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Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Analyzing the Photo-oxidation of 2-propanol at Indoor Air Level Concentrations Using Field Asymmetric Ion Mobility Spectrometry
Published on: June 14, 2018
Probing oxidation of hydroxy-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons at air-water interface in water microdroplets
Xiaohui Shi1, Jiahui Huang1, Siyu Zhu2
1School of Marine Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology (Weihai), Weihai, Shandong 264209, China; Qingdao Research Institute, Harbin Institute of Technology (Weihai), Qingdao, Shandong 266109, China.
Abstract:
Hydroxylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (OH-PAHs) are toxic and environmentally persistent pollutants. However, their transformation at the air-water interface remains poorly understood. Using 2-naphthol as a model compound, the oxidation of OH-PAHs in water microdroplets was investigated. The structure of products was determined by high-resolution, tandem mass spectrometry technologies and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The quenching and capturing experiments suggested the 2-naphthol oxidation was driven by radicals, in which the O2·- played a significant role. Furthermore, the molecular electrostatic potential was calculated to predict the reaction sites. Collectively, the mechanism was proposed concerning a series of radicals, including O2·-, ·CH3, ·OC10H6OH. Similar reactions could be observed in various OH-PAHs, illustrating the universality of this oxidation reaction. Notably, the toxicity prediction indicated that the OH-PAH oxidation products pose a greater risk for human health than the corresponding OH-PAHs. This study uncovers a new oxidation pathway for OH‑PAHs and provides novel insight into microdroplet‑driven chemistry in the atmosphere.
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