Chemistry Commons^™

Catalytic Synthesis Of Iron-Doped Graphitic Aerogels From Poly(Phloroglucinol-Terephthalaldehyde – Urethane) Precursors, Stephen Yaw Owusu, Rushi U. Soni, Chariklia Sotiriou-Leventis

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

We report a new class of graphitic carbon aerogel precursors based on iron oxide-doped poly(phloroglucinol-terephthalaldehyde–urethane) (T-POL/PU-FeOx) networks. The hybrid polymeric network incorporates a rigid aromatic triisocyanate, tris(4-isocyanatophenyl)methane, which reacts in situ with the hydroxyl groups of phloroglucinol to form a polyurethane-containing framework. Monolithic aerogels derived from this system undergo catalytic graphitization at significantly reduced temperatures (800–1500 °C) compared to conventional graphitization (2500–3300 °C). An oxidative ring fusion aromatization step (240 °C, air) prior to pyrolysis enhanced the degree of graphitization. The resulting graphitic aerogels were characterized by XRD, Raman spectroscopy, TGA, TEM, SEM, XPS, and N₂ sorption porosimetry. Compared to …

Investigating Mariculture-Associated Ecosystem Services Across The Northern Gulf Of Alaska, Josianne Haag

Oceanography

The rapid expansion of mariculture in Alaska can drive physical and chemical alterations to the marine environment by introducing non-native organisms or artificially increasing the biomass of a native species. Currently, the main mariculture products grown in Alaska include the Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas), the Pacific blue mussel (Mytilus trosuslus), and three macroalgae species: ribbon kelp (Alaria marginata), sugar kelp (Saccharina latissima), and bull kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana). This dissertation examines how these species can impact their surrounding environment to better inform management practices for this growing industry. This research characterized the resource use of C. gigas and M. trossulus seasonally …

Mechanistic Analysis Of Rare Earth Element Extraction From Coal Byproducts Using Supercritical Fluid Process: Solubility Studies Of Supercritical Carbon Dioxide With Tbp: Hno3 Complex, Zakiya Konda Nurudeen

Engineering

This thesis introduced the essence of REE application in the modern world, the primary and secondary sources of REEs. It revised the fundamentals of supercritical carbon dioxide (SC- CO2), its application in REE extraction as green technology, the complex formation of tributyl phosphate (TBP)- nitric acid (HNO3), and temperature-pressure effects in REE extraction. The methodology systematically examined the thermodynamic solubility of CO2 in TBP-nitric acid (HNO3) complexes at three molar ratios (2:1, 1:1, and 1:2), temperatures between 40-60 degrees Celsius, and at a maximum pressure of 12 MPa, respectively. Preliminary extraction experimental runs were conducted to validate solubility studies. Data …

Free Radical Reactions Of Electron Rich Alkenes, David A. May Jr

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Radical reactions have known for over a century but have only been thought of as useful synthetic strategies for the last 70 years. During this period, much work has been done to develop theoretical explanations for their reactivity and modes of termination, resulting in them becoming a fundamental type of organic reaction in academia and industry. Previous studies by the McIntosh group have shown that a radical [1,3]-Rearrangement occurs when N-substituted pyridines are heated. Here, the scope of this new reaction is expanded to include polycyclic pyridines including neocuproine (2,9-dimethylphenanthroline) and 2-methylquinoline while also expanding the range of reactions available …

Novel Radical Chemistry Of Electron-Rich Double Bonds, Claire Allyson Beard

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This work delves into the reactivity of nucleophilic N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) and their ability to form electron-rich alkene intermediates, which can undergo various chemical transformations depending on the nature of the electrophile. Initial reports by Hahn disclosed the NHC promoted radical nature of electron-rich N,N’-benzyltetraazafulvalenes, which led to 2,2’- biimidazoles. We found that N-aryl substituted pyridinium salts also underwent rapid a similar NHC promoted dimerization when exposed to a base, producing 2,2’-bipyridyls. This is likely due to the adept radical nature of the bipyridinylidene intermediate for C-Naryl bond scission. We have also uncovered an unprecedented C-N bond scission of Breslow-like …

Synthesis And Evaluation Of Bodipy-, Azabodipy- And Chlorin-Based Conjugates For Imaging And Photodynamic Therapy Of Egfr-Overexpressing Cancers, Simran Dhingra

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation discusses the design of EGFR-targeted small-molecule agents that unite molecular imaging with photodynamic therapy. Chapter 1 frames the clinical need for early detection and selective treatment and surveys BODIPY, aza-BODIPY, and chlorin scaffolds as tunable chromophores for near-infrared imaging and photosensitization. It also outlines EGFR as a validated target and compares two ligand classes used throughout this work: the tyrosine kinase inhibitor erlotinib and the cyclic peptide KLARLLT.

