A new experimental apparatus was built at Oregon State University to perform high resolution stimulated Raman spectroscopy in a pulsed molecular jet at state densities of the order of 10¹¹ cm⁻³. The technique uses a stimulated Raman step to first populate a vibrational/rotational level and then a resonantly enhanced multiphoton...
PART I. A deuterium exchange analysis of 2,5-dihydroxyacetanilide (5) in the absence and presence of DHAE II was performed to test the nucleophilicity of the substrate in the absence and presence of catalyst. In addition, inhibition studies using 1,4-dihydroxybenzene were performed to determine the role that the N-acetyl side chain...
Two approaches to the tricyclic core of the furanoeremophilane sesquiterpenoids are described. The first approach entails a projected Diels-Alder/retro Diels-Alder reaction of an acetylenic oxazole 64. