CTCC/Department of Chemistry
University of Oslo
Born 1954 in Oslo.
Cosmochemistry
A retrosynthetic approach to the unimolecular decomposition of biological molecules provides important clues to prebiotic synthesis. The decomposition products are generally simple molecules that are prevalent in interstellar space. The central issue is therefore to identify plausible reaction mechanisms by which these small molecules can be brought together to produce biological molecules. Needless to say, this is by far trivial, but represents a feasible and rational methodology. Our own humble efforts are made by studying ionic species in the gas phase applying mass spectrometry and quantum chemical modelling. Hopefully, this will enable us to better understand the role of catalysts and templates in cosmic synthesis of biological molecules.
Professional interests and competence
- Mass spectrometry
- Physical organic chemistry (mechanisms, energetics, kinetics and dynamics of elementary organic reactions)
- Physical and chemical properties of transition metal clusters
- Physical and chemical properties of water clusters
- Theory of unimolecular and bimolecular reactions
- Computational quantum chemistry
- Teaching and popularization of chemistry and science
- Scientific instrumentation
Regular contributor and co-worker in the national encyclopaedia “Store norske leksikon” 1985 – present. Subject editor of "Mass Spectrometry Reviews". European representative at the board of the International Mass Spectrometry Foundation. Chairman, S/C Structural and Mechanistic Chemistry, Division III of IUPAC.
Web address: http://www.kjemi.uio.no/forskning/ksd/einaru/english.html
