Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy is a technique that uses absorption of infrared energy to probe molecular structure. The acquisition of an FTIR spectrophotometer is crucial for enhancing the research and teaching environment of the modern chemistry department. In the Chemistry Department of the University of South Dakota, the instrument will serve as the focal point for three projects and three additional projects will make use of the spectrophotometer. The main projects include: 1) Spectroscopic examination of structure-function relationships at solid electrodes used in electroanalytical chemistry 2) Infrared determination of kinetic acidity through measurement of hydrogen-deuterium exchange 3) Infrared examination of chemical species incorporated into alkali halide crystals Auxiliary projects that will make use of the instrument are: 1) Synthesis of boron hydride derivatives 2) Study of photochemical reactions of unsaturated acids and esters 3) Kinetic studies of gaseous reactions of SOx The FTIR spectophotometer will represent a significant addition to the research instrumentation available to faculty and students at this RUI institution.
