IR Spectroscopy to Probe Structure and Dynamics in Metal Ion Complexes

在这个由化学部门实验物理化学项目支持的项目中，邓肯将研究通过脉冲激光汽化源在分子束中合成的金属离子配体复合物。配体是小分子。利用大量选择的红外激光光解光谱技术研究了这些物质的光谱学和动力学。实验测量了配体的振动频率，因为它们通过与金属离子的键相互作用而移位。簇化壳和簇内反应也可以通过配体振动来识别。实验的重点是镁、钙、铝和硅离子与一种或多种溶剂或配体分子（如二氧化碳、水、乙炔等）的络合。其他实验包括有机金属配合物，其中金属与苯或多环芳烃相互作用。对小型和大型配合物的实验研究将有助于提高对无机和有机金属配合物、含金属大气、金属材料和生物金属中心中重要的金属键相互作用的理解。该研究由研究生和本科生以及博士后研究人员共同进行。该项目得益于与外部研究人员的合作以及与荷兰的一个国际小组的合作。

In this project, supported by the Experimental Physical Chemistry Program of the Chemistry Division, Duncan will investigate metal ion-ligand complexes synthesized in a molecular beam via a pulsed laser vaporization source. The ligands are small molecules. The spectroscopy and dynamics of these species are studied using mass-selected infrared laser photodissociation spectroscopy. The experiments measure ligand-based vibrational frequencies as they are shifted by bonding interactions with the metal ion. Cluster solvation shells and intracluster reactions are also identified via ligand vibrations. The experiments focus on magnesium, calcium, aluminum, and silicon ions complexed with one or more solvent or ligand molecules, e.g., carbon dioxide, water, acetylene, and others. Additional experiments include organometallic complexes in which metals interact with benzene or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.The experimental studies on both small and large complexes will contribute to an improved understanding of metal bonding interactions important in inorganic and organometallic complexes, in metal containing atmospheres, in metal materials and at biological metal centers. The research is carried out with graduate and undergraduate students as well as with postdoctoral research associates. The project benefits from collaborations with outside researchers and internationally with a group in the Netherlands.