Andrea Grafton

Biography

Proton-transfer reactions are one of the most fundamental chemical reactions; however, the chemical dynamics of these processes remain elusive due to the difficulty of modeling these reactions. This thesis highlights the work of establishing an experimental model of a ground-electronic-state proton transfer reaction in solution and studying the chemical dynamics of the system via two-dimensional infrared chemical exchange spectroscopy. This work will provide an empirical benchmark for quantum rate theories and an understanding of the features that govern the chemical dynamics of proton-transfer reactions.

Andrea Grafton