9314294 Newcomb This two-year award supports U.S.-France cooperative research in organic dynamics between Martin Newcomb of Wayne State University and S. Z. Zard of the Ecole Polytechnique. Their research involves kinetic measurements of very fast free radical reactions. They will study stabilized carbon-and nitrogen- centered radicals, which are neutral groups of atoms with an odd number of electrons. The Wayne State group has developed a general method for the kinetic study of a broad range of radicals. The French group will prepare precursors specifically designed for the kinetic method developed by Wayne State. They will isolate and characterize products resulting from the reactions. The Wayne State group will then measure the rate constants of the reactions and develop a scale of radical kinetics. The U.S. investigators bring to this collaboration expertise in physical organic chemistry. This is complemented by the French investigators' expertise in organic synthesis. Their joint work will advance understanding of this new method which could be used in studying a wide variety of organic and biological reactions that involve radical intermediates. ***
