Partitioning of Light Energy Absorbed by Organic Chemicals

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This research focuses on two general themes; the effect of molecular structure on localizing photonic excitation energy, and the selectivity of the resulting reactivity. The temperature dependence of the quantum efficiency of intramolecular hydrogen abstraction will be measured for a series of structurally related ketones to distinguish processes controlled by changes in energy from those controlled by variations in surface crossing probabilities. The temperature dependence of the ratio of photoinduced cyclization in biradical arising from intramolecular hydrogen abstraction, relative to other competing processes, will be correlated with theoretical computations of biradical structure to elucidate the role of structure on intersystem crossing. Graduate and postdoctoral students will be trained in organic synthesis and mechanistic organic photochemistry. With this award, the Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry Program supports the research of Dr. Peter Wagner of the Department of Chemistry at Michigan State University. The absorption of light causes an abrupt increase in a molecule's energy thereby enhancing its reactivity. Dr. Wagner will focus his research on elucidating the processes by which the excited molecule localizes the energy needed to achieve a specific reaction, and identifying the structural parameters that affect this energy localization. Dr. Wagner's educational activities involve training graduate and postdoctoral students in organic synthesis, and the measurement and characterization of excited-state processes.