New insights into free radical reactivity via gas phase studies of radical anions

众所周知，自由基是化学过程中的关键反应中间体，从光化学烟雾的形成，通过燃烧到与年龄有关的疾病的发病。这项研究增加了我们对自由基如何反应的理解，因此可以更准确地预测，在某些情况下还可以更好地控制化学反应的结果及其对健康和环境的影响。新的仪器技术将被开发，年轻的澳大利亚研究人员将在这里接受培训，并与美国的合作者一起，在最先进的技术（特别是质谱）方面进行培训，这对我们新兴的以技术为基础的经济至关重要。

Free radicals are known to be critical reactive intermediates in chemical processes ranging from the formation of photochemical smog, through combustion to the onset of age-related diseases. This research increases our understanding of how free radicals react and will thus allow for more accurate prediction, and in some instances greater control, of the outcomes of chemical reactions and their health and environmental consequences. New instrumental technologies will be developed and young Australian researchers will be trained here, and with collaborators in the USA, in state-of-the-art techniques (particularly in mass spectrometry) that are essential to our emerging technology-based economy.