Chapter 2 describes the synthesis of a near-IR BODIPY bearing either one or two erlotinib units. Docking and SPR show specific interactions with the EGFR kinase domain, and both conjugates …

Versatile Nitration Of Bodipy Dyes Using No₂Bf₄: Effects Of Nitro Substituents On Spectroscopic And Self-Assembly Properties, Caroline Sarange Gwaro

LSU Master's Theses

This study explores the regioselective nitration of BODIPY dyes at the 2, 3- and 2,6-positions using nitronium tetrafluoroborate (NO₂BF₄), offering a high-yielding and mild synthetic route. The introduction of nitro groups significantly alters the dyes’ photophysical and self-assembly properties. Mono-nitrated BODIPYs exhibit hypsochromic shifts in absorption and emission spectra, increased dipole moments, enhanced Stokes shifts, and reduced molar absorptivity. In contrast, di-nitrated analogs show bathochromic shifts and decreased dipole moments in both ground and excited states. Spectroscopic characterization was performed using UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopy, supported by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Self-assembly behavior was investigated in polar (acetonitrile) and …

3d Visualization For Teaching And Learning In Organic Chemistry: Orbital Hybridization And Bonding, Bao Le, Jeffrey Hansen

Annual Student Research Poster Session

This research focuses on developing techniques to create 3D visualizations for use in an electronic textbook. In this age of technology, traditional textbooks have become less appealing to the new generation compared to phones or tablets. Student learning can be enhanced by not only bringing the textbook online but also elevating the comprehensive experience for the students with 3D animations. We will show how animations of orbital hybridization and chemical bonding are made in Blender using Signed Distance Field (SDF) modeling. The orbitals’ models are mathematically combined allowing for smooth animation. We have used this technique to animate the transformation …

Creating Blender Animations To Help Students Visualize Organic Chemistry Concepts, Vasilina Vikareva, Jeffrey Hansen

Annual Student Research Poster Session

Many students struggle with organic chemistry because they find it difficult to visualize molecular structures and interactions in three dimensions. Concepts like bond rotation for conformational isomers and intermolecular forces require strong spatial imagination, which traditional 2D drawings fail to develop effectively. This spatial visualization deficit contributes significantly to high failure rates and student anxiety in organic chemistry courses, creating a substantial barrier to success in STEM fields. This project aims to solve this problem by creating animations that demonstrate complex chemical concepts in clear, visual ways that enhance student comprehension and retention. The research methodology involves developing a comprehensive …

High-Capacity, Reversible, And Energy-Efficient Water Vapor Sorption By Hierarchical Micro-To-Macroporous Carbon Aerogels From Polybenzoxazine And Polybenzodiazine, Vaibhav A. Edlabadkar, Rushi U. Soni, Stephen Y. Owusu, A. B.M.Shaheen Ud Doulah, Nicholas Leventis, Chariklia Sotiriou-Leventis

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

Quantitative, reversible water vapor sorption is in rising demand for applications ranging from home appliances to atmospheric water harvesting. However, most sorbents suffer from low water-uptake capacities, nonreusability, and especially high regeneration temperatures. This study addresses this challenge by introducing polybenzoxazine- (PBO) and polybenzodiazine-derived (PBDAZ) carbon aerogels as reversible high-capacity desiccants. PBO and PBDAZ aerogels were prepared from structurally related monomers via HCl-catalyzed ring opening polymerization. Both types of aerogels were first aromatized at 200–240 °C under air or O2 and then were carbonized at 800 °C under Ar. These as-prepared carbon aerogels were further etched at 1000 °C under …

Synthesis Of Pillar[N]Arenes And Bridge-Functionalized Pillar[N]Arenes Via Cyclic And Acyclic Acetals, Babitha Machireddy

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Pillar[n]arenes are macrocyclic compounds consisting of ‘n’ hydroquinone units linked by para-methylene bridges. Since their first report of facile synthesis 17 years ago, pillararenes have attracted significant interest due to their versatile functionality, electron-rich cavity, crystalline nature, and planar chirality. These unique properties have enabled a broad range of practical applications, including small molecule separation, formation of one-dimensional and two-dimensional channels, drug delivery systems, and enhanced emissive and fluorescent properties. The ease of synthesis of pillararenes has been one of the key factors in their widespread adoption and continued exploration in supramolecular chemistry and material science. Despite the efficiency and …

