Dr. Paul Wenthold
- Associate Professor - Physical Organic Chemistry & Mass Spectrometry
- Email: pgw@purdue.edu
- Phone: 40475
- Office: 1159 BRWN
- Professor Paul Wenthold's individual homepage
Our research involves the use of mass spectrometry and ion spectroscopy to investigate the mechanisms of chemical reactions in the gas phase. Our main efforts consist of the identification and characterization of the intermediates 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.
Our efforts involve the investigation of energetics and structure. We use studies of energetics to determine the mechanisms of electronic interaction, with the goal of controlling electronic structure in reactive species. We are also interested in molecular structure. In particular, by comparing gas-phase structures with those found in solution, it is possible to determine the role that solvent and/or counter ions have in affecting molecular structure.
Education
- B.S., University of Northern Iowa, 1986
- Ph.D., Purdue University, 1990
- Postdoctoral Associate, University of Colorado, 1997
Awards
- Assistant Professor, Texas Tech University, 1997