Enormous progress has been made in the understanding of the detailed dynamics of chemical reactions involving small molecular partners, not least through the many contributions from Dick Zare’s group. There are still many fascinating challenges that remain to be addressed in this field, as deeper and deeper insight is gained into how molecules interact at the atomic level. A different question, though, is how this knowledge can be exploited in other scientific fields, particularly involving larger molecular systems? I will give my perspective on one area where the understanding of the dynamics of isolated molecules has proved very productive in interpreting, and exploiting, collisions in a more complex environment: the gas-liquid interface. This will include mechanistic understanding of reactions of OH radicals at liquid surfaces that mimic real-world processes at the surfaces of atmospheric aerosol particles; and the analytical use of selective reactions of O(<sup>3</sup>P) atoms as a probe of the surface structures of technologically important ionic liquids.

Reaction dynamics is really interesting, but is it useful?

2019 Fall National Meeting

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.