Research
is one of the primary focuses of the R-MC Chemistry Department. The Chemistry Department strongly encourages faculty and student research activities through four main areas. These are:
1. Independent research with a faculty advisor during the academic year through our directed study courses.
2. Completion of an intensive summer or J-Term internship at a local research facility.
3. Participation in SURF, a college-wide summer research program that allows students to do 10 weeks of full-time research. Students receive a stipend and free on-campus housing in return for their participation.
4. Completion of a Senior Research Project or Advanced Lab IV.
Active areas of investigation are:
- environmental chemistry
- inorganic
- bioinorganic
- organometallic
chemistry
- polymer chemistry
- forensic chemistry
- biochemistry
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Many students majoring in chemistry elect to work on an independent research project during their time at Randolph-Macon College. The Department encourages students to get involved in research as early as their freshman year. Students have the opportunity to work on research projects during the summer as part of Randolph-Macon's newly established SURF (Schapiro Undergraduate Research Fellowship) program. Students submit proposals to a faculty committee and are chosen on a competitive basis for fellowships of $3000 and free housing. During the senior year, students are required to do a two semester senior thesis if they want to earn a B.S. degree approved by the American Chemical Society. Usually, students present their research results at regional or national meetings, and are co-authors of publications resulting from their research efforts.
Senior Theses (1995-2005)
"Synthesis, characterization, and reactivity of molybdenum-carbonyl-diphosphine complexes," Heath M. Brownlee, 2005.
"Investigations into the bioactivity of cisplatin analogs," Sarah Elizabeth Crider, 2005.
"Development of Chiropticenes*, a miniaturized binary storage device," Daryl Austin Guthrie, 2005.
"Quantum effects of the [1,7] hydrogen shift in hepatratriene," Ryan T. Smith, 2005.
"Synthesis of polyolefins tethered to inorganic surfaces via insertion mechanisms," Caleb Robert Strepka, 2005.
"Preparation of mono- and multinuclear noble metal complexes for use as hydrodesulfurization catalysts," Casey Bryant, 2004.
"Application of SNIF-NMR (site-specific isotope fractionation-nuclear magnetic resonance) to various alcohol sources," Lindsey N. Lowman, 2004.
"Synthesis of a helical shiftamer," Andrew Lee Higgins, 2004.
"Investigation on the reaction chemistry of a zerovalent platinum dimer with phenylsilane," Christeen Lee Hodge, 2003.
"Application of LyoCell (TM) microencapsulation technology to protect anti-tumor drugs from albumin degradation," Lisa M. Gray, 2003.
"Investigation into the bioactivity of hydrophilic and hydrophobic palladium complexes," Erynn E. McKenzie, 2003.
"Research into synthesis and antibacterial studies of nitrogen and diphosphine platinum complexes," Kristie Norman, 2003.
"Complexation of the antiosteolitic drug alendronate : its role in limiting bioavailability and a possible role in drug delivery," Kassy Annette Mies, 2002.
"Synthesis and characterization of new four-, five-, and six-coordinated iridium diphosphine complexes," Heather R. Lucas, 2002.
"Synthesis and characterization of new nickel (0) phosphine complexes," Jason R. Condrey, 2001.
"The Isolation , Characterization and Pharmacological Potential of Shikimic Acid from Liquidambar Styraciflua", Chrystal F. Eller, 2000.
"Solid Phase Organic Synthesis of Dienyl Fatty Acids", C. Randall Austin, 2000.
"Modifications of Shikimic Acid Towards the Synthesis of Medicinally Significant Cyclitols", Rebecca L. Walker, 2000.
"Progress Towards the Synthesis of Terminal Dienyl Fatty Acids", Kenya M. Jones, 2000.
"Synthesis, Characterization and Reactivity of Platinum cis-1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethylene Complexes", Chapman Wright, 2000.
"Synthesis, Characterization and Reactivity of Binuclear Platinum and Palladium Diphosphine Complexes", Carrie L. Winkler, 2000.
"Preparation and Characterization of Chromium (III)-Containing Ovotransferrin and Serotransferrin", Emily S. Weber, 2000.
"Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Zerovalent Nickel-Phosphine Complexes", Cynthia M. Norris, 1999.
