Chemistry Commons^™

Factors Affecting The Association Of Single- And Double-Stranded Rnas With Montmorillonite Nanoclays, A. Gujjari, B. V. Rodriguez, J. Pescador, Corina Maeder, G. W. Beall, L. K. Lewis

Chemistry Faculty Research

Montmorillonite (MMT) nanoclays exist as single and stacked sheet-like structures with large surface areas that can form stable associations with many naturally occurring biomolecules, including nucleic acids. They have been utilized successfully as vehicles for delivery of both drugs and genes into cells. Most previous studies have focused on interactions of MMT with DNA. In the current study, we have investigated the binding of small RNAs similar to those used for RNA interference (RNAi) therapy to two major forms of the clay, Na-MMT and Ca-MMT. Association of both forms of MMT with several double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs), including 25mers, 54mers and …

3d Printable Optomechanical Cage System With Enclosure, Brandon Winters, David Shepler

Chemistry Faculty Publications

The advent of the computer-age in the mid to late 20th century brought the development of sophisticated scientific equipment for myriad chemical analyses. The field of spectroscopy alone has seen significant advances in data collection, processing, and analysis due principally to the incorporation of microprocessors. While it is clear computers have revolutionized the field of instrumental chemical analysis their impact is pervasive through every segment of our lives. From word processing, data management, and Computer Aided Design in our work environments to social media, crowd funding, and digital news at home, technology is everywhere. This work seeks to incorporate the …

Making Soap Green, Asia Sweet

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

The One Gallon Soap Company (OGSC) recycles partially used bar soap from local Portland hotels and repurposes it as liquid hand soap. The preliminary formulations originally prepared by the OGSC produced a smooth, homogeneous liquid soap with good foaming action. However, over short and often variable time periods, the soap would separate into two layers: a watery bottom layer with little foaming action and an oily top layer. The OGSC asked the USM Chemistry Department to investigate the formulation process in an effort to provide a more stable product – one that would maintain a constant consistency over several months.

Geochemistry Of Archaeological And Marine Environments In Southwest Maine, Heather L. Bushie

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

Two archaeological excavations for the University of Southern Maine collected sediment columns from select units for geological and chemical analysis. The Spiller Farms site is a Native American site located in Wells, Maine marking a transition period between the Pleistocene and Holocene epochs, 12,000 BP. The Malaga Island site was a historic mixed-race community at the north end of Casco Bay where sediment columns were obtained in near-shore and subtidal zones. The samples obtained from Malaga Island have been radiocarbon dated to 3800 +/- 30 BP at 23 meters below the low-tide line. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis is being conducted …

Biomimetic Studies Of Oxidation Reactions By Metalloporphyrins Through Ligand Effect And Kinetic Studies Of Photo-Generated Porphyrin-Iron(Iv)- Oxocompound Ii Models, Dharmesh J. Patel

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

High-valent iron(IV)-oxo porphyrins are the central oxidizing species in hemecontaining enzymes and synthetic oxidation catalysts. Many transition metal complexes have been extensively studied as models of the ubiquitous cytochrome P450 enzymes to probe the sophisticated oxygen atom transfer (OAT) mechanism as well as to invent enzyme-like oxidation catalysts. In this work, two metalloporphyrin complexes have been successfully synthesized, and spectroscopically characterized. A new photochemical entry to porphyrin-iron(IV)-oxo derivatives, commonly referred to as compound II models, was also investigated in two porphyrin ligands that differ in electronic and steric environments. As determined by their distinct UV-vis spectra and kinetic behaviors, iron(IV)-oxo …

Untargeted Bioassay Strategy For Medicinal Plants: In Vitro Antidiabetic Activity And 13c Nmr Profiling Of Extracts From Vitex Negundo L, Fabian M. Dayrit, Myrnille Joy B. Zabala, Lolita G. Lagurin

Chemistry Faculty Publications

Bioassay-guided fractionation is the principal method for the identification of active constituents in medicinal plants. By design, this method aims to identify the most active compound in a complex mixture with the objective of discovering novel drug candidates. Described here is a complementary method for the identification of known bioactive compounds in medicinal plants which is untargeted and which takes advantage of the large NMR database of known natural products and availability of statistical software. This untargeted bioassay strategy is demonstrated as a proof of principle in the determination of the antidiabetic compounds in Vitex negundo L. Crude methanol and …

Magnetic Properties Of Acenes And Their O-Quinone Derivatives: Computer Simulation, A. A. Starikova, A. G. Starikov, R. M. Minyaev, Alexander I. Boldyrev, V. I. Minkin

Chemistry and Biochemistry Faculty Publications

Quantum chemical study (DFT UB3LYP/6-311++G(d,p)) of the structure and properties of acenes functionalized with two o-benzoquinone groups and their complexes with sodium cations has been performed. An increase in the number of fused rings has been shown to result in the stabilization of biradicaloid state of acenes and the switching of the character of exchange interactions between redox-active moieties from antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic. The obtained results allow one to consider o-quinone acene derivatives as a basis for designing magnetoactive compounds.

