Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

An Electrochemical Characterization Of A Vanadium-Based Deoxydehydration Catalyst, Joel Eric Baker

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Alternative methods for the conversion of polyols into olefins, be it for carbon storage or hydrocarbon fuel production, have become prevalent in today’s chemical industry. One process in particular, deoxydehydration (DODH) has been proven effective in taking sustainable biomass derivatives and converting them through the utilization of various homogenous metal catalysts. While this process may show productive yields and material conversion, it is hindered by the need of a sacrificial reductant. This makes a novel process economically unviable and relatively unused outside of scientific research. That fact begs the question: Can the process be improved? It is proposed here that …

College Of Science And Mathematics Newsletter, Spring 2017, College Of Science And Mathematics, Wright State University

College of Science and Mathematics Newsletters

This 9 page newsletter discusses various happenings within the College of Science and Mathematics. It begins with a letter from the dean, and continues on with news, events, alumni news, and other community news.

Session A-1: Bca Method, Focusing On Mole Ratios In Stoichiometry, Carmela Jones, Deb Scarano, Anita White

Professional Learning Day

Traditionally stoichiometry is done using dimensional analysis. Although effective, it is confusing, messy, and does not focus on mole ratios. On the other hand, the BCA method (Before-Change-After), is clear, clean, and highlights the mole ratios in a chemical reaction. Participants will collect mass data in an experiment and learn how to use a BCA table. Teachers will bring the BCA method back to their classrooms and provide an extremely useful tool for the next generation of chemistry savvy students.

The Application Of Stress Induced Optimization Algorithm: The Role Of Hydroxyl Groups In Inter-Chain Interactions In Cellulose Iα And Iβ, Raoul Geoffrey Noumbissi Siewe

Student Theses and Dissertations

Complex networks of hydrogen bonds within the cellulose Iα and Iβ contribute greatly to cellulose’s anisotropic physical properties. The inter-chain hydrogen bonding interactions through hydroxyl groups are isolated in each of the three lattice planes of the adjacent chains within the unit cell of two allomorphs of natural cellulose. In our density function theory study with dispersion corrected Perdew–Burke–Ernzerhof (PBE-D2) functional, these hydroxyl groups participate in strong hydrogen bonding interactions (-24.8 kcal/mol for Iα and Iβ) in the side-to-side lattice plane. Unexpectedly, the hydroxyl groups also participate significantly in hydrogen bonding interactions (-11.0 and -12.4 kcal/mol for cellulose Iα and …

The Synthesis And Characterization Of Double And Triple Tethered Indeno[2.1-C]Fluorendiones, Daniel K. Greene

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A series of terephthalate esters was synthesized via a Diels-Alder reaction between 2,5-dicarboethoxy-3,4-diphenylcyclopentadienone and various alkynes in order to study reaction conditions necessary to synthesize poly(indeno[2,1-c]fluorene-5,8-dione)s. Diethyl 2,3-diphenyl-5-butylterephthalate, 1,4-bis(3,4-diphenyl-2,5-di(ethoxycarbonyl) phenyl)butane and N,N,N-tris(3,4-diphenyl-2,5-di(ethoxycarbonyl)phenylmethyl)amine were synthesized and characterized by IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, 13C NMR DEPT135 spectroscopies as well as elemental composition. Hydrolysis conditions of the terephthalates using potassium hydroxide were also investigated. It was found that large stoichiometric equivalents of base coupled with reaction times over twenty-four hours afforded only partially hydrolyzed products. The synthesis of 6-butylindeno[2,1-c]fluoren-5,8-dione was successfully carried out by the sulfuric acid catalyzed, intramolecular, Friedel-Crafts cyclization of …

Multiscale Modeling Of Carbon Nanotube Synthesis In A Catalytic Chemical Vapor Deposition Reactor, Jonathan Troville

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The bottom-up analysis of Carbon Nanotube synthesis is not well understood. Specifically, the question as to how carbon adsorbs to a substrate inclusive of a supported catalyst may lead to the energetically favorable structure of a hexagonal close- packed structure along the wall, or walls, of the tube. A first time simulation using COMSOL Multiphysics has been generated in order to capture the gas-phase mech- anism which leads to carbon production. It is thought that the carbon adsorbs and the walls are formed from the bottom up and the inside out for multi-wall CNTs. The studies involved accurately setting up …

Incorporation Of Indeno[2,1-C]Fluorenes Into Polymers Via Nucleophilic Aromatic Substitution, Nathaniel Brackett

