Jack H Lunsford
Professor Emeritus
Ph. D., Rice University
Contact
Information:
Department of Chemistry
Texas A&M University
College Station, TX 77843-3255
Phone:
(979) 845-3455
Fax: (979) 845-4719
lunsford@chem.tamu.edu
Our research is devoted to fundamental studies of catalysts and catalytic reactions that are of technological importance. We are interested in discovering new principles that have broad application in catalysis. An example is the role of surface generated gas phase radicals in catalytic reactions. Speculation concerning the role of such radicals has appeared in the literature for many years; however, only recently have we developed techniques for detecting these radicals and demonstrating that radical reactions constitute a major pathway for the formation of the desired products.
A major focus of the research is the partial oxidation of methane to more useful compounds, such as ethane and methanol. We have made progress in developing catalysts for the conversion of methane to ethane and ethene and in establishing that the oxidative dimerization reaction proceeds through methyl radicals, which couple primarily in the gas phase. Currently, we are attempting to synthesize new catalysts that are more selective in the activation of methane. The introduction of chlorine, for example, has a very positive effect on the yield of ethene. Research is also underway to determine the types of oxygen ions that are capable of activating methane. FTIR, XPS, ESR, and Raman spectroscopies are used in these experiments. A matrix-isolation ESR system is being used to explore the rates of reaction between methyl radicals and metal oxide surfaces. Other surface-generated radicals are detected by laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy.
"The Catalytic Oxidative Coupling of Methane." J. H. Lunsford. Angew. Chem. Ed. Engl. 34 (1995) 970.
"Oxidative Coupling of Methane over Oxide Supported Ba Catalysts." D. Dissanayake, J. H. Lunsford and M. P. Rosynek. J. Catal. 143 (1993) 286.
"Hydroxyl Radical Formation during the Reaction of Oxygen with Methane or Water Over Basic Lanthanide Oxide Catalysts." L. C. Anderson, M. Xu, C. E. Mooney, M. P. Rosynek and J. H. Lunsford. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 115 (1993) 6322.
"Mechanistic and Kinetic Studies of the Reactions of Gas-Phase Methyl Radicals with Metal Oxides." Y. Tong and J. H. Lunsford. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 113 (1991) 4741.
"Role of Surface Generated Gas-Phase Radicals in Catalysis." J. H. Lunsford. Langmuir. 5 (1989) 12.
Gas Phase Coupling of Methyl Radicals during the Catalytic Partial Oxidation of Methane." K. D. Campbell, E. Morales and J. H. Lunsford. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 109 (1987) 7900.