CAREER: Spectroscopy of Carbocations in the Laboratory and the Interstellar Medium

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In this CAREER award, co-funded by the Experimental Physical Chemistry Program of the Chemistry Division and the Astronomy Division, Prof. Benjamin J. McCall of the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and his graduate and undergraduate research students will study the spectroscopy of gas-phase carbocations. The main goal of this research effort is to obtain detailed structural and dynamical information for a family of simple carbocations. These molecular ions are ubiquitous in organic chemistry, serve as interesting test-cases for the study non-classical chemical bonding and complex intramolecular dynamics, and are suspected of being important chemical species in combustion and astrochemistry.Besides the broader impact of the proposed research to other scientific fields, Prof. McCall will develop a multifaceted, interdisciplinary educational program in astrochemistry. Prof. McCall will develop a new course in astrochemistry that will target students in both Astronomy and Chemistry Departments. In addition, he will develop a seminar series in astrochemistry, and he will co-organize a Midwest astrochemistry consortium.