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A difluoro indeno[2,1-c]fluorene monomer was synthesized by a four-step process. The first compound synthesized by a two-step process was 2,5- bis(ethoxycarbonyl)-3,4-di(4-fluorophenyl)cyclopentadienone. The next two compounds synthesized were diethyl 2,3-bis(fluorophenyl)-5-hexylterephthalate and 2,3- bis(fluorophenyl)-5-hexylterephthalic acid. The final step involved an intramolecular Friedel-Crafts acylation of the terephthalic acid derivative to form 3,10-difluoro-5,8- dioxo-5,8-dihydro-6-hexylindeno[2,1-c]fluorene. The difluoro monomer was reacted in a series of nucleophilic aromatic substitution (NAS) polymerization reactions with bisphenol-A in N-methyl-pyrrolidone (NMP) in an attempt to form novel poly(ether ether ketone ketone)s containing the indeno[2,1-c]fluorene structure. Analysis of the product by NMR and TLC showed the reaction was unsuccessful and the difluoro …

The Periodical Winter 2017, Southern Adventist University

the Periodical – Chemistry Department Newsletter

Volume 4, issue 2 of the Periodical includes articles about the Chemistry Club's service activities, a student missions feature, student research at N.C. State, a pictorial directory of May 2017 graduates, and an alumni spotlight.

Using Nucleotide Analogs As Biochemical Probes To Evaluate The Mechanisms Involved In Translesion Replication By A High Fidelity Dna Polymerase, Anvesh Dasari

ETD Archive

Translesion DNA synthesis (TLS) allows DNA polymerases to incorporate nucleotides opposite and beyond damaged DNA. This activity is an important risk factor for the initiation and progression of genetic diseases including cancer. My study evaluates the ability of a high-fidelity DNA polymerase to perform TLS with 8-oxo-guanine, a pro-mutagenic DNA lesion formed by reactive oxygen species. Using modified purine and non-natural indole analogs as biochemical probes, I have evaluated the influence of desolvation, hydrogen bonding interactions, and shape complementarity towards nucleotide binding and incorporation opposite the miscoding lesion 8-oxo-guanine by the high fidelity gp43exo- DNA polymerase. In Chapter II, I …

Improving Binding Affinity Through Cyclization, Kaylee M. Newcomb, Nicolas Abrigo

UROP Posters

Cancer chemotherapy results in systematic damage as the drugs used are also toxic to benign tissue. Sensitizing a cancer cell to therapy by interfering with the DNA repair mechanisms would decrease overall toxicity, as the necessary dosage of chemotherapy drugs would be lowered. The Hartman lab developed a peptide (8.6) that binds with a KD of 1 μM to the C-terminal domain of breast cancer associated protein (BRCA1), blocking homologous recombination. The crystal structure of the peptide shows the tyrosine and threonine residues are close together, suggesting that by cyclizing these positions, the peptide may already be constrained into its …

Tying The Knot: Applications Of Topology To Chemistry, Tarini S. Hardikar

Honors Theses

Chirality (or handedness) is the property that a structure is “different” from its mirror image. Topology can be used to provide a rigorous framework for the notion of chirality. This project examines various types of chirality and discusses tools to detect chirality in graphs and knots. Notable theorems that are discussed in this work include ones that identify chirality using properties of link polynomials (HOMFLY polynomials), rigid vertex graphs, and knot linking numbers. Various other issues of chirality are explored, and some specially unique structures are discussed. This paper is borne out of reading Dr. Erica Flapan’s book, When Topology …

Cloud Point Extraction In Conjunction With Tangential Flow Filtration (Cpe-Tff) For The Enhanced Separation Of Silver Nanoparticles And Silver Ions From Aqueous Colloids And Biological Matrices, Md Ali Akbar

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The extensive use of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in consumer products and research is accompanied by their inevitable release into the environment. While the environmental fate of AgNPs is still under investigation, most in vitro and in vivo studies agree that the main toxicity of AgNPs is directly related to the release of Ag+ ions from AgNPs. In this study, cloud point extraction (CPE) was combined with tangential flow filtration (TFF) for the enhanced separation of AgNPs and Ag+ from aqueous colloids and biological matrices. The feasibility of the CPE-TFF method was demonstrated on four colloidal (borohydride-, PVP-, citrate-capped and uncapped …

Further Development Of Raman Spectroscopy For Body Fluid Investigation : Forensic Identification, Limit Of Detection, And Donor Characterization, Claire K. Muro

