Heterogeneous chemistry of acetone in sulfuric acid solutions: Implications for the upper troposphere
The uptake of acetone vapor by liquid sulfuric acid has been investigated over the range of 40--87 wt % H{sub 2}SO{sub 4} and between the temperatures 198 and 300 K. Studies were performed with a flow-tube reactor, using a quadrupole mass spectrometer for detection. At most concentrations studied (40--75 wt %), acetone was physically absorbed by sulfuric acid without undergoing irreversible reaction. However, at acid concentrations at or above 80 wt %, reactive uptake of acetone was observed, leading to products such as mesityl oxide and/or mesitylene. From time-dependent uptake data and liquid-phase diffusion coefficients calculated from molecular viscosity, the effective Henry's law solubility constant (H*) was determined. The solubility of acetone in liquid sulfuric acid was found to increase with increasing acid concentration and decreasing temperature. In the 75 wt % and 230 K range, the value for H* was found to be {approximately}2 x 10{sup 6} M/atm. This value suggests that acetone primarily remains in the gas phase rather than absorbing into sulfate aerosols under atmospheric conditions.
- Research Organization:
- California Inst. of Tech., Pasadena, CA (US)
- OSTI ID:
- 20013109
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Physical Chemistry A: Molecules, Spectroscopy, Kinetics, Environment, amp General Theory, Vol. 103, Issue 46; Other Information: PBD: 18 Nov 1999; ISSN 1089-5639
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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