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Marsha Lester is the Christopher H. Browne Distinguished Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Pennsylvania. Her research group focuses on reaction intermediates that generate hydroxyl radicals (OH), which act as the atmosphere's detergent. These OH radicals are powerful oxidizing agents that react rapidly with volatile organic compounds emitted into the atmosphere. Her studies have characterized transient carbonyl oxide intermediates, known as Criegee intermediates, and the chemical reaction pathways involved in alkene ozonolysis, which serve as an important non-photolytic source of OH radicals. Notable investigations include those of Criegee intermediates arising from the ozonolysis of isoprene, an abundant volatile organic compound. Lester's experimental studies utilize a variety of techniques including IR action spectroscopy, UV-visible spectroscopy, and flow cell kinetics with VUV photoionization detection. These efforts have led to the identification of unexpected products due to novel roaming mechanisms and have revealed how chemical reaction pathways can be controlled under laboratory conditions, significantly impacting our understanding of realistic atmospheric combustion chemistry.
University of Pennsylvania • Philadelphia, PA
Leading research group in physical chemistry with focus on reaction intermediates and hydroxyl radicals.
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