Prof. Patrick Frantom has been selected as one of the participants in the SEC Faculty Travel Program for the 2015-2016 academic year.  Prof. Frantom will travel to the University of South Carolina to present a seminar on his research.  He will also lead a symposium on hydrogen-deuterium exchange (HDX) mass spectrometry for the faculty and students in the USC Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.

Collaborative research from Prof. Anthony Arduengo and Prof. Til Opatz (Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz) on the synthesis of complex organic products in which all of the product carbons are derived from wood-based materials (xylochemicals).  The synthesis of ilicifoline was reported in Angewandte Chemie and was highlighted with the cover art work. The work has recently been highlighted by phys.org and Azocleantech.  Prof. Arduengo and Prof. Opatz’s research seeks to use renewable chemicals derived from wood products in place of chemicals derived from petroleum products. “Wood, a renewable resource that’s easily accessible, offers the opportunity to directly harvest a wide range of building blocks with diverse chemistries and structures that can then be used to build materials for the modern world,” according to Prof. Arduengo. “Just imagine a modern ‘oil boom’ or ‘gusher age’ that is not based on oil and petrochemicals, but rather the renewal resource of wood – a ‘Xylochemical’ revolution or boom.  Alabama, with its extensive well-managed forests, is center stage for this new technological and economic boom.”

UA News story

The Chemistry Graduate Students Organization invites submission of poster abstracts for the Chemistry Poster Session and Vendor Show on Thursday, September 10th from 10 AM – 2 PM.  Abstract submissions from graduate and undergraduate students are encouraged.

Call for Poster Abstracts

The following students performing undergraduate research with chemistry faculty were recognized with Randall Outstanding Undergraduate Research Awards for their work.

Yuliya Birman: “Investigation of Charged Residues in the Active Site of Isopropylmalate Synthase in Mycobacterium Tuberculosis.” Mentor: Dr. Patrick Frantom

Kyle Glisson: “Calorimetric investigation of the interaction of hyperbranched polyelectrolytes with small organic molecules in water.” Mentor: Dr. Marco Bonizzoni

Sean Miller: “Gas-Phase Acidities of Phosphorylated Amino Acids and Their Corresponding Amides.” Mentor: Dr. David Dixon

Meredith Rickard: “From Waste to Fuels and Feedstocks: Reduction of CO2 Using Main-Group Catalysts.” Mentor: Dr. David Dixon

Erin Nicole West: “Characterization of active site variants of isopropylmalate synthase.” Mentor: Dr. Patrick A. Frantom

Shuwen Yue: “Computational Studies of Catalytic Processes for Conversion of Biofuels and Controlling Organic Reactivity.” Mentor: Dr. David Dixon

Congratulations to the Chemistry Department students who received awards at the UA Undergraduate Research Conference

• A&S Science and Math Division, Oral Presentations
  • Shuwen Yue (Dr. Dixon): 2nd place; Theoretical Study of Ligand Steric Effects in Homogeneous Catalysis
  • Ryan Hacherl (Dr. Cassady): 4th place; Mass Spectrometry of Biological Peptides
  • Sean Miller (Dr. Dixon): Honorable Mention; Computational Studies of Phosphorylated Amino Acids and Corresponding Amides
• A&S Science and Math Division, Poster Presentations
  • Kindle Williams (Dr. Woski): 3rd place; Synthesis of Molecular Electronic Components for Self‐Assembly onto Metal Electrodes
  • Lynda Truong (Dr. Woski): Honorable Mention: Investigation of Cyanocarbazole Derivatives as Universal Base Candidates

The Department of Chemistry hosted the Southeastern Undergraduate Research conference.  Congratulations to the winning presentations.

• Biochemistry/Organic talks
  • 1st Place:  Anthony Abshire (University of Southern Miss)
  • 2nd Place: Katheryn Adam (University of Alabama)
• Organic/Inorganic talks
  • 1st Place: Megan Johnston (University of Alabama)
  • 2nd Place: Taylor Farmer (Auburn University)
• Physical/Analytical talks
  • 1st Place: Shuwen Yue (University of Alabama)
  • 2nd Place: Keri Dowling (UNC-Charlotte)
• Posters Winners:
  • Nicholas Boyle (UAB)
  • Anthony Curto (University of Alabama)
  • Sydney Marchi (Tennessee Tech)
  • Julia Murphy (University of Alabama)
  • Sarah Newell (Mississippi College)

Dr. David A. Dixon, Robert Ramsay Chair, was awarded the ACS Division of Fluorine Distinguished Service Award on January 15, 2015. This award is given biannually at the Winter Fluorine Conference. The 2015 Winter Fluorine Conference was co-chaired by Dr. Dixon.

The University of Alabama will host the 47th Southeastern Undergraduate Research Conference (SURC) on February 6-7th, 2015.  The Southeastern Undergraduate Research Conference is a unique opportunity for students in the region to present their undergraduate research work to other students and faculty members. Both oral and poster presentations will be given. Students will also network with graduate school recruiters and meet other students and faculty members engaged in chemistry research.  Prizes are given for the best posters and oral presentations. The conference allows students to present their work in a friendly environment and obtain feedback and ideas related to their work.  Prof. Oleg Ozerov from Texas A&M University will present the keynote lecture.

The Department of Chemistry seeks outstanding applications for two assistant professor positions in the areas of chemical biology and materials science.  More information on these positions and application instructions can be found here.

Michele Stover, a graduate student in Dr. David Dixon’s group, received a second place prize at the Southeast Theoretical Chemistry Associate meeting graduate poster competition.