Chemistry Commons^™

Rational Design Of Multifunctional Nanocatalysts For Environmental Remediation And Energy Conversion Technologies, Md Ariful Ahsan

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The discovery of efficient and sustainable carbon-based nanotechnologies to solve both the scarcity of drinking water and global energy crisis has become a paramount task in the last decades. Owed to the fast population growth and industrialization of the modern society, access to potable water and clean energy technologies is becoming very hard around the globe. Water pollutants have become a serious threat to the environment and ecology because of their toxic nature. Parallelly, the current hydrocarbon-based fuel industries are generating high levels of contamination across the planet, making imperative the development of cleaner energy technologies. In this regard, the …

Combination Of Nir Triggered Lanthanide Upconverting Nanoplatforms With Fullerene For Controlled Drug Release And Photo Cancer Therapy, Lei Ma

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an emerging, externally activatable, treatment modality for various diseases, especially for cancer therapy. Similar to radiotherapy, the mode of action with PDT involves the use of electromagnetic radiation to generate radical species in situ. However, PDT is a much milder approach for cancer treatment. Because of the unique physicochemical properties of fullerenes (such as C60), many potential biomedical applications, including PDT, became possible with them. As a main principle of PDT, the anticancer properties of various fullerene preparations usually result from their ability to generate cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS), after photoexcitation. However, because of the …

Development Of Bioaffinity Based Assays For Forensic Applications, Juliana Maria Agudelo Cano

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

In the field of forensic science, body fluids are a major contributor of evidence in investigations. However, body fluids are usually used only for their genetic content, overlooking its unique composition of proteins and low-molecular-weight compounds that often serve as biomarkers in clinical diagnostics. This investigation aimed to develop simple, effective, and economical models that can be used to identify different attributes of the originator. The focus of this research was to develop biocatalytic cascades that could analyze body fluids by using UV-Vis spectroscopy. These models could be implemented in forensic settings, as well as in biometric authentications. The central …

Development Of Visible-Light-Mediated Photoredox Catalysis, Sarbjeet Kaur

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

ABSTRACT

Temperature-Pressure Phase Diagrams Of Metal Nitrogen Compounds Through Density Functional Theory Computations And Thermodynamic Calculations, Hanof Alkhaldi

Chemistry & Biochemistry Dissertations - Archive

The need for novel materials for new generations of applications is growing tremendously. One of many pathways to attain new materials is the route of high pressure synthesis. A particular active area in this high–pressure research is to attain nitrogen-rich compounds. Many of these compounds discovered over the last decades have a potential use as hard material or as high–energy storage material. While it is not possible to predict a potential application for a compound before its experimental realization, it is worthy to explore beforehand what opportunities may exist. This kind of targeted development requires understanding of the synthesis process, …

Multinuclear Copper(I) And Silver(I) Pyrazolates: Synthesis, Luminescence, And Catalysis, Monika R. Patterson

Chemistry & Biochemistry Dissertations - Archive

Copper and silver pyrazolate complexes have numerous fascinating properties such as luminescence, catalytic ability, and complexation with small molecules. Using both more widely studied non-fluorinated pyrazolates and less common highly fluorinated pyrazolates as supporting ligands, we successfully synthesized and investigated several new coinage metal complexes. Synthetic details, structures, and properties i.e., luminescence and catalytic ability, have been studied. Chapter 2 of this research describes the synthesis of a new pyrazole with highly fluorinated aryl groups and corresponding trinuclear copper(I), silver(I), and gold(I) complexes. All three metal complexes exhibit bright blue luminescence under exposure to UV light. Additionally, the copper(I) complex …

Fluoroalcohol Induced Supramolecular Biphasic Systems Of Zwitterionic Surfactants, Mixed Amphiphiles, And Polar Organic Solvents In Proteomics And Environmental Analysis, Durga Khanal

