Reaction Dynamics and Radical Formation Times in Benzene vs Hexamethylbenzene

There is a large amount of interest in studying reaction dynamics as this has an important role in many areas of chemistry, such as within the atmosphere or combustion reactions. Using a thermodynamic approach doesn't always give you the right answer as there are competitions between thermodynamic and kinetic products where the speed of reactions has an important role in determining how the reaction progresses and what products you get. Muons can provide some unique insight as they form the muonium atoms, which is considered the lightest isotope of hydrogen, and an extremely reactive species. Using muonium one can look at the reactions that would involve hydrogen and allow us to test kinetic theories and move on to test potential energy surfaces. This proposal seeks to utilise this technique to look at benzene and hexamethylbenzene where we believe the rates of addition are different.