Molecular motions of acetophenone and cyclohexane co-adsorbed in zeolite NaY investigated by solid-state deuterium Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)

CHED 1427

Sheley Mae Baylon, shelbayl@msmc.la.edu, Ammee M Amboya, ammeambo@msmc.la.edu, Tina T. Nguyen, tinanguy@msmc.la.edu, and Hien Huyn. Department of Physical Sciences and Mathematics, Mount St. Mary's College, 12001 Chalon Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90049
We used solid-state deuterium NMR to elucidate the rotational dynamics of the methyl group in acetophenone co-adsorbed with cyclohexane in Zeolite NaY. We photolysed the samples in zeolites and excess cyclohexane was evaporated under argon prior to conducting NMR. Molecular motions can be probed by solid-state deuterium NMR using the quadrupolar echo pulse sequence. We studied the motion of the methyl group in acetophenone adsorbed in zeolite Y and discovered that the frequency of the 3-site-hop of the methyl group is greater than 108 Hz. Preliminary results show that the phenyl group relaxation times are very long, indicating slow molecular motion. Molecular motions of specific groups in the reactants and the product(s) in conjunction with 13C NMR techniques will help provide the foundation for the design of better routes to controlled photochemical synthesis and improve the current methods of manufacturing pharmaceuticals.
 

Undergraduate Research Poster Session: Physical Chemistry
2:00 PM-4:00 PM, Monday, March 26, 2007 Hyatt Regency Chicago -- Riverside Center, Poster

Division of Chemical Education

The 233rd ACS National Meeting, Chicago, IL, March 25-29, 2007