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Articles 1 - 30 of 33
Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics
Towards The Synthesis Of An Artificial Fluorescent Siderophore, Ashley Burns
Towards The Synthesis Of An Artificial Fluorescent Siderophore, Ashley Burns
Honors Theses
Siderophores are molecules capable of binding ferric ions with high affinity (Ka = 1052). This thesis outlines our attempts to synthesize an artificial siderophore, which incorporates a signaling group to help monitor the uptake of ferric ions. The artificial siderophore is a tripodal molecular receptor synthesized in a five-step procedure with a proposed final sixth step. Rhodamine 6G azide (95.0% yield) was formed from rhodamine 6G and the synthesis of 2-azidoethanamine was modified from the literature. The tripodal arm portion of the sensor was successfully synthesized by protecting the catechol of 2,3-dihydroxybenzaldehyde to form 3-formyl-1,2-phenylene dimethanesulfonate (98.8% yield). The reduction …
A Synthesis And Analysis Of Anhydrous Hydroxide Ion Conducting Polymer Electrolytes, Stanton Heydinger
A Synthesis And Analysis Of Anhydrous Hydroxide Ion Conducting Polymer Electrolytes, Stanton Heydinger
Honors Theses
This project investigates the synthesis and physical properties of polyethylene glycol monomethyl ether (MePEGn where n=3 or 7) based polymer electrolytes. The two polymer electrolytes explored in the experiments were designed from two different MePEG chains that varied in their overall length and degree of polymerization. The first MePEG backbone contained three polymerized ethoxy groups and the second contained seven. Both MePEGn polymers were modified by substituting an imidazolium group in place of the alcohol functional group at the end of the PEG chain. This modification was made to create a polymer electrolyte with an attached positive charge that could …
Investigation Of Ceria-Nickel Containing Aerogels For Catalytic Converter Applications, Xiao Peng Li
Investigation Of Ceria-Nickel Containing Aerogels For Catalytic Converter Applications, Xiao Peng Li
Honors Theses
Aerogels have physical properties that make them appealing for automotive exhaust catalysis: they are highly porous with low density and high surface area. Current catalytic converter technology uses precious metals (Pt, Pd and Rh) to oxidize CO and unburned hydrocarbons and reduce NO. Catalytic-metal-containing aerogel can potentially be a less expensive alternative for use in catalytic converters. Prior work with nickel-alumina aerogels indicated promise for this application; the goal of including ceria is to increase oxygen storage and thereby enhance catalytic ability. Here, cerium- and nickel-containing aerogels, with an alumina backbone and silica backbone, are fabricated using an epoxide-assisted recipe …
Theoretical And Experimental Vibrational Modes Of The Borane Pyridine Complex, Benjamin Stratton
Theoretical And Experimental Vibrational Modes Of The Borane Pyridine Complex, Benjamin Stratton
Honors Theses
Benjamin Wade Stratton: Theoretical and Experimental Vibrational Modes of the Borane Pyridine Complex (Under the direction of Dr. Nathan Hammer) The Borane Pyridine complex is a molecule that contains a dative bond between the boron and nitrogen atoms. A dative bond is a type of covalent bonding that occurs when both electrons come from the same atom. The B-N bond has been studied in several other molecules such as ammonia borane and determining the frequency at which this bond vibrates has been a topic of interest studied in these molecules as well as several others. This complex has another factor …
Blocking Recombinations In Dscs Through Mgo And Pfts Surface Treatments, Kayla Foell
Blocking Recombinations In Dscs Through Mgo And Pfts Surface Treatments, Kayla Foell
Honors Theses
High voltage dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) are becoming novel sources in the production of various fuel precursors, such as carbon monoxide and hydrogen, by powering carbon dioxide reduction, water oxidation, and proton reduction catalysts via sunlight. An important task in order to increase overall efficiency of DSC devices is to minimize recombination (electron flow in an undesirable direction) while increasing photovoltage. Surface treatment modifications can be applied to the TiO2 electrodes within DSC devices in an effort to block recombination without negatively effecting the other device performance metrics: fill factor (FF), short-circuit current density (Jsc), and open-circuit photovoltage (Voc). In …
