Children never cease to be fascinated by toy gyroscopes, which commonly consist of (1) a rotating axis and disk, and (2) two to four spokes that connect the termini of the axis. This talk will describe syntheses of molecules that duplicate the connectivity, symmetry, and rotational ability of such gyroscopes. Complexes with trans R₃P-ML_n -PR3 linkages are first prepared, with R groups that terminate with a CH=CH₂ moiety. Then alkene metathesis followed by hydrogenation is used to construct three-spoked cage molecules.

Molecular editing has recently gained attention as an emerging strategy to diversify and enable the building of complex molecules, and it directly modifies the core of the molecular skeleton.

To What Remains is the story of Project Recover, a small team of accomplished scientists, oceanographers, archaeologists, historians, researchers, and military veterans, who have dedicated their lives to scouring the depths of the ocean and the farthest corners of the earth, to search for, recover, and repatriate the remains of the more than 80,000 Americans missing in action since WWII. 

The definition of active learning depends on who you ask.  The approaches are widely varying with different levels of student success. Today’s presentation will be a discussion of what constitutes active learning.  To help illustrate the concept, activities will be presented that are used in the presenter's classroom. It is hoped that attendees will leave with a better understanding of how active learning can be implemented in their own classrooms.

Block copolymer membranes offer a bottom-up approach to form isoporous membranes that are useful for ultrafiltration of functional macromolecules, colloids, and water purifcation.

Carbon monoxide (CO) in the last two decades has garnered an increase in interest for its therapeutic effects when applied at a controlled dosage. Some notable effects include antiinflammation, anti-apoptosis, and anti-oxidation. Recently, the use of a molecular vehicle to deliver CO, known as a CO-releasing molecules (CORMs), has been a widely studied topic for their ability to deliver a controlled dosage of CO.

This seminar will describe our investigations into how organic radical ions–typically thought of as fleeting intermediates–can be tamed and exploited as a new family of organocatalysts and small molecule reagents. We identified selective generation of such species as a key hurdle stymying development of these systems. To address this problem, we have leveraged electrochemistry to develop new synthetic transformations driven by organic radical ions.