SO2 formation and peroxy radical isomerization in the atmospheric reaction of OH radicals with dimethyl disulfide

Chem Commun (Camb). 2020 Nov 5;56(88):13634-13637. doi: 10.1039/d0cc05783e.

Abstract

The atmospheric reaction of OH radicals with dimethyl disulfide, CH3SSCH3, proceeds primarily via OH addition forming CH3S and CH3SOH as reactive intermediates, and to a lesser extent via H-abstraction resulting in the peroxy radical CH3SSCH2OO in the presence of O2. The latter undergoes a fast two-step isomerization process leading to HOOCH2SSCHO. CH3S and CH3SOH are both converted to SO2 and CH3O2 with near unity yields under atmospheric conditions.