Newman Wolfrom Lab. W. 18th Ave. To directly study these molecules they employ laser flash photolysis with pico and nanosecond time resolution, matrix isolation spectroscopy and chemical analysis of reaction mixtures.
Goals are both practical and theoretical.
We study elementary rearrangement reactions of fundamental interest such as those listed below to test dynamical theories and to discover quantum mechanical tunneling processes. They are also heavily involved in using photochemistry to develop new biotechnology. We have developed new photochemical sensitizers in collaboration with industry which can inactivate the HIV virus in platelet concentrates with acceptable recovery of platelets. Research continues to design and synthesize a new generation of sensitizers with greater anti-viral power and greater selectivity in their mechanism of action.