Chemistry & Biochemistry Dissertations - Archive

In this research, we have investigated several HFIP-induced biphasic systems of zwitterionic surfactants like CHAPS and DMMAPS and their mixed amphiphilic systems for the extraction, enrichment, and fractionation of mixture of standard proteins and complex sample mixture of yeast proteins. The biphasic systems of zwitterionic surfactants (CHAPS and DMMAPS) and their mixed amphiphiles with quaternary ammonium salts (QUATS= TBAB, TEAB) provide concomitant extraction of hydrophobic membrane proteins, enrichment of lower abundance proteins to one phase, and fractionation of complex sample mixture into two phases. The results obtained from these biphasic systems were compared with control systems of aqueous solutions of …

8th Position Bodipy Chemistry, Laura I. Saucedo

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The projects examined in this dissertation demonstrate how the meso substituents N and S lone pair-BODIPY core interaction influence the chemistry and properties of BODIPY fluorophores. Three objectives were completed experimentally and computationally. In the first project the meso amide substituent delocalizes the nitrogen lone pair into the carbonyl, preventing a hemicyanine resonance that causes blue emission in 8-amino-BODIPYs. The second and third projects substituting aniline or phenylthiol derivatives onto the 8th position, respectively. The aniline and phenylthio lone pair interaction with the BODIPY core can be modulated by electron-donating (ED) or –withdrawing (EW) moieties placed para on the aryl …

A Tribute To Professor Gaetano Granozzi And His Contributions To Surface Science On The Occasion Of His 70th Birthday, Kurt W. Kolasinski

Chemistry Faculty Publications

On the occasion of his 70th birthday, we celebrate the career of our Editor-in-Chief, Professor Gaetano Granozzi. Prof. Granozzi’s work is marked by his dedication to the fundamental understanding of technologically relevant systems through the lens of surface science.

Is Bog Water Chemistry Affected By Increasing N And S Deposition From Oil Sands Development In Northern Alberta, Canada?, R. Kelman Wieder, Melanie A. Vile, Kimberli D. Scott, James C. Quinn, Cara M. Albright, Kelly J. Mcmillen, Caitlyn Herron, Hope Fillingim

Public Health Sciences Faculty Publications

Nitrogen and sulfur emissions from oil sands operations in northern Alberta, Canada have resulted in increasing deposition of N and S to the region's ecosystems. To assess whether a changing N and S deposition regime affects bog porewater chemistry, we sampled bog porewater at sites at different distances from the oil sands industrial center from 2009 to 2012 (10-cm intervals to a depth of 1 m) and from 2009 to 2019 (top of the bog water table only). We hypothesized that: (1) as atmospheric N and S deposition increases with increasing proximity to the oil sands industrial center, surface porewater …

Bioactivity Assessment Of Veratrum Californicum Alkaloids, Madison Dirks

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

The native Idaho plant Veratrum californicum is known to contain steroidal alkaloids that function as inhibitors of hedgehog signaling, a pathway utilized for the growth and differentiation of cells as well as proper tissue development. Veratrum californicum was originally noticed when pregnant ewes consumed the plant and later gave birth to lambs with craniofacial mutations such as a cyclopean eyes. These malformations were caused by the plant’s steroidal alkaloid cyclopamine blocking the hedgehog signaling pathway. This same pathway is used by more than 20 types of cancer for multiplication of cells. Additional alkaloids have been found in Veratrum californicum, …

Fast & Efficient Simulation For Long Polymeric Chains, Naeyma N. Islam

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Determining The Presence Of Biological Fluids In Peruvian Mummy Cloths Using The Liquid Chromatography Quadruple Time Of Flight Instrument, Tim Perksen, Joshua Sebree Ph.D.

Fall 2021 - Chemical Analysis Class Projects

A poster presenting the processes used and the results of analyzing the cloth from Peruvian mummies for the presence of biological fluids.

