Professor Roger Atkinson of the Department of Chemistry at the University of California, Riverside (UCR)

Roger Atkinson
Professor of Environmental Science and Chemistry CFM
with research in
Physical Chemistry
Environmental Chemistry

B.A., 1966, Cambridge University, UK
Ph.D., 1969, Cambridge University, UK
NRC of Canada Postdoctoral Fellow, 1969-1971, Ottawa, Canada
Postdoctoral Researcher, 1971-1972, Centre for Research in Experimental Space Science, York Universi

Office:	Fawcett Lab 123
Office Hours:
Lab:	Fawcett Lab 123
Phone:	951-827-4191
email:	roger.atkinson[at]ucr.edu

Atkinson Group Site

Our research deals with the kinetics, mechanisms and products of the gas-phase reactions of organic compounds in the atmosphere. The organic compounds studied are those emitted from anthropogenic and biogenic sources, and have included hydrofluorocarbons and hydrochlorofluorocarbons intended as replacements for the phased-out-of-production chlorofluorocarbons; isoprene, monoterpenes and oxygenated compounds emitted from vegetation; volatile organic compounds emitted from vehicle exhaust and other combustion processes; and pesticides and crop protection chemicals used in agriculture. Research now focuses primarily on the products and mechanisms of the gas-phase reactions of organic compounds with hydroxyl (OH) radicals, nitrate (NO3) radicals, and ozone (O3). During the past few years, by using an in situ direct air sampling, atmospheric ionization tandem mass spectrometer interfaced to one of our large volume Teflon chambers in conjunction with in situ Fourier transform infrared absorption spectroscopy and gas chromatography with prior derivatization of hydroxyl and carbonyl groups, we have made, and are continuing to make, advances in identifying polar products of the gas-phase reactions of OH and NO3 radicals and O3 with alkanes, alkenes and aromatic hydrocarbons, product species which had been suspected to be formed but which had previously eluded direct detection. We are now investigating the atmospherically important reactions of hydroxycarbonyls and other multi-functional compounds formed as first-generation products of other volatile organic compounds.

Selected Publications

Arey, J.; Aschmann, S. M.; Kwok, E. S. C.; Atkinson, R. "Alkyl Nitrate, Hydroxylalkyl Nitrate, and Hydroxycarbonyl Formation from the NOx-Air Photooxidations of C5-C8 n-Alkanes," J. Phys. Chem. A 2001, 105, 1020-1027.

Aschmann, S. M.; Martin, P.; Tuazon, E. C.; Arey, J.; Atkinson, R. "Kinetic and Product Studies of the Reactions of Selected Glycol Ethers with OH Radicals," Eviron. Sci. Technol. 2001, 35, 4080-4088.

Martin, P.; Tuazon, E. C.; Atkinson, R.; Maughan, A. D. "Atmospheric Gas-Phase Reactions of Selected Phosphorus-Containing Compounds," J. Phys. Chem. A 2002, 106, 1542-1550.

Martin, P.; Tuazon, E. C.; Aschmann, S. M.; Arey, J.; Atkinson, R. "Formation and Atmospheric Reactions of 4,5-Dihydro-2-methylfuran," J. Phys. Chem. A 2002, 106, 11492-11501.

Bethel, H. L.; Atkinson, R.; Arey, J. "Hydroxycarbonyl Products of the Reactions of Selected Diols with the OH Radical," J. Phys. Chem. A 2003, 107, 6200-6205.