New syntheses for 2-bicyclo(3.3.1)nonanone and 7-bicyclo-(3.3.1)nonen-2-one were developed. The saturated ketone was prepared
from phenol and acrylonitrile via a novel intramolecular
S[subscript N]2 cyclization process. A Friedel-Crafts cyclization of 3-(3-cyclohexenyl)propanoyl chloride permitted synthesis of the unsaturated
ketone from 4-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde. The formation of
the bicyclo(3.3.1)nonane rather than a bicyclo(3.2.2)nonane skeleton...
The structure–property relationships of solid solutions within the YbFe₂O₄ family of compounds have been studied in relation to their optical, dielectric and magnetic properties. This family of compounds is of recent interest because of the trigonal bipyramid coordination that is rarely observed in transition metal oxides. The systematic study of...
Polyoxometalates (POMs) are anions consisting of three or more early transition metals ™ (Gr V and VI) oxoanions (in their highest oxidation state) linked together by a shared oxygen bond to form a 3D framework. Polyoxometalates (POMs) are a rapidly growing class of metal oxo clusters with a wide range...
The work presented here is the culmination of efforts in describing complex chemical systems with statistical methods, thereby providing relatively simple quantitative models and easily comprehensible qualitative insights. The following investigations have various goals, such as development of new methods, fundamental understanding, molecular control of chemical species, and advancement of...
Ultrafast spectroscopy has recently gained momentum as a powerful, noninvasive characterization toolset capable of studying a diverse array of samples with applications in chemistry, physics, biology, engineering, and more. Two popular ultrafast spectroscopic techniques include femtosecond transient absorption (fs-TA) and femtosecond stimulated Raman spectroscopy (FSRS). The latter of these techniques...
In this dissertation, the spectroscopic properties and thermodynamic stability of a class of materials known as metal oxo and hydroxo clusters are studied. In aqueous solutions, many metals can aggregate into discrete clusters of metals bridged by oxo or hydroxo ligands. These clusters are of particular interest to us for...
Examination of a proposed reaction scheme to prepare bicyclo-(2.2.0)hexan-1-ol produced the first known condensation of an
enamine with its carbonyl precursor. Hydrolysis of the resulting
dienamine gave an unusual conjugated cyclobutenone in which the
double bond is exocyclic. Characterization and reactions of the
cyclobutenone were successfully carried out.