Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy is a technique that uses absorption of infrared energy to probe molecular structure. When used in conjunction with a modern computer, FTIR studies on large numbers of samples can be conveniently carried out and the resulting data readily analyzed. The use of FTIR spectroscopy is essential to chemists who are carrying out research in many important frontier areas. The Department of Chemistry at Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, will use this award from the Chemical Instrumentation Program to help acquire an FTIR spectrometer and data station. The areas of chemical research that will be enhanced by the acquisition include the following: 1) Applications of solid-state deuterium NMR spectroscopy 2) Metal complexes for multielectron redox reactions 3) FTIR studies of metallocene complexes 4) Kinetic studies of gas phase models for tobacco smoke 5) Catalytic studies on bimetallic systems.
