Chemistry Commons^™

Techniques, Skills, And Synthesis For “Cooking” In The Organic Laboratory, Emily C. Sylvester, Tim Evans

Open Education Materials

Lab manual for CHEM 211L, Organic Chemistry I Laboratory. Provides background and procedures for laboratory experiments, including fundamental techniques and several organic syntheses.

Creative Commons attribution.

Chemistry & Fine Arts Collaboration Posters 2025 - 2026, Basil Masri Zada, Corey Beck

Exhibition Catalogs

Supervisors Dr. Basil Masri Zada and Dr. Corey Beck bring together students from Ohio University’s Chemistry and Digital Art + Technology programs in a collaborative effort to make scientific concepts more accessible. Each artist has been assigned to work with a group of chemistry students, and they are then prompted to create an art poster with only the name of the compound. Enclosed in this pamphlet is the hard work of both students from the digital art program and the chemistry program.

Participating artists include:  Addie Smith, Madelyn Bartolone, Jabin Tasmin, Sara Pirahmaiden, Parker McGowan, Sophie Hillis, Leena Blanton, Jack …

College Of Natural Sciences Spring Newsletter, College Of Natural Sciences

College of Natural Sciences Newsletters and Reports

[Page 1] Dean's Message
[Page] 2 Awards & Recognitions // Student Spotlights
[Page] 3 Zhang Named to Landsat Science Team // The Power of Teaching
[Page] 4 “Science as Art” Competition Welcomes High School Artists
[Page] 5 Testing for “Forever Chemicals” in Surface Water // New Faculty Spotlight
[Page] 6 Ambassador Initiated Outreach
[Page] 7 57th Annual Geography Convention
[Page] 8 Twice the Impact on On Call with the Prairie Doc
[Page] 9 Making Staple Foods Healthier // Halaweish & Cole-Dai Retire
[Page] 10 Drone Day 2026
[Page] 11 Student Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity Day (SRSCAD)
[Page] 12 Ceremony …

Co-Ordination Driven Heteroleptic Self-Assembly Of Naphthalene Diimide And Aromatic Dicarboxylate, Rosanna Jees, Kennedy Kuchta, Joshua Do, Erendra Manandhar

Posters - 2026

Co-ordination driven self-assembly is a powerful tool to construct supramolecular co-ordination complexes (SCCs) with predictable and well-defined molecular structures. Fujita, Stang, Newkome, & others have developed novel methodology to synthesize 2D & 3D Metallo-supramolecular structures, such as triangles, cubes, and octahedrons. These have potential applications for optical materials, sensing, catalysis, light harvesting & emissions due to the structures’ well-defined cavity and easy functionalization at the periphery position of ligands.1–4 SCCs with various functional groups, fluorophores, and chromophores, like crown ethers, carbazoles, fullerenes, and dendrimers, have been reported through self-assembly, yet naphthalene-diimide (NDI)-based macrocycles and cages are limited. This project focuses …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Metal Complexes Of Oxindole-Based Β-Lactams, Kenya Rosas, Erick Morales Orrante, Carlos Sifuentes, Alexsei Nazarov

Posters - 2026

• β-lactams are essential structural components of many antibiotics and widely studied due to their biological importance and synthetic versatility.
• The Ugi reaction is a multicomponent reaction, involving a primary amine, carboxylic acid, isocyanide, and an aldehyde or a ketone, that rapidly generates α-acetamido carboxamide derivatives (Ugi adducts).
• The synthesis and characterization of four oxindole-based β-lactam derivatives:
  • 1-Benzyl-N-(tert-butyl)-2-oxo-3-(2-oxoazetidin-1-yl)indoline-3-carboxamide (4a).
  • N-(tert-butyl)-2-oxo-3-(2-oxoazetidin-1-yl)-1-phenylindol-3-carboxamide (4ab).
  • N-(tert-Butyl)-2-oxo-3-(2-oxoazetidin-1-yl)indoline-3-carboxamide (4d).
  • N-(tert-butyl)-1-methyl-2-oxo-3-(2-oxoazetidin-1-yl)indol-3-carboxamide (4e).
• The coordination of the four Ugi adducts with Cu (II) and Ni (II) at different pH points to enhance their stability and improve biological activity.

