The Department of Chemistry invites you to its upcoming departmental seminar on Monday, March 28, at 4:10 p.m. in Fulmer Hall, room 201.
Dr. Michael J. Van Stipdonk from the Dept. of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Duquesne University will present, Using the Ion Trap as a Reaction Vessel and Sample Cuvette for Chemical and Structional Studies of Uranyl Species.
Abstract: Detailed studies of the chemistry of metal ions and metal ion complexes in the condensed phase, in a species-specific fashion, is complicated by the presence of solvent molecules and counter ions and complex equilibria between metallic species in different forms; and the fact that many important catalytic reactions involve heterogeneous catalysts (thus requiring a controlled environment in which the reactions between metal “catalyst” and molecular substrate can be monitored). Our understanding of the relationship between structure and reactivity is often poor and would benefit from detailed gas-phase studies, where chemistry can be studied under well-defined conditions and in a species-specific fashion.
The combination of electrospray ionization (ESI), which can provide an incredible array of interesting ions, and the multi-dimensional (MSn) capabilities of ion-trapping mass spectrometers, makes possible the creation of a versatile gas-phase “laboratory” within which ions can be manipulated and studied. This gas-phase laboratory can also function as a “sample cuvette” for structure determination using wavelength-selective infrared-photodissociation experiments. Here I will describe our use of ESI and Paul or Penning (ion) trap mass spectrometers to investigate the intrinsic reactions and structures of uranyl ion complexes. Topics will include interesting chemistry observed during multiple-stage collision induced dissociation; gas-phase reactions of ligated UV-dioxo cation (UO2+) and the creation and characterization of organo-uranyl species.
