In the condensed phase, intermolecular interactions often control chemical reactivity and photochemistry but are complex to quantify [1]. Understanding how the electronic structure of an aqueous solute is intricately bound up with the arrangement of the host liquid provides insight into how reactions are influenced by the environment in which they take place. We have exploited liquid-jet photoelectron spectroscopy [1,2] to learn about the orbital energies and shapes for the solvated electron in liquid ammonia [3] as well as the electronic structure of the liquid itself [4]. Comparisons between ammonia and water as a hydrogen- bonding media at the level of the electronic structure now become possible. With femtosecond time resolution, we are performing optically resonantly enhanced multi-photon ionization and pump-probe experiments manipulating the electronic structure of liquid ammonia.

Photoelectron processes in liquids: probing excess electrons in liquid ammonia

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

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