In this project, funded by the Experimental Physical Chemistry Program of the Chemistry Division, Prof. L.-S. Wang of Washington State University will conduct a research program to investigate a variety or atomic clusters, chemisorbed clusters, and solution- phase species in the gas phase by photoelectron spectroscopy. Two techniques will be used to prepare these species: 1) Laser vaporization in a supersonic cluster source that produces atomic- and chemisorbed clusters; 2) use of an electrospray source that transports solution phase anions into the gas phase. The investigations will focus on small clusters of gold and other 4d and 5d transition metal clusters, on CO and O2 chemisorbed on well characterized gold clusters, on coinage metal cyanide clusters, and on the electronic structures chains of small clusters of cyanide molecules. In addition, studies will be undertaken of singly and multiply charged transition metal cyanide complexes and of multiply charged polynuclear ligated metal clusters. A search will be undertaken for gaseous zwitterions from amino acid-halide anion complexes. This research will be conducted with the assistance of postdoctoral research associates, and graduate and undergraduate students.