Kinetic Modeling Of The Atmospheric Photooxidation Of Reduced Sulfur And Nitrogen Compounds, Jesus Alejandro Berlanga

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Atmospheric aerosols encapsulate a wide variety of particles with different compositions, sizes and sources of origin. They also directly and indirectly affect climate by their interactions with sunlight, clouds, atmospheric chemical species, and even other suspended particles. To understand the atmospheric aerosol processes and the effects they have in global and regional climate is of utmost importance for the future establishment of environmental regulations and emission policies that affect aerosol precursor compounds in an effective and beneficial manner. In particular, aerosols are known to be formed from emissions from human activities, such as fossil fuel burning, agriculture, or concentrated animal …

Foutier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy Instrumentation And Integration With Thermogravimetry, Junjie Xiang

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

To discover the potential of IR spectroscopy and explore the details of FTIR instrumentation, a FTIR was built from most basic parts to provide access to every aspect of a IR spectrometer including the hardware and software. The optical system followed the most widely used double-interferometer design. The software control system was developed with LabVIEW to perform data acquisition of the detectors, data processing and controls of the actuators. The FTIR built will be able to provide a full optical IR spectroscopy platform which has a complete control and data acquisition system and can be continuously improved in accuracy and …

Secondary Electronic And Solvent Effects On Regiospecific P-Bromination Of Aromatic Systems, Selahaddin Gumus

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Bromoarenes are important aromatic building blocks that are commonly used to synthesize various functional compounds in pharmaceutical, agrochemical and related industries.^1,2 This great demand for bromoarenes makes their preparation a widely studied area of synthetic organic chemistry. However, further understanding of the reactivity and regiochemistry of aromatic functionalization reactions is still necessary, as much about the secondary substitution and solvent effects remain unknown.

Resonance Theory is a widely used theoretical model to predict the regiospecifity and reactivity of the bromination of various aromatic compounds.³ The reactivity and regiospecificity of many substituted aromatic compounds is well explained using resonance …

Imidazolium Ionic Liquids As Multifunctional Solvents, Ligands, And Reducing Agents For Noble Metal Deposition Onto Well-Defined Heterostructures And The Effect Of Synthetic History On Catalytic Performance, Michael Drake Ballentine

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([BMIM]Tf2N) was investigated as a multifunctional solvent, ligand, and reducing agent for platinum deposition onto well-defined CdSe@CdS nanorods. Platinum deposition was carried out thermally and photochemically using Pt(acac)2 as the metal precursor. Thermal deposition was investigated in [BMIM]Tf2N with and without addition of a sacrificial reducing agent, and product topology was compared with the products obtained from polyol reduction using 1,2-hexadecanediol, oleic acid, and oleylamine in diphenyl ether. Photochemically induced platinum deposition was carried out at room temperature in [BMIM]Tf2N, and product topology was compared with the photodeposition products obtained from a toluene dispersion. Thermal deposition of platinum …

Do Paraben Derivatives Alter T Cell Immunity?, Hailey Kintz

Spring Presentation of Undergraduate Research

T cells immunity is linked to a complex system of cytokines that determine differentiation of naïve T cells into Th1, Th2, Th17, and Treg cells. Estrogen production or periods of elevated production have been correlated with an anti-inflammatory state in which Th2 and Treg cells are up-regulated. Such responses in the immune system are capable of supporting pre-cancerous activity. We are investigating the tie between the xenoestrogen compounds found in cosmetics, parabens, and their ability to regulate T cell immunity. Testing parabens and paraben derivatives with weaker estrogen receptor association will allow for a better understanding of the interplay between …

Emissions Of Organic Compounds From Produced Water Ponds I: Characteristics And Speciation, Seth N. Lyman, Marc L. Mansfield, Huy N. Q. Tran, Jordan D. Evans, Colleen Jones, Trevor O'Neil, Ric Bowers, Ann Smith, Cara Keslar