"Synthesis, Structural Determiations, and Reactivity of Novel Platinum Diphosphine Complexes", Heidi L.B. Powell", 1999.
"Syntheisi of Silver and Gold Diphosphine Complexes for Potential Use As Antirheumatic Agents", Amanda N. Hale, 1999.
"Substituted 1,2,4-Trialzoine-3,5-Diones as Prescursors to Nucleoside Analogs", William Massello, 1999.
"Towards the Synthesis of Terminal Dienyl Fatty Acids", Jeffery A. Oelrich, 1999.
"Synthesis of a Novel Dihydrofuran", Jamie N. Flournoy, 1999.
"Synthesis, Characterization, and Reactivity of Platinum-Bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene Complexes", Sheri A. Bodolosky, 1998.
"Chromium and Iron Concentrations in Pregnant Mice and Their Fetuses Following Uptake of Chromium Picolinate Dietary Supplements", Diana M. Skinner, 1998.
"Isolation and Characterization of Laccase from Ganoderma tsugae", Leah Eller, 1998.
"The Isolation, Structural Analysis, and Antimicrobial Testing of Naturally Occurring Compounds in the Seeds of Liquidambar styraciflua", M. Scott Newman, 1998.
"Determination of Atrazine in the South Anna River", Scott Currie, 1998.
"Synthesis, Preparation and Characterization of Platinum-Silylene Complexes", April Hennis, 1997.
"Coordination Chemistry of 1,2-Bis (Dicyclohexylphosphino)methane", Kari Whitmore, 1997.
"Structural Characterization of Novel Platinum-Sulfur Complexes, Tommy Harold, 1997.
"Investigation of Experimental Methods for the Preparation and Characterization of Mixed-Metal Hybrid Transferrins", Margeret I. Brinskelle, 1996.
"Oxidative-Additions of Organo-Sulfur Compounds to [Pt2(µ-CO)(CO)2(µ-dppm)2] : Synthesis and Spectroscopic Characterization of Novel Platinum-Sulfur Compounds",C. Scott Highberger, 1996.
"Ruthenium-Rhodium Bimetallic Complexes: Synthetic Models for Hydroformylation Catalysts", Michael Aiken, 1996.
"The Activation of Primary Silanes by [Pt2(µ-CO)(CO)2(µ-dppm)2]",Kimberly A. Brittingham, 1995.
"Synthesis and Characterization of Iridium-Phosphine-C60 Complexes", Harvey E. Smith, 1995.
Student Presentations (National) (1995-2005)
(*Student who made the presentation)
"Investigation of palladium-initiated insertion polymerization from inorganic surfaces," Caleb Strepka*, Gregory S. Long, and April D. Hennis Marchetti. 229th ACS National Meeting, San Diego, CA, March 2005 (2005)
"Copolymerization of heteronorbornenes with styrene and acrylates via copper-mediated ATRP," Shaner, Ted V.*; Gregory S. Long, and April D. Hennis Marchetti.. 229th ACS National Meeting, San Diego, CA, March 2005.
"Synthesis, characterization and biological activity of a series of platinum(II) complexes," Sarah E.Crider*; Samantha Lake Hopkins, and Serge Schreiner. 229th ACS National Meeting, San Diego, CA, March 2005.
"Synthesis and characterization of water-soluble diphosphine ligands and their platinum complexes," Samantha Lake Hopkins* and Serge Schreiner. 229th ACS National Meeting, San Diego, CA, March 2005.
"Preparation and reactivity of zerovalent molybdenum-carbonyl-diphosphine complexes," Heath M. Brownlee* and Serge Schreiner. 229th ACS National Meeting, San Diego, CA, March 2005.
"Preparation of a synthetic receptor for the age determination of cognac," Lizzy M. Spero* and Serge Schreiner. 229th ACS National Meeting, San Diego, CA, March 2005.
"Design of chromophore for chiroptical molecular switches based on dithiocarbamate - iminodithiolane interconversion," Daryl A.Guthrie* and John D. Thoburn. 229th ACS National Meeting, San Diego, CA, March 2005.
"Quantum dynamics of [1,7] hydrogen shift in 1,3,5-heptatrienes," John D.Thoburn and Ryan T. Smith*. 229th ACS National Meeting, San Diego, CA, March 2005.
