My research interests have diverged into three distinct areas; the first focuses on the mechanisms of electron transfer and oxygen reduction, the proteins that catalyze these reactions, and the cell damage that can ensue when these reactions go wrong. My second area of research is to determine why a small group of structurally similar compounds are selectively toxic to the neurons in one small region of the brain. My
last area of study is the design and preparation of self-organizing chemical
systems, based on the ligand affinities and coordination properties of metal
complexes.
My research in natural products chemistry has concentrated in the following areas: the isolation, structure determination, and the total asymmetric syntheses of sesquiterpene compounds found in plant essential oils; the investigation of different methodologies (e.g., chemical versus enzymatic)for resolving chiral natural products; enzyme-catalyzed organic syntheses. In addition, historic studies provide useful insights for present day researchers. An ongoing project in my research involves the life and career of the German chemist Fritz Georg Arndt (1885-1969) who played an important role in the development of physical organic chemistry and of resonance theory. Arndt also played a profound role in the history of chemistry in Turkey where he taught for over two decades.
Kinetics and mechanism of transition metal-catalyzed organic reactions, in particular (1) the role of Pd enolates in determining product stereochemistry in reactions such as the Pd-catalyzed aldol reaction, Mannich reaction, and aryl-ketone couplings; and (2) the mechanism and selectivity of alkane metathesis with early transition metals.
Gas-phase photochemistry and atmospheric chemistry are my research interests. My lab uses laser spectroscopy (photoacoustic and laser-induced fluorescence) to study molecular vibrations and the dynamics of reactions in the gas-phase. Pulsed nanosecond lasers enable us to initiate and monitor reactions, and spectroscopic characterization of the products' rotations and vibrations reveal atomic motions that occur in the course of a chemical reaction. To see our recent progress visit the lab.
I use chemical and biochemical techniques to investigate the role of metals in biological systems. One research project will investigate the mechanism of oxidative DNA damage by the intracellular reduction products of Cr(VI). A second research project consists of searching for cellular proteins that bind to various DNA cross-links of Cr(III). These related projects will provide important information for understanding the carcinogenic effects of chromium.
My research interests focus on two areas, the kinetics and mechanisms of transition metal compound reactions and the interpretation of calculational results--charge on atoms, bond distances, energies--on organic molecules. In the latter area, we are attempting to build a simple conceptual model that will account in a systematic and complete manner for the variation in properties of these molecules.
My research focuses on the general topic of chemical and physical processes at surfaces. Students in my lab use infrared spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy to study these processes in systems ranging from wet chemistry to modify semiconductor surfaces to the formation of biofilms that are important in environmental and medical applications.
I use organic synthesis to investigate new methods for carbon-carbon bond formation and to develop syntheses of biologically active molecules. The goal of one methods-based project is to explore the scope of a novel combination of two known organometallic reactions. Another project is focused on the synthesis of compounds that are structurally related to farnesol and could ultimately involve bio-activity measurements.
My research interests focus on two different areas of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy. I use gas-phase NMR spectroscopy to study conformationally and kinetically interesting processes in the absence of solvent interactions. The essential isolation of small molecules in the gas phase provides an excellent experimental counterpart to theoretical models. My second area of interest focuses on the application of solution NMR techniques to the study of interesting biochemical processes. To learn more, visit the Suarez Lab.
![Smith home](SClogo.gif"){kind=small}
