Author's Department/Program
Chemistry
Language
English (en)
Date of Award
January 2011
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Chair and Committee
Richard Mabbs
Abstract
This dissertation describes the development of a method for studying electron &ndash molecule interactions using cluster anion photodetachment. Photodetachment from an atomic centered cluster anion produces a free electron and a residual neutral species at a geometry near that of the unperturbed neutral ground state. Evidence of the free electron &ndash molecule interactions, manifested in the photoelectron spectra and angular distributions, are elucidated through comparison to photodetachment data from the unsolvated atomic anion in question. Results are presented from number of monosolvated anion studies, including I&minus· CH3I, I&minus· CH3Br, I&minus· CH3Cl and Cl&minus· CH3I, as well as a study of the disolvated anion I&minus·: CH3I)2. The findings demonstrate the usefulness of this method as a probe of anion &ndash molecule solvation structure, long range electron &ndash molecule interactions, solvent electronic structure, and the influence of the cluster environment upon photodetachment dynamics. A detailed description of the experimental methods, including the construction and operation of the instrumentation, is presented. Applications of the method towards further study of electron &ndash neutral resonances and electron initiated chemical reactions are discussed.
Recommended Citation
Van Duzor, Matthew, "Methyl Halide Cluster Anion Photoelectron Spectra and Angular Distributions as a Probe of Electron-Molecule Interactions" (2011). All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs). 355.
https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/etd/355
Comments
Permanent URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.7936/K71R6NJF