and Kinetics of CH3SH + H Reactions: The Sensitivity of Coupling the Low and High-Level Methodologies

The reaction system formed by the methanethiol molecule (CH₃SH) and a hydrogen atom was studied via three elementary reactions, two hydrogen abstractions and the C-S bond cleavage (CH₃SH + H → CH₃S + H₂ (R1); → CH₂SH + H₂ (R2); → CH₃ + H₂S (R3)). The stable structures were optimized with various methodologies of the density functional theory and the MP2 method. Two minimum energy paths for each elementary reaction were built using the BB1K and MP2 methodologies, and the electronic properties on the reactants, products, and saddle points were improved with coupled cluster theory with single, double, and connected triple excitations (CCSD(T)) calculations. The sensitivity of coupling the low and high-level methods to calculate the thermochemical and rate constants were analyzed. The thermal rate constants were obtained by means of the improved canonical variational theory (ICVT) and the tunneling corrections were included with the small curvature tunneling (SCT) approach. Our results are in agreement with the previous experimental measurements and the calculated branching ratio for R1:R2:R3 is equal to 0.96:0:0.04, with k_R1 = 9.64 × 10^-13 cm³ molecule^-1 s^-1 at 298 K.

The complete reaction mechanism of H2S desulfurization on an anatase TiO2 (001) surface: a density functional theory investigation

An anatase TiO₂ (001) surface is active and selective toward water production and results in the modification of the surface by forming S-doped TiO₂, which enhances its photocatalytic activity.

The OH-Initiated Oxidation of CS2 in the Presence of NO: FTIR Matrix-Isolation and Theoretical Studies

We studied the photochemistry of the carbon disulfide-nitrous acid system with the help of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) matrix isolation spectroscopy and theoretical methods. The irradiation of the CS2···HONO complexes, isolated in solid argon, with the filtered output of the mercury lamp (λ > 345 nm) was found to produce OCS, SO2, and HNCS; HSCN was also tentatively identified. The (13)C, (15)N, and (2)H isotopic shifts as well as literature data were used for product identifications. The evolution of the measured FTIR spectra with irradiation time and the changes in the spectra after matrix annealing indicated that the identified molecules are the products of different reaction channels: OCS being a product of another reaction path than SO2 and HNCS or HSCN. The possible reaction channels between SC(OH)S/SCS(OH) radicals and NO were studied using DFT/B3LYP/aug-cc-pVTZ method. The SC(OH)S and/or SCS(OH) intermediates are formed when HONO attached to CS2 photodissociates into OH and NO. The calculations indicated that SC(OH)S radical can form with NO two stable adducts. The more stable SC(OH)S···NO structure is a reactant for a simple one-step process leading to OCS and HONS molecules. An alternative, less-stable complex formed between SC(OH)S and NO leads to formation of OCS and HSNO. The calculations predict only one stable complex between SCS(OH) radical and NO, which can dissociate along two channels leading to HNCS and SO2 or HSCN and SO2 as the end products. The identified photoproducts indicate that both SC(OH)S and SCS(OH) adducts are intermediates in the CS2 + OH + NO reaction leading to different reaction products.

Production and Photodissociation of the Methyl Perthiyl Radical

The photodissociation dynamics of the methyl perthiyl (CH3SS) radical are investigated via molecular beam photofragment translational spectroscopy, using "soft" electron ionization to detect the radicals and their photofragments. With this new capability, we have shown that CH3SS can be generated from flash pyrolysis of dimethyl trisulfide. Utilizing this source of radicals and the advantages afforded by soft electron ionization, we have reinvestigated the photodissociation dynamics of CH3SS at 248 nm, finding CH3S + S to be the dominant dissociation channel with CH3 + SS as a minor process. These results differ from previous work reported in our laboratory in which we found CH3 + SS and CH2S + SH as the main dissociation channels. The difference in results is discussed in light of our new capabilities for characterization of radical production.

Laboratory measurements and astronomical search for the HSO radical

CONTEXT

Despite the fact that many sulfur-bearing molecules, ranging from simple diatomic species up to astronomical complex molecules, have been detected in the interstellar medium, the sulfur chemistry in space is largely unknown and a depletion in the abundance of S-containing species has been observed in the cold, dense interstellar medium (ISM). The chemical form of the missing sulfur has yet to be identified.

AIMS

For these reasons, in view of the fact that there is a large abundance of triatomic species harbouring sulfur, oxygen, and hydrogen, we decided to investigate the HSO radical in the laboratory to try its astronomical detection.

METHODS

High-resolution measurements of the rotational spectrum of the HSO radical were carried out within a frequency range well up into the THz region. Subsequently, a rigorous search for HSO in the two most studied high-mass star-forming regions, Orion KL and Sagittarius (Sgr) B2, and in the cold dark cloud Barnard 1 (B1-b) was performed.

RESULTS

The frequency coverage and the spectral resolution of our measurements allowed us to improve and extend the existing dataset of spectroscopic parameters, thus enabling accurate frequency predictions up to the THz range. These were used to derive the synthetic spectrum of HSO, by means of the MADEX code, according to the physical parameters of the astronomical source under consideration. For all sources investigated, the lack of HSO lines above the confusion limit of the data is evident.

CONCLUSIONS

The derived upper limit to the abundance of HSO clearly indicates that this molecule does not achieve significant abundances in either the gas phase or in the ice mantles of dust grains.

