Full-dimensional automated potential energy surface development and detailed dynamics for the CH2OO + NH3 reaction

With the help of the ROBOSURFER program package, a global full-dimensional potential energy surface (PES) for the reaction of the Criegee intermediate, CH2OO, with the NH3 molecule is developed iteratively using different ab initio methods and the monomial symmetrization fitting approach. The final permutationally-invariant analytical PES is constructed based on 23447 geometries and the corresponding ManyHF-based CCSD(T)-F12b/cc-pVTZ-F12 energies. The accuracy of the PES is confirmed by the excellent agreement of its stationary-point properties and one-dimensional potential energy curves compared with the corresponding ab initio data. The reaction probabilities and integral cross sections are calculated for the ground-state and several vibrationally excited-state reactions by quasi-classical trajectory simulations. Remarkable is that the maximum impact parameter b where reactivity vanishes is almost independent of collision energy ranging from 1 to 40 kcal mol-1, and the reaction probability increases with increasing collision energy for this negative-barrier reaction. At the same time, a slight mode-specificity effect is observed. In addition, the deuterium effect is investigated and the sudden vector projection is discussed.

Kinetics of the Simplest Criegee Intermediate Reaction with Water Vapor: Revisit and Isotope Effect

The kinetics of the simplest Criegee intermediate (CH2OO) reaction with water vapor was revisited. By improving the signal-to-noise ratio and the precision of water concentration, we found that the kinetics of CH2OO involves not only two water molecules but also one and three water molecules. Our experimental results suggest that the decay of CH2OO can be described as d[CH2OO]/dt = -kobs[CH2OO]; kobs = k0 + k1[water] + k2[water]2 + k3[water]3; k1 = (4.22 ± 0.48) × 10-16 cm3 s-1, k2 = (10.66 ± 0.83) × 10-33 cm6 s-1, k3 = (1.48 ± 0.17) × 10-50 cm9 s-1 at 298 K and 300 Torr with the respective Arrhenius activation energies of Ea1 = 1.8 ± 1.1 kcal mol-1, Ea2 = -11.1 ± 2.1 kcal mol-1, Ea3 = -17.4 ± 3.9 kcal mol-1. The contribution of the k3[water]3 term becomes less significant at higher temperatures around 345 K, but it is not ignorable at 298 K and lower temperatures. By quantifying the concentrations of H2O and D2O with a Coriolis-type direct mass flow sensor, the kinetic isotope effect (KIE) was investigated at 298 K and 300 Torr and KIE(k1) = k1(H2O)/k1(D2O) = 1.30 ± 0.32; similarly, KIE(k2) = 2.25 ± 0.44 and KIE(k3) = 0.99 ± 0.13. These mild KIE values are consistent with theoretical calculations based on the variational transition state theory, confirming that the title reaction has a broad and low barrier, and the reaction coordinate involves not only the motion of a hydrogen atom but also that of an oxygen atom. Comparing the results recorded under 300 Torr (N2 buffer gas) with those under 600 Torr, a weak pressure effect of k3 was found. From quantum chemistry calculations, we found that the CH2OO + 3H2O reaction is dominated by the reaction pathways involving a ring structure consisting of two water molecules, which facilitate the hydrogen atom transfer, while the third water molecule is hydrogen-bonded outside the ring. Furthermore, analysis based on dipole capture rates showed that the CH2OO(H2O) + (H2O)2 and CH2OO(H2O)2 + H2O pathways will dominate in the three water reaction.

The simplest Criegee intermediate CH2OO reaction with dimethylamine and trimethylamine: kinetics and atmospheric implications

We have used the OH laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) method to measure the kinetics of the simplest Criegee intermediate (CH2OO) reacting with two abundant amines in the atmosphere: dimethylamine ((CH3)2NH) and trimethylamine ((CH3)3N). Our experiments were conducted under pseudo-first-order approximation conditions. The rate coefficients we report are (2.15 ± 0.28) × 10-11 cm3 molecule-1 s-1 for (CH3)2NH at 298 K and 10 Torr, and (1.56 ± 0.23) × 10-12 cm3 molecule-1 s-1 for (CH3)3N at 298 K and 25 Torr with Ar as the bath gas. Both reactions exhibit a negative temperature dependence. The activation energy and pre-exponential factors derived from the Arrhenius equation were (-2.03 ± 0.26) kcal mol-1 and (6.89 ± 0.90) × 10-13 cm3 molecule-1 s-1 for (CH3)2NH, and (-1.60 ± 0.24) kcal mol-1 and (1.06 ± 0.16) × 10-13 cm3 molecule-1 s-1 for (CH3)3N. We propose that the electronegativity of the atom in the co-reactant attached to the C atom of CH2OO, in addition to the dissociation energy of the fragile covalent bonds with H atoms (H-X bond), plays an important role in the 1,2-insertion reactions. Under certain circumstances, the title reactions can contribute to the sink of amines and Criegee intermediates and to the formation of secondary organic aerosol (SOA).

