With the support of the Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry Program, Professor John I. Brauman, of the Department of Chemistry at Stanford University, carries out studies of gas-phase ionic chemistry and spectroscopy. Through studies of thermodynamics, reaction dynamics, electron photodetachment spectroscopy, infrared multiple photon induced reactions, and optical photochemistry, using ion cyclotron resonance spectroscopy combined with conventional and laser light sources, Professor Brauman examines the spectroscopic, chemical, and physical aspects of the properties and reactions of ions in the gas phase. Through these studies is gained an understanding of the relationship between structure and reactivity for ions and highly reactive intermediates, permitting an assessment of the separate contributions of intrinsic and solvent effects to the chemistry of these species. A central need in chemistry is the ability to understand and predict the properties and chemistry of reactive intermediates formed in the course of chemical reactions. While molecular groupings bearing charges (`ions`) play an important role as critical intermediates in numerous reactions, their properties are dramatically affected by their interaction with the media in which they are usually generated, complicating experimental attempts to probe their chemistry. Professor John I. Brauman, of the Department of Chemistry at Stanford University, is supported by the Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry Program for his studies of the structures and reactivity of ions in the gas phase, allowing him to assess the separate contributions to their chemistry of the reaction medium and their intrinsic properties.
