Volume 13, Number 26

May 13th, 2009

Chemistry Picnic

Brats, Burgers, and Big Woods!

Hey, it’s time to think about spring, barbecue, waterfalls, hiking, potato salad, frisbee, and brats! The chemistry picnic will be on Friday afternoon, May 29, at Nerstrand Big Woods State Park (the usual spot). The picnic will start about 5:00 p.m. Please sign up for the picnic by Thursday, May 21, and include your student ID#, your grilling preference (carnivore or herbivore), and whether or not you need transportation. The sign-up sheet is across from Dani Kohen’s office, posted on the window of the Mudd 169 computer room. The chemistry faculty and staff will also supply food and treats, and the RING is in charge of entertainment. A bus is scheduled to leave from First Street, near the Nevada Street intersection, at 4:30 p.m. (after Honors Convocation) to transport any of you who don't want to drive or prefer to save fossil fuels using communal transportation. The bus will return to campus somewhere between 7:30 and 8:00 p.m. We especially welcome new chemistry majors!

Seminar Announcement

Friday, May 15, 2009
3:30 p.m.
Olin 04

James Patterson ('97)
University of Alabama

Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Alpha-Synuclein with Detergents and Small Unilamellar Vesicles

Parkinson’s disease is the second most prevalent neurological disorder. Alpha-synuclein is the principle component of the Lewy body plaques found in the brains of patients who suffer from Parkinson’s. Multiple atomistic molecular dynamics simulations of alpha-synuclein in explicit solvent have been performed both in the absence and presence of detergent micelles. Coarse-grained simulations have been performed in the absence and presence of small uni-lamellar vesicles (SUVs). Over short time-scales, simulations show that initial protein-lipid interactions are electrostatic, but they are quickly overtaken by hydrophobic contacts.

Periodic Table Meets This Week

Periodic Table meets this Thursday in the East Dining Hall. We meet at noon in the chemistry hallway and walk over together, or you can join us there. If you are off board, the department will cover your lunch.

Job Opportunity at Bend Research

B.S. and/or M.S.-level chemist to perform research and development activities on various pharmaceutical-related projects. The successful candidates will have strong analytical laboratory skills, and be able to conduct experiments, interpret and present results clearly and reliably. In addition, the successful candidates will possess the ability to learn quickly, work independently in a fast-paced environment, and work well in problem-solving teams with colleagues in diverse fields. Strong communication skills and a sense of humor are musts. If you are interested, please email a resume and a cover letter directly to Mike Morgen, morgen@bendres.com.

Bend Research is located near Bend in beautiful Central Oregon, the premier recreational area in the Northwest where the beautiful Cascade Mountains meet rivers, lakes, and forests at the edge of a high desert region with sunshine and blue skies.

The Mother of all Reaction Balancing Problems

Balance me…if you can.

Here is a redox reaction balancing problem that is the hardest I’ve ever encountered. It was given to me by my collaborator at the University of Minnesota. It is a documented redox reaction between a chromium double salt, where the cation and anion are complex ions, and permanganate (MnO₄^-) in acidic solution. The chromium double salt is composed of a Cr(III) hexaurea ((NH₂)₂C=O) complex cation and a Cr(II) hexacyanide complex anion. The products of the reaction are carbon dioxide, water, manganese cation (Mn²⁺), dichromate anion (Cr₂O₇^2-), and nitrate anion.

You can download a copy of the unbalanced reaction here.

I will award prizes to the first three Carleton students who send me their correct solution by email.

Good luck, this is a tough one.

Steve Drew

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