The Study of Radicals Using a Pulsed Beam Fourier Transform Microwave Spectrometer

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In this project in the Physical Chemistry program of the Chemistry Division, Professor Stewart Novick of the Chemistry Department of Wesleyan University will conduct a series of investigations on the structures of transient free radicals by means of pulsed-jet Fabry-Perot Fourier-transform microwave spectroscopy using a new instrument constructed at Wesleyan University. Among the species to be studied are those of chemical as well as astro-chemical interest. Some radical-containing van der Waals complexes will also be investigated. A free radical may defined as a reactive transient molecular species in the gas phase. A more conventional definition is that of a molecule, or molecular fragment, with one or more unpaired electrons. These species are highly reactive, elusive, hard to produce, and usually difficult to study. However, these radicals are extremely important, both as intermediates in chemical reactions and as a species in their own right. Many of the interstellar molecules that have been discovered by radio astronomy are, in fact, radicals. Other radicals which can be produced under laboratory conditions play a role as intermediates in organic chemical reactions or, for example, as intermediates in commercial deposition of thin metallic films. The research conducted in this project will provide information on the structure and ground state electronic properties of an important group of radicals and thus provide better understanding for their possible use in chemical processes.