College Of Natural Sciences 2025 Year-End Publication, College Of Natural Sciences

College of Natural Sciences Newsletters and Reports

Page 2 Dean's Message 
Page 3 Department Highlights 
Page 4 One Day for State 
Page 5 Ice cores reveal volcanic eruptions in 13th century 
Page 5 How do our cells interpret stress 
Page 6-7 Faculty Excellence
Page 8 New chemical biology consortium will accelerate cancer research
Page 9 SDSU to combat crop disease, biofilms in new NSF-back project 
Page 9 Science as Art Competition 
Page 10-11 Student Excellence  
Page 12 SDSU researcher developing natural alternative to synthetic dyes
Page 12 Browning Retired
Page 13 Quantum technologies through NSF-backed project
Page 13 NASA Funds CNS Development of Model
Page 14 GGS …

Probing Feni Alloys With Atomic Precision, Scipio Han, Kaushik Rajkumar Jayaprabha, Xin Qi

Wetterhahn Science Symposium Posters

We compared EAM and MEAM atomic potentials for modeling FeNi (tetrataenite), a rare 50/50 alloy found in meteorites. Picking 4 potentials, we calculated minimum lattice constants and order-disorder transition temperatures. MEAM potentials accurately predicted the experimental transition temperature, confirming that MEAM better captures FeNi's directional bonding.

Design, Synthesis, And Characterization Of Phosphonate-Functionalized Diimide Ligands For Metal-Organic Framework Construction, Kenya Rosas, Jonathan Uribe

Posters - 2026

• Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are solid, porous materials composed of metalions reacted with organic linkers

• MOFs are customizable through variations in their metal ions, organic linkers, and the functional groups of the organic linker all yielding a structure with different properties

• MOFs have a variety of applications, ranging from storage and catalysis to drug delivery

• The synthesis and characterization of four phosphonate-based diimide ligands:
  • N,N´-bis(phosphonomethyl)-pyromellitimide (PPMI).
  • N,N´-bis(phosphonobenzyl)-pyromellitimide (PPMI-Ph).
  • N,N´-bis(phosphonomethyl)-3,3′,4,4′-biphenylenediimide (PBDI).
  • N,N´-bis(phosphonobenzyl)-3,3′,4,4′-biphenylenediimide (PBDI-Ph).

• These ligands were then coordinated with zinc or copper metal ions to make MOFs.

Book Of Abstracts, Seton Hall University

2025 Augustine Undergraduate Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

Exploring Inorganic And Organometallic Chemistry, W. Christopher Boyd Phd

MSL Academic Endeavors eBooks

This textbook, Exploring Inorganic and Organometallic Chemistry, covers the fundamentals of inorganic and organometallic chemistry for undergraduate and graduate students. Both theories of structure and bonding and reaction chemistry are covered, with applications to the catalysis of organic reactions, biochemistry, and drug design. A modular approach allows for basic materials of each chapter to be covered in an undergraduate course, with more advanced material suitable for M.S. and Ph.D. students."

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 …

Data From: Nek4 Suppresses Cell Proliferation In Bt20 Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells By Diminishing Expression Of Cell Cycle Genes, While Its Depletion Mitigates Proliferation In Other Cell Lines, Amanda Ashley

Chemistry & Biochemistry: Datasets

No abstract provided.

