Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 8, 2025

Production and Measurement of Organic Particulate Matter in the Harvard Environmental Chamber
Published on: November 18, 2018
Reactive Evolution of HMML from Gas Phase Formation to Interface Transformation on Sulfuric Acid Aerosols: A
Xihong Liu1, Baozhong Zhang1, Xiaohui Ma1
1School of Environmental Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, China.
Hydroxymethyl-methyl-α-lactone (HMML) forms from isoprene oxidation. Its transformation on acidic aerosols, influenced by sulfuric acid concentration, dictates secondary organic aerosol (SOA) composition.
Area of Science:
- Atmospheric Chemistry
- Environmental Science
- Physical Chemistry
Background:
- Isoprene oxidation contributes to secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation.
- Hydroxymethyl-methyl-α-lactone (HMML) is a crucial intermediate in isoprene-derived SOA.
- HMML transformation under acidic aerosol conditions remains poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate HMML formation from methacryloyl peroxynitrate (MPAN).
- Elucidate HMML transformation mechanisms at sulfuric acid aerosol interfaces.
- Determine the influence of aerosol microenvironment on HMML fate and SOA production.
Main Methods:
- Quantum chemical calculations
- Born-Oppenheimer molecular dynamics (BOMD) simulations
- Metadynamics (MTD) simulations
Main Results:
- OH radical addition to MPAN's β-carbon forms HMML via a concerted reaction.
- HMML adsorbs stably on acidic aerosols via hydrogen bonding.
- HMML converts to 2-methylglyceric acid (2-MG) or 2-methylglyceric acid sulfate (2-MGOS) depending on sulfuric acid concentration and solvation.
Conclusions:
- Aerosol interfacial microenvironments significantly control HMML transformation pathways.
- Sulfuric acid concentration dictates whether 2-MG or 2-MGOS is the dominant product.
- Understanding HMML's fate is vital for accurate SOA formation modeling and atmospheric multiphase chemistry.
Related Concept Videos
Radical Formation: Homolysis
Preparation and Reactions of Sulfides
Radical Reactivity: Overview
Acid Halides to Carboxylic Acids: Hydrolysis
As shown below, the mechanism involves a nucleophilic attack by water at the carbonyl carbon to form a tetrahedral intermediate. This is followed by the reformation of the carbon–oxygen π bond along with the departure of a halide ion. A final proton transfer step yields carboxylic...
Sulfur Assimilation
Preparation and Reactions of Thiols

