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Computational Chemistry Commons

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Full-Text Articles in Computational Chemistry

Demystifying Misconceptions In Introductory Undergraduate Chemistry Education With 3d Printed Molecular Orbitals, Hiwot Endeshaw, Daniel J. O'Leary Jan 2025

Demystifying Misconceptions In Introductory Undergraduate Chemistry Education With 3d Printed Molecular Orbitals, Hiwot Endeshaw, Daniel J. O'Leary

Pomona Senior Theses

Spatial abilities are invaluable skills for the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects. However, women, people from low socioeconomic backgrounds, and ethnic minorities are more likely to have less developed spatial abilities, which is one of the many contributing factors for the lack of diversity in STEM subjects like chemistry. Teaching spatial skills to undergraduate chemistry students may address this issue and help increase the diversity of students who go on to continue their education in the subject. 3D printing technology in higher education has exploded in recent years, presenting a unique opportunity to teach “hard to grasp” concepts …


Computational Investigation Of The Ionization Potential Of Lead Sulfide Quantum Dots, Jessica Beyer Jan 2023

Computational Investigation Of The Ionization Potential Of Lead Sulfide Quantum Dots, Jessica Beyer

Scripps Senior Theses

The purpose of this work was to determine the impact of quantum dot size on ionization potential and to determine how the presence of carbonyl-based ligands affect the ionization potential of lead sulfide quantum dot systems. Ionization potential (IP) is defined as the energy required to remove an electron from an atom, molecule, or material. IP helps scientists determine how reactive the material of interest is, which is crucial information when manufacturing nanomaterials. Accurate quantum chemical calculations of ionization potential are challenging due to the computational cost associated with the numerical solution of the Dyson equation. In this work, the …


Calcium Bistriflimide-Mediated Sulfur (Vi)–Fluoride Exchange (Sufex): Mechanistic Insights Toward Instigating Catalysis, Nicholas Ball, Brian Han, Samuel R. Khasnavis, Matthew Nwerem, Michael Bertagna, O Maduka Ogba Jun 2022

Calcium Bistriflimide-Mediated Sulfur (Vi)–Fluoride Exchange (Sufex): Mechanistic Insights Toward Instigating Catalysis, Nicholas Ball, Brian Han, Samuel R. Khasnavis, Matthew Nwerem, Michael Bertagna, O Maduka Ogba

Pomona Faculty Publications and Research

We report a mechanistic investigation of calcium bistriflimide-mediated sulfur(VI)–fluoride exchange (SuFEx) between sulfonyl fluorides and amines. We determine the likely pre-activation resting state─a calcium bistriflimide complex with ligated amines─thus allowing for corroborated calculation of the SuFEx activation barrier at ∼21 kcal/mol, compared to 21.5 ± 0.14 kcal/mol derived via kinetics experiments. Transition state analysis revealed: (1) a two-point calcium-substrate contact that activates the sulfur(VI) center and stabilizes the leaving fluoride and (2) a 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane additive that provides Brønsted-base activation of the nucleophilic amine. Stable Ca–F complexes upon sulfonamide formation are likely contributors to inhibited catalytic turnover, and a proof-of-principle redesign …