Kinetics of the Simplest Criegee Intermediate CH2OO Reaction with tert-Butylamine

The kinetics of the simplest Criegee intermediate (CH₂OO) reaction with tert-butylamine ((CH₃)₃CNH₂) was studied under pseudo-first-order conditions with the OH laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) method at the temperature range of 283-318 K and the pressure range of 5-75 Torr. Our pressure-dependent measurement showed that at 5 Torr─the lowest pressure measured in the current experiment─this reaction was under the high-pressure limit condition. At 298 K, the reaction rate coefficient was measured to be (4.95 ± 0.64) × 10^-12 cm³ molecule^-1 s^-1. The title reaction was observed to be negative temperature-dependent; the activation energy of (-2.82 ± 0.37) kcal mol^-1 and the pre-exponential factor of (4.21 ± 0.55) × 10^-14 cm³ molecule^-1 s^-1 were derived from the Arrhenius equation. The rate coefficient of the title reaction is slightly larger than (4.3 ± 0.5) × 10^-12 cm³ molecule^-1 s^-1 of the CH₂OO reaction with methylamine; the electron inductive effect and the steric hindrance effect might play a role in contributing to such difference.

Enthalpies of formation for Criegee intermediates: A correlation energy convergence study

Criegee intermediates, formed from the ozonolysis of alkenes, are known to have a role in atmospheric chemistry, including the modulation of the oxidizing capacity of the troposphere. Although studies have been conducted since their discovery, the synthesis of these species in the laboratory has ushered in a new wave of investigations of these structures, both theoretically and experimentally. In some of these theoretical studies, high-order corrections for correlation energy are included to account for the mid multi-reference character found in these systems. Many of these studies include a focus on kinetics; therefore, the calculated energies should be accurate (<1 kcal/mol in error). In this research, we compute the enthalpies of formation for a small set of Criegee intermediates, including higher-order coupled cluster corrections for correlation energy up to coupled cluster with perturbative quintuple excitations. The enthalpies of formation for formaldehyde oxide, anti-acetaldehyde oxide, syn-acetaldehyde oxide, and acetone oxide are presented at 0 K as 26.5, 15.6, 12.2, and 0.1 kcal mol^-1, respectively. Additionally, we do not recommend the coupled cluster with perturbative quadruple excitations [CCSDT(Q)] energy correction, as it is approximately twice as large as that of the coupled cluster with full quadruple excitations (CCSDTQ). Half of the CCSDT(Q) energy correction may be included as a reliable, cost-effective estimation of CCSDTQ energies for Criegee intermediates.

Dramatic Conformer-Dependent Reactivity of the Acetaldehyde Oxide Criegee Intermediate with Dimethylamine Via a 1,2-Insertion Mechanism

The reactivity of carbonyl oxides has previously been shown to exhibit strong conformer and substituent dependencies. Through a combination of synchrotron-multiplexed photoionization mass spectrometry experiments (298 K and 4 Torr) and high-level theory [CCSD(T)-F12/cc-pVTZ-F12//B2PLYP-D3/cc-pVTZ with an added CCSDT(Q) correction], we explore the conformer dependence of the reaction of acetaldehyde oxide (CH₃CHOO) with dimethylamine (DMA). The experimental data support the theoretically predicted 1,2-insertion mechanism and the formation of an amine-functionalized hydroperoxide reaction product. Tunable-vacuum ultraviolet photoionization probing of anti- or anti- + syn-CH₃CHOO reveals a strong conformer dependence of the title reaction. The rate coefficient of DMA with anti-CH₃CHOO is predicted to exceed that for the reaction with syn-CH₃CHOO by a factor of ∼34,000, which is attributed to submerged barrier (syn) versus barrierless (anti) mechanisms for energetically downhill reactions.

