Gas Phase Ion Chemistry

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In this project in the Physical Chemistry program of the Chemistry Division, Prof. Michael T. Bowers of the Chemistry Department of the University of California at Santa Barbara will engage in a continuing series of investigations in the field of gas phase ion chemistry, specifically ion chromatography of transition metal ions, and will start new work on the determination of the shape of bio-molecules in the gaseous phase. Earlier work on the ion chemistry of first row species will now be extended to the second row, these involving iron, cobalt, and nickel ions reacting with propane; the clustering of transition metal ions to hydrogen; cluster assisted sigma-bond activation; and studies of carbon based clusters and of transition metal composites. The chemistry of transition metal ions is one of the forefront areas of contemporary physical chemistry. Fundamental work in this field is of great importance owing to the critical role played by transition metals in catalysis. Related to this are questions of the mechanism of the formation and structure of transition metal carbon composites owing to their possible technological usefuleness. The function and the degree of activity of many biological molecules are believed to be intimately related to their structure. The determination of the structure of bio-molecules in the gas phase, i.e., free molecules unperturbed by effects of an environment, is therefore of importance for providing bench mark data for the development of quantum mechanical models that relate their structures and activities. The research done in this project will contribute to a better understanding of these issues and thereby assist in the application of this knowledge to technological problems.