Investigation Of Maleic Anhydride In Organic Synthesis, Emma Nissen, Zhijun Wang, Qianli Rick Chu

Arts & Sciences Undergraduate Showcase

This research explores the synthetic utility of maleic anhydride; a versatile and reactive compound widely used in organic and industrial chemistry. The study focuses on the synthesis of N-allyl maleimide and 3-hexyl-1,2-cyclobutanedicarboxylic acid. N-allyl maleimide, confirmed via ^1H NMR spectroscopy, was synthesized in high yield and shows potential as a monomer or intermediate in organic synthesis. Additionally, the photochemical synthesis of a novel compound, 3-hexyl-1,2-cyclobutanedicarboxylic acid, was achieved and characterized. Its long aliphatic side chain contributes to decreased melting point and increased solubility. These findings demonstrate maleic anhydride’s utility in forming intermediates and bicyclic compounds under mild conditions, supporting its …

Toxicity And Biodegradability Of Novel Boronium Vs Conventional Ammonium Based Anti Microbial Compounds In Wastewater Treatment Systems, Noor Shalan

Poster Presentations

Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) are highly effective as disinfectants, herbicides, and pesticides; thus, overuse causes elevated levels of residual toxicity in domestic and industrial wastewater. QACs can be toxic to essential bacteria breaking down pollutants in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and can remain untreated in effluent, harming the environment, and contributing to antibiotic resistance, posing risks to human health. Novel boronium-based antimicrobial compounds have demonstrated efficacy in eliminating bacteria, fungi, and viruses. If the boronium compounds exhibit lower residual toxicity, they could offer a promising alternative to QACs. Because these compounds are still in development, their potential toxicity to the …

Linear Dicyclopentadiene Copolymers: Synthesis And Thermal Analysis, Connor Lewis

Poster Presentations

To retain the existing advantages of L-pDCPD and to enhance its material properties, an incorporation of functionalized comonomers is being investigated. It is hypothesized that such functionalization will allow for higher theoretical molecular weights, increased oxidative resistance, and more durable thermal properties following air exposure. The use of heteroatoms in exemplary oxa-norbornene-based compounds is thought to strengthen intermolecular interactions and thus improve the structural stability of L-pDCPD. To better understand the polymerization initiated by GC3 and to identify potential ROCM processes, IR-active nitrile and hydroxyl groups were specifically incorporated. For this study, the comonomers were synthesized from exo-3,6-epoxy- 1,2,3,6 tetrahydrophthalic …

Rewiring An Enzyme: K135f Mutation In Malate Dehydrogenase, Lauren Ratz, Kaci Schmoll

Undergraduate Research Symposium 2025

Malate Dehydrogenase (MDH) is an enzyme that catalyzes the reaction of malate to oxaloacetate by reducing the cofactor NAD+ to NADH in the citric acid cycle, playing a crucial role in cellular metabolism. Alterations in the MDH structure have been linked to metabolic diseases and cancers, though its overall structure remains poorly characterized. To better understand MDH, we manipulated its structure by inserting a point mutation into the flexible loop region at position 135, exchanging a lysine (Lys) to a phenylalanine (Phe). We hypothesized that mutating a positively charged amino acid (Lys) to an aromatic amino acid (Phe) would cause …

Heteroleptic Self-Assembly Of Platinum Metallocycles Based On Naphthalene-Diimide And Aromatic Dicarboxylate, Erendra Manandhar

Presentations - 2025

A core-substituted naphthalene-diimide, functionalized with pyridinyl phenyl and octyl groups, was synthesized via Suzuki coupling and self-assembled with Pt(II) and Pd(II) phosphane triflates. The resulting triangular metallocycle structures were characterized by various methods, showing solvent-dependent UV-Vis absorption and fluorescence, and self-assembled into nanostructures.

