Sample interview questions: Can you describe any experience you have with chemical reaction kinetics or mechanism studies?
Sample answer:
Chemical Reaction Kinetics and Mechanism Studies Experience
Throughout my research career, I have gained extensive experience in chemical reaction kinetics and mechanism studies, employing a diverse range of experimental and computational techniques:
Experimental Methods:
- Batch Reactors: Design and operation of batch reactors for studying reaction kinetics under controlled temperature, pressure, and reactant concentrations.
- Flow Reactors: Utilize flow reactors to investigate reaction kinetics under near-real-world conditions and determine species lifetimes.
- Photochemical Reactors: Employ photochemical reactors to initiate and probe reactions involving light-absorbing species.
- Spectroscopic Analysis: Utilize UV-Vis, IR, Raman, and NMR spectroscopy to monitor reactant consumption, product formation, and intermediate species.
Computational Methods:
- Density-Functional Theory (DFT): Employ DFT to calculate reaction energy profiles, transition states, and molecular properties to elucidate reaction mechanisms.
- Molecular Orbital Theory: Use molecular orbital theory to understand the electronic structure of reactants, intermediates, and products, providing insights into reaction selectivity and reactivity.
- Monte-Carlo Simulations: Utilize Monte-Carlo methods … Read full answer