This research project, supported in the Analytical and Surface Chemistry Program, continues studies of the infrared spectroscopy of molecules adsorbed on metal surfaces. Detailed reflection-absorption infrared spectroscopic studies of methyl thiolate, methoxy, and ethylidyne moieties adsorbed on silver,copper, and rhodium surfaces will be carried out. All of these systems exhibit Fermi resonance effects which couple the symmetric C-H stretch fundamental with methyl bending overtones, and serve as excellent models of the important physical interactions between adsorbate molecules and between the adsorbate and the surface. The quantitative understanding developed in this work will have wide applicablility in the use of infrared spectroscopy to study surface chemistry. %%% The widespread use of infrared spectroscopy to study the mechanisms of surface chemical processes is a method development which has provided an increased understanding of a number of important heterogeneous systems. The goal of this research project is to develop the detailed knowledge of the infrared spectroscopy of molecules adsorbed at surfaces which will enable the continued use of infrared to monitor surface reactions. High resolution IR methods provide a wealth of information, and the results of this research project will be essential to the development and implementation of these methods.
