In this project in the Experimental Physical Chemistry Program of the Chemistry Division, Breckenridge will examine the spectroscopy and dynamics of van der Waals clusters of the type MXn, where M is an atom, typically a Group II, III or IV metal, and X is a rare-gas atom or a molecule. The complexes will be made in a supersonic jet and will be characterized by laser-induced fluorescence (LIF), resonant two-photon photoionization spectroscopy (R2PI), and laser pump-probe `action` spectroscopy. One goal of this research program is to understand better the nature of electronic interactions between atoms and C-H bonds in molecules as a function of atomic electronic state. Particularly interesting will be the transition region between physical and chemical interactions. One application of this work is as a model for catalytic C-H bond activation at solid metal-oxide sites.
