Chemistry Commons^™

Electrodeposited Silica Thin Films, Debbie Campbell-Rance

Theses and Dissertations

Sol-gel derived silica thin film synthesis has gained prominence because of the mild processing conditions and widespread understanding of the chemistry of the process. Traditionally, silicate films are prepared by spin- and dip-coating but these materials lack the desired porosity for sensing, separations and catalysis applications. Electrochemical deposition was proposed to improve the porosity of silicate films. The main aims of this work were threefold. First we wanted to elucidate what parameters influenced film formation during electrodeposition. Then we wanted to understand how these parameters affected the morphology of the materials prepared. These films were characterized by profilometry, AFM, and …

Open Notebook Science Challenge Solubilities Of Organic Compounds In Organic Solvents, Andrew Lang, Jean-Claude Bradley, Cameron Neylon, Rajarshi Guha, Antony J. Williams, Bill Hooker, Brent Friesen

College of Science and Engineering Faculty Research and Scholarship

The Open Notebook Science Solubility Challenge Solubility is an important consideration for many chemistry applications. Synthetic chemists usually use a solvent to perform reactions and knowledge of the solubility of the starting materials or products can be very useful to pick an appropriate solvent. Analytical chemists can use solubility to design separation techniques and factor in dynamic range considerations. Physical chemists can create and evaluate their models of how molecules interact in the solubilization and precipitation processes. Solubility data can be obtained from a variety of online and offline sources. As with all chemical data, it can be a challenge …

Tetraaquabis(3-Fluoropyridine-4-Carboxylato-Κn)Zinc(Ii) Dihydrate, Jonetha Fleming, Jennifer Kelley, Leroy Peterson Jr., Mark D. Smith, Hans-Conrad Zur Loye

Faculty Publications

In the title compound, [Zn(C₆H₃FNO₂)₂(H₂O)₄]·2H₂O, the Zn^II atom is octahedrally coordinated in a ZnO₄N₂ environment by two 3-fluoropyridine-4-carboxylate (3-fpy4-cbx) ligands and four water molecules. The [Zn(3-fpy4-cbx)₂(H₂O)₄] molecules form a three-dimensional network through strong O-HO and weak O-HF hydrogen bonds between 3-fpy4-cbx and water molecules. The crystal used for data collection was a twin, with the twin law corresponding to a 180° rotation about the real-space [001] axis. The major twin fraction refined to 0.795 (1).

Poly[[(Μ-2,2'-Bipyrimidine-Κ4N1,N1':N3,N3')(Μ-Sulfato-Κ2O:O')Zinc(Ii)] Monohydrate], Aaron Oxendine, Jennifer Kelley, Leroy Peterson Jr., Mark D. Smith, Hans-Conrad Zur Loye

Faculty Publications

In the title compound, {[Zn(SO₄)(C₈H₆N₄)]·H₂O}_n, the Zn^II atom is in a distorted octahedral environment. The Zn^II atoms are bridged by both 2,2'-bipyrimidine and sulfate ligands, thus forming a three-dimensional polymeric metal-organic solid that contains uncoordinated water molecules in the interstitial space. O-HO hydrogen bonding consolidates the crystal structure.

A Dielectric Affinity Microbiosensor, Xian Huang, Siqi Li, Jerome S. Schultz, Qian Wang, Qiao Lin

Faculty Publications

We present an affinity biosensing approach that exploits changes in dielectric properties of a polymer due to its specific, reversible binding with an analyte. The approach is demonstrated using a microsensor comprising a pair of thin-film capacitive electrodes sandwiching a solution of poly(acrylamide-ran-3-acrylamidophenylboronic acid), a synthetic polymer with specific affinity to glucose. Binding with glucose induces changes in the permittivity of the polymer, which can be measured capacitively for specific glucose detection, as confirmed by experimental results at physiologically relevant concentrations. The dielectric affinity biosensing approach holds the potential for practical applications such as long-term continuous glucose monitoring.

