Project Overview
Syntheses of Pophyrinoids with Altered Core Structures
Department(s)
Chemistry
Abstract
Porphyrinoids are well known for their biological functions (e.g., light harvesting, small molecule binding, electron transport, and catalysis as exemplified by heme, chlorophylls, and vitamin B12), and for their attractiveness in a host of fundamental investigations (e.g., aromaticity, metal ion coordination, excited state energy transfer) and applied studies (e.g., molecular memory devices, dye sensitized solar cells, photodynamic cancer therapy). Progress in porphyrin chemistry is aided by the ongoing development of synthetic methodology. My research group’s primary efforts are directed towards the investigation of methods for the preparation of porphyrinoids that structurally differ from the prototypical tetrapyrrolic structure of porphyrin. Such macrocycles display properties that are complementary to those of porphyrin. Objectives of our work include determining the impact of the choice of starting materials, elucidating the interplay of reaction conditions, and discovering efficient, scalable reaction conditions. Further information on the Geier research group as well as a list of publications may be found at:
http://www.colgate.edu/facultysearch/facultydirectory/ggeier. Interested students are strongly encouraged to make an appointment with Prof. Geier to discuss the specific projects planned for this summer prior to submitting an application.
Student Qualifications
Generally, students should have completed CHEM 263/264 prior to the start of the summer. However, highly motivated students who have done well in CHEM 111 or CHEM 101/102, and who will be taking CHEM 263/264 in 2023-2024 will also be considered.
Number of Student Researchers
2 students
Project Length
8-10 weeks