Bodipy-Based Photocages For The Controlled Release Of Hydrogen Sulfide And Persulfides, Yanmei Li

Dissertations

Reactive sulfur species (RSS) such as hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and hydropersulfides (RSSH) are crucial mediators in a variety of physiological and pathological processes. Their regulatory roles span from maintaining cellular redox balance to influencing signaling pathways critical for homeostasis and stress responses. This dissertation investigates H2S and RSSH as biologically important molecules and explores the development of boron-dipyrromethene (BODIPY)-based photocages for its controlled, light-triggered release. Given H2S and RSSH's critical role in redox regulation and cellular protection, achieving spatiotemporal control over its delivery is essential for both therapeutic and research applications. BODIPY scaffolds offer favorable photophysical properties, including visible-light activation …

Determination Of The Reaction Mechanism For The Tautomerization Of Tröger’S Base, Cole Schliep

Summer Research Showcase

Tröger’s base is a unique V-shaped, bicyclic, chiral molecule that has the flexibility to have derivatives added to its carbon backbone. This allows for Tröger’s base to be used in many material applications. This research focuses on the addition of a carbamoyl group(-CONEt2) to Tröger’s base that can form either an endo- or exo-isomeric form. The exo-derivative of Tröger’s base is shown to be the more stable species. Recent work has shown that the endo-derivative can be selectively produced by sequential proton transfer under highly-basic, cold conditions, through deprotonation followed by a protic quench. Prior research has predicted that this …

Efficient Decontamination Of Organophosphate-Based Pesticides And Nerve Agent Simulants Mediated By N-Containing Nucleophiles, Emmanuel Kingsley Darkwah, Puspa Aryal, Saidulu Todeti, Jared Kenik, Samuel Insall, V. Prakash Reddy, Chariklia Sotiriou-Leventis

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

There is a growing interest in developing safer and more effective decontaminating agents for organophosphate-based pesticides and nerve agents. In this study, we present an effective method for the nonaqueous decontamination of these compounds using small-molecule-based decontaminating agents under ambient conditions. Our approach utilizes aryl and heteroaryl carboxaldehyde hydrazones and hydrazides to effectively hydrolyze nerve agent simulants into their nontoxic degradation products. The effectiveness of this method was evaluated using a range of nerve agent simulants, including dimethyl 4-nitrophenyl phosphate (DMNP), dimethyl methyl phosphonate (DMMP), and triphenyl phosphate (TPhP). In the presence of the heteroaryl hydrazone, the rate of hydrolysis …

Sulfur Fluoride Exchange With Carbon Pronucleophiles, Joseph R. Novicki, Matthew D. Teeter, Neil J. Baldwin, Christopher W. Am Ende, Alistair D. Richardson, Thomas R. Puleo, Nicholas Ball

Pomona Faculty Publications and Research

Aryl alkyl sulfones are an important class of compounds in drug discovery; thus, new methods toward their synthesis are desirable. A general sulfur fluoride exchange (SuFEx) method to couple aryl sulfonyl fluorides with alkyl carbon pronucleophiles to make aryl alkyl sulfones is described. The reaction was applied to a diverse set of pronucleophiles, including esters, amides, heteroarenes, nitriles, sulfones, sulfoxides, and sulfonamides, at room temperature under mild conditions. We highlight the application of this transformation in parallel medicinal chemistry for the high-throughput generation of a broad array of aryl alkyl sulfones. Lastly, we apply this method to the late-state SuFEx …

Reductive And Nucleophilic Cleavage Of Peroxides And Synthesis Of Tocotrienols As Radioprotective Targets, Amber Marie Schuster

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

I. SET CLEAVAGE OF PEROXIDES: INFLUENCE OF REDUCTANT AND PEROXIDE ON THE RATE AND MODE OF ALKOXY RADICAL FORMATION

The reductive cleavage of organic peroxides to generate alkoxy radicals is frequently accomplished via single-electron transfer (SET) from a reductant. Previous reports employ either symmetrical peroxides or peroxides with predictable cleavage behavior, such as peresters. We were interested in how the structure of the peroxide and the nature of the reducing system combine to impact the rate of reaction and the selectivity for alkoxy radical formation during cleavage of unsymmetric peroxides. In this dissertation, one will find the reactions of a …