College Of Natural Sciences Newsletter, Spring 2025, College Of Natural Sciences

College of Natural Sciences Newsletters and Reports

Page 1 Dean's Message from Dr. Sen Subramanian
Page 2 Student Spotlights
Page 3 Kaushik honored, Three-Minute Thesis, & Ice Cores revealed
Page 4 Alumni Spotlight
Page 5 Day of Scholars
Page 6 Cyanide research, Record Research Expenditures, Adhikari awarded Miller Research Award
Page 8 Hanson Receives NSF Grant
Page 9 Snow Lab Research Team
Page 10 Faculty Awards
Page 11 Drone Day
Page 13 Khalaf Awarded Presidential Award

College Of Natural Sciences 2024 Year-End Publication, College Of Natural Sciences

College of Natural Sciences Newsletters and Reports

Page 2 Dean's Message
Page 3 Department Highlights
Page 4 One Day for State
Page 5 New Students in Wecota
Page 6-8 Faculty Excellence
Page 9 SDSU Physics Students Recognized
Page 9 Prairie Doc Watch Party
Page 10-11 Student Excellence
Page 11 Connections Abroad
Page 12-13 CNS’s Research Centers
Page 14 Connections Abroad
Page 14 Dean Wolf-Hall Retired
Page 15 Outreach Program
Page 15 Events and Traditions
Page 16 Student Spotlight
Page 17 Alumni Spotlight
Page 18-19 SDSU Alum at Paris Paralympics
Page 20 Work Anniversaries & Programs

Thermal Stability Analysis Of Aqueous Ionic Amines For Sustainable Co2 Capture, Li Hua Zang, Keegan Everitt, Kevin West, Brooks D. Rabideau, Breanna Dobyns, James Davis

Shelby Hall Graduate Research Forum Posters

In closed air cabin atmospheres such as those of spacecraft, CO₂ accumulation jeopardizes crew respiratory function and may gradually affect sensitive equipment, making effective air revitalization critical. Traditional CO₂ capture methods like monoethanolamine (MEA) efficiently capture CO₂ but suffer from high volatility, leading to solvent loss and unpleasant odor, as well as corrosion and degradation, requiring frequent replacement. These flaws demand eco-friendly, durable alternatives. This study addresses these limitations by exploring a series of aqueous ionic amines (AIAs), salts similar to MEA in CO₂ capture efficiency but with improved thermal stability—crucial for preventing degradation under high regeneration temperatures and prolonged …

Effect Of Pre-Adsorbed Species On High-Pressure Adsorption Of Methane In Zeolite 5a Using Grand Canonical Monte Carlo (Gcmc) Simulations, Kanhamardi Lao, Brooks D. Rabideau

Shelby Hall Graduate Research Forum Posters

Natural gas upgrading, which removes impurities from methane (CH4), is essential for industrial applications, including liquefied natural gas (LNG) production and power generation, as well as for residential use. Removing non-hydrocarbon impurities such as carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen (N2), and water vapor (H2O), among others, along with separating heavier hydrocarbon gases from raw natural gas, is required to achieve high- purity methane and prevent pipeline corrosion. Zeolite 5A is a microporous aluminosilicate material with a pore size of approximately 5 Å, containing sodium and calcium cations that balance the framework’s negative charge. Its structure offers high thermal stability and a …

Potential Cell Preservation In Mars-Relevant Clay Minerals, Hanford Gerille Gonzales, Leena M. Cycil, Elisabeth Hausrath

Undergraduate Research Symposium Posters

This study investigates the potential of Fe-nontronite, a clay mineral found on Mars, to preserve biological cells and retain biosignatures such as trace metals. The research explores the preservation potential of nontronite by reacting it with cells under the following conditions: 1) reacting cells with nontronite precursors at low temperature and 2) reacting cells with the already synthesized nontronite made at high temperature. Microbial species Shewanella oneidensis and Geobacter metallireducens, known for their relevance to iron-rich environments, were introduced in intact and lysed forms to assess their interactions with each condition of nontronite. Preliminary results from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) …

X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis Of Early Settler Artifacts Recovered From Gossman Caves And Prairie Complex, Zachry S. Poshusta, Joshua Sebree

Fall 2024 - Chemical Analysis Class Projects

Meskwaki Tribe: Lived in Jackson County, Iowa, until 1845.

