Theodore Dibble
Professor
Environmental Chemistry
421 Jahn Laboratory
470-6596
tsdibble@syr.edu
- Teaching/Learning Chemistry
- Dibble Group Page
- Links of Interest to the Dibble Group
- Information onGraduate Admissions
Education
- Ph.D., 1992,University of Michigan
- Postdoctoral, 1992-1994,Wayne State University
- Postdoctoral, 1994-1995,Purdue University
- Postdoctoral, 1995-1996,California Institute of Technology
Research
Theodore Dibble is interested in the chemistry of organic compounds important for energy and the environment. His research spans atmospheric chemistry, combustion chemistry of biofuels, and pollution control. The tools of the Dibble group range from standard analytical instrumentation to lasers and computational chemistry.
Atmospheric Chemistry
A new focus is peroxy radicals (ROO·) formed from biogenic compounds, especiallyisoprene. For a probe, we are turning tocavity ringdown spectroscopyof their electronic transitions in the near-IR. They may undergo a variety of reactions in relatively unpolluted areas where most isoprene is produced:
and these reactions affect production of oxidants andaerosols.
A recent focus has been those alkoxy and peroxy radicals containing intramolecular hydrogen bonds to their radicalcenters, because the hydrogen bonds can promote unusual chemistry, such as the double H-atom transfer.Click thumbnail of molecule above to view animation.
Pollution Control
We are beginning to investigate the degradation of organic compounds by non-thermal plasmas, particularlyelectron beams. The organic compounds of interest are ordinary pollutants or chemical warfare agents (we use safer analogues in our laboratory). Here we are asking basic questions about effectiveness and reaction mechanism, which will be answered by determining destruction rate and product yields versus beam power, flow rate, humidity, etc.
Students interested in doing research with Dr. Dibble are encouraged to contact him directly.
Selected Publications (Complete Listing)
- Absorption cross-sections of CH-overtones of volatile organic compounds: 2 methyl-1,3-butadiene (isoprene), 1,3-butadiene, and 2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene, P. Cias, C. Wang, and T. S. Dibble,Appl. Spect.,200761, 230-6.
- Laser-Induced Fluorescence Spectra of 4-Methylcyclohexoxy Radical and Perdeuterated Cyclohexoxy Radical and Direct Kinetic Studies of Their Reactions with O2. L. Zhang, K. M. Callahan, D. Derbyshire, and T. S. DibbleJ. Phys. Chem. A,2005,109, 9232.
- Intramolecular Hydrogen Bonding and Double H-Atom Transfer in Peroxy and Alkoxy Radicals from Isoprene, T.S. Dibble,J. Phys. Chem. A,2004,108,2199.[overview]
- Do aerosols act as catalysts in the OH radical initiated atmospheric oxidation of volatile organic compounds?M. Sorensen, M. D. Hurley, T. J. Wallington, T. S. Dibble, and O. J. Nielsen,Atmos. Environ.,2002,36,5947.
- Reactions of the Alkoxy Radicals Formed Following OH-addition toa-pinene andb-pinene. C-C Bond Scission Reactions. T. S. Dibble,J. Am. Chem. Soc.,2001,123,4228.
If you want more information about the graduate program, please followthis linkto a brief form