Going Where Few Dare To: Investigating the Reactivity and Structure of Uranium Species Using Ion Trap Mass Spectrometry

Electrospray ionization and ion-trapping methods of mass spectrometry have significantly improved our ability to study gas-phase ion chemistry, and to determine the intrinsic structure and reactivity of metal ions and metal ion complexes. Ion traps with multi-dimensional (MSn) tandem mass spectrometry capabilities are versatile gas-phase "laboratories" within which ions can be manipulated and studied. Ion traps can also function as “sample cuvettes" for structure determination using wavelength-selective infrared photodissociation. In this seminar, I will describe our studies of the intrinsic structure and behavior of actinide species, focusing on interesting uranium chemistry observed during multiple-stage collision induced dissociation, translational studies involving transuranics, and the characterization of exotic organo-uranium complexes created by substitution and/or elimination of “yl” oxo ligands.