In this project in the Physical Chemistry program of the Chemistry Division, Professor Gregory Gellene of the Chemistry Department of Texas Tech University will pursue investigations on the symmetry- induced kinetic isotope effect, a new mechanism in ion-molcule reactions. Symmetry correlations between reactants and the interaction region of the potential energy surface, based on nuclear conformations and isotopc substitutions, have been fruitful in revealing new effects in chemical reactions. This research attempts to provide answers to questions such as can the likelihood of a chemical reaction be affected by the symmetry of the nuclear motions of the reactants, and how is the macroscopic rate of a reaction modified by altering the symmetry of a system through isotopic substitution. The symmetry-induced kinetic isotope effect is a sofar little recognized effect in physical chemistry. The work done by Professor Gellene has demonstrated that this effect is not only real, but can be quite large. This effect appears to play a significant role in the ozone chemistry of the earth's atmosphere, as well as in laboratory situations. This research will explore further this effect with the aim to bring about an improved model for chemical reaction theory.
