31st Annual Student Research Conference
The Synthesis of Lactic Acid Sulfate
Patrick T. Sullivan* and Andrea Hamilton
Dr. Amy Fuller and Dr. Tim Humphry, Faculty Mentors
Sulfate esters are a group of organic aerosols that have been detected in the atmosphere across the USA. Despite little being known about their formation and degradation, they are believed to be atmospheric cooling agents, possibly through mechanisms of cloud nucleation or light reflection. Synthesis of specific sulfate esters is important to advance the instrumental detection of these molecules and for analysis of their chemical characteristics. This study probes the synthesis of Lactic Acid Sulfate, one of the most abundant sulfate esters detected. Information regarding the most efficient synthesis pathway has been elucidated through organic experimentation with NMR spectroscopy analysis, addressing issues such as dimerization and purification.
Keywords: NMR, Sulfate Ester, Organic, Synthesis, Aerosols
Topic(s):Chemistry
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 203-5
Location: MG 1096
Time: 10:30