European Settlers: Took over the land, building structures and forming townships.

Artifacts: Both groups left behind pottery shards, campsite remnants, and building foundations.

Study Focus: Analyzing artifacts using X-ray Fluorescence spectrometry.

Sample Sites: Gossman Prairie and Cave Complex.

Objective: Determine if both groups used local clay for crafting.

Elemental Analysis Of Luminescent Cave Formations Using X-Ray Fluorescence, Esther Farran, Joshua Sebree

Fall 2024 - Chemical Analysis Class Projects

Luminescent calcite formations (N = 21) were taken from nine karst caves in a valley in Northeast Iowa. Ten samples fluoresced bright blue under UV light and phosphoresced green. Four samples fluoresced dull pink instead of blue. Seven samples do not fluoresce as strongly as the other samples. An elemental analysis was performed on the samples using a Bruker Tracer 5g handheld XRF. Analysis shows some samples may experience fluorescence quenching by the presence of iron and some amount of fluorescence by manganese.

Going With The Flow: Quantifying Lead Levels Along A Natural Water Pathway, Kailah Thompson, Joshua Sebree

Fall 2024 - Chemical Analysis Class Projects

Lead contamination in natural water is a significant concern due to its toxic effects on both ecological and human health. Jackson County, with its historical background in lead mining and ammunition production, presents an ideal region to study lead’s movement and potential impacts in natural water environments. This research traces the journey of lead ions from a spring, through a creek, and into a pond, examining how lead concentrations change along the water pathway. The study uses differential pulse stripping voltammetry, a precise technique for trace metal analysis, alongside pH and temperature measurements to provide insight into factors that influence …

Soil Condition Variability: Carbon Analysis Of Prairie, Crop, And Forest Soil In Northeast Iowa, Jacqueline Heggen, Joshua Sebree, David Gossman

Fall 2024 - Chemical Analysis Class Projects

• Iowa’s soil supports crop growth, stores carbon, filters water impurities, provides a habitat for organisms, and stores and provides water and nutrients for plants.
• The availability of elements within soil is an indicator of the viability of soil.
• Total % carbon is the percent composition of carbon in the sample. Total organic carbon enters the soil through the decomposition of plants, microorganisms, and animals.
• C:H ratios can reveal the potential for microbial activity and soil fertility.
• Gossman property allows for the analysis of a variety of different soil conditions in one location

Identifying Pottery Extracts Using Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy, Evelyn Lopez, Joshua Sebree

Fall 2024 - Chemical Analysis Class Projects

• Located in Jackson County, Iowa, Gossman Farm fosters many unique environments such as caves, freshwater springs, and various soil environments.
• This research focuses on the pottery fragments found at Indian Cave located within the Gossman property.
• Pottery fragments have been recovered at Indian Cave by Dave Gossman. It’s believed that these pottery fragments are from the Native Americans that used to inhabit the area.
• By analyzing the pottery fragments at Gossman Park, insight can be given on the history of the settlers at Gossman Farm and the use of the pottery.

General Chemistry Ii: Chem 2134, Subha Pratihar

ATU Faculty OER Books and Materials

No abstract provided.

Melting Point Predictions Of Thermally Stable Ionic Liquids Using A Machine Learning Approach, Jarod Morris

Poster Presentations

Thermally robust ionic liquids hold promise as high-temperature solvents, heat transfer fluids, and high-performance lubricants. These ionic liquids, inspired by thermoplastics like PEEK and PES, incorporate peraryl functional groups that lend them high thermal stability, however they often have melting points greater than 100 °C. A broad liquid range is usually desirable in most applications, so finding thermally robust ILs with lower melting points would significantly enhance their applicability. In this study, machine learning models are developed to make predictions of melting points for these thermally stable ionic liquids using a process called quantitative structure-property relationships (QSPR). The methodology used …