Chemistry and Biochemistry Faculty Presentations

We measured fluxes of methane, a suite of non-methane hydrocarbons (C2–C11), light alcohols, and carbon dioxide from oil and gas produced water storage and disposal ponds in Utah (Uinta Basin) and Wyoming (Upper Green River Basin) United States during 2013–2016. In this paper, we discuss the characteristics of produced water composition and air-water fluxes, with a focus on flux chamber measurements. In companion papers, we will (1) report on inverse modeling methods used to estimate emissions from produced water ponds, including comparisons with flux chamber measurements, and (2) discuss the development of mass transfer coefficients to estimate emissions and place …

Synthesis Of Gd-Deta-Mam For The Capture And Release Of Phosphate In Water, Austin Macrae

Honors Capstones

Excess phosphorus in lakes from fertilizer runoff causes eutrophication, which in turn promotes algal blooms. These algal blooms can produce toxins that pollute drinking water for entire cities. A catch and release system for phosphate is proposed that features Gd-DETA- MAM, which is a derivative of Gd-TREN-MAM. Gd-TREN-MAM has been shown to selectively and reversibly bind phosphate in a pH dependent manner. The derivation aims to increase the binding affinity of phosphate by reducing steric hinderance around the gadolinium atom. The rational for this hypothesis is that the linear DETA backbone will have increased accessibility compared to a TREN backbone. …

Detection Of Amyloid Beta (Aβ) Oligomeric Composition Using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Mass Spectrometry (Maldi Ms)., Jasmine S-H Wang, Shawn N Whitehead, Ken K-C Yeung

Chemistry Publications

The use of MALDI MS as a fast and direct method to detect the Aβ oligomers of different masses is examined in this paper. Experimental results suggest that Aβ oligomers are ionized and detected as singly charged ions, and thus, the resulting mass spectrum directly reports the oligomer size distribution. Validation experiments were performed to verify the MS data against artifacts. Mass spectra collected from modified Aβ peptides with different propensities for aggregation were compared. Generally, the relative intensities of multimers were higher from samples where oligomerization was expected to be more favorable, and vice versa. MALDI MS was also …

Group 13 Complexes Of Chelating N2o2n‒ Ligands As Hybrid Molecular Materials, Ryan R. Maar, Joe B. Gilroy

Chemistry Publications

Recent synthetic advances have afforded opportunities for the creation of a wide range of potentially tetradentate N2O2n‒ ligands. When combined with group 13 elements, robust functional molecular materials can be realized. This concept article describes advances surrounding group 13 complexes of selected families of N2O2n‒ ligands, including examples with unique chirality, sensing/detection capabilities, utility in organic electronics, and redox properties. It also highlights the bridge between fundamental main group chemistry and useful application that is being established within this research field.

Acetylenic Poly(Aryl Ether)S: Preparation Of The Snar Monomer Bis(4-Fluorophenyl)Acetylene, Wail Aljuhani, Thomas W. Nalli

Undergraduate Research Celebration 2018

No abstract provided.

Synthesis Of Ergosta-5,22,24(28)-Trienol From Stigmasterol, Caitlin M. Hilger, Thomas W. Nalli

Undergraduate Research Celebration 2018

No abstract provided.

Diels-Alder Reaction Of Α-Phellandrene And P-Benzoquinone As An Experiment For The Organic Chemistry Teaching Lab, Jacob Wittenberg, Thomas W. Nalli

Undergraduate Research Celebration 2018

No abstract provided.

Determination Of Rate Constants For H-Abstraction By 4-Fluorophenyl Radicals From Fatty Acid Methyl Esters By F-19 Nmr, Kevin Plaisance, Thomas W. Nalli

Undergraduate Research Celebration 2018

No abstract provided.

Determination Of Phytosterols In Dried Shaggy Mane And Morel Mushrooms By Gc-Ms, Natalie Walker, Thomas W. Nalli

Undergraduate Research Celebration 2018

No abstract provided.

Selectivity Of Wohl-Ziegler Brominations Of Cyclohexene And Trans-2-Hexene, Rick W. Dorn, Eden Willcox, Joseph K. West, Thomas W. Nalli

Undergraduate Research Celebration 2018

No abstract provided.

Metacognition And The Utility Of Pathway Maps In Introductory Chemistry, Kayla Schwartz

Honors Projects

Students historically struggle in introductory chemistry courses. This experiment was designed to test a hypothesized method to increase student success which utilized metacognition, reflection, and the creation of pathway maps. An introductory chemistry course at BGSU was given two sets of pre-assignments, pathway map assignments, and post-assignments which was related to the topics they were learning in class. The pre-assignments and post-assignments were used to determine if there was a change in understanding before and after the pathway map assignment was completed and the pathway map assignment was based on a question that was given in the pre-assignment. The students …

Factors Affecting The Number And Type Of Student Research Products For Chemistry And Physics Students At Primarily Undergraduate Institutions: A Case Study., Birgit Mellis, Patricia Soto, Chrystal D. Bruce, Graciela Lacueva, Anne Wilson, Rasitha Jayasekare

