Organic Ion-Molecule Chemistry

The proposed research will investigate organic ion/molecule reactions in the gas phase. Anions to be studied include diazirinyl, benzocyclobutadiene radical, and substituted cyclopropenyl. Variable temperature flowing afterglow-triple quadrupole and Fourier transform mass spectrometers will be used for gas phase experiments, to be supplemented by ab initio and density functional molecular ortital calculations, and solution reaction studies.

With this Renewal award the Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry Program supports the ongoing work of Dr. Steven R. Kass at the University of Minnesota at Minneapolis. The research focuses on understanding the reactivities and thermodynamic properties of reactive organic intermediates. The work will be of interest to chemists trying to understand the fundamental factors which control several types of reactions in gases and liquids, and will provide valuable research training to both graduate and undergraduate students.