The Introduction of Lasers into the Physical Chemistry Curriculum

Abstract

Rationale and implementation for introducing lasers into the physical chemistry curriculum.

Displacement of the Benzene Solvent Molecule from Cr(CO)5(benzene) by Piperidine: A Laser Flash Photolysis Experiment

“…There are two possible mechanisms for this reaction, associative or dissociative. 1 However, previous studies have demonstrated that for some aromatic solvents the reaction of Cr(CO) 5 (solvent) (solvent = benzene, fluorobenzene) with piperidine proceeds through a dissociative mechanism (12,13):…”

“…The reduction in the price of lasers has made it possible to introduce laser-based experimentation into the undergraduate chemistry curriculum. As several authors have convincingly and eloquently argued, it is imperative that undergraduate students be exposed to the amazing chemistry made possible by this device (1,2). Fortunately, several chemistry experiments that use lasers have been developed for undergraduate students (3)(4)(5)(6)(7).…”

Stimulated Raman Spectroscopy of Small Molecules: A Physical Chemistry Laboratory Experiment

“…There has been a great deal of recent and continuing interest in the introduction of lasers into the modern undergraduate teaching laboratory (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6). In the physical chemistry laboratory, in particular, a great deal of emphasis has been placed on the use of lasers to introduce chemistry majors to modern experimental techniques and to communicate to them the excitement associated with the new tools available to research chemists.…”

Laser Raman Spectroscopy of Diamond

“…Raman spectroscopy is discussed in detail in our physical chemistry lecture course, and it seemed appropriate to include a Raman experiment in the laboratory. Many articles concerning the modernization of the physical chemistry laboratory curriculum and the introduction of laser spectroscopy have appeared in this Journal (1)(2)(3)(4)(5) and other sources (6).…”