2018 Faculty Bibliography

For undergraduate students, involvement in authentic research represents scholarship that is consistent with disciplinary quality standards and provides an integrative learning experience. In conjunction with performing research, the communication of the results via presentations or publications is a measure of the level of scientific engagement. The empirical study presented here uses generalized linear mixed models with hierarchical bootstrapping to examine the factors that impact the means of dissemination of undergraduate research results. Focusing on the research experiences in physics and chemistry of undergraduates at four Primarily Undergraduate Institutions (PUIs) from 2004–2013, statistical analysis indicates that the gender of the student …

Temperature And Electric Field Dependency Of Asymmetric Stretching Of Nitrate And Carbonate Ions, Konnor Jones

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Photolysis of nitrate ion in the natural environment produces NO, NO2, and O3, releasing these toxic gases into the atmosphere. Work done by other groups has shown ionic strength dependence of the ratio of products from photolysis of aqueous nitrate ion. To better understand the kinetic mechanisms of nitrate photolysis, the effects that ionic strength in solution have on nitrate ion symmetry breaking are needed. Different solvation environments induce nitrate bonding motifs that may be correlated to the product ratio. Fourier-transform infrared spectra of aqueous nitrate–ion solutions were obtained over a range of temperatures for several total electrolyte concentrations. The …

Analysis Of Nox Levels In Ambient Air Using Passive Sampling, Cole Crosby

CUP Undergraduate Research

Nitrogen oxides (NOx) are gas phase precursors that can lead to excess tropospheric ozone (O3). These pollutants are detrimental to human health at concentrations in ambient air. Measurement of these pollutants is generally performed by active sampling. However, this leaves for costly procedures and sparse monitoring networks. Passive sampling is a cost-efficient technique that allows for greater dispersion of sampling networks. In this study, a passive sampling technique developed by Ogawa & CO., USA, Inc. is utilized to study levels of NOx on the Concordia University campus in an undergraduate laboratory setting. The same technique is also employed in a …

Modifications To Para-Menthane-(3,8)-Diol To Increase Mosquito Repellency, Heidi Nowakowski

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

Functional Requirement For Human Pitrilysin Metallopeptidase 1 Arginine 183, Mutated In Amyloidogenic Neuropathy, Jilian E. Smith-Carpenter, Benjamin Alper

Chemistry & Physics Faculty Publications

Here we report the enzymologic characterization of recombinant human pitrilysin metallopeptidase 1 (Pitrm1) and derivative mutants including the arginine-to-glutamine substitution mutant Pitrm1 R183Q, which has been implicated in inherited amyloidogenic neuropathy. Recombinant Pitrm1 R183Q was readily expressed in and purified from E. coli, but was less active than the recombinant wild-type enzyme against recombinant amyloid beta peptide (Aβ 1-40). A novel fluorogenic substrate derived from the reported Aβ 1-40 core peptide cleavage sequence, Mca-KLVFFAEDK-(Dnp)-OH, was synthesized and applied to real-time kinetic study of Pitrm1 and derivative mutants including Pitrm1 R183Q. The Pitrm1 R183Q mutant exhibited significantly decreased rate of fluorogenic …

Principles Of Chemistry I & Ii (Ghc), Sarah Tesar, Allen Easton, Erin Kingston, Joseph Collins, Charles Garrison, Greg Ford, Christin Collins

Chemistry Grants Collections

This Grants Collection for Principles of Chemistry I & II was created under a Round Eight ALG Textbook Transformation Grant.

Affordable Learning Georgia Grants Collections are intended to provide faculty with the frameworks to quickly implement or revise the same materials as a Textbook Transformation Grants team, along with the aims and lessons learned from project teams during the implementation process.

Documents are in .pdf format, with a separate .docx (Word) version available for download. Each collection contains the following materials:

• Linked Syllabus
• Initial Proposal
• Final Report

Principles Of Chemistry I & Ii (Ga Southern), Lea Padgett, Catherine Macgowan, Gary Guillet, Todd Hizer

Chemistry Grants Collections

This Grants Collection for Principles of Chemistry I & II was created under a Round Seven ALG Textbook Transformation Grant.

Affordable Learning Georgia Grants Collections are intended to provide faculty with the frameworks to quickly implement or revise the same materials as a Textbook Transformation Grants team, along with the aims and lessons learned from project teams during the implementation process.

Documents are in .pdf format, with a separate .docx (Word) version available for download. Each collection contains the following materials:

• Linked Syllabus
• Initial Proposal
• Final Report