Chemistry and Materials Science Seminar: Moving Protons in Competing Excited State Pathways

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scms seminar kana takematsu

Chemistry and Materials Science Seminar
Moving Protons in Competing Excited State Pathways

Dr. Kana Takematsu
Associate Professor
Bowdoin College

Register Here for Zoom Link
This seminar may be attended in person in 2300 Gosnell Hall or online via Zoom.

Abstract
:

The controlled movement of charges is essential to chemical redox processes, including the harnessing of solar energy. The conversion of solar to chemical energy is key for environmental sustainability and national security. Our group uses a class of compounds called photoacids to investigate the coupling between light and movement of protons. Photoacids are compounds that become more acidic upon light excitation. We have focused our studies on aminonaphthol, photoacids which have two potential excited state proton transfer pathways at the nitrogen and oxygen sites. We will discuss how a combination of spectroscopic and theoretical tools can be used to shed light on the structural and environmental factors that tune these competing proton transfer pathways.

Speaker Bio:
Dr. Takematsu attended the University of Chicago as an undergrad working with Prof. Laurie Butler on gas phase molecular dynamics. She continued her studies at Caltech as a grad student under the direction of Prof. Mitchio Okumura exploring gas phase spectroscopy and atmospheric chemistry. Dr. Takematsu joined Caltech and Beckman Institute, Postdoc/staff, working with Prof. Harry Gray on bioinorganic chemistry and applying spectroscopic techniques to probe metal complexes and modified proteins. Currently, Dr. Takematsu’s research are vested in studying charge transfer processes in small complexes while serving as Associate Professor in the Chemistry Department and Biochemistry Program of Bowdoin College.

Intended Audience:
Undergraduates, graduates, experts. Those with interest in the topic.

To request an interpreter, please visit myaccess.rit.edu


Contact
Nathan Eddingsaas
Event Snapshot
When and Where
October 25, 2022
12:30 pm - 1:45 pm
Room/Location: 2300
Who

Open to the Public

Interpreter Requested?

No

Topics
research