From Venus to Mars: Spectroscopy and Kinetics of Reactive Intermediates in Planetary Atmospheres

Author: Jones, Gregory Harrison

Year: 2024

Degree: Dissertation (Ph.D.)

Advisor: Okumura, Mitchio

Committee Members: Goddard, William A., III; Okumura, Mitchio; Chan, Garnet K.; Yung, Yuk L.

Option: Chemistry

DOI: 10.7907/7010-fc76

Abstract

The spectroscopy and kinetics of reactive intermediates in the atmospheres of Venus, Earth, and Mars were investigated through a combination of experimental and theoretical methods. Vibrational progressions in the A- and B-bands of ClSO were assigned, and predicted spectra matched well with experiment. A new unimolecular mechanism for 3-hydroxy-substituted Criegee intermediates was proposed, and predicted to be competitive with known isomerization pathways. The kinetic isotope effect and temperature dependence of the H + HO₂ reaction was calculated using high-level ab initio methods, with implications for the understanding of water loss on Mars.

Files