Aptamer Selection And Development Of Electrochemical Aptamer-Based Sensors For Neuropeptide Y, Evelyn Adela Carreto Guevara

Department of Chemistry: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

In this thesis, we report the results of four aptamers obtained from an aptamer selection process called the systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) with affinity to Neuropeptide Y (NPY). NPY is a highly abundant peptide transmitter with widespread distribution throughout the body which affects various physiological functions. These functions include energy homeostasis, appetite regulation, stress response, and anxiety regulation. Dynamic monitoring of NPY levels is crucial for better understanding behaviors in individuals with neurological disorders associated with NPY. Aptamers are synthetic oligonucleotides obtained through SELEX which have a binding affinity to a target of interest when in …

Recent Studies On The Reactions And Synthesis Of Nitrogen And Sulfur - Containing Heterocyclic Pharmacophores., Bernard Louis Adjei

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Nitrogen and sulfur-containing heterocycles remain significant classes of compounds in the field of medicinal and organic chemistry due to their unique structural features and diverse biological activities which make them of considerable interest for drug discovery and development. Notable examples of the nitrogen containing heterocycles include the phthalimide and glutarimide rings present in thalidomide. Thalidomide, a potent small-molecule therapeutic agent, precipitated a significant global drug crisis due to its teratogenicity, causing congenital malformations in phocomelia infants, which remains unrivaled over half a century ago. Currently, thalidomide derivatives are extensively utilized in the therapeutic management of various hematological malignancies. Recent investigations …

Synthetic And Pharmacological Diversity Of Nitrogen-Containing Heterocycles., Shramana Ghosh

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Nitrogen-containing heterocycles are a foundational class of compounds in organic chemistry, playing critical roles in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and natural products due to their structural diversity and biological relevance. Among them, isoindolinones are notable for their wide range of pharmacological activities. Structurally, isoindolinones possess a benzylic methylene group adjacent to the nitrogen atom, which allows for selective oxidative transformations to yield phthalimide derivatives, well-known intermediates in synthetic, pharmaceutical, and materials chemistry. Although phthalimide is traditionally employed as a protecting group for amines via the Gabriel synthesis, isoindolinone offers a valuable alternative. Through a modified Gabriel-like approach, isoindolinones can serve as more …

Design And Investigation Of Triarylamine Functionalized Luminophores For Multi-Functional And Stimuli-Responsive Applications, Sasikala R

Theses and Dissertations

Organic solid-state fluorescent materials have garnered attention over many decades in virtue of their contribution in the development of LED devices and biomedical applications. Nevertheless, the potential of fluorescent molecules in device applications was underused due to aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ) effect. The ACQ effect commonly quenches the organic molecules fluorescence intensity in the aggregated or condensed state, which can significantly influence their performance in practical applications.

The organic polyaromatic fluorophores exhibit strong fluorescence in the solution state. After culmination of years of work, Prof. Tang’s research group discovered a new phenomenon of aggregation-induced emission (AIE) in the fluorescence molecules constructed …

