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Chemistry Lyceum

The Chemistry Lyceum is an undergraduate, student-run organization open to all Keene State College students in support of campus and related activities. It was established in 1981 and received its charter from the American Chemical Society (ACS) on March 24, 1982. It continues to be an active, vibrant component of the Chemistry Department. Members have been influential in inviting speakers to campus as well as participating in regional and national ACS meetings, and recruiting new students to the chemistry program.

Faculty Advisor: Denise Junge

Officers and Student Affiliates of the American Chemical Society

Constitution

Undergraduate News

2005

Academic Excellence Conference, Saturday, April 2, 2005 from 8:30 AM-5PM in the Keene State College Student Center on Apian Way

We are pleased to acknowledge the following presentations by two of our undergraduate chemistry students:

Chemistry Presenter: Michele Tague, ‘06
Sponsor(s): Jerry Jasinski (KSC); Stephanie Brock (Wayne State University)
Presentation Type: Poster Session

Synthesis and Characterization of Layered Pnictide Oxides: RMPO and PMSbO; R = La, Ce, Gd; M = Mn, Zn

As part of an undergraduate research project sponsored by the National Science Foundation (Solid State Chemistry) and Clemson University, a poster describing the synthesis and preliminary characterization of a series of rare earth metal layered pnictide oxides with manganese and zinc are reported. Pnictide oxides are compounds with pnicogen (elements in the 15th column of the periodic table) and oxygen anions and rare earth metal, transition metal, and/or alkaline earth metal cations. These pnictide oxides are expected to display novel properties because they are layered compounds and have magnetic cations. The targeted formulas are RZnPnO and RMnPnO, Pn = P, Sb and R = La, Ce, and Gd. The manganese products were produced by reaction of the rare earth elements, manganese, elemental pnicogen, and MnO2 in a NaCl/KCl flux. The zinc products were similarly prepared by reaction of the rare earth elements, the elemental pnicogen, and ZnO in a NaCl/KCl flux. These mixtures were hearted to 800oC for one week in a sealed, evacuated ampoule. The zinc and manganese products were then analyzed and compared. Powder X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDAX), and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) were employed to determine the structural and compositional characteristics of the products and assess their purity.

Chemistry Presenter: Sara Frawley, ‘05
Sponsor(s): Jerry Jasinski (KSC); Gregory Peters (University of Memphis)
Presentation Type: Poster Session

(2,2'-Biphenylylene)phosphochloridite ester as a protecting group for the preparation of electroneutral and electron poor phosphine ligands

As part of an undergraduate research project sponsored by the National Science Foundation (Research Experiences for Undergraduates) and the University of Memphis, the synthesis of electroneutral and electron poor phosphine ligands was undertaken. A poster presenting the use of (2,2'-biphenylylene)phosphorchloridite ester, (2,2'-C(12)H(8)O(2)) PCl [1], as a starting material for the preparation of electroneutral phosphines of the type (Rf)PR(2) (R = alkyl group) (Rf = C(2)F(5)) and electron poor phosphines of the type (Rf)(2)PR is described. Treatment of 1 with common Grignard reagents (MgBrR) afforded compounds of the type (2,2'-C(12)H(8)O(2)) PR. The P-O bonds of these compounds are readily cleaved by two equivalents of C(2)F(2)Li, resulting in the formation of electron poor phosphines of the type RfPR. Also, addition of freshly prepared C(2)F(3)Li at -78 oC to an ether solution of (2,2'-C(12)H(8)O(2)) PCl results in the formation of (2,2'-C(12)H(8)O(2)) PC(2)F(5) [2]. Compound 2 was isolated as a high-boiling liquid (165 oC/15 torr) and readily characterized by multinuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy. Treatment of 2 with alkyl and aryl Grignard reagents yielded several electroneutral phosphine ligands of the type RfPR(2).

2004

Academic Excellence Conference, Saturday, March 27, 2004 from 8:30 AM-5PM in the Keene State College Student Center on Apian Way.

We are pleased to acknowledge the following presentations by two of our undergraduate chemistry students:

Structure and Reactivity of Cinnamylidenemalonic Acid and Surface Reactions of the beta-Hydroquinone Polymorph

The poster presented two unrelated projects associated with undergraduate research in solid-state chemistry. The first project was to crystallize cinnamylidenemalonic acid and determine the molecular parameters of the molecule to be examined as a potential olefin photodimerization reaction in the solid state. The second project was to observe and characterize reactions between benzoquinone (BQ) vapor and the beta-hydroquinone (HQ) polymorph, and to search for anisotropic attack on specific hydroquinone crystal faces. The poster presented the experimental procedures, data collection, and analysis of the results obtained.

Synthesis and Characterization of Dithiachlorins
The poster presented a project on photodynamic therapy, the combined use of light and medicine, which is a novel approach being used in the treatment of cancer and other medical maladies. Current medicines are inhibited by the inability of activating light to penetrate deeply enough into the affected tissue to be completely effective. This research builds on previously reported work, and attempts to create a molecule that is activated by light that can more deeply penetrate.

Gallery

Job, Internship, Cooperative Education Opportunities

About 5 to 10 chemistry majors graduate from Keene State College each year. Approximately 15 to 20% if these students enter graduate school and a similar percentage of the remaining students pursue advanced degrees within five years of graduation. Nearly 75 to 80% of all graduating seniors become involved in independent research activities or off-site internships at some time during their undergraduate careers. The chemistry faculty at Keene State College encourages students to engage in independent study and research projects. We believe these experiences provide a more realistic exposure to science that that gained only from course work. Many students have been involved in research during the academic year as well as summer research projects. Students share with their faculty advisor the responsibility for planning, executing, and reporting their investigations. Undergraduate research has been presented by students land their faculty advisors at regional and national American Chemical Society meetings as well as at the Academic Excellence Conference held at Keene State College annually.

A cooperative education internship component is available with a variety of local industries. Since 1985 approximately 85 students have engaged in three or six month internships with a number of corporations throughout New England. These experiences have been very successful in broadening the opportunities available to our students.

JobSpectrum.org from the American Chemical Society
http://cen-chemjobs.org/

Opportunities for undergraduate research in chemistry may be found at the following sites:

National Science Foundation (NSF) Summer Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) in Chemistry, Biochemistry and Environmental Science
http://www.nsf.gov/home/crssprgm/reu/list_result.cfm?unitid=5048

National Science Foundation (NSF) Summer Research Program in Solid State Chemistry
http://chemistry.clemson.edu/nsfsrpssc.html