Henry Eyring Presidential Endowed Chair of Chemistry
Dr. Armentrout's research is intended to provide a detailed understanding of the thermochemistry, kinetics, and dynamics of simple and complex chemical reactions. Of particular interest is elucidation of the intrinsic reactivity and thermochemistry of transition metals, metal-ligand complexes, metal-clusters, solvated ions, metallated macrocycles and metallated molecules of biological and environmental relevance. His group seeks to understand from a fundamental viewpoint reactions involved in catalysis, surface chemistry, organometallic chemistry, and plasma chemistry. Measurement of integral cross sections, product branching ratios, and the dependence of these quantities on the translational, internal, and electronic energies of the reactants provide a uniquely detailed look at the chemistry of interest. Spectroscopic experiments augment these studies by providing even more microscopic information. Techniques involved include mass spectrometry, ion beams, molecular beams, and laser spectroscopy.