Adsorption and reaction of H2S on Cu(110) studied using scanning tunneling microscopy

Using low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), the adsorption and reaction of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and its fragments (SH and S) on Cu(110) are investigated at 5 K. H2S adsorbs molecularly on the surface on top of a Cu atom. With voltage pulses of STM, it is possible to induce sequential dehydrogenation of H2S to SH and S. We found two kinds of adsorption structures of SH. The short-bridge site is the most stable site for SH, while the long-bridge site is the second. Density functional theory calculations show that the S-H axis is inclined from the surface normal for both species. The reaction of H2S with OH and O was directly observed to yield SH and S, respectively, providing a molecular-level insight into catalyst poisoning.

Environmental behavior and analysis of agricultural sulfur

Sulfur has been widely used for centuries as a staple for pest and disease management in agriculture. Presently, it is the largest-volume pesticide in use worldwide. This review describes the sources and recovery methods for sulfur, its allotropic forms and properties and its agricultural uses, including development and potential advantages of nanosulfur as a fungicide. Chemical and microbial reactivity, interactions in soil and water and analytical methods for determination in environmental samples and foodstuffs, including inexpensive analytical methods for sulfur residues in wine, beer and other food/beverage substrates, will be reviewed. The toxicology of sulfur towards humans and agriculturally important fungi is included, with some restrictions on use to promote safety. The review concludes with areas for which more research is warranted.

Potential role of stabilized Criegee radicals in sulfuric acid production in a high biogenic VOC environment

We present field observations made in June 2011 downwind of Dallas-Fort Worth, TX, and evaluate the role of stabilized Criegee radicals (sCIs) in gaseous sulfuric acid (H2SO4) production. Zero-dimensional model calculations show that sCI from biogenic volatile organic compounds composed the majority of the sCIs. The main uncertainty associated with an evaluation of H2SO4 production from the sCI reaction channel is the lack of experimentally determined reaction rates for sCIs formed from isoprene ozonolysis with SO2 along with systematic discrepancies in experimentally derived reaction rates between other sCIs and SO2 and water vapor. In general, the maximum of H2SO4 production from the sCI channel is found in the late afternoon as ozone increases toward the late afternoon. The sCI channel, however, contributes minor H2SO4 production compared with the conventional OH channel in the mid-day. Finally, the production and the loss rates of H2SO4 are compared. The application of the recommended mass accommodation coefficient causes significant overestimation of H2SO4 loss rates compared with H2SO4 production rates. However, the application of a lower experimental value for the mass accommodation coefficient provides good agreement between the loss and production rates of H2SO4. The results suggest that the recommended coefficient for the H2O surface may not be suitable for this relatively dry environment.

Reactions of the methylsulfinyl radical [CH3(O)S˙] with oxygen (3O2) in solid argon

The atmospherically highly relevant methylsulfinyl radical (CH₃(O)S˙) reacts with molecular oxygen in cryogenic argon matrices and forms the methylsulfinylperoxyl radical (CH₃(O)SOO˙). The later was characterized by IR and UV/Vis spectroscopy, including isotopic labelling studies.

A kinetic and thermochemical database for organic sulfur and oxygen compounds

Potential energy surfaces and reaction kinetics were calculated for reactions involving sulfur and oxygen, which are potentially relevant in combustion and desulfurization chemistry.

Probing the radical and base dual properties of peptide sulfinyl radicals via mass spectrometry

Heteroatom-centered radicals are known to play critical roles in atmospheric chemistry, organic synthesis, and biology. While most studies have focused on the radical reactivity such as hydrogen abstraction, the base properties of heteroatom-centered radicals have long been overlooked, despite the profound consequences, such as their ability to participate in hydrogen-bonding networks. In this study, we use the sulfinyl radical (-SO(•)) as a model to show that the dual properties of heteroatom-centered radicals, that is, their ability to function as a radical and a base, can coexist in peptides and be differentiated by examining the loss of hydrosulfinyl radical (SOH) upon unimolecular dissociation of the peptide sulfinyl radical ions in the gas phase. The loss of SOH can result from two channels; one involves hydrogen atom abstraction, which reflects the radical property; the other is initiated by proton transfer to the sulfinyl radical, manifesting its base property. Tuning of the two properties of peptide sulfinyl radicals can be achieved by varying the chemical properties of the neighboring functional groups, which demonstrates the influence of the local chemical environment on the behavior of the radical species. The experimental approach established in this study to probe the dual chemical property of the peptide sulfinyl radical can be potentially applied to studying other types of heteroatom-centered radical species of biological significance.

Low-energy photoelectron imaging of HS2 anion

Low-energy photoelectron imaging of HS2 (-) has been investigated, which provides the vibrational frequencies of the ground state as well as the first excited state of HS2. It allows us to determine more accurate electron affinity of HS2, 1.9080 ± 0.0018 eV. Combined with Frank-Condon simulation, the vibrational features have been unveiled related to S-S stretching and S-S-H bending modes for the ground state and S-S stretching, S-S-H bending, and S-H stretching modes for the first excited state. Photoelectron angular distributions are mainly characteristic of electron detachment from two different molecular orbitals (MOs) in HS2 (-). With the aid of accurate electron affinity value of HS2, corresponding thermochemical quantities can be accessed.