Physical and Chemical Properties of 3-Methyl-1,2,3-butanetricarboxylic Acid (MBTCA) Aerosol

Environ Sci Technol. 2018 Feb 6;52(3):1150-1155. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.7b04348. Epub 2018 Jan 22.

Abstract

The properties and the chemical fate of later generation products of the oxidation of biogenic organic compounds are mostly unknown. The properties of fresh MBTCA aerosol, a later generation product of the oxidation of monoterpenes in the atmosphere, were determined combining an aerosol mass spectrometer (AMS), a thermodenuder, and a scanning mobility particle sizer. Based on its AMS spectrum m/z 141.055 (C7H9O3+) could be used as an MBTCA signature. The MBTCA particle density was 1.43 ± 0.04 g cm-3, its saturation concentration was (1.8 ± 1.3) × 10-3 μg m-3 at 298 K, and its vaporization enthalpy was 150 ± 15 kJ mol-1. After OH radical exposure (∼1.2 days) and UV illumination the average aerosol O:C ratio decreased from 0.72 to 0.58-0.64 suggesting net fragmentation. Our findings suggest that the reactions of MBTCA with OH lead to CO2 loss with or without an oxygen addition.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aerosols
  • Atmosphere*
  • Monoterpenes
  • Organic Chemicals*
  • Volatilization

Substances

  • Aerosols
  • Monoterpenes
  • Organic Chemicals