Date of Graduation
Winter 12-31-2021
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Chemistry
College/School
College of Arts and Sciences
Department/Program
Chemistry
First Advisor
Giovanni Meloni
Abstract
This thesis is centered on the use of a unique gas-phase spectroscopy technique to characterize products and elucidate reaction mechanisms. Experiments were carried out at the Chemical Dynamics Beamline 9.0.2 of the Advanced Light Source located at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in Berkeley, CA. Computational work was performed on the scientific supercomputer at USF to supplement experimental findings. Chapter 1 contextualizes the work spurred in response to the deleterious interactions of anthropogenic emissions on Earth’s climate. Chapter 2 describes the theoretical manipulations foundational to the experimental design and interpretation. Chapter 3 delves into the physical details of the experimental setup and data analysis. A joint experimental and computational investigation into the addition product resulting from methylidene radical reaction with meta- and ortho-xylene is discussed in Chapter 4. Finally, Chapter 5 concludes with a novel observation and characterization of a Bromine cluster (n=4).
Recommended Citation
McClish, Rory R., "Characterization of the CH Addition Product from Meta- and Ortho-Xylene + CH Reaction and Direct Experimental Observation of the Tetrabromine Cluster Br4 using Synchrotron Photoionization Mass Spectrometry" (2021). Master's Theses. 1402.
https://repository.usfca.edu/thes/1402
