This Research Opportunities for Women Career Advancement Award is in the general area of inorganic chemistry. Dr. Linda D. Schultz of Tarleton State University will study the mechanisms of reaction for alkali metal polytellurides with transition metal carbonyl compounds using conventional thermal techniques and pulsed laser flash photolysis. While Dr. Schultz has studied both metal carbonyls and polytellurides previously, this will be her first investigation using pulsed laser flash photolysis. The instrumentation is located in Dr. Gerard R. Dobson's laboratories at the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas. This award will assist her in establishing an expanded research program and if the project is successful may enable a proposal for sustained study.