|
|
J. CLAYTON BAUM
 Associate Professor of Chemistry
Ph.D., Princeton University, 1976
B.A., Williams College, 1968
Email:cbaum@fit.edu
Phone: (321) 674 - 7431
Office: 217 Olin Physical Sciences Building
|
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Of fundamental interest are the properties of appropriately chosen molecular systems that can serve as simple models for the interactions of biomolecules with light. Molecular spectroscopy, supplemented by other physical methods and molecular modeling, often provides the mechanistic information necessary to completely characterize these systems. Such an approach is essential for a deeper understanding of life processes. This information also can be used in a practical sense to develop highly sensitive and specific optical sensors for the detection of substances such as hazardous materials. Another aspect is investigating the transfer of energy from light absorbed in natural processes (e.g., photosynthesis) to provide more efficient synthetic materials for the collection and storage of energy.
CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECTS
- Hydrogen bonding occurs in the structure or environment of many biological systems. Therefore, much of our research is focused on the influence of hydrogen bonding on the spectral properties of molecules and an understanding of how hydrogen bonds are affected when a participating molecule is excited to various electronic levels by the absorption of light. For example, the role of hydrogen bonding in emission quenching and molecular recognition is being explored. Hydrogen-bonded systems capable of energy transfer have been found to display an unusual degree of quenching. The competition between energy transfer, electron transfer, proton transfer and hydrogen atom transfer is being examined. This project involves the synthesis of novel molecules that contain matched donor-acceptor pairs by Dr. Alan Brown's research group and photophysical studies of the molecules by our group. Another project involves a series of compounds that allows a comparison of sulfur versus oxygen in hydrogen bonding.
- Molecular modeling is another major emphasis of our group. We have joined forces with an organic sulfur chemist in investigating substituent effects on sulfenium ions and carbocations, electron transfer reactions involving sulfonates and sulfones, and topologically induced polarity. There are several collaborations within our department. For example, we are modeling tryptanthrin and its derivatives adsorbed on graphite, with synthesis by Dr. Mark Novak's group and STM studies by Dr. Joel Olson's group. We are investigating the mechanisms of reactions involving ferrates with Dr. Virender Sharma's group and the mechanism for the enzyme degradation of sulfenium ions related to mustard gas with Dr. Novak's group.
- Another goal is to develop sensors that are sensitive, selective, reversible and provide real-time measurements. The combination of fluorescence (which is sensitive and selective) and hydrogen bonding (which is selective and reversible) should allow this aim to be accomplished. One project involves the development of a sensor for the low-level detection of hydrazine. Another sensor simultaneously detects the presence of hydrazine and nitrogen dioxide, hazardous compounds that are part of the propulsion system for the Space Shuttle orbiter as well as other spacecraft and missiles.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Dr. Baum has more than 30 years of experience in molecular spectroscopy including postdoctoral research at Florida State University. He has been a NASA/ASEE Faculty Fellow involved in research at the John F. Kennedy Space Center. He participated in a summer course for industrial, academic and government scientists on "Fluorescence Spectroscopy: Techniques and Applications".. Dr. Baum has taught courses in undergraduate and graduate physical chemistry and general chemistry at Florida Tech for the past 25 years.
Click here for selected publications.
|
|
