Professor James M. Lisy
Department of Chemistry
University of Illinois
Urbana-Champaign, IL

Monday, February 2, 1998
3:00 pm (CT)
3269 Beckman Institute

Abstract

Structure, ordering and binding in the condensed phase are determined by the magnitude and directionality of non-covalent interactions. Using gas phase cluster ions as a model, the roles of ion-molecule and hydrogen-bond interactions are examined using mass-selective infrared laser spectroscopy. The dependence on cluster composition, ion size and polarity is characterized for a variety of alkali and halide ions solvated by water, methanol and benzene. The competition and balance between these forces are the keys to molecular recognition. Extensions and applications of these methods to more complex systems will be presented.

Tea and coffee will be served in R3151 Beckman Institute at 2:15pm.