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

The challenges to forensic body fluid analysis have placed limitations on the type of information that investigators can acquire and how that information can be collected. In recent years, Raman spectroscopy has proven itself useful for characterizing body fluids. In 2008, a large-scale investigation was undertaken to explore the use of Raman spectroscopy as a means of identifying body fluids. This work resulted in multidimensional Raman spectroscopic signatures for the five main body fluids: semen, peripheral blood, saliva, vaginal fluid, and sweat. These studies were incredibly successful and created the foundation for years of continued research. Accordingly, the studies included …

Synthesis Of 4-Iodo-3-(2-Iodoaryl) And 4-Bromo-3-(2-Bromoaryl) Sydnones And Their Reactions With Sodium Sulfite, Sodium Borohydride, And Iodine Monochloride, Kyle Jacob Liddy

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One goal of the Turnbull research group has been the synthesis of dihalogenated arylsydnones; i.e. sydnones with halogen substitution on the sydnone ring itself, as well as at the position on the aryl ring ortho to the sydnone. Further, it has been of interest to explore the reactivity of these compounds, once obtained. The present study examined the synthesis of 4-iodo-3-(2-iodoaryl)-, or "diiodo", and 4-bromo-3-(2-bromoaryl)-, or "dibromo", sydnones and the reactions of these compounds with Na2SO3 (sodium sulfite) and NaBH4 (sodium borohydride) to create a better understanding of the reactivity of diiodo and dibromo arylsydnones in general. Additionally, the reactivity …

Improvement And Development Of Analytical Forensic Methods: Arson Investigation And Drug Detection In Fingerprints And Hair, Sarah Anne Glenn

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Forensic science is the cornerstone of criminal investigations. Due to the overexposure of forensic science in the media, the true nature of forensic science is often overlooked. Forensic science is a rigorous exacting science that applies methods developed in the wider scientific community to the analysis of evidence collected from crime scenes. As far back as the 6th century people were using forensics to solve crimes. Since then the science behind forensic science has increased exponentially with new methods being researched and developed. This research aims to address two of the larger subsections of forensic science, arson and drug detection. …

Synthesis Of 4-Iodo-3-(2-Iodoaryl) And 4-Bromo-3-(2-Bromoaryl) Sydnones And Their Reactions With Sodium Sulfite, Sodium Borohydride, And Iodine Monochloride, Kyle Jacob Liddy

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

One goal of the Turnbull research group has been the synthesis of dihalogenated arylsydnones; i.e. sydnones with halogen substitution on the sydnone ring itself, as well as at the position on the aryl ring ortho to the sydnone. Further, it has been of interest to explore the reactivity of these compounds, once obtained. The present study examined the synthesis of 4-iodo-3-(2-iodoaryl)-, or “diiodo”, and 4-bromo-3-(2-bromoaryl)-, or “dibromo”, sydnones and the reactions of these compounds with Na2SO3 (sodium sulfite) and NaBH4 (sodium borohydride) to create a better understanding of the reactivity of diiodo and dibromo arylsydnones in general. Additionally, the reactivity …

Hydrothermal Atomic Force Microscopy Investigation Of Barite Growth: The Role Of Spectator Ions In Elementary Step Edge Growth Kinetics And Hillock Morphology, Sarah A. Jindra

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To better understand the role of spectator ions in barite growth, the kinetics of step edge growth on barite (001) surfaces were studied under various salt solutions. Hydrothermal Atomic Force Microscopy (HAFM) was used to investigate the effect of background electrolytes (NaCl, NaBr and NaNO3) as a function of saturation index and ionic strength (I) on barite growth sourced at dislocations at 108 oC. Results show that hillock morphology is affected by I, as well as type of anion, where the prevalence of steps aligned on the [010] direction is highest under Cl- There is a modest increase in kinetic …

Hydrothermal Atomic Force Microscopy Investigation Of Barite Growth: The Role Of Spectator Ions In Elementary Step Edge Growth Kinetics And Hillock Morphology, Sarah A. Jindra

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To better understand the role of spectator ions in barite growth, the kinetics of step edge growth on barite (001) surfaces were studied under various salt solutions. Hydrothermal Atomic Force Microscopy (HAFM) was used to investigate the effect of background electrolytes (NaCl, NaBr and NaNO₃) as a function of saturation index and ionic strength (I) on barite growth sourced at dislocations at 108 ^oC. Results show that hillock morphology is affected by I, as well as type of anion, where the prevalence of steps aligned on the [010] direction is highest under Cl^{- …}

The Synthesis Of 3,5-Difluorobenzophenone Derivatives And Their Corresponding Peek Copolymers, Rachael Stuck