Du Undergraduate Showcase Abstracts: Research, Scholarship, And Creative Works, Kabe Aberle, Nadia Kako, Kateri Mcrae, Brooke Agulnek, Sky Palmon, Yasmine Ramirez, Francisca Aguirre Beltran, Ashley Juarez, Bridget Kim, Tessa Appel, Sterling Kerr, Spencer Ingley, Gabe Meyer, Robin Tinghitella, Dale Broder, Lily Baeza, Chloe Beers, Julia Coakley, Whitney Kelsey, Sydney Gainforth, Gabi Wing, Audrey Martin, Aaliyah Amore Berry, Brooke Watley, Kiruthika Venkatesan, Rachel Bienstock, Annabella Brotherston, Madison Bryant, Mia Burgener, Emma P. Lieb, Rachel A. Johnson, Jennifer L. Hoffman, Kania Campbell, Kiena Campbell, Courtney Cassidy, Sage Krzyzkowski, Maddox Jones, Skylar Abookire, Luke Hawkins, Sunnah Yoon, Andrea Chu, Yan Qin, Nyah Cubbison, Brian Gearity, Daniel Mcintosh, Mariely Cruz, Edward Garrido, Grady Dionne, Nicole Doris, Lyndsie Salvagio, Ann-Charlotte Granholm-Bentley, Anna Dymov, Hannah Eckert, Gabrielle Welsh, Erica Larson, Charlie Ernst, Anna Zhou, Sarah Watamura, Larissa Fedorovich-Klein, Georgie Fields, Kimberly A. Guevara, Aven Mccall, Ben Peltier, Feruz Yahia, Patrick Flores, Jadyn Floyd, Sophia Forcier, J. Von R. Monteza, Peter Sokol-Hessner, Gwendolyn Geiger, Scott Nichols, Camryn Gunter, Kendal Hengst, Charlie Bednarz, Issy Garside, Addison Baker, Rachel Mina, Brooke Hermanson, Amanda Klingler, William Highfill, Sydney Jaques, Kerstin Lewey, Allison Grossery, Daniel Linseman, Ethan Lim, Jagger Livengood, Owen Mantelli, Gabby Pappas, Abby Mcdonald, Madeleine Dierking, Eve Miller, Emma Loeber, Anna Marlow, Michael Kerwin, Ella Mathews, Hillary Hamann, Khadija Mohamed, Vivian Nguyen, Gabri Notov, Ifunayachi Ogbonna-Ukuku, Sunil Kumar, Charles Baysah, Sarah Olson, Don Sullivan, Anna Paradiso, Jay Parrish, Mira Pronobis, Alisha Pravasi, Kerstin Haring, Diego Ramirez, Christopher Reardon, Juliana Ramirez, Casey Doherty, Ella Kestner, Teagan Weindel, Cate Billings, Pablo Torre-Walter, Lucy Rand, Samantha Reynolds, Mark Siemens, Khadeeja Rashid, Laine Satterlee, Piper Heilbronner, Lily Pound, Ben Whitehurst, Anna Respet, Lizzie Lesoing, Sydney Hertel, Aya Saad-Masri, Brooke Ballenger, Max Proske, Hannah Rosenberg, Ellia Nakahara, Sophia Espinoza, Ivan Woolhouse, Simon Ruland, Gorkem Er, Timothy Sweeny, Melaku Saketa, Michela Schenk, Maren Lynch, Madi Hamm, Grace Schroeder, Michelle Rozenman, Rana Seif, Jackson Hall, Marisela Simental, Daniel Paredes, Aaron Mena, Preston Spaan, Evelyn Stovin, David Andrew Swartz, Anh Tran, Daniel Pittman, Luke Farchione, Emily Boyer, Ukari Verner, Lacey Conrad, Jonathan Velotta, James Weiner, Jagger Gossett, Noah Sherry, Sam Proud, Ben Block, Avi Narayana, Zoey Weiss, Alyssa Wilson, Gabrielle Walsh, David Zonana, Keely Wright, Kena Riveria, Lillybelle Deer, Jena Doom, Elysia Davis, Isabelle Yaremenko, Caitlyn Young

DU Undergraduate Research Journal Archive

Abstracts from the DU Undergraduate Research Showcase.

The Potential Importance Of Microenvironment On Polymer Bound Chemical Reagents, Nathan Joseph Halsteter

Theses and Dissertations

In this thesis will provide a brief history of polymer bound reagents, their uses, and advancements. The importance of polymer microenvironments will be explored using a model kinetic resolution reaction utilizing polymer bound reagents to observe how changes in a polymer’s microenvironment effects the yield and selectivity of a reaction. It was found that there are copious factors that affect polymer bound reagents, and no direct conclusion could be drawn from the study.

Structure-Activity Relationships Of Isothiourea And Silicon Phthalocyanine Catalysts, Christian J. Harrison

Theses and Dissertations

Efficient organic synthesis often relies on improving catalyst designs and investigating reaction mechanisms to accomplish feats such as high stereoselectivity, low catalyst loadings, and performing sustainable chemistry. Within the field of organocatalysis, intermolecular interactions between a catalyst and a substrate are a large contributing factor to the control of a reaction, including rate and selectivity. Investigating mechanisms can provide information on the type of intermolecular interactions occurring in the reaction, aiding future reaction and catalyst development. This dissertation will explore two recent projects and how probing intermolecular interactions through simple modifications provides information useful for new catalyst designs and properties. …

Lighting Up The Cell: Developing A Luminescent Lanthanide Probe For Detecting Rnas, Jonathan Savell

Honors Projects

An anion detecting luminescent probe, Tb:DO2A-Cs124, was repurposed for use in RNA imaging. Potential RNA aptamers were identified for the molecule using Capture-SELEX and MinION sequencing. Fluorimetry data revealed these aptamers did not allow for the probe to luminesce in the presence of target RNAs due to adenosine monophosphate’s ability to quench the emission signal.

