Chemistry Group Comps Presentation
Wednesday, April 13, 2016 (TODAY)
3:30 p.m.
Boliou 104
Miller Group:
Anthony Cava, Sam Chao, Eric Dahlquist, Aman Irfanullah, Rowan Matney, Morgan Raffray, Doug Totten, Rahul Uppal
Exploring the Mechanistic Line Between Channels and Transporters:
A Study of CLC-ec1
Our presentation will focus on CLC-ec1, a transmembrane protein that has been studied extensively by Dr. Christopher Miller (Brandeis University, HHMI Investigator). A member of the CLC family of anion channels and transporters, CLC-ec1 is a “molecular machine” that transports chloride ion (Cl-) in E. coli cells. Researching CLC proteins is beneficial as little is known about their mechanism, and their malfunction is implicated in certain human diseases. Using biophysical chemistry methods that include crystallography and ion flux assays, we trace developments in the understanding of the mechanism and classification of CLC-ec1 as an ion channel or transporter.
Jean Dreyfus Boissevain Lecture
Thursday, April 14, 2016
7:30 p.m.
Boliou 104
David Milstein
Department of Organic Chemistry
The Weizmann Institute of Science
Sustainability Through Catalysis
Major challenges facing society today include the development of efficient sustainable energy resources and the discovery of “green”, environmentally friendly processes for the manufacture of chemicals and pharmaceuticals. Catalysis, the science of accelerating chemical and biological transformations by minute amounts of special compounds-catalysts-which by themselves remain unchanged, can play a center-stage role in accomplishing these goals. Although catalysis has played a really major role in industry for several decades, affecting many facets off our lives, most catalysts were developed empirically (by trial and error), and many are not selective, generating waste.
In recent years, advances in fundamental understanding of catalytic reactions, and new methods of activating molecular bonds, have enhanced our ability to design novel, sustainable and selective catalytic reactions, which require less energy and do not generate waste, providing exciting new opportunities for environmental protection and clean energy resources. The impact of catalysis on society, and the recent new developments, will be described.
Seminar Announcement
Friday, April 15, 2016
3:30 p.m.
Boliou 104
The Jean Dreyfus Boissevain Lecturer:
David Milstein
Department of Organic Chemistry
The Weizmann Institute of Science
Design and applications of sustainable catalysis based on cooperative pincer complexes
The design of “green” synthetic methodology and new approaches to sustainable energy are major goals of modern catalysis. Traditionally, catalysis by metal complexes has been based on the reactivity of the metal center, while the ligands bound to it influence its reactivity, but do not interact directly with the substrate. In recent years, complexes based on “cooperating” ligands were developed, in which both the metal and a ligand interact with the substrate and undergo bond making and breaking in key steps of the catalytic cycle, thus providing exciting opportunities for catalytic design.
We have developed a new mode of metal-ligand cooperation, involving ligand aromatization – dearomatization, which provides a new approach to the activation of chemical bonds. Pincer-type complexes of several transition metals exhibit such cooperation, including complexes of Ru, Fe, Co, Rh, Ir, Ni, Pd, Pt, Mn and Re, leading to facile activation of various chemical bonds. This has led to fundamentally new, environmentally benign catalytic reactions, including several reactions which either produce dihydrogen or consume it. Synthetic and energy-related applications based on these reactions will be described.
Journal Club Meets This Week
Journal Club meets this Thursday at noon in Mudd 171 to have lunch and discuss a paper relating to this week’s seminar. Go to the following for information about what to read beforehand: http://apps.carleton.edu/curricular/chem/events/?category=171005&no_search=1.
Lunch with Seminar Speaker
Lunch with this week’s seminar speaker will be Friday, 12:00-1:00 p.m., in the LDC. Meet in the hallway outside Mudd 169. If you are off board, the department will cover your lunch.
Horton Global Scholars Program
Off Campus Studies is pleased to announce a new scholarship for students majoring or intending to major in economics, computer science, physics, chemistry, biology, geology, and math. The scholarship of $3,000 will be awarded to one student based on financial need and a brief essay. Please visit this webpage for more information. Application deadline: Tuesday, May 3, 2016. Questions may be addressed to nziegler@carleton.edu.