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Faculty
and Student Teams Program
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Project Descriptions
Brookhaven
National Laboratory
Chemistry Department
Thermal, Photo- and Radiation-Induced Reactions in Condensed Media Group
Requesting applications
from science or engineering faculty members at institutions serving students
underrepresented in science, engineering, mathematics and technology,
to work on the synthesis and photochemistry of novel chiral ruthenium
carbonyl clusters that have the potential to act as photocatalytic hydrogen
atom donors for the reduction of carbon dioxide and other substrates.
Project Description
The proposed project involves the study of novel triruthenium
carbonyl clusters that contain both bridging hydride ligands and chiral
sugar moieties. In order to meet the ever-increasing energy demands of
our society and to overcome the problem of rapidly depleting fossil fuel
reserves, we urgently need to learn how to efficiently harness sources
of renewable energy. The most attractive of these is solar energy, since
more energy from the Sun strikes the Earth’s surface in one hour
than the total energy consumption of the planet in one year. To make
good use of solar energy, new photocatalysts that absorb sunlight and
perform functions similar to those that occur naturally during photosynthesis
in green plants must be designed. The aim of this project is to synthesize
and investigate a series of potential photocatalysts that could act as
hydrogen atom donors in the reduction of carbon dioxide to useful chemicals
and clean fuels. These catalysts have the added advantage that they are
chiral, meaning that they have potential for use in enantioselective
synthesis. The catalysts will be synthesized and their bridging hydride
ligands identified by low temperature NMR studies. The photophysics and
photochemistry of the clusters will also be investigated using a variety
of transient spectroscopic techniques, including UV/visible transient
absorption and time-resolved infrared spectroscopy on the nanosecond
timescale. This will involve directly monitoring H-atom transfer from
the clusters to a variety of unsaturated substrates including ketones,
and also to carbon dioxide.
Applicants Responsibilities
and Relationship to Project Applicants
will receive support under the Department of Energy Faculty Student Team
Research Program (FaST) to work collaboratively with the project research
team at BNL for up to 10 weeks during the year starting in June of 2008.
Summer and academic year visits to BNL will be scheduled by mutual agreement
between staff in the Chemistry Department and the successful applicant.
Ideally, faculty will work at BNL on the project for 10 weeks during
the summer in the first year. Faculty will be expected to identify students
from their campus to participate in the FaST program offered by the Department
of Energy at BNL. Ideally, Faculty will provide some mentorship and/or
advising support to students during the summer research activities. It
is expected that the Faculty member will become an integral part of the
research team working on this project and will support the project through
the academic year on her or his campus.
Qualifications of Ideal Candidate
| Faculty: | Ph.D.
in chemistry or related field, with experience in organometallic chemistry.
Works well in a collaborative environment with students and other researchers.
Currently teaches and collaborates with students in his/her field. Possesses
good written and verbal communication skills. Willing to work at BNL for
an extended period during the summer. |
| Student: | Working
towards a BS or MS in physical science (particularly chemistry), with strong
interests in experimental research. Works well in collaboration with faculty,
other students, and researchers. Possesses good written and verbal communication
skills. Willing to work at BNL for an extended period. |
Support
and Financial Commitments See Financial
Information.
For More Information contact:
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