Weakly bound molecules in the atmosphere: a case study of HOOO

Murray, C., Derro, E.L., Sechler, T.D. and Lester, M.L. (2009) Weakly bound molecules in the atmosphere: a case study of HOOO. Accounts of Chemical Research, 42(3), pp. 419-427. (doi: 10.1021/ar8001987)

Abstract

Weakly bound molecules particularly hydrated complexes of abundant atmospheric species have long been postulated to play an important role in atmospherically relevant reactions. For example, such complexes could seed cloud formation and alter the global radiation budget. In this Account, we initially describe the current data on weakly bound species produced in association reactions of the hydroxyl radical (OH) with molecular partners, particularly oxygen (O₂), nitric acid (HONO₂), and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂). Researchers have identified weakly bound association products of these reactions as the hydrogen trioxy (HOOO) radical, the doubly hydrogen-bonded OH−HONO₂ complex, and peroxynitrous acid (HOONO), respectively. In each case, previous kinetic studies of the reaction or OH vibrational relaxation processes have indicated unusual, non-Arrhenius behavior. Under the temperature−pressure conditions of the Earth’s lower atmosphere, these processes exhibit a negative temperature dependence, indicative of an attractive interaction, or a pressure dependence. Researchers have subsequently carried out extensive theoretical studies of the properties of these weakly bound molecules, but the theoretical studies have lacked experimental validation. Next, we describe experimental studies to determine the vibrational frequencies and stability of HOOO as a prototypical example of these weakly bound molecules. We then use these data to assess its importance in the atmosphere. We discuss the efficient production of the HOOO radical from OH and O₂ under laboratory conditions and its subsequent detection using infrared action spectroscopy, a highly sensitive and selective double resonance technique. Using excitation of OH stretch and combination bands comprising OH stretch with lower frequency modes, we obtain detailed spectroscopic information on the vibrational modes of the two conformers of HOOO. In addition, we infer fundamental information about the dissociation dynamics from the OH product state distribution, which provides insight into the chemical bonding in HOOO. Perhaps most importantly, we utilize a simple conservation of energy relationship based on the highest energetically open OH product state to derive a rigorous upper limit for the stability of HOOO relative to the OH + O₂ asymptote of 5.3 kcal mol⁻¹.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Murray, Dr Craig
• Authors: Murray, C., Derro, E.L., Sechler, T.D., and Lester, M.L.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Chemistry
• Journal Name: Accounts of Chemical Research
• Journal Abbr.: Acc. Chem. Res.
• ISSN: 0001-4842
• ISSN (Online): 1520-4898
• Published Online: 28 December 2008