How the Oxidation of Volatile Organic Compounds Can Lead to Extremely Low-Volatile Products
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The oxidation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the atmosphere is a key process controlling air quality, aerosol formation, and climate. Recent discoveries have shown that oxidation reactions can produce highly oxygenated molecules with extremely low volatility, allowing them to condense efficiently and contribute to the formation and growth of atmospheric particles. These particles can influence cloud properties, visibility, and the Earth's radiative balance. In this seminar, Professor Mikael Ehn will discuss the chemical pathways through which VOCs are transformed into extremely low-volatility products, with an emphasis on autoxidation mechanisms and the formation of highly oxygenated organic molecules (HOMs). The presentation will highlight recent advances in laboratory, field, and modeling studies, and explore the implications of these processes for atmospheric chemistry, aerosol formation, and climate change.
Professor Mikael Ehn is a Professor and Research Group Leader at the Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research (INAR), University of Helsinki. His research focuses on the chemical reaction pathways and atmospheric fate of volatile organic compounds, particularly their role in generating low-volatility species and secondary organic aerosols (SOA). Prof. Ehn earned his M.Sc. (2005) and Ph.D. (2010) in Physics from the University of Helsinki. After completing postdoctoral research at Forschungszentrum Jülich in Germany, he returned to the University of Helsinki, advancing through the faculty ranks to full Professor in 2021. He is internationally recognized for his pioneering research on highly oxygenated organic molecules (HOMs) and their fundamental role in atmospheric new particle formation and growth—a landmark field shaped by his 2014 study in Nature. Prof. Ehn has published over 200 peer-reviewed articles, including high-impact publications in Nature, Nature Geoscience, and Nature Communications. His work has significantly advanced global understanding of aerosol dynamics, air quality, and climate forcing.