This grant in the Organic Dynamics Program supports the continuing work of Professor John I. Brauman at Stanford University. The goal of the research is to understand the relationship between structure and reactivity of ions and highly reactive intermediates derived from moderate-sized organic and inorganic molecules in the gas phase. Thermodynamics, reaction dynamics, electron photodetachment spectroscopy, infrared multiple photon induced reactions, and optical photochemistry will be involved in this study. Reaction types to be studied include bimolecular nucleophilic substitution reactions, acyl transfer reactions, and proton transfer reactions. Acidities of hydrocarbons, electron affinities, and energetics of complex ions such as alkoxide/HF adducts will be determined. This research will further develop an understanding of the intrinsic chemistry, and its relation to structure, of highly reactive ions and reactive intermediates when they are removed from stabilizing environments such as solution or crystals.
