Chemistry

Concepts of heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysis applied to industrial processes associated with fuel refining and manufacturing of commodity chemicals and petrochemicals. Available routes for similar conversions using alternative, more sustainable feedstocks and processes will be discussed in the context of green chemistry and engineering principles. These case studies will serve as platforms to the fundamentals of heterogeneous acid and metal catalysis, including techniques of catalyst synthesis and characterization, as well as understanding of how reactions occur on surfaces. Two lectures. Prerequisite: CHM 301 organic chemistry.

Focuses on the inorganic and organic constituents of aqueous, solid, and gaseous phases of soils, and fundamental chemical principles and processes governing the reactions between different constituents. The role of soil chemical processes in the major and trace element cycles, and the biogeochemical transformation of different soil contaminants will be discussed in the later parts of the course. Prerequisites: GEO363/CHM331/ENV331, or any other basic chemistry course. Two 90-minute lectures.

Basic development of quantum theory and the Schroedinger equation. Single-particle potential problems, an introduction to angular momentum theory, and operator concepts and electron structure.

Typical topics covered include advanced aspects of angular momentum theory, scattering, time dependent processes, and interaction of radiation with matter. Specialized topics are included at the discretion of the instructor.

Statistical mechanics provides the basis for understanding the equilibrium and nonequilibrium properties of matter in terms of the microscopic details of molecular interactions and structure. The course aims to provide students with working knowledge of the fundamentals and applications of statistical mechanics.

This course will cover selected topics in molecular spectroscopy with an emphasis on the basic principles. An additional focus will be placed on strong radiation field interactions with molecules going into a regime where the spectra and dynamics of the molecules are influenced by the radiation.

Topics covered vary from year to year and are selected from the following: state-selected chemical processes; high-resolution spectroscopy; energy transfer and redistribution; laser-induced chemistry; surface chemistry; electronic properties of conjugated polymers; nonlinear optical materials; physical electrochemistry; heterogeneous reaction dynamics; spectroscopy and dynamics of clusters; and chaotic systems.

Topics covered vary from year to year and are selected from the following: state-selected chemical processes; high-resolution spectroscopy; energy transfer and redistribution; laser-induced chemistry; surface chemistry; electronic properties of conjugated polymers; nonlinear optical materials; physical electrochemistry; heterogeneous reaction dynamics; spectroscopy and dynamics of clusters; and chaotic systems.

This special topics course focuses on the theory and simulation of phase transformations in materials. Through a combination of traditional lectures, peer-to-peer instruction and several computational projects, the physics of nucleation, growth and coarsening behavior of both solid-like and liquid-like multicomponent materials are explored. Computational approaches covered in the class include Langevin equations, Monte Carlo, diffuse interface (phase field), and the level set methods.

Broad introduction to major contemporary techniques used to study structures, functions, and interactions of biological macromolecules. Emphasis on applications, practical aspects, and experimental design rather than theory, and on strengths and limitations of individual methods and complementarities among them. Intended to convey to students with diverse backgrounds and interests the utility of each method for solving molecular problems.

Comprehensive introduction to major contemporary techniques used to study the structures, functions, and interactions of biological macromolecules, with an emphasis on applications rather than theory. Particular stress is laid on the strengths and limitations of individual methods and the complimentarities among them. Methods covered include spectroscopies (UV, florescense, CD, and NMR), X-ray diffraction, hydrodynamic and transport methods (sedimentation and diffusion), and miscellaneous methods.

Familiarizes the student with basic principles of structural reactivity of transition metal organometallic chemistry.

Advanced topics in inorganic chemistry, including solid-state and bioinorganic chemistry, band theory, and reaction mechanisms.

Chemistry of transition metal complexes and ligand field and molecular orbital theory.

Topics covered vary from year to year and are selected from the following: inorganic spectroscopy and applications to chemical bonding in transition metal complexes; homogeneous catalysis based on transition metal systems; noninnocent ligand and fluxional processes; organic synthesis via organometallic reagents and the mechanisms of these reactions; metal clusters; stereochemistry of inorganic reactions; and bioinorganic chemistry.

Topics covered vary from year to year. The subject matter will be selected from among the following, related to the inorganic chemistry of solids: point group and space group symmetry, irreproducible representations, structure-property relations, crystallography, methods in X-ray, neutron and electron diffraction science, the structures of solids and molecules, the electronic structure of molecular and non-molecular solids, the optical, electronic and magnetic properties of molecular and non-molecular solids and their relation to crystal structure.

Methods for introduction and modification of functional groups, formation and cleavage of bonds; selection and employment of protecting groups; control of stereochemistry; manipulation of polyfunctional molecules; design and use of selective reagents; and multistage syntheses are studied. These areas of study are illustrated with examples of outstanding achievements in the total synthesis of complex molecules.

The ways in which molecules are changed into other molecules are studied. Some topics include mechanisms of acid and base catalyzed reactions, nucleophilic and electrophilic displacements and substitutions, addition and elimination reactions, condensations, inter- and intramolecular rearrangements, electrocyclic ring openings and closings, and sigmatropic shifts.

A mechanism-based course on modern synthetic methodologies for beginning graduate students and advanced undergraduates. The class will discuss various types of organic reactions, their mechanisms, the reactive intermediates involved in these transformations, and the scope and limitations of each method. The initial goal is to become fluent in the language of organic chemistry; the broader objective is to understand fundamental principles underlying each transformation. The course is expected to provide sufficient foundation to comprehend and use the research literature in chemical synthesis.

Topics covered vary from year to year and are selected from the following: structure, synthesis, reactions, stereochemistry, and biosynthesis of naturally occurring substances, including polyketides, alkaloids, terpenoids, and antibiotics; and the structure and reactivity of reaction intermediates such as carbonium ions, carbanions, radicals, carbenes, and excited states.

The chemical mechanisms of enzyme-catalyzed reactions are studied. The nature and sequence of events at enzyme active sites, emphasizing the participation of prosthetic groups and amino acid side chains in catalysis are also studied. Topics discussed include the use of kinetic, spectroscopic, and structural data as well as substrate analog and isotopic substitution studies for analysis of enzyme mechanisms.

The operation and application of instrumentation used in modern chemical research is covered. Emphasis is on proton and carbon NMR. Pulsed-Fourier transform and 2D-NMR techniques are described. The course also has a laboratory section in which the students get hands-on exposure to FT-NMR and other spectrometers.

A chemically and quantitatively rigorous treatment of metabolism and protein synthesis, with a focus on modern advances and techniques. Topics include metabolic pathways and their regulation; metabolite and flux measurement; mathematical modeling of metabolism; amino acid, peptide and protein chemistry; protein engineering and selected applications thereof.

Structures and properties of biological macromolecules. The forces and interactions that direct biological polymers to adapt particular 3-dimensional structures are discussed from both a structural and a thermodynamic perspective. Special emphasis is placed on recent experimental work probing the folding and stability of proteins as well as on the design of novel proteins.

A course in inorganic physiology and biochemistry, presenting the chemical principles adopted by nature to perform biological functions. Topics include metal ion function in protein and nucleic acid structure, metalloenzyme mechanisms, metal regulation of gene expression, biological energy conversion via ion pumping, storage and mobilization of the elements, and biomineralization.