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Hydrogen-Atom Transfer Photochemistry of Tetrakis(µ-pyrophosphito)diplatinate(II)

Citation

Sweeney, Robert Joseph (1990) Hydrogen-Atom Transfer Photochemistry of Tetrakis(µ-pyrophosphito)diplatinate(II). Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/039n-6p75. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:07162014-152027500

Abstract

In many senses, the hydrogen-atom transfer reactions observed with the triplet excited state of pyrophosphito-bridged platinum(II) dimers resemble the reactions of organic ketone nπ* states. The first two chapters describe our attempts to understand the reactivity differences between these two chromophores. Reactivity of the metal dimers is strongly regulated by the detailed nature of the ligands that ring the axial site, the hydrogen-abstraction center. A hydrogen-bonded network linking the ligands facilitates H-atom transfer quenching with alcohols through the formation of a hydrogen-bonded complex between the alcohol and a dimer. For substrates of equal C-H bond strength that lack a hydroxyl group (e.g., benzyl hydrocarbons), the quenching rate is several orders of magnitude slower.

The shape and size of the axial site, as determined by the ligands, also discriminate among quenchers by their steric characteristics. Very small quenchers quench slowly because of high entropies of activation, while very large ones have large enthalpic barriers. The two effects find a balance with quenchers of "just the right size."

The third chapter discusses the design of a mass spectrometer that uses positron annihilation to ionize neutral molecules. The mass spectrometer creates positron-molecule adducts whose annihilation produces fragmentation products that may yield information on the bonding of positrons in such complexes.

Item Type:Thesis (Dissertation (Ph.D.))
Subject Keywords:Chemistry
Degree Grantor:California Institute of Technology
Division:Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
Major Option:Chemistry
Thesis Availability:Public (worldwide access)
Research Advisor(s):
  • Gray, Harry B. (advisor)
  • Beauchamp, Jesse L. (co-advisor)
Thesis Committee:
  • Unknown, Unknown
Defense Date:23 May 1990
Record Number:CaltechTHESIS:07162014-152027500
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:07162014-152027500
DOI:10.7907/039n-6p75
Default Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:8545
Collection:CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By: Benjamin Perez
Deposited On:16 Jul 2014 22:33
Last Modified:16 Apr 2021 23:33

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