Substituent Effect in the Reactions between Criegee Intermediates and 3-Aminopropanol

Via intramolecular H atom transfer, 3-aminopropanol is more reactive toward Criegee intermediates, in comparison with amines or alcohols. Here we accessed the substituent effect of Criegee intermediates in their reactions with 3-aminopropanol. Through real-time monitoring the concentrations of two Criegee intermediates with their strong UV absorption at 340 nm, the experimental rate coefficients at 298 K (100-300 Torr) were determined to be (1.52 ± 0.08) × 10^-11 and (1.44 ± 0.22) × 10^-13 cm³ s^-1 for the reactions of 3-aminopropanol with (CH₃)₂COO (acetone oxide) and CH₂CHC(CH₃)OO (methyl vinyl ketone oxide), respectively. Compared to our previous experimental value for the reaction with syn-CH₃CHOO, (1.24 ± 0.13) × 10^-11 cm³ s^-1, we can see that the methyl substitution at the anti position has little effect on the reactivity while the vinyl substitution causes a drastic decrease in the reactivity. Our theoretical calculations based on CCSD(T)-F12 energies reproduce this 2-order-of-magnitude decrease in the rate coefficient caused by the vinyl substitution. Using the activation strain model, we found that the interaction of Criegee intermediates with 3-aminopropanol is weaker for the case of vinyl substitution. This effect can be further rationalized by the delocalization of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital for the vinyl-substituted Criegee intermediates. These results would help us better estimate the impact of similar reactions like the reactions of Criegee intermediates with water vapor, some of which could be difficult to measure experimentally but can be important in the atmosphere. We also found that the B2PLYP-D3BJ/aug-cc-pVTZ calculation can reproduce the CCSD(T)-F12 reaction barrier energies within ca. 1 kcal mol^-1, indicating that the use of the B2PLYP-D3BJ method is promising for future predictions of the reactions of larger Criegee intermediates.

Atmospheric Kinetics: Bimolecular Reactions of Carbonyl Oxide by a Triple-Level Strategy

Criegee intermediates in the atmosphere serve as oxidizing agents to initiate aerosol formation, which are particularly important for atmospheric modeling, and understanding their kinetics is one of the current outstanding challenges in climate change modeling. Because experimental kinetics are still limited, we must rely on theory for the complete picture, but obtaining absolute rates from theory is a formidable task. Here, we report the bimolecular reaction kinetics of carbonyl oxide with ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, formaldehyde, and water dimer by designing a triple-level strategy that combines (i) benchmark results close to the complete-basis limit of coupled-cluster theory with the single, double, triple, and quadruple excitations (CCSDTQ/CBS), (ii) a new hybrid meta density functional (M06CR) specifically optimized for reactions of Criegee intermediates, and (iii) variational transition-state theory with both variable rection coordinates and optimized reaction paths, with multidimensional tunneling, and with pressure effects. For (i) we have found that quadruple excitations are required to obtain quantitative reaction barriers, and we designed new composite methods and strategies to reach CCSDTQ/CBS accuracy. The present findings show that (i) the CH₂OO + HCHO reaction can make an important contribution to the sink of HCHO under wide atmospheric conditions in the gas phase and that (ii) CH₂OO + (H₂O)₂ dominates over the CH₂OO + H₂O reaction below 10 km.

Important Oxidants and Their Impact on the Environmental Effects of Aerosols

Oxidants are central species in the atmosphere, where they not only determine secondary particle formation but also impact human health and climate change. In general, they are unstable, highly reactive, and recyclable and have been studied in field observations, laboratory studies, and model simulations. The most widely investigated oxidants, such as OH radicals, O₃, and Cl atom, HONO, NO₃, N₂O₅, and Criegee Intermediates (CIs) have attracted more attention recently. Furthermore, secondary particles formed in the oxidations processes impact the particle physicochemical properties, such as hygroscopicity and optical properties and therefore impact the atmospheric radiation balance. Therefore, the newest investigation results of important oxidants (HONO, NO₃, N₂O₅, and CIs) are reviewed in this manuscript, and the environmental effects of secondary particles formed through corresponding oxidation processes are also stated. Furthermore, some perspectives are further discussed in the article.