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Poly(aryl ether ketone)s (PAEK) are high performance thermoplastics, which are chemically robust, semi-crystalline, and stable at high temperatures. Of the family of PAEKs, poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) is a well-known semi-crystalline thermoplastic widely used for electronics, energy, industrial, and medical applications due to its resistance to solvents, radiation, heat, and other environmental factors. The traditional PEEK is prepared from 4,4’-difluorobenzophenone (2) and disodium hydroquinone. However, a challenge is processability, since due to its highly crystalline nature, PEEK possesses very limited solubility. An approach to solve these issues is to pre-functionalize PEEK polymers synthesized by nucleophilic aromatic substitution from 3,5-difluorobenzophenone (1) …

Synthesis Of Alkyl Substituted Phenylated Poly(Ether Ether Ketone Ketone)S, Matthew Cerone

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A phenylated bis(fluorobenzoyl) monomer, 5-hexyl-2,3-diphenyl-1,4-bis(fluorobenzoyl)benzene, was synthesized via a four-step process. The first three compounds synthesized were diethyl 5-hexyl-2,3-diphenyl-1,4-benzenedicarboxylate, 5-hexyl-1,4-bis(hydroxymethyl)-2,3-diphenylbenzene and 5-hexyl-2,3-diphenyl-1,4-benzenedicarboxaldehyde. The final step involved the reaction of the Grignard formed from p-bromofluorobenzene with the dialdehyde to yield a diol intermediate which was oxidized to the bis(fluorobenzoyl) monomer by use of a Jones oxidation. The monomer was polymerized by nucleophilic aromatic substitution (NAS) with bisphenol-A, resorcinol, and hydroquinone in N-methyl-pyrrolidone (NMP) to yield novel, phenylated PEEKKs. The number-average molecular weights (Mn) for the polymers were found to be 35,700 g/mol, 34,800 g/mol and 28,000 g/mol, respectively and the weight-average …

Investigating Potential Pollutant Sources Causing Lack Of Biodiversity In Lytle Creek And Indian Run, Amira Moayad Alsenbel

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Limited macroinvertebrate biodiversity in Lytle Creek that runs through downtown Wilmington, Ohio has been documented over decades with the lowest in Lytle Creek at Sugar Grove Cemetery. Lytle Creek, a tributary of the Little Miami River, is a conduit for storm water and wastewater from an airport, downtown storm water with input from local businesses, and a wastewater treatment plant. This study was conducted to see if heavy metal pollution in the sediment, water quality, and Escherichia coli (E. coli) could be contributing factors in reduced macroinvertebrate populations. Eight sites were chosen for sediment sampling to measure trace metals. Mercury …

Antimicrobial Activity Of Fractionated Borohydride-Capped And Electrochemical Colloidal Silver, Marjorie M. Markopoulos

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Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and ionic silver (Ag+) are known to be broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents. Recent studies show these agents may be an alternative to the most widely used drinking water disinfectant, chlorine. Chlorine is a toxic industrial chemical with a lethal concentration of 430 ppm after 30 minutes. Additionally, chlorine can react with naturally occurring materials to produce a number of disinfection byproducts such as chloroform and trihalomethanes. Some of these byproducts pose cancer risks in addition to other negative impacts to human health. These would be eliminated with the use of Ag+ or AgNPs. The main goal of this …

Coordination Chemistry Of Carboranes And Furan Ligands On Transition Metal Cluster Complexes, Emmanuel Joseph Kiprotich

Theses and Dissertations

Chapter 1 presents the most relevant literature in the field of carborane chemistry. The focus is on icosahedral carboranes and the different methods of boron or carbon atoms substitution and functionalization. The direct addition of transition metal to boron atoms is covered in detail as well as strategies for cage opening of icosahedral carboranes.

Chapter 2 reports the preparation of some of the first polynuclear metal carbonyl cluster complexes where the closo-carborane cage: o-C₂B₁₀H₁₂ serves as a ligand on the face of one (Os₃(CO)₉(µ₃-4,5,9-C₂B₁₀H_{10 …}

Identification Of “Kratom” (Mitragyna Speciosa) Alkaloids In Commercially Available Products, Julia Grzymkowski, Michelle R. Peace, Justin Poklis

UROP Posters

“Kratom” is the common name for the botanical mitragyna speciosa. It is a tree native to Southeast Asia in which leaves contain the psychoactive alkaloids mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. Kratom is often ingested as teas, chewed, or smoked. It acts as a stimulant in small doses and as an opioid in large doses. Overdoses can result in vomiting, seizures, and death. Recently the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) placed Kratom on Schedule 1, but, due to public outcry, it was almost immediately removed.