Quantum Trajectory Dynamics In Imaginary Time With The Momentum-Dependent Quantum Potential, Sophya Garashchuk

Faculty Publications

The quantum trajectory dynamics is extended to the wave function evolution in imaginary time. For a nodeless wave function a simple exponential form leads to the classical-like equations of motion of trajectories, representing the wave function, in the presence of the momentum-dependent quantum potential in addition to the external potential. For a Gaussian wave function this quantum potential is a time-dependent constant, generating zero quantum force yet contributing to the total energy. For anharmonic potentials the momentum-dependent quantum potential is cheaply estimated from the global Least-squares Fit to the trajectory momenta in the Taylor basis. Wave functions with nodes are …

Study Of Drug Delivery Behavior Through Biomembranes Using Thermal And Bioanalytical Techniques, Hareesha Reddy Venumuddala

ETD Archive

This Master of Science thesis encompasses two projects in chemical pharmaceuticals. The first is a study of excipients and the added new information collected beyond Thermal Gravimetric Analysis and Differential Scanning Calorimetry from Dielectric Analysis. These new properties enhance our global knowledge of excipients by thermal analytical methods. Excipients, the inactive ingredients in formulated drugs, aid different functions of the active pharmacy ingredient, the drugs. Low temperature transitions, by DEA including melting of frozen solvents, e.g. water, are more definitive than observed by low temperature DSC. Millions of dollars are expended annually on pharmaceutical testing to qualify excipients for fully …

Discovery And Identification Of New Dna Photoproducts And Investigation Of The Redox Mechanism Of Human Apurinic/Apyrimidinic Endonuclease 1 (Hape1) Protein, Dian Su

All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

Exposure of cells to ultraviolet light results in the formation of DNA photoproducts, many of which have been linked to skin cancer. The majority of these photoproducts arise from a photoreaction between two pyrimidines. Irradiation of double stranded B form DNA under physiological conditions mainly produces adjacent dimers. Nonadjacent photodimers of both intrastrand and interstrand types are much rarer. Intrastrand-type nonadjacent dimers form when one or more nucleotides between two pyrimidines become extrahelical owing to the formation of single strand DNA or a slipped structure. This allows the two pyrimidines to photodimerize in a colinear arrangement, as if the intervening …

Transition-Metal Ion Exchange Using Poly(Ethylene Glycol) Oligomers As Solvents, Gina M. Canfield, Michael Bizimis, Susan E. Latturner

Faculty Publications

Poly(ethylene glycol) oligomers have been found to be effective as alternative solvents for the ion exchange of Mn2þ , Fe2 þ , and Co2þ into hydrated and dehydrated Zeolite X (Na80Al80Si112- O384 3 nH2O). When attempted in aqueous solutions, the exchange of these cations quickly leads to destruction of the zeolite structure within 1-2 exchange cycles. However, in PEG oligomer solvents, the structure can be maintained and exchanges of 48% (Co2þ ), 80% (Mn2þ ), and 91% (Fe2þ ) are observed after one cycle under hydrated conditions. When rigorous steps are taken to remove all water from the zeolite before …

The Efficacy Of Chemistry Outreach Programs On Middle School Students, Erica M. Dumeyer

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

The current project was designed to determine if science outreach programs affect the attitude of the students toward science and increase the science content knowledge of the students participating in the program. Students from middle schools surrounding the Bowling Green area participated in the project. The data set includes a total of 850 students from 7th and 8th grade. Students were given a pre-test (taken several days before the presentation) and a post-test (taken several days after the presentation). The tests contain both subjective, affective as well as objective, content questions. The individual student pre-/post-tests were index numbered to protect …

Optimization Of Solid-Phase Microextraction For The Determination Of Organo-Phosphorus And Organo-Chlorine Pesticide Residues In Natural Water Near Aquaculture Farms., Chan Chun Foong

Student Works (2010-2019)

The global shrimp farming industry had a rapid growth in the 1980s due to the high demand for shrimp. Apart from the destruction of mangroves and wetlands, the intensive operation of shrimp aquaculture deteriorated the water quality in the region. Variety of chemicals and biological products were used to prevent the outbreaks of diseases in the intensively managed shrimp ponds. Pesticides were used as disinfectands to kill unwanted organisms in the pond. SPME-GC-ECD method was developed for the determination of azinphos-ethyl, chlorphyrifos-methyl, diazinon, dichlorvos, endosulfan-I, endosulfan-II, endosulfan sulfate and malathion from water samples of shrimp aquaculture area in Manjung district, …

Functionalized, Semicrystalline Poly(Ether Ketone)S Via In Situ Modification Chemistry, Raghavendhar Reddy Kotha

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

AB3 monomer (3,4,5-Trifluoro-4'-hydroxybenzophenone) was used for polymerizations in order to mimic the combination of AB and AB2 monomers, and which has potential to facilitate concurrent polymerization and functionalization. 'Pre' and 'post' polymerization functionalization of the PEK system was done using phenol, 4-bromophenol, and 3/4-aminophenol. The solubility of the functionalized polymers was increased; and the crystallinity was decreased significantly compared to the corresponding unfunctionalized homopolymer. The polymers were characterized by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). DSC results showed that the crystallinity of the polymer was tuned by the amount …