Determination of reactions between Criegee intermediates and methanesulfonic acid at the air-water interface

In recent years, Criegee chemistry has become an important research focus due to its relevance in regulating concentrations of tropospheric OH radicals, hydroperoxides, sulfates, nitrates, and aerosols. However, to date, its interface behavior remains poorly understood. Thus, in this study, we used the Born-Oppenheimer molecular dynamics (BOMD) simulation method to explore the reaction mechanisms between Criegee intermediates (CIs) and methylsulfonic acid (MSA) at the air-water interface, then compared the observed behaviors with those in the gas phase. The addition of Criegee intermediates to MSA is nearly a barrierless reaction and follows a loop-structure mechanism in the gas phase. The high rate constants indicate that the Criegee intermediates and MSA reactions are the main acid removal channels. At the water's surface, the interaction of Criegee intermediates with MSA includes three main channels: 1) direct addition reaction, 2) H₂O-mediated hydroperoxide formation, and 3) MSA-mediated Criegee hydration. These reaction channels follow a loop-structure or a stepwise mechanism and proceed at the picosecond time-scale. The results of this work broaden our understanding of Criegee atmospheric behaviors in polluted urban and marine areas, which in turn will aid in developing more effective pollution control measures.

Temperature- and pressure-dependent rate coefficient measurement for the reaction of CH2OO with CH3CH2CHO

The rate coefficients of the CH₂OO + CH₃CH₂CHO reaction were studied at temperatures and pressures in the range of 283–318 K and 5–200 Torr.

The atmospheric importance of methylamine additions to Criegee intermediates

The methylamine addition to Criegee intermediates is investigated using high level ab initio methods.

Hydroxyl Radical Scavenging of Indole-3-Carbinol: A Mechanistic and Kinetic Study

Indole-3-carbinol (I3C) is the product of the enzymatic hydrolysis of glucobrassicin in the human body. I3C exhibits diverse bioactivities. It is used as a supplement to enhance the efficiency of some cancer therapies and is available as an over-the-counter dietary supplement described as a potential antioxidant, among other health benefits. Thus, it is important to develop an in-depth understanding of its antioxidant activity. In this study, the hydroxyl radical scavenging of I3C has been investigated in silico under physiologically relevant conditions (aqueous and lipid-mimetic pentyl ethanoate environment) using thermochemical and kinetic calculations. For benchmarking purposes, the results were compared to known experimental data. The overall reaction rate constant of the HO^• radical scavenging of I3C in water was found to be 2.30 × 10¹⁰ M^-1 s^-1 and over two times lower in lipid-mimetic pentyl ethanoate solvent at 7.74 × 10⁹ M^-1 s^-1. The results also highlighted that the HO^• radical scavenging follows almost exclusively the radical adduct formation mechanism (>94%) in a lipid mimetic medium, whereas this mechanism contributes about 60% in aqueous environments. I3C is considered a dopamine-like antioxidant, its main function being prevention of oxidative degradation of lipids; our study supports this view.

Is Indolinonic Hydroxylamine a Promising Artificial Antioxidant?

Indolinonic hydroxylamine (IH) is a new-generation artificial antioxidant that, due to its ability to fractionate into apolar environments, is considered for prevention against lipid peroxidation. For this reason, it is important to understand, and compare, its activity in polar and nonpolar environments. In this study, the antioxidant activity of IH has been evaluated against HO^• and HOO^• radicals in water and, for a lipid-mimetic environment, pentyl ethanoate solvent, using kinetic calculations. It was found that the overall reaction rate constant of the HO^• radical scavenging is more than 7 times higher in aqueous (8.98 × 10⁹ M^-1 s^-1) than in apolar (1.22 × 10⁹ M^-1 s^-1) media. However, HOO^• scavenging was 35 times faster in apolar media (1.00 × 10⁵ M^-1 s^-1 vs 2.80 × 10³ M^-1 s^-1). In a lipid environment, the HAT mechanism was favored for the antioxidant activity for both radical species, whereas in aqueous solution the SET mechanism defined the HO^• scavenging, while HAT described the HOO^• scavenging. IH was shown to be one of the most active antioxidants in lipid environment, an essential characteristic for the protection of biological systems.

Theoretical investigation on the reaction mechanism and kinetics of a Criegee intermediate with ethylene and acetylene

The competition among the possible pathways, the branching ratios of the adduct and the decomposition products at different temperatures and pressures have been evaluated.

The addition of methanol to Criegee intermediates

High level ab initio methods are employed to study the addition of methanol to the simplest Criegee intermediates and its methylated analogue. Kinetic rate constants over a range of temperatures are computed and compared to experimental results.

Experimental and computational studies of Criegee intermediate reactions with NH3 and CH3NH2

The significance of removal of atmospheric ammonia and amines by reaction with Criegee intermediates is assessed by kinetic studies.

Effects of water vapor on the reaction of CH2OO with NH3

A strong synergic effect of water and ammonia molecules may enhance the formation of H₂NCH₂OOH.