Atomic and molecular iodine, I˙ and I2, play important roles in the atmosphere, such as the catalytic depletion of ozone and the oxidation of gaseous elemental mercury. It is known that the major source of I˙ and I2 in the atmosphere is the photodissociation of organoiodine molecules released by algae in the sea. In this study, we show the striking results of the spontaneous and ultrafast oxidation of I- into I˙, which further evolves into I2- and I3- in water microdroplets, presenting a previously unknown source of I˙ and I2 in atmospheric water, such as the sea spray or cloud microdroplets. Mass spectrometric evidence shows that spontaneously generated hydroxyl radicals in water microdroplets are responsible for the oxidation of I-. Taken together, we opine that microdroplet chemistry may adopt significant roles in atmospheric redox chemistry.

Dong Xing

Xu Yuan

Chiyu Liang

Tianyun Jin

Shuquan Zhang

Xinxing Zhang

Chemical Communications

ChemComm (Chemical Communications) is renowned as the fastest publisher of articles providing information on new avenues of research, drawn from all the world's major areas of chemical research.

Chemical Communications (ChemComm) is a prestigious journal known for its rapid publication of articles that provide insights into new avenues of research across all major areas of chemical research worldwide.

《Chemical Communications》（ChemComm）是一个享有盛誉的期刊，以快速发表文章而闻名，提供来自全球主要化学研究领域的新研究方向的信息。

Category	Quartile
化学	2
化学, 化学综合	3

Spontaneous oxidation of I⁻ in water microdroplets and its atmospheric implications

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Journal Info

Category	Quartile
CHEMISTRY, MULTIDISCIPLINARY	2

Spontaneous oxidation of I− in water microdroplets and its atmospheric implications

ivySCI AI Smartly Parses PDF, Answers Researchers' Questions, and Helps You Understand Papers in Seconds

Journal Info

Spontaneous oxidation of I⁻ in water microdroplets and its atmospheric implications