Mechanism of OH formation from ozonolysis of isoprene: A quantum-chemical study

The formation and unimolecular reactions of primary ozonides and carbonyl oxides arising from the O-3-initiated reactions of isoprene have been investigated using density functional theory and ab initio molecular orbital calculations. The activation energies of O-3 cycloaddition to the two double bonds of isoprene are found to be comparable (3.3-3.4 kcal mol(-1)), implying that the initial two O-3 addition pathways are nearly equally accessible. The reaction energies of O-3 addition to isoprene are between -47 and -48 kcal mol(-1). Cleavage of primary ozonides to form carbonyl oxides occurs with a barrier of 11-16 kcal mol(-1) above the ground state of the primary ozonide, and the decomposition energies range from -5 to -13 kcal mol(-1). OH formation is shown to occur primarily via decomposition of the carbonyl oxides with the syn-positioned methyl (alkyl) group, which is more favorable than isomerization to form dioxirane (by 1.1-3.3 kcal mol(-1)). Using the transition-state theory and master equation formalism, we determine an OH yield of 0.25 from prompt and thermal decomposition of the carbonyl oxides.