Mechanistic Organic Chemistry of Relevance to the Insterstellar Medium

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This research focuses on identifying, characterizing and examining the reactivity of organic molecules that occur in interstellar space. Species known, or likely to exist in interstellar space will be generated in low temperature matrices in the laboratory and characterized by a variety of spectroscopy techniques. Laboratory results will be correlated with radioastronomical searches to identify new species in interstellar clouds, and the carriers of diffuse interstellar bands. The research will introduce graduate and postdoctoral students to low-temperature matrix-isolation techniques, spectroscopic characterization of the isolated species, and a unique interdisciplinary application of these techniques. With this Renewal award, the Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry Program supports the research of Professor Robert McMahon of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Wisconsin. Professor McMahon's research will address questions regarding the nature and chemistry of the reactive, organic fragments known, or postulated to exist in interstellar space. Intermediates thought to be present in interstellar space will be prepared in the laboratory, spectroscopically fingerprinted, and the spectral data compared with radioastronomical data to establish their presence in interstellar clouds and diffuse interstellar bands, and to identify other species present. Professor McMahon's educational activities will include the training of graduate and postdoctoral students.