Brugia Malayi - Clark Science Center - Smith College

Hydroperoxide Photochemistry under Solar Wavelengths at Dawn and
Dusk
Rumbidzai Vushe and Yamin Tun
This research project continued the work by Professor Shizuka Hsieh and other students of quantifying the photochemistry of
organic hydroperoxides (ROOH) in the visible and near IR region where absorption is weak. This research is environmentally
significant as it helps to know the solar wavelengths at dawn and at dusk when hydroperoxides form radicals such as OH and HO 2
.
This research was performed under a lot of time pressure. We only worked for two weeks on two hydroperoxides, namely
ethyl hydroperoxide and tetraethyl hydroperoxide. In these two weeks, we managed to synthesize a few samples of ethyl
hydroperoxide and ran a couple of absorption spectra. We analyzed the spectra for both ethyl hydroperoxide and tetraethyl
hydroperoxide at three different wavelengths; 266nm, 291nm and 362nm.
The aim was to go further than 400nm wavelength, but at longer wavelength the detection was really weak and we could not
get strong enough signals to be able to analyze and compare the two different molecules’ absorption spectra. However, for the
three different wavelengths, we managed to get good enough data to be able to compare how differently the two molecules absorb
at the given wavelengths.
In Professor Hsieh’s lab, we got exposure not only to experimentation and analyzing data, but also to synthesis and design.
We were also encouraged to be creative and independent in improving the safety and efficiency of the lab, especially in developing
the protections for the laser pathway. We developed many new skills essential for our academic life at Smith, and we are looking
forward to putting such skills into practice in our future research experiences. (Supported by the National Science Foundation)
Advisor: Shizuka Hsieh
2012
88