Structures, Energetics, And Vibrational Frequencies Of Microhydrated Hexafluorophosphate, Pf6−(H2o)N=1,2 From Dft And Ab Initio Computations, Yasmeen Abdo
Honors Theses
This study systematically examines an anion commonly used in room temperature ionic liquids, hexafluorophosphate PF6−, and its non-covalent interactions with up to two explicit water molecules (PF6 − (H2 O)n where n = 1, 2). Initial low-energy configurations are identified via a set of relaxed angular scans across the edges and faces of the PF6− octahedron using the global hybrid M06-2X density functional with a triple-ζ correlation consistent basis set augmented with diffuse functions on all non- hydrogen atoms (cc-pVTZ for H and aug-cc-pVTZ for P, O, F; denoted haTZ). Full geometry optimizations are performed on these initial structures using …
Theoretical Studies Of Naphthoquinone Reactivity Toward Amines, Kevin Lee
Theoretical Studies Of Naphthoquinone Reactivity Toward Amines, Kevin Lee
Honors Theses
Quinones are a class of organic compounds containing a six-membered unsaturated cyclic ring with two carbonyl groups and are biologically relevant due to their ability to participate in redox reactions. Experiments have showed that quinones can induce protein modifications including oligomerization and polymerization by binding to proteins. To complement these experimental studies, theoretical studies of naphthoquinone reactivity toward an amino group were conducted. The reactions between three naphthoquinones, 1,2-naphthoquinone (ONQ), 1,4-naphthoquinone (PNQ), and 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (HNQ), and methylamine, a N-containing nucleophile, were investigated. For each naphthoquinone, the first step of both 1,2- and 1,4-additions at all possible C=O positions were examined. …
Plant-Based Crosslinked Polymers, Jackie Davies
The Use Of Heterocycles As Important Structures In Medicinal Chemistry, Sayre Weast
The Use Of Heterocycles As Important Structures In Medicinal Chemistry, Sayre Weast
Honors Theses
Heterocycles have many applications in the discipline of medicinal chemistry. These structures are found in various natural products with relevant biological activity. Our research group, in collaboration with two others, is particularly interested in one heterocycle, quinoline, as a scaffold for HIV-1 integrase inhibitors. A synthetic route has been developed to produce a derivatized structure on small scale. One goal of this thesis was to expand the scale of this route to provide increased quantities of the quinoline scaffold. Procedures were adapted to accommodate the increase in scale to convert commercially available anthranilic acids to quinolines via the isatoic anhydride. …
Synthesis, Characterization, And Utilization Of Iron Ii Ion Sensing Fluorescent Probes For Detection Of Early Onset Anodic Corrosion, Dane N. Wedgeworth
Synthesis, Characterization, And Utilization Of Iron Ii Ion Sensing Fluorescent Probes For Detection Of Early Onset Anodic Corrosion, Dane N. Wedgeworth
Honors Theses
Corrosion effects can be seen in infrastructure all around the world. From rusted bridges, ships, and other steel surfaces, the price of corrosion adds up quickly with repairs, maintenance, and complete replacement. Common approaches to corrosion detection and prevention require slow, optical inspection to begin the repair and maintenance process, which can also be very slow and costly. However, recent literature suggests that metal chelating probes can yield new understanding of the processes of corrosion faster and with greater specificity in location and diversity in mechanisms for early onset of corrosion. Earlier corrosion detection can be characterized by several ways. …
A Study On The Modifications Of [2.2]Paracyclophane And Their Effects On The Enantioselectivity Of The Copper Catalyzed Cyclopropanation Reaction, Yousef Dawoud
Honors Theses
The use of chiral [2.2]paracyclophane Schiff-base ligands has been shown to induce enantioselectivity in the copper catalyzed cyclopropanation of styrene with diazoesters. 1 Previous research by Dr. Masterson tested Schiff-base ligands based on 4- amino[2.2]paracyclophane with moderate enantioselectivity. In this project, the Schiff-base N- salicylidene-4-amino[2.2]paracyclophane, was modified by way of Grignard addition to the imine carbon and its enantioselective properties were explored with the copper catalyzed cyclopropanation. The methyl Grignard addition to N- salicylidene-4-amino[2.2]paracyclophane was successful in producing the amino alcohol and the amino alcohol was characterized. The amino alcohol was produced from the R enantiomer of the Schiff-base and …