Identification Of Natural Dyes In Ancient Peruvian Mummy Cloths Using Lc/Ms/Ms, Shailah Mathews, Joshua Sebree Ph.D.

Fall 2021 - Chemical Analysis Class Projects

A poster presenting the processes used and the results of analyzing the natural dyes used on cloth from Peruvian mummies.

Detecting Oceanic Salt In Peruvian Mummy Cloths Using Scanning Electron Microscopy, Alexis Wirtz, Joshua Sebree Ph.D.

Fall 2021 - Chemical Analysis Class Projects

A poster presenting the processes and the results of analyzing cloth from Peruvian mummies for the presence of ocean salts.

Techniques For The Enantioselective Asymmetric Synthesis Of Benzyl Substituted Malonic Acid Esters, Madison Hansen

Honors Theses

A popular method for the enantioselective synthesis of substituted malonic half esters is hydrolysis via Pig Liver Esterase (PLE), however some substrates produce low enantiomeric excess, namely benzyl-substituted malonic esters. Presented here are alternative methods explored for this synthesis, the first being phase-transfer catalyzed hydrolysis via N-benzyl quaternary ammonium salts derived from cinchona alkaloids. The second method utilized chiral auxiliary directed benzylation with auxiliaries including menthol and oxazolidinones. Though unsuccessful, this research provided valuable groundwork in the investigation for the enantioselective asymmetric synthesis of benzyl-substituted malonic acid esters.

Keywords: Pig Liver Esterase, Enantioselectivity, Phase-Transfer Catalysis, Cinchona Alkaloids, Quaternary Ammonium …

Investigation Of N-Sulfonyliminium Ion Triggered Cyclizations For The Synthesis Of Piperidine Scaffolds, Kaitlyn Birkhoff

Honors Theses

In consideration of the on-going global pandemic, immediate access to Food and Drug Administration approved pharmaceutical medications and vaccines is a matter of utmost priority to our national healthcare system. One significant modality in managed care is the dispensation of prescription drugs for the prevention or treatment of illnesses and diseases. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, physicians order and provide over 2.9 billion prescriptions each year with analgesics, antihyperlipidemics, and dermatological agents being the most prescribed therapeutic classes. Within those classes exists a disparate variety of chemical structures that must be prepared on a metric ton …

Computational Investigations Of The Photochemical Properties Of B12-Dependent Systems: From Solution To Enzymes., Megan Toda Mackintosh

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The photochemical properties of the B₁₂ family of molecules (cobalamins = Cbls) have been known for many years yet only until the 21^st century have applications for the light-sensitivity of Cbls come to the surface. Photolabile Cbls can be used for the delivery of therapeutics with spatial and temporal control, in the generation of hydroxyl radicals, and in nature, as demonstrated in the catalytic cycle of coenzyme B₁₂-dependent photoreceptors. This dissertation describes the use of computational methods to explore the photochemical properties of Cbl systems including antivitamins B₁₂, a thiolato-cobalamin, and the coenzyme B …

Conserved And Divergent Features Of Neuronal Camkii Holoenzyme Structure, Function, And Highorder Assembly, Olivia R. Buonarati, Adam P. Miller, Steven J. Coultrap, K. Ulrich Bayer, Steve L. Reichow

Chemistry Faculty Publications and Presentations

Neuronal CaMKII holoenzymes (^a and ^b isoforms) enable molecular signal computation underlying learning and memory but also mediate excitotoxic neuronal death. Here, we provide a comparative analysis of these signaling devices, using single-particle electron microscopy (EM) in combination with biochemical and live cell imaging studies. In the basal state, both isoforms assemble mainly as 12-mers (but also 14-mers and even 16-mers for the b isoform). CaMKIIa and ^b isoforms adopt an ensemble of extended activatable states (with average radius of 12.6 versus 16.8 nm, respectively), characterized by multiple transient intra- and interholoenzyme interactions associated with distinct functional properties. The …

