Bioinorganic Projects

Currently we are tackling problems related to two enzymes found in anaerobic soil bacteria. Specifically, we have focused on the synthesis of transition metal complexes using a variety of new ligands that impart environments around the metal ion similar to those found in two different metalloproteins: nitrite reductase and nitrous oxide reductase, two enzymes found in soil bacteria that are an integral part of the global nitrogen cycle. This work has been funded by the American Chemical Society-Petroleum Research Fund, the National Science Foundation, and the Herman Frasch Foundation.

Coordination Polymers Projects

Our efforts in this area center on the synthesis of new materials using metals such as cobalt, copper, manganese, nickel, or zinc with organic spacer molecules. We are particularly interested in using a variety of organic molecules to design specific crystal topologies suited for catalysis and/or adsorption of guest molecules. Additionally, we are investigating the unusual physical properties, including magnetic and electro-optical properties, of the metal-organic polymers we synthesize.

Portions of this material are based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under grants CHE-0094079 and CHE-0616941. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.