Acquisition of an Electrospray Ionization Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer for Research and Education

Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond VA

Investigators

Abstract

With this award from the Chemistry Research Instrumentation and Facilities (CRIF) Program, the Department of Chemistry at Virginia Commonwealth University will acquire an Electrospray Ionization Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer. This equipment will enhance research in a number of areas including a) electron transfer reactions between cytochrome c, cytochrome c oxidase and dioxygen; b) characterization of chemical dynamics in complex systems; c) biomimetic-supported catalysts for oxygen- and peroxide-dependent oxidations; d) assessment of antibody-based sensors for trace analysis of environmental contaminants; e) lanthanide(III) macrocyclic complexes as luminescent bio-markers; and f) resonance Raman of oxidized peroxidases. Mass spectrometry (MS) is a technique used to probe intimate structural details and to obtain the molecular compositions of a vast array of organic, bioorganic, and organometallic molecules. The results from these studies will have an impact in a number of areas including environmental chemistry and biochemistry.