Preparation Of Organometallic Cobalt(Iii) Complexes Containing Bidentate Chiral Amine Ligands As Potential Transfer Hydrogenation Catalysts, Luccas C. Do Carmo
Preparation Of Organometallic Cobalt(Iii) Complexes Containing Bidentate Chiral Amine Ligands As Potential Transfer Hydrogenation Catalysts, Luccas C. Do Carmo
Honors Theses
Mixed coordination sphere cobalt(III) complexes containing a chiral bidentate amine ligand and an organic carbocyclic ligand have been prepared and characterized. The integration of this mixed ligand environment involving an organometallic and Werner-type ligand along with the earth abundant metal in a high oxidation state has the potential for interesting reactivity. Complexes of the type [Co(CpR)(X-DPEN)(I)](I), where CpR = cyclopentadienyl (Cp, R = H) or pentamethylcyclopentadienyl (Cp*, R = Me) and X = meso-1,2-, 1R,2R-, and 1S,2S-, have been prepared by ligand substitution from [Co(CpR)(I)2(CO)] with 1,2-diphenyletheylenediamine (DPEN). The outer sphere iodide is readily exchangeable with sodium tetrakis[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate (NaBArF) or …
Active Colloid Behavior Exhibiting Soft-Sphere Characteristics For Non-Newtonian Solvent, Courtney Baier
Active Colloid Behavior Exhibiting Soft-Sphere Characteristics For Non-Newtonian Solvent, Courtney Baier
Honors Theses
The purpose of analyzing soft-sphere Brownian particles with varying velocities and densities is to be able to predict their interaction behavior once a force has been applied. The particles portray different behaviors depending on if the particles are passive or active Brownian particles. The data studied was collected from simulations, and there are no attractive forces involved in the particles’ interactions. Mean square displacement graphs, radial distribution graphs, structure factor graphs, and viscosity as a function of density and velocity were used to examine and compare the data generated. Experimental data was analyzed by a program to be interpreted into …
Best Organic Chemistry Practices In The Midwest, Claire Van Der Bosch
Best Organic Chemistry Practices In The Midwest, Claire Van Der Bosch
Honors Theses
Organic Chemistry is a gateway course to a handful of courses in higher chemical education. Unfortunately, it is notorious for its high-fail, high-withdrawal, and high-drop rate and has a reputation for being time-consuming, with difficult concepts that are oftentimes new to students. It is often taught in a two-semester sequence, with the courses named Organic I and Organic II, and both courses have a lab component. At Western Michigan University, the fail rate for these two courses are 53.5% and 36.9%, respectively. Most higher education institutions are certified with the American Chemical Society (ACS) and given a skeleton of a …
The Effects Of Climate Change And Forest Disturbances On Terpene Production Of White Pine (Pinus Strobus) And Red Pine (Pinus Resinosa) In Northern Michigan, Troy Dehagen
Honors Theses
The secondary impacts that climate change may have on the interactions between forests and the atmosphere through forest disturbances is of increasing interest as the climate continues to change. Anthropogenic climate change, which is a direct result of coal and fossil fuel emissions, is likely to impact forest ecology through increased temperatures and extreme precipitation events, thus increasing the frequency and severity of climate-induced forest disturbances. Forest disturbances may have a secondary impact on the production and emission of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOC) within forests. In the presence of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) produced from fossil fuel …
Design And Synthesis Of A Novel Lsoxazoline As A Potential Pam-Agonist, Josselyn Roosenberg
Design And Synthesis Of A Novel Lsoxazoline As A Potential Pam-Agonist, Josselyn Roosenberg
Honors Theses
Progression of Alzheimer's disease is associated with a loss of Ml receptor activation in the brain. However, a lack of clinical success following attempts to activate the Ml receptor at the orthosteric site has contributed to a transition towards the allosteric pocket of the receptor. Here, positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) interact to potentiate the acetylcholine response. Recent research proposes that optimization of PAM activity at the expense of intrinsic agonism may posit a means to limit adverse side effects. Therefore, this project proposes a design and synthesis of a novel isoxazoline as a potent PAM agent with weak intrinsic agonism.