"Synthesis and reactivity of iridium-diphosphine complexes," Heath M. Brownlee* and Serge Schreiner. 227th ACS National Meeting, Anaheim, CA, March 2004.
"Synthesis of polyolefins tethered to inorganic surfaces via insertion mechanisms," Strepka, Caleb*, Gregory S. Long, and April D. Hennis Marchetti. 227th ACS National Meeting, Anaheim, CA, March 2004.
"Reaction of a zerovalent platinum-carbonyl-diphosphine dimer with phenylsilane," Christeen L.Hodge* and Serge Schreiner. 225th ACS National Meeting, New Orleans, LA, March 2003.
"Application of the LyoCell microencapsulation technology to protect antitumor drugs from in vivo degradation," Lisa M. Gray*, Serge Schreiner, and David Anderson. 225th ACS National Meeting, New Orleans, LA, March 2003.
"Investigation into the bioactivity of platinum and palladium metal complexes," Sarah E.Crider* and Serge Schreiner. 225th ACS National Meeting, New Orleans, LA, March 2003.
"The application of deuterium NMR to recognition of synthetic vs corn-derived alcohols," Lowman, Lindsey*, Kirsten E. Clark, April D. Hennis Marchetti; and Serge Schreiner. 225th ACS National Meeting, New Orleans, LA, March 2003.
Synthesis and Characterization of Platinum (0) Silylene Complexes, April D. Hennis Marchetti, Christeen Hodge*, and Serge Schreiner. XXth International Conference on Organometallic Chemistry, Corfu, Greece, July 2002.
"Preparation and structural characterization of the platinum(0)-carbonyl complexes (L-L)Pt(CO)2 and [(L-L)Pt]2(m-CO)," Andrew Nunemaker* and Serge Schreiner. 223rd ACS National Meeting, Orlando, FL April 2002.
"New four-, five-, and six-coordinated iridium diphosphine complexes," Heather Lucas* and Schreiner. 223rd ACS National Meeting, Orlando, FL, April 2002.
"Production and characterization of coated lyotropic liquid crystalline colloidal drug carriers," Kassy A. Mies*, Serge Schreiner, and David Anderson. 223rd ACS National Meeting, Orlando, FL, April 2002.
"Synthesis and structural charcterization of some new multinuclear platinum-diphosphine complexes," Duane E.Williams* and Serge Schreiner. 223rd ACS National Meeting, Orlando, FL, April 2002.
"Novel platinum and palladium coordination compounds as antimicrobial agents," Sarah E. Crider* and Serge Schreiner. 223rd ACS National Meeting, Orlando, FL April 2002.
Chemistry and Art: a New Module for a Non-science Majors Course, Lisa M. Gray*, April D. Hennis, Katherine M. Masters, and Serge Schreiner. 223rd annual American Chemical Society Meeting, Orlando, Florida, April 2002.
"Synthesis of new iridium and rhodium diphosphine complexes," Heather Lucas* and Serge Schreiner. 221st ACS National Meeting, San Diego, CA April 2001.
"Synthesis and characterization of novel multinuclear platinum complexes," Kassy A. Mies* and Serge Schreiner. 221st ACS National Meeting, San Diego, CA, April 2001.
"Sulfur-hydrogen activation by platinum-diphosphine complexes," Andrew Nunemaker* and Serge Schreiner. 221st ACS National Meeting, San Diego, CA, April 2001.
"Reactions of primary silanes with a zerovalent platinum dimer," Christeen L.Hodge* and Serge Schreiner. 221st ACS National Meeting, San Diego, CA, April 2001.
"Preparation of new binuclear palladium complexes," Kirsten E.Clarke* and Serge Schreiner. 221st ACS National Meeting, San Diego, CA, April 2001.
"Investigations of a New Drug-Solubilizing Agent", Chrystal F. Eller* and Tom Poon, presented at the 219th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, March 2000, San Francisco, CA.
"Dienyl Fatty Acids Via Solid-Phase Organic Synthesis" C. Randall Austin* and Tom Poon, presented at the 219th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, March 2000, San Francisco, CA.
"Medicinally Significant Cyclitols from Shikimic Acid", Rebecca L. Walker* and Tom Poon, presented at the 219th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, March 2000, San Francisco, CA.
