Classes Taught- CHE 130 (General Chemistry I)
- CHE 131 (General Chemistry I Laboratory)
- CHE 132 (General Chemistry II)
- CHE 133 (General Chemistry II Laboratory)
- CHE 134 (General Chemistry III)
- CHE 135 (General Chemistry III Laboratory)
- CHE 230 (Organic Chemistry I)
- CHE 231 (Organic Chemistry I Laboratory)
- CHE 320 (Intermediate Inorganic Chemistry)
- CHE 321 (Intermediate Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory)
- CHE 397 (Independent Research for JYEL Credit)
- CHE 484 (Special Topics in Inorganic Chemistry)
Research Interests
Research in our lab focuses on using transition metal complexes for the catalytic transformation of traditionally strong bonds (e.g. C–H, C–O). We use synthetic inorganic chemistry and spectroscopic techniques to study reaction so that we may understand how they work and design newer, more efficient systems for these transformations. Particular attention is also paid towards Green Chemistry in terms of developing systems that are more renewable and environmentally friendly. We are also interested in how nature uses metals, and often draw inspiration from metal-containing enzymes.
One project focuses on the development of highly active phosphite-ligated platinum catalysts for alkane dehydrogenation, a reaction that is valuable for the processing of hydrocarbons into more useful chemicals. Platinum complexes have been shown to activate and functionalize C–H bonds in alkanes, but alkane dehydrogenation at platinum is rare, with only few known examples. Platinum complexes are studied in the lab for acceptor-less and transfer alkane dehydrogenation. Once we have elucidated the mechanism of the systems and designed better platinum catalysts, we will apply the lessons we have learned to developing catalysts with more earth-abundant metals. We have published our initial work in this area.
1 Another project involves the thermal and electrochemical reduction of CO
2 to valuable products such as CO and methanol. Carbon dioxide is increasing in the atmosphere due to anthropogenic activities such as combustion of petroleum-based fuels. If we can utilize CO
2 as a substrate for production of renewable fuels and chemicals, we can halt the release of CO
2 into the atmosphere and reduce our dependence on petroleum. Transition metal catalysts can reduce CO
2 to CO or formate, but there are few systems that can reduce CO
2 all the way to methanol, a liquid fuel. Transition metal catalysts are screened in the lab for this valuable reaction. Our initial studies with borohydride as a reducing agent were published in 2015.
2A growing project in my lab is the utilization of metal complexes as models for enzyme active sites or as drugs for specific enzymes. This area of research is a part of bioinorganic chemistry, the study of the biology of inorganic compounds. We are attempting to mimic the active site of enzymes such as Histone Deacetylase and study how drugs bind to them.
3 We are also making metal-based drugs based on platinum and other metals for a variety of targets. Much of this work is done in collaboration with other researchers.
References
- http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022328X15301601
- http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0016236115001477
- http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277538716000437
Professional Activities- General Chemistry Committee
- Development Committee
- Facilities Committee
- DePaul Discoveries Editorial Board
- Cross-College Collaboration Task Force
- Outreach as an ACS Science Coach
Professional Society Memberships - American Chemical Society