Analysis Of Dl-Amino Acid Ratios In Eggshells Using Reverse Phase-High Pressure Liquid Chromatography, Gergana Milkova
Analysis Of Dl-Amino Acid Ratios In Eggshells Using Reverse Phase-High Pressure Liquid Chromatography, Gergana Milkova
Honors Theses
HPLC methodology was developed to determine the concentrations and ratios of D to L amino acids in emu and ostrich eggshells treated with heat at different temperatures . We aimed to determine an internal standard and how ratios were affected under different conditions. An HPLC method was determined that gave consistent retention times and satisfactory enantioseparation . Calibration curves for each amino acid were developed from single and multi-amino acid containing dilution series producing a model that most closely replicates the eggshell-extracted amino acids.
Isolation And Characterization Of Novel Arginine-Derived Heterocyclic Amines, Nathaniel Srikureja
Isolation And Characterization Of Novel Arginine-Derived Heterocyclic Amines, Nathaniel Srikureja
Honors Theses
Most known heterocyclic amines (HCAs) are potent mutagens present at significant concentrations in cooked meats, and can be synthesized from burned mixtures of L-creatin(in)e with various amino acids. We hypothesize that novel mutagenic HCAs may be synthesized from a heated plant-based food simulating binary amino acid mL'\:ture: L-arginine and L-threonine. A two-part solid phase extraction was used to separate nitrogen heterocycles from byproducts followed by prep HPLC and the Ames mutagenicity assay using Salmonella TA98 to determine the mutagenicity of various isolates. The results indicate that this binary amino acid mixture does not yield a mutagenic sample.
Synthesis Of An Ideal Inhibitor For The Lpxc Enzyme, Taejun Lee
Synthesis Of An Ideal Inhibitor For The Lpxc Enzyme, Taejun Lee
Honors Theses
Due to the growing need of antibiotics in modern day medicine, this study attempts to apply a method of medicinal chemistry that would create a novel inhibitor for a lesser known target of gram negative bacteria, the LpxC enzyme. This study proposes that a synthetic plan which consists of combining components of different molecules would create a more effective inhibitor. These components include a binding group for the active site of the enzyme, a hydrophobic chain which has been shown to interact with an allosteric site on the LpxC enzyme, and the isoxazoline ring which interacts with the zinc ion. …
Tracking Disparate Colony Morphological Trends With Thermus Scotoductus, Matthew P. Leverick
Tracking Disparate Colony Morphological Trends With Thermus Scotoductus, Matthew P. Leverick
Honors Theses
When plating most mesophilic bacteria, the colony shape, size, and color tends to be uniform when a single strain is present. When plating defined cell densities of T. scotoductus, however, the colonies were not of uniform size and shape while it grew on the surface. In this project, we sought to observe trends in colony morphology (shape and size) changes using the thermophile Thermus scotoductus on nutrient rich agar plates at 60°C. A general planktonic growth curve was also created to help characterize the activity of this bacterium. This project was our first attempt to characterize if this unusual phenomenon …
Boron Dipyrromethenes: Synthesis And Computational Analysis, Eduardo Rivé Lockwood
Boron Dipyrromethenes: Synthesis And Computational Analysis, Eduardo Rivé Lockwood
Honors Theses
Recently, there has been a growing interest in the boron dipyrromethene (BODIPY, 4,4′- difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene) compounds. BODIPY compounds have fascinating properties that allow for the absorption and emission of light in the near infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum. These molecules are highly modifiable making them ideal chemicals for the use of photoelectric energy conversion such as for commercial use in dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). It has been previously shown that different meso compounds have only a slight effect on the absorptive capabilities of these BODIPY compounds. We believe that the BODIPY compounds’ lack of planarity is one of the …
