Scientists Confirm the Existence of Long-Speculated Hydrotrioxides in the Atmosphere

Organic hydrotrioxides, also called hydrotrioxides or trioxides, with three compacted oxygen atoms have been a subject of contestation and speculations for a long time. However, a new study proved the existence of the powerful oxidants in the atmosphere which can affect not only organic synthesis but also living organisms and the global climate as well.

Organic Hydrotrioxides

(Photo : Photo by Elisabetta Zavoli/Getty Images)

In a new paper published in the journal Science on Thursday, May 26, researchers from the University of Copenhagen (UCPH) in Denmark and their international collaborators confirmed the existence of a new chemical compound called hydrotrioxides or ROOOHs, wherein its existence in the atmosphere has long been speculated within the scientific community, particularly the atmospheric chemistry community.

Hydrotrioxides consist of highly-reactive chemical compounds such as organic peroxy radicals (RO2) and hydroxyl radicals (OH). The study's kinetic analysis confirmed that the chemical reactions of RO2 and OH produce hydrotrioxides.

The oxidizing chemical compound has a short lifespan or so-called atmospheric lifespan, ranging between minutes to hours. Emitted from previous substance classes in the atmosphere, trioxides must be examined further, according to the study authors.

The study was conducted in collaboration with the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in the United States and the Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research (TROPOS) in Germany.

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New Class of Chemical Compound

The newly discovered atmospheric compound is part of a new type of "super-reactive chemical compound" where the commonly known peroxides consist of two oxygen atoms embedded together, making the substance highly flammable and explosive.

In the real world, these compounds like hydrogen peroxide are used in general as a disinfectant and for personal care products, like for cleaning wounds and whitening hair and teeth, according to Healthline.com.

On the other hand, these chemicals are also used for rocket fuel and for other day-to-day purposes.

In relation to hydrotrioxides, the study's scientific team confirmed it consists of three oxygen atoms which makes it unique in terms of its structure and potential usage for reasons that we are unaware of yet, according to UCPH Professor and study lead author Henrik Grum Kjærgaard, as cited by Science Daily.

The novel finding is considered to be ground-breaking since a chemical compound consisting of three oxygen atoms have thought to be in the position of scientific scrutiny and doubt.

Living Organisms and Global Climate

Since trioxides can have both an effect on living organisms and the global climate, the progress where the new study left off is significant. Yet, its authors still suggest that further examination is needed since the entire environmental and climatic implications of hydrotrioxides are not fully understood yet.

Still, it is highly likely that hydrotrioxides may benefit animals, humans, and plants which mostly depend on the continuous supply of oxygen, which has been one of the key elements for the evolution and thriving of life on Earth.

According to a separate and previous study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) in July 2016, the emergence and spread of complex eukaryotic life on the planet are linked to the evolution of surface oxygen levels.