Inorganic Chemistry
Research in Inorganic Chemistry spans the continuum from small molecule systems to metalloproteins, from the investigation of the reactivity properties of synthetic complexes to the use of metal-based reagents for probing protein-DNA interactions.
Associated Faculty
John Caradonna
Bioinorganic chemistry
The Caradonna lab is interested in the biological chemistry of non-heme
iron. Approaches include the investigation of synthetic reactivity models,
biophysical and mechanistic studies of natural metalloenzymes, and the
rational design of metalloproteins.
Synthetic inorganic chemistry
The Doerrer group specializes in synthetic inorganic chemistry and
is an equal-opportunity element utilizer. Currently it is pursuing two main
avenues of research. The first is the use of highly fluorinated
aryloxide and alkoxide ligands for the stabilization of high oxidation
states in first-row transition metals. Spectroscopic work strongly suggests
that these ligands generate a stronger field environment than chloride and
might be fluoride mimics. We have prepared many phenolate anions of the form
[M(OAr)n]m- and are investigating their reactivity with strong oxidizing
agents. The second area of research is in metallophilicity, which is the
attraction of electron rich metal centers e.g. Au(I), Pt(II), for each
other. We are investigating the use of this relatively weaker attractive
force in combination with electrostatics to form chain of metal atoms that
can be prepared with odd numbers of spins and investigated as
low-dimensional conductors.
Sean Elliott
Bioinorganic chemistry and Metallobiochemistry
Protein film voltammetry (PFV) is used in the Elliott lab as a way to
explore the electron transfer pathways and redox-dependent catalytic
chemistry of complex metalloproteins such as sulfite reductase and multicopper
oxidases. We also are devloping proteomic tools to allow us to probe
the 'metallome' -- a complete read-out of the metal-binding components
of biological pathways -- such that we can develop new insight into the
role of metal ions in biochemistry.
Warren Giering
Organometallic Chemistry
We have developed a protocol (the Quantitiative Analysis of Ligand Effects,
QALE) that allows us to relate changes in the physicochemical properties
of inorganic and organometallic compounds to variations in the stereoelectronic
properties of ancillary or incipient phosphorus(III) ligands. We are
using QALE in the studies of asymmetric catalytic reactions in order
to tune the efficiency of the catalyst so that we can achieve high rate,
chemoselectivity, and stereoselectivity.
Thomas Tullius
Bioinorganic chemistry
Development and use of the hydroxyl radical (generated by the reaction
of iron(II) EDTA with hydrogen peroxide) as a high-resolution chemical
footprinting reagent to determine the structure of DNA and DNA-protein
complexes in solution. In vivo hydroxyl radical footprinting, using gamma
radiation as the source of hydroxyl radical. Mapping of DNA structure
in the genome.
Associated Graduate Courses
The following graduate courses in the specialization area of inorganic chemistry are offered:
GRS CH 552 - Electrochemistry
Prereq: MA 226, CH 352, or equivalent. Electrochemistry applied to heterogeneous and homogeneous processes, with emphasis on cyclic voltammetry and AC polarography. Use of the Laplace transforms and infinite difference methods. Students explore the kinetics and thermodynamics of fast reactions by computer simulation of electrochemical data. Three hours lecture. Prock. 4 cr, either sem.
GRS CH 631 - Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
Prereq: CAS CH 232, or equivalent, and consent of instructor. Chemistry of selected main group elements; aspects of coordination chemistry, including stereochemistry, stability of complexes, bonding, electronic spectra, magnetic properties, kinetics and mechanisms of substitution, rearrangement and redox reactions; chemistry of selected transition elements. Three hours lecture. Caradonna. 4 cr, 2nd sem.
GRS CH 731 - Special Topics in Inorganic Chemistry
Prereq: GRS CH 631. Selected topics of current research interest in inorganic and bioinorganic chemistry. Caradonna, Elliott. 4 cr, 1st sem.
GRS CH 743 - Organometallic Chemistry
Prereq: GRS CH 631; recommended: CH 641, CH 642, and CH 643, or consent of instructor. Structure and bonding in transition metal organometallic compounds; descriptive chemistry of organometallic compounds; fundamental organometallic reaction mechanisms; important industrial catalytic processes; organometallic compounds in organic synthesis. Giering. 4 cr, either sem.