This research project, in the Analytical and Surface Chemistry Program, will develop the use of in situ NMR spectroscopy for the study of catalytic reactions. Instrumental development will be undertaken to allow the use of NMR under the high temperature and pressure conditions of typical catalytic systems. This approach will be used to carry out a systematic investigation of catalytic chemistry of zeolite materials. In addition, preliminary studies of mechanisms of enzymatic catalysis will be attempted using these methods. %%% A detailed understanding of the mechanisms of catalytic reactions is essential for a number of important technologies, including commodity chemical production and fine chemical synthesis. The chemical information which is available from NMR methods can provide this sort of understanding. This research project will develop instrumentation which will enable the use of NMR in catalytic studies, and will systematically apply these methods to important classes of catalytic reaction.
