Celebration of Scholars
Synthesis of 1-phenyl-3-(trimethylstannyl)-1-propanone
Name:
Walter Smith
Department: Natural Science
Type of research: Independent research
Funding: SURE & Faculty Research and Development Grant
Name:
Nicole Grant
Major: Biology
Hometown: Johnsburg, IL
Faculty Sponsor:
Other Sponsors:
Type of research: Independent research
Funding: SURE & Faculty Research and Development Grant
Name:
Bethany Rombalski
Major: Biology
Hometown: Kenosha, WI
Faculty Sponsor:
Other Sponsors:
Type of research: Independent research
Funding: SURE & Faculty Research and Development Grant
Abstract
Traditional isotope effects during chemical reactions are driven by tiny mass differences in the nuclei involved. This work explores the possibility of isotope effects being driven by much larger differences in nuclear spin values. Mass isotope effects allow for the selective enrichment or de-enrichment of either the most- or least- massive isotope in the ensemble of nuclei for a particular element. This technique, if confirmed, would allow for selective enrichment or de-enrichment of an isotope in the "center" of a mass ensemble. The element tin was selected for this study since tin has ten stable nuclei, three of which possess the property of nuclear spin, while the other seven do not. Moreover, the tin nuclear spin nuclei are “interspersed” among the entire ensemble of tin nuclei, making tin an ideal element in which to discern whether an observed isotope effect is caused by mass-, versus nuclear spin-, differences. The project involves synthesizing the target organo-tin molecule using classic organic chemistry methods. Confirmation of the effect will involve eventually photolysis, and analysis by Mass Spectrometry. This is a work in progress: the poster will describe several of the key synthesis steps.Submit date: March 12, 2015, 5:26 p.m.