Synthesis, Characterization And Biological Activity Of Copper (Ii) And Zinc (Ii) Complexes Of Thiosemicarbazones And Their N(4)-Substituted Derivatives Derived From 2,4-Dihydroxybenzaldehyde., Tan Kong Wai

Student Works (2010-2019)

Four thiosemicarbazones ligands (1-4) have been prepared with good yield by refluxing 2,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde with thiosemicarbazide or N(4)-substituted thiosemicarbazide in ethanol or methanol. From these four ligands, 16 new ternary metal complexes (5-20) with the general formulation of M(B)L have been prepared from the reactions of metal acetates with 2,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde N(4)-substituted thiosemicarbazone in the presence of N,N-heterocyclic base (M2+ = Zn2+ or Cu2+; B = 2,2'-bipyridine, (bpy); 1,10-phenanthroline, (phen); L2- = doubly deprotonated thiosemicarbazones = 2,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde thiosemicarbazonato, (HT); 2,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde 4-methylthiosemicarbazonato, (HM); 2,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde 4-ethylthiosemicarbazonato, (HE) and 2,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde 4-phenylthiosemicarbazonato, (HP)) These compounds have been characterized by elemental analyses, IR, UV-Vis, NMR and magnetic …

Routes To Sydno[3,4-A]Quinoxalines, Erik Dihrkop

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

In the present work, the reactivity of alkyl and aryl sydnoquinoxalines was studied. Using a previously developed method, triphenylphosphine-2-(3-sydnonyl)phenylimide was prepared in a two-step process via a diazotization / azidation process of 3-(2-aminophenyl)sydnone, followed by treatment with triphenylphosphine. Due to the inability to achieve previously reported yields, a new, one-step method using Mitsunobu conditions was employed to synthesize the iminophosphorane in a good yield. A similar, brominated iminophosphorane was synthesized using the same conditions in a good yield. Treatment of both the brominated and non-brominated iminophosphoranes with alkyl and aryl isocyanates or isothiocyanates in an aza-Wittig process, gave the corresponding …

Progress Towards The Synthesis Of Type B Polycyclic Polyprenylated Acylphloroglucinol 7-Epi-Clusianone, Pushpa Suresh Jayasekara Mudiyanselage

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Plants of the family Guttiferae produce polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinols (PPAPs), which have interesting biological activities including anticancer and antibacterial properties. The main structural features of PPAPs comprise of bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-2,4,9-triketone with one acyl group together with prenyl, geranyl, or other C₁₀H₁₇ groups. 7-epi-Clusianone, a type B PPAP with C-7 endo stereochemistry, is being approached by establishing the cis relationship with C(4) allyl group and C(2) methyl ester in the early stage of the synthesis. Then C(2) methyl ester is converted to alkyne aldehyde and syn reduction followed by intramolecular aldol reaction to give bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane structure with …

Shorter Still: Compressing C-C Single Bonds, Gerarso Martinez-Guajardo, Kelling J. Donald, Bernard K. Wittmaack, Miguel Angel Vazquez, Gabriel Merino

Chemistry Faculty Publications

How short can a C-C single bond get? The bonding in a set of molecules that are related structurally to previously synthesized or theoretically examined systems with short C-C bonds is investigated. According to calculations, a single C-C bond could be compressed to 1.313 A! To the best of our knowledge, this is the shortest single C-C bond reported to date. This shortening is a consequence of a change in the C-C-C bond angle, θ, to minimize strain in the cages and an effort to offset the tension in the surrounding bridges.

Rfx2 Is A Candidate Downstream Amplifier Of A-Myb Regulation In Mouse Spermatogenesis, Gary C. Horvath, Malathi K. Kistler, Wilson Stephen Kistler

Faculty Publications

Background: Mammalian spermatogenesis involves formation of haploid cells from the male germline and then a complex morphological transformation to generate motile sperm. Focusing on meiotic prophase, some tissue-specific transcription factors are known (A-MYB) or suspected (RFX2) to play important roles in modulating gene expression in pachytene spermatocytes. The current work was initiated to identify both downstream and upstream regulatory connections for Rfx2.

