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Paul Wenthold
Associate Professor—Physical Organic Chemistry & Mass Spectrometry
Email: pgw@purdue.edu
Phone: 765-494-0475
Office: BRWN B171B
For Professor Wenthold's individual Home Page click here.
Our research involves the use of mass spectrometry and ion spectroscopy to investigate the mechanisms of chemical reactions in the gas phase. Three approaches for studying reaction mechanisms are employed in our group:
I) Identification and characterization of the intermediates that are accessed during the course of a reaction. These intermediates may be stable albeit highly reactive species, such as radicals, biradicals, or ions, or may not be stable, as the case with a transition state. Using negative ions as a means to access the intermediates, our research involves the use of mass spectrometry, gas phase chemistry, and photoelectron spectroscopy to determine their thermochemical and structural properties. In addition, we utilize molecular orbital calculations to investigate the electronic structures of the species of interest.
II) Direct examination of the dynamics of chemical reactions. We use mass spectrometry and negative ion photoelectron spectroscopy as a means of monitoring the products of ion/molecule reactions in the gas phase to see how the course of the reaction is affected by reaction conditions.
III) Indirect investigations of condensed phase reactions. By comparing gas phase results with those obtained in solution, it is possible to determine the role that solvent and/or counter ions play in the reaction in the condensed phase.
Examples of some of the current topics of interest in the Wenthold group are shown in the figures shown below and to the right.
Education
B.S. 1986, University of Northern Iowa; Ph.D., 1990, Purdue University; Postdoctoral Associate, 1995- 1997, University of Colorado.Recognitions
- Assistant Professor, Texas Tech University, 1997-1999
Selected Publications
- Vanovschi V.;Krylov, A. I.;Wenthold, P. G., Structure, vibrational frequencies, ionization energies, and photoelectron spectrum of the para-benzyne radical anion . Theoretical Chemistry Accounts 2008 , 120 , 45-58.
- Wijeratne N. R.;Wenthold, P. G., Thermochemical studies of benzoyinitrene radical anion: The N-H bond dissociation energy in benzamide in the gas phase . Journal of Physical Chemistry A 2007 , 111 , 10712-10716.
- Wijeratne N. R.;Wenthold, P. G., Structure and reactivity of benzoylnitrene radical anion in the gas phase . Journal of Organic Chemistry 2007 , 72 , 9518-9522.
- Krouse I. H.;Hao, C. T.;Check, C. E.;Lobring, K. C.;Sunderlin, L. S.;Wenthold, P. G., Bonding and electronic structure of XeF3- . Journal of the American Chemical Society 2007 , 129 , 846-852.