Water and light mediated multi-phase organic chemistry in the contemporary and on ancient Earth

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• Veronica Vaida (University of Colorado)
• Monday 16 December 2013, 14:15-15:30
• Unilever Lecture Theatre, Department of Chemistry.

If you have a question about this talk, please contact Dr Amanda Maycock.

This presentation will discuss the role of water and water-air interfaces in mediating light initiated reactions of oxidized organic species (acids, alcohols, aldehydes and ketones) relevant to chemistry in/on atmospheric aerosols. Spectroscopic laboratory and environmental chamber studies supplemented by theory provide mechanistic and dynamical information regarding the role of water in chemistry. Water vapor, water clusters and water-air interfaces provide unique reaction environments for building complexity in the natural environment. Formation of peptide bonds at the water surface in the absence of enzymes allows for the opportunity to discuss the unique properties of water-air interfaces in chemistry. The implications of water-mediated chemistry to nucleation, growth and atmospheric processing of organic aerosols will be illustrated with the multi-phase photoreactivity of pyruvic acid and its consequences to the contemporary and prebiotic Earth.

This talk is part of the Centre for Atmospheric Science seminars, Chemistry Dept. series.

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