Organometallic Reaction Dynamics in the Gas Phase

University Of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison WI

Investigators

Abstract

Jim Weisshaar of the University of Wisconsin at Madison is supported by a grant from the Experimental Physical Chemistry Program to study the reactions of transition metal ions, atoms and ligated species with organic alkanes and alkenes in the gas phase. The studies will be carried out in flow tube and crossed beam apparatuses, with laser induced fluorescence, photoionization mass spectrometry, mass spectrometry and a special emphasis on a new technique of velocity mapping. These studies will be paralleled by ab initio electronic structure calculations. Information on how metal atoms and ions insert into CC and CH bonds will be obtained. Reactions will be studied which involve organometallic species containing transition metal atoms. These reactions have important applications to the catalysis reactions used to breakdown hydrocarbons and synthesize polymers. The new technique of mapping the speed distributions of the products will be used to take "snapshots" of the products as they depart from the reaction. This will enable theoretical models of the reactions to be evaluated.