Results: Searches of pachytene up-regulated genes identified high affinity RFX binding sites (X boxes) in promoter regions of several new genes: Adam5, Pdcl2, and Spag6. We confirmed a strong promoter-region X-box for Alf, a germ cell-specific variant of …

Utilizing Concept Mapping As A Teaching And Learning Tool To Prepare For The Science Taks Test, Rosa Linda Zuniga

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Concept mapping was used with Donna High School students to determine its effect on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) test. Concept mapping was used with models such as the Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol model (SIOP), the 5- E model, and the Learning Groups model. This measure was taken because the models used have not helped students improve their TAKS scores significantly. The findings of this research reveals that using the process of concept mapping together with the SIOP model helps students clearly see related concepts and motivates them to think more deeply. Students quickly realize what concepts …

Wavepacket Approach To The Cumulative Reaction Probability Within The Flux Operator Formalism, Sophya Garashchuk, Tijo Vazhappilly

Faculty Publications

Expressions for the singular flux operator eigenfunctions and eigenvalues are given in terms of the Dirac δ-function representable as a localized Gaussian wavepacket. This functional form enables computation of the cumulative reaction probability N(E) from the wavepacket time-correlation functions. The Gaussian based form of the flux eigenfunctions, which is not tied to a finite basis of a quantum-mechanical calculation, is particularly useful for approximate calculation of N(E) with the trajectory based wavepacket propagation techniques. Numerical illustration is given for the Eckart barrier using the conventional quantum-mechanical propagation and the quantum trajectory dynamics with the approximate quantum potential. N(E) converges with …

Chemistry In Second Life, Andrew Lang, Jean-Claude Bradley

College of Science and Engineering Faculty Research and Scholarship

This review will focus on the current level on chemistry research, education, and visualization possible within the multi-user virtual environment of Second Life. We discuss how Second Life has been used as a platform for the interactive and collaborative visualization of data from molecules and proteins to spectra and experimental data. We then review how these visualizations can be scripted for immersive educational activities and real-life collaborative research. We also discuss the benefits of the social networking affordances of Second Life for both chemists and chemistry students.

Hierarchical Subject Inter-Relations In Physical Chemistry, Carl W. David

Chemistry Education Materials

Students mystified by the progression of topics in Physical Chemistry may gain insight into their path through the material if acquainted with the diagrams presented and discussed herein.

Succination Of Thiol Groups In Adipose Tissue Proteins In Diabetes: Succination Inhibits Polymerization And Secretion Of Adiponectin, Norma Frizzell, Mathur Rajesh, Matthew J. Jepson, Ryoji Nagai, James A. Carson, Suzanne R. Thorpe, John W. Baynes

Faculty Publications

S-(2-Succinyl)cysteine (2SC) is formed by reaction of the Krebs cycle intermediate fumarate with cysteine residues in protein, a process termed succination of protein. Both fumarate and succination of proteins are increased in adipocytes cultured in high glucose medium (Nagai, R., Brock, J. W., Blatnik, M., Baatz, J. E., Bethard, J., Walla, M. D., Thorpe, S. R., Baynes, J. W., and Frizzell, N. (2007) J. Biol. Chem. 282, 34219-34228). We show here that succination of protein is also increased in epididymal, mesenteric, and subcutaneous adipose tissue of diabetic (db/db) mice and that adiponectin is a major target for succination in both …

Cardiac And Renal Function Are Progressively Impaired With Aging In Zucker Diabetic Fatty Type Ii Diabetic Rats, John W. Baynes, David B. Murray

Faculty Publications

This study investigated the temporal relationship between cardiomyopathy and renal pathology in the type II diabetic Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rat. We hypothesized that changes in renal function will precede the development of cardiac dysfunction in the ZDF rat. Animals (10 weeks old) were divided into four experimental groups: Lean Control (fa/?) LC(n = 7), untreated ZDF rats (n = 7) sacrificed at 16 weeks of age, and LC (n = 7) untreated ZDF rats (n = 9) sacrificed at 36 weeks of age. LV structural/functional parameters were assessed via Millar conductance catheter. Renal function was evaluated via markers of …

Mesoporosity And Functional Group Dependent Endocytosis And Cytotoxicity Of Silica Nanomaterials, Zhimin Tao, Jerry Goodisman, Tewodros Asefa, Bonnie B. Toms

