Research Interests:

Inorganic Materials Chemistry:

My main research interests lie in the area of porous coordination networks for separations and catalysis.  The class of materials known as "zeolites" offer rigid mineral frameworks with large pores that have been explored as storage and catalysis sites, but the composition of these frameworks is somewhat limited.  Using the inspiration of zeolite frameworks, a number of leading researchers have begun building frameworks that are composed of organic ligands and transition metal ions.  These frameworks can offer similar size pores to classic zeolites, but offer the advantage that the organic ligand and transition metal skeleton can be potentially used for a wider variety of catalysis.

Projects:

Organic Substrate Oxidation by Copper(II) Complexes:  Copper(II) complexes have been shown to catalyze the oxidation of a variety of organic substrates including alkanes, alcohols and aldehydes to their corresponding alcohols, ketones, aldehydes and acids.  Manipulation of the ligand framework around the Cu(II) centers should allow for regio- and stereo-selectivity in these oxidations as well as allowing a wider variety of experimental conditions to support the desired reactions.  Initial studies will focus on oxidation of alcohols to aldehydes. 

Current students:
Michelle Branch - Aniline-derivative ligands of PyBA
Kaitlyn Funk - Aniline-derivative ligands of PyBA

Former students:
Kevin Schultze - Pyridine-bis-amide ligands (U. North Carolina)
Nivedha Manohar - Bis-amido-acid ligands
Debbie Pestka - Salen-derivative ligands (U. Minnesota - Pharmacy)
Tracy Kurtz - Bis-amido-bis-acid ligands (Aldevron)
Rachel Branson - Copper(II) salt catalysis, salen-type ligands (U. Wisconsin - Pharmacy)
Joseph Bzdok - salen-type ligands (Arizona State  University, US Army)
Brendan Haight - Bis-amido-bis-acid ligands
Kari Fischer - Pyridine-bis-amide ligands(U. Maine - Pharmacy)

Nitrile hydratase:  Naturally occurring enzymes are currently used industrially to facilitate the conversion of nitriles (R-CN) to amides.  The active site of these enzymes is a 5-coordinate pocket in the protein structure that binds either iron or cobalt.  As this is already an industrially important catalytic process, the inclusion of a small-molecule model of this enzyme active site in a controllable metal-organic framework may allow for a variety of tunable reactivity for the production of specific amides.

Former students:
Jennifer Smith - Synthesis of a Cobalt Analogue to the Active Site of Nitrile Hydratase (Research Scientist, Gallipot Inc.)

Experiments for General Chemistry:  I  am always interested in expanding the repertoire of experiments available for the General Chemistry sequence.  As part of this, I often have ideas for new experiments that need a little work before they can be used.  These projects do not typically require upper-level chemistry experience, although they can be challenging for any student.

Former Projects/Students:
Determination of the Stoichiometry of Metal:Ligand Complexes Using Job's Method
               (Shaina Garaas, Summer 2005, Chemistry teacher, Shanley High School)

Bodwin group poster template - Right click on the link and select "Save Target As" to save the template to your own computer/disk/drive.

Last updated 09/21/2010 by JBodwin
Information and opinions found on these pages are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of Minnesota State University Moorhead.  MSUM considers itself an equal opportunity educator and employer and is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.