Seminar by Prof. Nicholas R. Walker, Chemistry- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, UK on "Molecular Structure and Weak Interactions Explored by Broadband Microwave Spectroscopy"
06 Feb 2020
Seminar Room #350
Talk Title : "Molecular Structure and Weak Interactions Explored by Broadband Microwave Spectroscopy"
Abstract
Microwave spectroscopy allows details of structure to be
measured for molecules and complexes which are isolated in the gas phase.
One aim is to quantify weak interactions with high selectivity such that
intrinsic character can be separated from effects of a solvent or matrix.
This theme will be illustrated through recent studies of molecules
containing imidazole. It will be shown that two isomers of a complex formed
between this molecule and water can be isolated and
spectroscopically-characterised in the gas phase. A second aim is to
explore the gas phase chemistry prompted by laser vaporisation of solids in
the presence of a mixture of chemical precursors, a process known to allow
the generation of small molecules that can be found in interstellar and
circumstellar environments. Laser vaporisation of platinum in the presence
of gaseous hydrocarbons allows very efficient generation of PtC3 , an
atypical and exotic platinum carbene which has structural similarities with
the oxycarbon species, OC3 . Experiments are performed using a unique
broadband rotational spectrometer that allows the simultaneous observation
of many rotational transitions across a broad bandwidth.