Chemistry - All Scholarship

We report different mesoporosity-dependent and functional group-dependent cytotoxicity and endocytosis of various silica nanomaterials on suspended and adherent cells. This dependency further varied with incubation time and particle dosage, and appeared to be associated with the particles’ endocytotic efficiency and their chemical and physical properties. We studied two common mesoporous nanomaterials (MSNs), MCM-41 and SBA-15, and one type of solid-cored silica microsphere, paralleled by their quaternary amine functionalized counterparts. Compared to SBA-15, MCM-41 has a larger surface area but smaller pore size, whereas SMS exhibits low surface area and poor porosity. In Jurkat cells, SBA-15 and MCM- 41 exhibited different …

The Spectral Game: Leveraging Open Data And Crowdsourcing For Education, Andrew Lang, Jean-Claude Bradley, Robert J. Lancashire, Anthony J. Williams

College of Science and Engineering Faculty Research and Scholarship

We report on the implementation of the Spectral Game, a web-based game where players try to match molecules to various forms of interactive spectra including 1D/2D NMR, Mass Spectrometry and Infrared spectra. Each correct selection earns the player one point and play continues until the player supplies an incorrect answer. The game is usually played using a web browser interface, although a version has been developed in the virtual 3D environment of Second Life. Spectra uploaded as Open Data to ChemSpider in JCAMP-DX format are used for the problem sets together with structures extracted from the website. The spectra are …

Investigating Ring Closing Metathesis Product Favorability By Varying The Alkyne Substituent On A Dienyne, Meagan E. Hinze

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Diene metathesis, which is also known as an olefin metathesis, has been very important for the development of synthetic strategies in organic chemistry since it's inception in the 1950s. The olefin metathesis reaction is when two alkenes exchange the carbons on their double bonds, thus producing two new carbon□arbon double bonds.

Solid Phase Amide Synthesis Using Staudinger-Vilarrasa Coupling And Microwave Irradiation, Ryan Patrick Schmidtz

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Amide bond formation is an already well documented area of organic chemistry, and is very useful in its application in medicine and pharmaceuticals. However, current methods have not been investigated with regards to optimization of reaction times, solvents, and energy sources. In addition, current methods also utilize toxic solvents to cleave the peptide from the solid phase resin. In our study, we combine the Staudinger and Vilarrasa coupling reactions with microwave irradiation to develop and optimize the synthesis of amide bonds through the use of a solid support. Instead of attaching the peptide to the solid support, our amide bond …

Optimization Of A Polydimethylsiloxane Based Passive Sampler Of Common Household Volatile Organic Compounds, Jennifer Lynn Osborne

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Dangerous volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, can accumulate as indoor air pollution within homes causing health problems in the habitants. In order to determine the concentration of VOCs in such areas a field-deployable sampler is necessary. The focus of this work has been to develop an inexpensive, reusable, sensitive fielddeployable passive sampler for monitoring VOCs in indoor air. We have devised a sampler that uses polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), which is a common inexpensive, nonpolar adsorbent. The sampler is comprised of an aluminum bottle coated with the PDMS. In operation, the coated portion is exposed to the air to be sampled. The …

Liquid Carbon Dioxide Extraction Of Various Food Flavors: Evaluation And Analysis, Deven Lee Shinholt

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Sub- and supercritical carbon dioxide has been utilized as an extraction solvent for a variety of natural compounds. This requires the use of specialized high-pressure vessels. It was reported recently that common laboratory apparatus (centrifuge tubes) could be utilized in liquid carbon dioxide extractions obviating the need for specialized equipment. Various herbs and spices (including orange, lemon, lime, and grapefruit zest, oregano, rosemary, sage, spearmint, nutmeg, black peppercorns, cloves, caraway seeds, and vanilla beans) were used as substrates for liquid carbon dioxide extractions by this straightforward technique. The extracted oils, containing terpenes and terpenoids, were then analyzed through GC/MS. Liquid …

Universal Scaling Of Nonequilibrium Transport In The Kondo Regime Of Single Molecule Devices, G D. Scott, Z K. Keane, Jacob W. Ciszek, J M. Tour, D Natelson

Chemistry: Faculty Publications and Other Works

Scaling laws and universality are often associated with systems exhibiting emergent phenomena possessing a characteristic energy scale. We report nonequilibrium transport measurements on two different types of single molecule transistor devices in the Kondo regime. The conductance at low bias and temperature adheres to a scaling function characterized by two parameters. This result, analogous to that reported recently in semiconductor dots with Kondo temperatures two orders of magnitude lower, demonstrates the universality of this scaling form. We compare the extracted values of the scaling coefficients to previous experimental and theoretical results.