1.  Photoisomerism in Transition Metal Clusters.  We have shown that photoexcitation of ion clusters can lead to dissociation, chemical reaction, or isomerization, depending on the nature of the change in electronic structure induced by the transition.  Optical control of the structure of ligand binding at a transition-metal center could be used to produce nano-motors and -valves, if the process is understood.  High resolution spectroscopy of model systems is proposed.

2.  Magnetic Field Effects in Chemical Reactions Involving Spin-Forbidden Intermediates.  Several important reactions involving transition-metal catalyzed insertions are postulated to involve spin-forbidden intermediates.  Can the kinetics of these reactions be controlled by the application of large laboratory magnetic fields?  We propose to find out, by studying the branching ratio of the following ion molecule reaction at various magnetic field strengths at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory and in collaboration John Eyler of UF.

3.  Spectroscopy and Theory of the Electrostatic Chemical Bond.  We have already shown the utility of resonant photodissociation spectroscopy in determining the potential energy surface for electrostatic bonding in many transition-metal complexes.  We will use ab initio theory, in conjunction with our experimental results, to provide predictive models for electrostatic effects so important in solution and surface catalyzed reactions.