摘要：

Aqueous-phase oligomer formation from methylglyoxal, a major atmospheric photooxidation product, has been investigated in a simulated cloud matrix under dark conditions. The aim of this study was to explore an additional path producing secondary organic aerosol (SOA) through cloud processes without photochemistry during night-time. Indeed, atmospheric models still underestimate SOA formation, as field measurements have revealed more SOA than predicted. Soluble oligomers (lt;igt;nlt;/igt;=1–8) formed in the course of acid-catalyzed aldol condensation and acid-catalyzed hydration followed by acetal formation have been detected and characterized by positive and negative ion electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Aldol condensation proved to be a favorable mechanism under simulated cloud conditions, while hydration/acetal formation was found to strongly depend on the pH of the system. The aldol oligomer series starts with a β-hydroxy ketone via aldol condensation, where oligomers are formed by multiple additions of Clt;subgt;3lt;/subgt;Hlt;subgt;4lt;/subgt;Olt;subgt;2lt;/subgt; units (72 Da) to the parent β-hydroxy ketone. Ion trap mass spectrometry experiments were performed to structurally characterize the major oligomer species. A mechanistic pathway for the growth of oligomers under cloud conditions and in the absence of UV-light and OH radicals, which could substantially enhance in-cloud SOA yields, is proposed here for the first time.

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