Synthesis, Crystal Structure And Ionic Conductivity Of Ruddlesden-Popper Oxide Materials: Effects Of Ionic Radii And Defects On Lithium-Ionic Conductivity., Selorm Joy Fanah

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Layered perovskite oxides of the Ruddlesden-Popper (RP) type structure can be good lithium-ion conductors for solid electrolyte applications in all-solid-state batteries, due to the large gap separating octahedral layers which can be useful pathways for Li-ion conduction. However, little work has been done on their lithium-ion transport properties in these materials despite their interesting structural properties. This work highlights the synthesis and study of the ionic conductivities in a series of n = 2 and 3 Ruddlesden-Popper oxides, as part of an ongoing investigation in search of alternative solid electrolyte materials. Several different strategies were employed for the enhancement of …

Study Of The Cell Membrane And The Synthesis Of Chimeric Human Bacterial Phospholipids, Opeyemi O. Tade

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Phospholipid bilayers are the principal component of the cell membrane. Membranes ensure the maintenance of processes required for cells’ survival by regulating the inflow and outflow of nutrients and other molecules using membrane proteins. However, studying the cell membrane is challenging because of its complexity and small size. In-vitro membrane models made of phospholipids are important tools for studying membranes. In this work, we aim to study the fluidity of phospholipid bilayers of different lipids using general polarization (GP) of the fluorescent probe Laurdan as a measure. We will focus on the relative importance of head groups and fatty acids …

Synthesis, Characterization, And Direct-Ink-Writing Of Syntactic Foams, Andrea Irigoyen

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This project encompasses three different methods to fabricate syntactic foams using a PDMS matrix i.e., hollow spheres inclusion, pore generator leaching by solvent, and emulsion. The foam formation by using polysiloxane hollow spheres is done in a 3-step process. The first step is to create a core of polystyrene following a dispersion polymerization process. The goal for the size of the pore is to monodisperse and have an average diameter of 5-10 μm, so the polystyrene core must be as well within that range. After that, the cores are coated with a polysiloxane shell by following a polymerization by condensation …

Erratum: Physicochemical Insights Of Irradiation-Enhanced Hydroxyl Radical Generation From Zno Nanoparticles(Toxicology Research Doi: 10.1039/C5tx00384a), Qingbo Yang, Tien Sung Lin, Casey Burton, Sungho Park, Yinfa Ma

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In the originally published version of this manuscript, the fourth author's name is incorrect. The name should read "Sungho Park", instead of "Sung-Ho Park". These details have been corrected only in this corrigendum to preserve the published version of record.

Microwave Assisted Depolymerization Of Waste Pet Bottles Via Glycolysis, Kingsley Bassey

Theses and Dissertations

One of the most promising and sustainable chemical depolymerization methods for managing the complex environmental problem arising from waste poly(ethylene) terephthalate (PET) bottles is glycolysis. However key challenges such as longer reaction times, complex separation procedures for the depolymerized products, selectivity, thermally stable catalyst need to be addressed.

In this work, we investigated the glycolysis of waste PET under microwave conditions using 1,5,7-Triazabicyclo [4.4.0] dec5-ene (TBD) and 1,8-Diazabicyclo [5.4.0] undec-7-ene (DBU) as catalyst. We evaluated the effect of reaction parameters such as temperature, catalyst concentration and time on PET depolymerization rate (%PET conversion) and product yield. The reaction was conducted …

Flexible Quantum Dot Solar Cell With Nanostructure Titanium Dioxide Photoanode With Modified Counter Electrode, Haimanti Majumder

Theses and Dissertations

Because of unique photovoltaic properties, nanostructured morphologies of TiO2 on flexible substrate have been studied widely in recent years in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Nanostructured electrode materials with high surface area can promote rapid charge transport and thus improve the light-to-current conversion efficiency. Herein, this project generates an improved photoanode with forest like photoactive TiO2 hierarchical microstructure using a simple and facile hydrothermal route. To improve the photocurrent efficiency, PbS quantum dot has been applied in different thicknesses to evaluate the best performance. The deposition of quantum dot was done by easy SILAR cycle. Four different SILAR cycle has been …

