Purchase of a Stopped Flow Optical Spectrometer with Freeze-Quench Capability

Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh PA

Investigators

Abstract

With this award from the Chemistry Research Instrumentation and Facilities (CRIF) Program, the Department of Chemistry at Carnegie-Mellon University will acquire a stopped flow optical spectrometer with freeze-quench capability. This equipment will enhance research in the following areas: a) studies on the effect of spin states on the electron transfer rates for a series of iron complexes; b) synthesis and characterization of oxidation catalysts based on organometallic iron complexes; c) studies of hemes groups in the protein hydroxylamine oxidoreductase; d) synthesis of peptide nucleic acids; e) studies of self-assembled nanostructures from dye molecules aggregated on DNA; and f) protein structure and function studies. Spectroscopy is most commonly used to characterize the equilibrium properties of a system. This method can also be used to study the chemical reactivity of molecules by comparing spectra before and after reaction. However, to fully understand the scope and mechanism of reactivity for a given compound, it is important to study it in real time. The stopped-flow instrumentation will allow several faculty members and their students to study the kinetics of molecular recognition processes and chemical reactions for a variety of projects that interface chemistry with the biological, materials and environmental sciences.