Thomas R. Dyke - US grants

The experimental method to be employed by Dr. Dyke will be infrared absorption spectroscopy. Diode lasers will be used to study the spectral region from 350 - 3500 reciprocal cm., utilizing both molecular beams and static gas samples to provide varying degrees of simplicity and information content in the observed spectra. Microwave-infrared double resonance techniques will be used to increase the spectral resolution and to aid in assigning spectra. To access the important spectral region below 350 recoprocal cm., a far infrared Fourier transform spectrometer with high sensitivity detectors will be employed, allowing many of the low frequency intermolecular modes of complexes to be directly examined. Specific systems to be studied include hydrogen-containing dimers and mixed complexes of monomers. Intermolecular forces manifested in hydrogen bonds and van der Waals interactions play an important part in determining the properties of a wide variety of condensed phase and macromolecule systems. Theories of liquid water, aqueous solutions and macromolecule conformations are examples of areas where these interactions are of particular interest. To understand these systems, accurate information concerning intermolecular potential energy surfaces is vital. One way to attack this problem is to form complexes held together by hydrogen bonds or van der Waals interactions, and to study them by various spectroscopic techniques. If enough spectroscopic data is in hand, substantial information about the relevant potential energy surfaces can be gained, and when available, combined with scattering or thermodynamic data to give a more comprehensive view of intermolecular forces and the nature of these weak interactions.

The members of the Chemical Physics Institute at the University of Oregon are being supported to establish an undergraduate research program for students who are interested in the field of physical chemistry. Ten research supervisors will be involved in the program and the research opportunities will include: o Spectroscopy of Organometallics and Molecular Radicals o Preparation and Spectroscopic Characterization of Urea and Thiourea Complexes o Mercury Adsorption on Semiconductor Surfaces o Pulse Generation in Dye Lasers Pumped Asynchronously This program will involve faculty members from institutions that do not offer the Ph.D. degree in 1988 and 1989. It is believed that the plan to develop this program at Oregon will encourage more undergraduate science majors to pursue research careers in chemical physics/physical chemistry. It is a goal of this program to insure the availability of an adequate number of technically able U.S. students for our future academic and industrial research positions.

This award from the Chemistry Research Instrumentation Facilities Program will help the Department of Chemistry at the University of Oregon at Eugene purchase a 300 MHz spectrometer which will be used in the following research investigations: Structural studies of organic molecules biological relevance, inorganic complexes pertinent as models for magnetic materials and catalysts, and solid state inorganic materials of technological interest. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is the most powerful tool available to chemists for the elucidation of the structure of molecules. It is used to identify unknown substances, characterize specific arrangements of atoms within molecules, and to study the dynamics of interactions between molecules in solution. Access to state-of-the-art NMR spectrometry is essential to chemists who are carrying out frontier research. The results from these NMR studies are useful in the areas such as polymers and catalysis, and in biology.

This award from the Academic Research Infrastructure Program will help the Department of Chemistry at the University of Oregon acquire an X-ray photoelectric spectrometer (LXPS). The research activity to be supported includes: the areas of molecular self-assembly, polymer modification and/or degradation, semiconductor photocorrosion, chemical sensing, fabrication of non-linear optical devices, and the preparation and characterization of new solid state nanostructures and materials. The X-ray photoelectron (XPS) spectrometer is used for chemical analysis. It irradiates a sample with a beam of monochromatic X-rays and the energies of the resulting photoelectrons are measured and are related to specific elements

With support from the Chemistry Research Instrumentation (CRIF) Program, the Department of Chemistry at the University of Oregon Eugene will acquire a CCD X-ray diffractometer. This equipment will enhance research in a number of areas including the following: a) studies of organic molecules of biological and technological relevance; b) inorganic catalysts important in the energy field; c) nanoclusters for use in electronic devices; d) molecules that can be used as non-biological molecular motors; and e) new solid-state materials.

The X-ray diffractometer allows accurate and precise measurements of the full three dimensional structure of a molecule, including bond distances and angles, and it provides accurate information about the spatial arrangement of the molecule relative to the neighboring molecules. These studies will have an impact in a number of areas, including materials chemistry, preparation of more efficient catalysts, and biotechnology.

With support from the Chemistry Research Instrumentation and Facilities-Departmental Multiuser Instrument Acquisition (CRIF-MU) Program, the Department of Chemistry at the University of Oregon in Eugene will acquire a Raman spectrometer equipped with a research grade microscope and translation stage for sub-micron resolution Raman surface mapping. This equipment will enhance research investigations on a) the properties of nanocrystalline silicon materials and chalcopyrite semiconductor films; b) carbon-rich networks and materials based on dehydrobenzoannulenes; c) conformationally preorganized diamide ligands for enhanced binding of f-block elements; d) vibrational spectroscopic measurements of liquid surfaces; and e) nitrogen-binding transition metal complexes.

Raman spectroscopy provides a powerful probe of molecular information. Raman scattering is complementary to infrared absorption in that it probes fundamentally different types of molecular vibrational modes. In addition to research use, this instrument will be integrated into the undergraduate laboratory curriculum in organic, inorganic and physical chemistry.

With support from the Chemistry Research Instrumentation and Facilities (CRIF) Program, the Department of Chemistry at the University of Oregon will acquire a Matrix-assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time of Flight Mass Spectrometer (MALDI-TOF). The spectrometer will be used in a variety of research projects including RNA-metal ion adducts, conjugated ionomers, gold nanoparticles, photodegradable polymers, carbon-rich network materials, and supramolecular complexes.

Matrix assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) time of flight (TOF) mass spectrometry is the technique of choice for characterization of synthetic and natural macromolecules. It allows molecular weights of large molecules to be determined accurately and structures to be deduced. The cyber-enabled instrument will be housed in the Center for Advanced Materials Characterization in Oregon (CAMCOR), a facility open to other regional users.

With support from the Chemistry Research Instrumentation and Facilities - Multiuser Instrumentation (CRIF-MU) Program, the Department of Chemistry at the University of Oregon will acquire an X-ray photoelectron spectrometer. Research projects to benefit from this instrument include: 1) research on the design, functionalization, and assembly of nanoparticle building blocks; and 2) band offsets at buried heterointerfaces in novel photovoltaic structures; 3) charge transfer in systematically doped nanostructured materials; 4) composition of nanoclusters produced via an exciting new synthetic strategy; and 5) characterization of photochemically degradable polymers.

The X-ray photoelectron spectrometer (XPS) is used for chemical analysis. It irradiates a sample with a beam of monochromatic X-rays and the energies of the resulting photoelectrons are measured and related to specific elements. XPS often plays a crucial role in defining the system under study. The work to be carried out by these investigators represents a wide array of systems requiring characterization. A key feature of the requested XPS is that it will be cyber-enabled and made accessible to off-site users.