Electrospun Pcl And Pcl/Gel Microfiber Scaffolds As Prototypes For Anterior Cruciate Ligament (Acl) Regeneration And Repair, Diego Rivera

Theses and Dissertations

Polycaprolactone (PCL) is a polymer that has been a focus of tissue engineering due to its range of applicability for biomedical applications. Synthesis of PCL from a microwave-assisted and stannous octoate-catalyzed ring-opening reaction with ε-caprolactone was accomplished. Aligned-fiber microfiber mats were generated via electrospinning for characterization. PCL microfiber mats were characterized via FTIR and scanning electron microscopy. These PCL microfiber mats were mechanically tested to examine their applicability as tools for knee ligament repair. During tensile testing, non-fiber aligned mats lacked the sufficient elastic modulus. Fiber-aligned PCL samples both and gelatin-coated were tested and showed enhanced elastic modulus and extension …

Microwave Spectroscopy Of Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acid, Chlorosulfonic Acid, And Its Interaction With Water, Diego Erik Rodriguez

Theses and Dissertations

This study combines computational chemistry and microwave spectroscopy to simulate the behavior of two molecules: cyclohexanecarboxylic acid and chlorosulfonic acid. In this thesis, cyclohexanecarboxylic acid will be observed on its own. On the other hand, chlorosulfonic acid will be observed on its own as well as its interaction with one, two, and three water molecules. Chapter 1: Introduction will provide insight on published literature related to cyclohexanecarboxylic acid, chlorosulfonic acid, and perfluoroalkyl substances. Chapter 2: Computational Chemistry will provide the reader with information about the foundation of computational chemistry including theory and development of the science. Chapter 3: Microwave Spectroscopy …

The Impacts And In-Depth Study Of The Environmental Contaminant, Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid, And Its Interactions With Water, Karla Veronica Salazar

Theses and Dissertations

Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), similar to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), is a synthetic chemical that has been classified as a persistent organic pollutant (POP) by the Stockholm Convention since 2009. Due to the wide previous usage, high stability, high bio-accumulative, and low degradative properties is the reason that PFOS has been found in several compartments of the environment including ocean water, ground water, air, and sediments. Due to the strong interactions generated by the sulfonic acid end, this compound has a tendency to stay in the environment for long periods of time and has proved to be difficult in the removal from …

Computational Analysis Of The Spin Trapping Properties Of Lipoic Acid And Dihydrolipoic Acid, Matthew Bonfield

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

While the spin trapping properties of thiols have been investigated through EPR analysis and kinetics studies, few groups have studied these properties using strictly computational methods. In particular, α-lipoic acid (ALA) and its reduced form, dihydrolipoic acid (DHLA), one of the strongest endogenously produced antioxidants, show potential for being effective, naturally occurring spin traps for the trapping of reactive oxygen species. This research covers electronic structure calculations of ALA, DHLA, and their corresponding hydroxyl radical spin adducts, performed at the cc-pVDZ/B3LYP/DFT level of theory. The effects on DHLA introduced by other radicals such as ·OOH, ·OCH₃, …

Preparation And Study Of Bacterial Membrane Models, Enoch Asimbisa

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Fuel molecules are organic solvents that have disruptive effects on the bacterial membrane. This is a significant barrier in biofuel production, as it limits the fuel concentration that can be achieved through fermentation. One potential way of overcoming this barrier is to identify lipid compositions that can better withstand solvent stress, for which it is important to understand how organic solvents disrupt the membrane. Use of biophysical characterization techniques to quantify physical properties like fluidity and thickness will enable us to understand the mechanism by which solvents disrupt membranes. Native membranes are very complex, and we sought to develop in-vitro …