"Synthesis, Characterization and Reactivity of Chelating Platinum Diphosphine Complexes", Kassy Mies* and Serge Schreiner, presented at the 219th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, March 2000, San Francisco, CA.
"Preparation and Characterization of Chromium Transferrin" Emily Weber* and Robin Henderson, presented at the 219th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, March 2000, San Francisco, CA.
"Isolation of Shikimic Acid from Liquidambar styraciflua" Chrystal F. Eller*, M. Scott Newman and Tom Poon, presented at the 217th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, April 1999, Anaheim, CA.
"Substituted 1,2,4-triazoline-3,5-diones as Precursors to Nucleoside Analogs", Jamie Flournoy*, William Massello*, and Tom Poon, presented at the 217th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, April 1999, Anaheim, CA.
"Toward the Synthesis of Terminal Dienyl Fatty Acids" Jeffrey A. Oelrich*, Kenya M. Jones*, and Tom Poon, presented at the 217th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, April 1999, Anaheim, CA.
"Chemistry in Envrionmentally Benign Meida: Structural Characterization of Water-soluble Nckel Complexes", Cynthia M. Norris* and Serge Schreiner, presented at the 217th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, April 1999, Anaheim, CA.
"A Research-Oriented Upper Level Laboratory Experiment: A Comparison of Wilkinson's Catalyst in a Homogeneous and Heterogeneous System:, Heidi L. B. Powell*, Cynthia M. Norris*, Robin Henderson and Serge Schreiner, presented at the 217th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, April 1999, Anaheim, CA.
"Syntheisi of Silver and Gold Diphosphine Complexes for Use As Antirheumatic Agents", Amanda N. Hale*, Wallace Martin and Serge Schreiner, presented at the 217th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, April 1999, Anaheim, CA.
"Synthesis and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Studies of Platinum Bisphosphine Complexes", Heidi L.B. Powell* and Serge Schreiner, presented at the 217th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, April 1999, Anaheim, CA.
"Isolation, Structural Analysis, and Antimicrobial Testing of Naturally Occurring Compounds in Liquidambar styraciflua and the Lichen Pseudoparmelia caperata, M. Scott Newman and Tom Poon, presented at the 215th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, March 1998, Dallas, TX.
"Synthesis and Examination of the Bioactivity of New Platinum Complexes as Potential Antitumor agents", Thomas A. Pluim*, III, Serge Schreiner, Robin Henderson and Wallace Martin, presented at the 215th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, March 1998, Dallas, TX.
"Chromium Concentrations in Pregnant Mice and their Fetuses Following Uptake of Chromium Picolonate Dietary Supplements", Diana M. Skinner*, Robin Henderson, and Art F. Conway, presented at the 215th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, March 1998, Dallas, TX.
"Isolation and Characterization of Laccase Isozymes from Ganoderma Tsugai", Leah R. Eller*, Robin Henderson, D.J. Slomczynski and K.E. Eriksson, presented at the 215th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, March 1998, Dallas, TX.
"Determination of Triazine Herbicides in a Chesapeake Bay Tributary", Scott Currie* and Brian Moores, presented at the 215th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, March 1998, Dallas, TX.
"Low Temperature Spectroscopic Analysis of Aziridinium Imides and New Reactions of 1,2,4-triazoline-3,5-diones" Jeffrey A. Oelrich* and Tom Poon, presented at the 215th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, March 1998, Dallas, TX.
"Oxidative Addition of Organosulfur Compounds to [Pt(dppf(CO)2)]", Sheri Bodolosky and Serge Schreiner, presented at the 215th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, March 1998, Dallas, TX.
"Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Zerovalent Nickel-Diphosphine-Carbonyl Complexes", Cynthia M. Norris* and serge Schreiner, presented at the 215th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, March 1998, Dallas, TX.
"Synthesis and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Solution Studies of Zerovalent Nickel-Carbonyl Diphosphine Complexes", Cynthia M. Norris* and Serge Schreiner, presented at the Second Annual Undergraduate Research Poster Session on Capitol Hill, April 1998, Washington DC.
"Synthesis, Characterization, and Reactivity of Platinum Bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene", Sheri A. Bodolosky* and Serge Schreiner, presented at the 213th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, April 1997, San Francisco, CA.