Eleven kratom based products were obtained from various tobacco shops, “headshops” and via the internet including: Choice brand …

Liposome-Coated Magnesium Phosphate Nanoparticle For Delivery Of Cytochrome C Into Lung Cancer Cells A549, Weizhou Yue

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Proteins are large biomolecules that have great therapeutic potential in treating many human diseases. However, chemical/enzymatic degradation, denaturation, and poor penetration into cells are some of the challenges for clinical use of intracellular proteins.

Previously, our group has developed cationic lipid-coated magnesium phosphate nanoparticle (LP MgP NP-CAT) formulations to enhance the intracellular delivery of the negatively charged protein catalase. The goal of the current research is to develop a formulation to deliver cytochrome c (CytC), a positively charged protein into lung cancer cells A549. Specifically, this thesis research prepares and tests liposome-coated magnesium phosphate nanoparticle for delivery of cytochrome c …

Synthetic Methods For Ester Bond Formation And Conformational Analysis Of Ester-Containing Carbohydrates, Sven Hackbusch

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation encompasses work related to synthetic methods for the formation of ester linkages in organic compounds, as well as the investigation of the conformational influence of the ester functional group on the flexibility of inter-saccharide linkages, specifically, and the solution phase structure of ester-containing carbohydrate derivatives, in general.

Stereoselective reactions are an important part of the field of asymmetric synthesis and an understanding of their underlying mechanistic principles is essential for rational method development. Here, the exploration of a diastereoselective O-acylation reaction on a trans-2-substituted cyclohexanol scaffold is presented, along with possible reasons for the observed reversal of stereoselectivity …

Phytoplankton Plastid Proteomics: Cracking Open Diatoms To Understand Plastid Biochemistry Under Iron Limitation, Skyler J. Nunn, Phoebe Dreux Chappell, Kristofer Gomes, Anasthasia Bonderenko, Bethany D. Jenkins, Brook L. Nunn

OES Faculty Publications

Diatoms, such as Thalassiosira pseudonana, are important oceanic primary producers, as they sequester carbon dioxide (CO₂) out of the atmosphere, die, and precipitate to the ocean floor. In many areas of the world’s oceans, phytoplankton, such as diatoms, are limited in growth by the availability of iron (Fe). Fe is an essential nutrient for phytoplankton, as it is central in the electron transport chain component of photosynthesis. Through this study, we examined if Fe-limitation makes a significant difference in the proteins expressed within the chloroplast, the power source for diatoms. Here, we utilized a new plastid isolation technique specific …

The Chemistry Of The Flint Water Crisis, Ernest M. Oleksy

The Downtown Review: An Interdisciplinary Journal Written and Peer-Reviewed by Mandel Honors College Students at Cleveland State University

Politics and science do not always go hand-in-hand. Nowhere was this more clear than in the Flint Water Crisis. Negligence towards growing levels of lead poisoning in drinking water led to incredibly deleterious effects on Flint's citizens. The chemistry of equilibrium and the shortcomings of local leaders led to Flint's water becoming a crisis.

Bonding Theatre And Chemistry: An Educational Exploration, Matthew Gurniak

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

This paper analyzes the educational aspects of theatre and music and the impact that they have on an audience. The goal was to begin a new conversation about science and theatre and how the two can learn and gain unique insight from each other. To examine how these two antithetical fields can interact, I composed a new, innovative musical that tells the love story between two professors through the use of concepts from general chemistry. The results and responses from the performance of the play were overwhelmingly positive from members of both disciplines. They have inspired continued interest in this …

Rapid High-Throughput Species Identification Of Botanical Material Using Direct Analysis In Real Time High Resolution Mass Spectrometry, Rabi A. Musah, Ashton D. Lesiak

Chemistry Department Faculty Scholarship

We demonstrate that direct analysis in real time-high resolution mass spectrometry can be used to produce mass spectral profiles of botanical material, and that these chemical fingerprints can be used for plant species identification. The mass spectral data can be acquired rapidly and in a high throughput manner without the need for sample extraction, derivatization or pH adjustment steps. The use of this technique bypasses challenges presented by more conventional techniques including lengthy chromatography analysis times and resource intensive methods. The high throughput capabilities of the direct analysis in real time-high resolution mass spectrometry protocol, coupled with multivariate statistical analysis …