Analysis And Review Of The Effects Of Bacterial Competition On Efflux Pump Inhibition, Robert Leszcynski
Analysis And Review Of The Effects Of Bacterial Competition On Efflux Pump Inhibition, Robert Leszcynski
Honors Theses
Multidrug resistant antibacterial strains are a dangerous problem for modern medical professionals. When cells of two different strains are grown together, they must compete with each other for nutrients. This competition can lead to the production of harmful compounds that are toxic to the competing strain. One such compound may be a compound that inhibits the efflux of antibiotics from the cell. When the cells compete with one another, one or both of the cells will produce compounds that are harmful to the competing strain.
Identifying Natural Inhibitors Of Bacterial Efflux Pumps, Marrisa Therriault
Identifying Natural Inhibitors Of Bacterial Efflux Pumps, Marrisa Therriault
Honors Theses
Antibiotic resistance is a constantly progressing epidemic. Many strains of bacteria have developed a resistance to antibiotics, resulting in prolonged sickness and death. Resistance can be to a specific drug (single drug resistance) or to multiple drugs (multi-drug resistance). This resistance can be caused by a tripartite protein pump called an efflux pump that extends through the inner and outer membranes of the bacterium to pump antibiotics from the inside of the cell to the extracellular environment. In E. coli the efflux pump is called AcrAB-TolC. In the efforts to combat this problem, this experiment focuses on the inactivation of …
Generation And Reactions Of Cyclopropyl Vinylidene Carbenes, Nguyen Nhat Thu Le
Generation And Reactions Of Cyclopropyl Vinylidene Carbenes, Nguyen Nhat Thu Le
Honors Theses
This study aimed to generate cyclopropyl methyl vinylidene carbene and cyclopropyl phenyl vinylidene carbene via photochemical routes. The precursors to these two carbenes were synthesized from phenanthrene by a two-step procedure. However, these precursors could not be fully purified because the second step generated many side products with similar properties as the precursors. A crude sample of each precursor were photolyzed with UV light in the range of 315 to 400 nm. Vinylidene carbenes are known to rapidly rearrange into alkynes, so the formation of these cyclopropyl vinylidene carbenes was monitored through the formation of their rearrangement products, cyclopropyl methyl …
Synthesis Of A Novel Tetradentate Ligand And Its Copper Complex For Redox Shuttle Applications, Joseph T. Vaughan
Synthesis Of A Novel Tetradentate Ligand And Its Copper Complex For Redox Shuttle Applications, Joseph T. Vaughan
Honors Theses
With growing energy demands, alternatives to the traditional non-renewable fuel sources are currently being explored. Of these alternative fuel sources, solar energy, particularly dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC), have garnered considerable interest. Traditional redox mediators within these solar cells have been triiodide/iodide couples, which pose several complications due to their corrosiveness, absorption in the visible range, and efficiency, motivating the development of better redox couples for next generation DSSCs. Thus, transition metal complexes have rapidly gained traction as a potential replacement for this traditional I-/I3- based system. In this study, a novel tetradentate ligand framework and its copper and nickel complexes …
Unexpected Outcomes During The Attempted Iodination Of Biphenol, Henry Nguyen
Unexpected Outcomes During The Attempted Iodination Of Biphenol, Henry Nguyen
Honors Theses