"Synthesis, Characterization, and Reactivity of Nickel and Palladium Complexes with 1,1'-Bis(diphenyl-phosphino)ferrocene", Cynthia M. Norris* and Serge Schreiner, presented at the 213th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, April 1997, San Francisco, CA.
"Synthesis and Characterization of Mn, Fe-Hybrid Human Serotransferrin", Randall M. Geldreich* and Robin Henderson, presented at the 213th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, April 1997, San Francisco, CA.
"Multinuclear NMR Investigations into the Formation of Bimetallic Platinum-Silicon Complexes", April Hennis* and Serge Schreiner, Abstract No. 473, presented at the 211th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, April 1996, New Orleans, LA.
"Oxidative-Addition of Thiophenol to [Pt2(µ-CO)(CO)2(µ-dppm)2]: Spectroscopic Characterization of Platinum-Sulfur Complexes", Scott Highberger* and Serge Schreiner, Abstract No. 468, presented at the 211th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, April 1996, New Orleans, LA.
Publications with Student Co-Authors
(*Student co-author)
"The Preparation of a UV Light Absorbing Polymer: A Project-Oriented Laboratory Experimnt for the Introductory Organic Chemistry Curriculum", T. Poon, J.P. McIntyre, L.R. Eller*, C.M. Norris*, J.A. Oelrich*, T.A. Pluim*, C.F. Eller*, K.M. Jones*, W. Massello*, A. Dorigo, M.A. Davis*, H.K. Izumi*, K.H. Kelley*, M.L. Melamed*, S.E. Poplawski*, J.M. St. Clair*, N.P. Stokes*, W.C. Wheeler*, and E.E. Wilkes*, J. Chem, Ed. 1999, 76, 1523-1524.
"An Integrated Molecular Modeling and Melting Point Experiment for the Organic Chemistry Laboratory", T. Poon, S. Bodolosky*, and C. Norris*, J. Chem. Ed. 1999, 76, 983-984.
"Formation and Dimerization of NO2: A Freshmen Chemistry Experiment, April D. Hennis*, C. Scott Highberger* and Serge Schreiner, J. Chem. Ed., 1997, 74, 1340.
"A Variable Temperature NMR Kinetics Study of the Esterification of Trifluoroacetic Acid", Thomas N. Gallaher, David A. Gaul* and Serge Schreiner, J. Chem. Ed., 1996,73, 465.
"Explorations in Organometallic Synthesis: Characterization and Structure Determinations of Binuclear Phosphine Bridged Complexes of Platinum Using Multinuclear NMR and Infrared Spectroscopy",Kimberly A. Brittingham*, Thomas N. Gallaher and Serge Schreiner, J. Chem. Ed., 1995, 72, 941.
"Reactions of Secondary Silanes with [Pt2(µ-CO)(CO)2(µ-dppm)2] to yield Silylene-Bridged Carbonyl Complexes", Kimberly A. Brittingham*, Thomas N. Gallaher and Serge Schreiner, Organometallics, 1995, 14, 1070.
"Characterization of Low-Valent Nickel Complexes Stabilized by Bis(diphenylphosphino) methane Using Multinuclear NMR and Infrared Spectroscopy", Valory A. Trumpy*, Tracy A. Oriskovich*, Thomas N. Gallaher and Serge Schreiner, J. Chem. Ed., 1995, 72, 357.
"Synthesis of Metal Fullerene Derivatives from Chloro Hydrido Transition Metal Complexes", Serge Schreiner, Thomas N. Gallaher and Henri K. Parsons*, Inorg. Chem., 1994, 33 (13), 3022.
"Synthesis and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Solution Studies of Zerovalent Nickel-Carbonyl-Dppm Complexes", Valory A. Trumpy*, Tracy A. Oriskovich* and Serge Schreiner, Inorg. Chim. Acta, 1993, 205, 149.
"Synthesis, Characterization and Reactions of the Heterodinuclear Complex [NiPd(µ-dppm)2(µ-CO)Cl2]",Serge Schreiner, Michelle M. Setzer*, and Thomas N. Gallaher, Inorg. Chim. Acta, 1991, 188(2), 132.