Asymmetric, Carboxy And Ester Functionalized Fluorophthalocyanines: Synthesis, Adsorption, And Reactivity, Sean J. Scally

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Strong electron-deficient compounds, fluorinated metal phthalocyanines (F_xPcM), exhibit enhanced photosensitizing properties, making them optimal candidates for photocatalytic studies. Perfluoroalkyl-substituted phthalocyanines are notably thermally robust materials that are chemically inert and resistant to electrophilic, nucleophilic, and radical, including reactive oxygen species (ROS) attacks. These properties can be attributed to their ‘Teflon-like’ inert organic shield that surrounds a reactive metal center, as well as their complete (x = 16, 40, 64), or almost complete (x = 48) lack of C-H bonds. Third-generation, functionalized, asymmetric phthalocyanines are of interest due to their ability to bind to oxidic supports via a carboxyl …

Complementary Design Of Optical And Photochemical Systems, Joshua Plank

Chemistry Theses and Dissertations

The ability to manipulate chemical systems has been prized through history as the bridge between the macroscopic and microscopic worlds. As an example, the camera obscura has arguably existed since the earliest days of humanity; however, it was the discovery of early silver halide chemistry that lead to the ability to fix these images into the earliest photographs. In modern photolithography employed in electronics manufacturing, the primary resolution limits arise not from the chemistry of the molecules involved, but from the limits of the systems used to project light. Thus, as much as photochemistry advances, optical imaging and projection techniques …

Trade-Off Between Limonene & Geraniol-Based Reprocessable And Non-Reprocessable Epoxy Thermosets: Role Of Aliphatic Diamines In Polymer Networks Design, Priyankkumar Kanubhai Patel

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

The growing demand for sustainable materials, driven by environmental concerns and the rapid depletion of fossil fuels, has garnered significant attention in the fabrication of bio-based epoxy thermosets as renewable alternatives to petroleum-derived thermosetting polymers. The present study focuses on the synthesis and characterization of epoxy prepolymer resins derived from limonene and geraniol via a two-step process, followed by the fabrication of thermally cross-linked flexible epoxy thermoset films using various traditional aliphatic diamine curing agents, namely 1,2-ethylenediamine (EDA), 1,4-butylenediamine (BDA), and 1,6-hexamethylenediamine (HDA). Additionally, the incorporation of cystamine, a disulfide-containing diamine, enabled the formation of a covalent adaptable network through …

Bio-Based Composites With Enhanced Mechanical Strength And Flame Retardancy, Riya Patel

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

Composites are versatile and useful in many fields, including aerospace, automotive, construction, and healthcare, due to their high mechanical strength. It is common practice to synthesize these materials using petroleum-based chemicals. Nonetheless, in the twenty-first century, scientists are more interested in using renewable resources to create composites. The greatest substitute for petroleum-based chemicals is vegetable oil. It has unsaturated double bonds that are modifiable chemically. In the present study, bio-polyol was synthesized using castor oil, an inedible vegetable oil. A ring-opening process was used to modify it and produce castor oil-based polyol. The synthesized castor oil-based polyol was characterized by …

Enabling New Synthetic Platforms For Aryne Synthesis With Aryl Thianthrenium Reagents, Riley Augustus Roberts

Dissertations and Theses

The enormous importance of aromatic rings in organic molecules cannot be understated. Aromatic rings are present in the majority of pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and consumer products. The way in which these rings are arranged and substituted results in a molecule’s unique properties. Because of this, the current limitations of the chemical methods used to synthesize these molecules results in limited structural diversity and thus missed opportunities for the development of value-added products. To this end, this work demonstrates novel methods of aryne synthesis, aryl thianthrenium synthesis and a unique approach to structural scaffold hopping. The approaches presented herein allow for rapid …

Effects Of Structure Of Mepegn Polymers On Hydroxide Conductivity In Anhydrous Anionic Exchange Membranes, Athan M. Gregory

Honors Theses

Anhydrous hydroxide ion (OH-) conducting polymer electrolytes composed of a 1-methyl-pyrrolidinium (1mp) head group linked to various MePEGn (n = 3, 7, 12) backbones were prepared. We have examined the structure of these anion exchange membranes to observe how the structure of the electrolyte affects the observed ionic conductivity. The structural parameters investigated were polymer length, viscosity, fractional free volume (FFV), and volume fraction of PEG (Vf,PEG), and each polymer varied in these properties. Through a comparison of the conductivity and structural parameters in the MePEGn-based anion electrolytes, we have shown that each of these structural properties weakly affects the …