The goal of this research was to create a new procedure to iodinate 4,4- biphenol using a ball miller. Iodination of 4,4-biphenol was first attempted in solution using electrophilic aromatic substitution. Several attempts were made to iodinate 4,4-biphenol, but the general insolubility of crude products inhibited progress. Interestingly, NMR analysis of the aqueous ammonia product suggested that 4,4-biphenol dimerized or polymerized with itself to make an ether. The exact mechanism by which the ether dimer was created is unknown, but the reaction may have occurred using a radical mechanism. Though the original goal of the project is left unmet, a …
Killing Breast Cancer One Porphyrin At A Time, Taylor C. Lymburner
Killing Breast Cancer One Porphyrin At A Time, Taylor C. Lymburner
Honors Theses
New treatments for cancer are continuously being developed and improved. One such treatment is Photodynamic Therapy, more commonly referred to as PDT. PDT is quickly becoming more popular due to its relative lack of side effects that are present in other treatments. In PDT, light-sensitive agents are required and are activated by light in the targeted cells. There are many types of PDT agents but the one focused on in this research is a four-pyrrole ring structure known as a porphyrin. The combination of H2 TPPC with 3- amino-oxetane-3-yl-methanol created the final product ofH2TPP-Oxo-MeOH. Once the porphyrin was formed, it …
Determination Of Bisphenol A (Bpa) In Infant Oral Hygiene Devices Using Fluorescence Spectrophotometry, Kaitlyn Thomason
Determination Of Bisphenol A (Bpa) In Infant Oral Hygiene Devices Using Fluorescence Spectrophotometry, Kaitlyn Thomason
Honors Theses
Bisphenol A (BPA) is an organic, solid substance that is structurally similar to estradiol, a naturally-occurring form of the female sex hormone estrogen. Since the 1957 discovery that BPA can function as an effective hardener, BPA-based plastics have been used to make a variety of consumer goods, such as water bottles, baby bottles, DVDs, eyeglass lenses, and medical devices, while BPA-based epoxy resins have been used to coat the insides of various food and drink containers, to line the insides of water pipes, and to create the thermal ink found on paper sales receipts. In recent years, however, numerous studies …
Design And Development Of Chemically And Biologically Stable Salvinorin-Based Ligands For Opioid Receptors, Tanner Neilson
Design And Development Of Chemically And Biologically Stable Salvinorin-Based Ligands For Opioid Receptors, Tanner Neilson
Honors Theses
The number of opioid prescriptions as a method in pain management increased dramatically in the mid 1990’s following Dr. James Campbell’s 1995 Presidential address to the American Pain Society, where he called for patient pain to be included as a vital sign. The rapid increase in prescriptions in the early 2000’s coupled with a massive effort by pharmaceutical companies to downplay the addictiveness of these drugs has led to a consistent increase in opioid-related drug overdoses, with 47,600 of 70,237 drug related deaths involving opioids in 2017. Opioid analgesics most commonly act upon the mu-opioid receptor (MOR), which is one …
Structural Investigations Using Theoretical Approaches : A Study Of Metal Halides, Borylenes, Phenalenyl Complexes And Σ-Hole Interactions, Supreeth Prasad
Structural Investigations Using Theoretical Approaches : A Study Of Metal Halides, Borylenes, Phenalenyl Complexes And Σ-Hole Interactions, Supreeth Prasad
Honors Theses
The anomalous bending in the group 2 binary dihalides and the absence of this behavior in group 12 systems is well established. Their structuralpreferences contradict simple bonding models, yet they have received little to no attention in the literature. In this work, for the first time, the gas phase structuralpreferences of the groups 2 and 12 mixed (ternary) dihalides MXY (M=Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Ra, Zn, Cd and Hg,and X, Y=F, Cl, Br, I, At) are investigated at high levels of theory. I extend a previously established softness criterion for bending to the mixed systems and I find that …