Research Field
Physical Chemistry, Laser desorption
Title
Laser desorption of chiral molecules
Description
Spectroscopy group of the physical chemistry chair was very
early involved in the combination of laser desorption of large,
nonvolatile and/or fragile chiral organic biomolecules with
REMPI-MS (Resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization- mass
spectrometry). Since the chirality of many biomolecules is of
intrinsic importance for their function in nature, the application
of REMPI-MS to chiral substances seems obvious. Application of
this highly sensitive method is currently limited to volatile
molecules. Laser desorption helps to overcome this limitation. In
addition, circular dichroism in ion yield has promising potentials
for chiral analysis. By combining CD (Circular Dichroism) with
REMPI, Chiroptical properties of the desorbed chiral molecules
are investigated. In this project, as a first step, the student will
get familiar with gas phase spectroscopy and mass spectrometry
setup as well as CD spectroscopy. Then laser desorption will be
applied to a number of chiral molecules followed by chiroptical
analysis by means of CD-REMPI-MS. Same molecular systems
will be studied by conventional spectrometers in the liquid
phase in order to get a comparison. In addition to obtain a
practical experience, the student will have a good acquaintance
with different evaluation methods, data treatment software and
interpretation of the experimental data.
Supervisor
Dr. Aras Kartouzian, Prof. Dr. Ulrich Heiz
Research Mentor
Farinaz Mortaheb, PhD Student
Department
Technische Universität München, Faculty of Chemistry, Institute
for Physical Chemistry
Website
https://www.pc.ch.tum.de/index.php?id=4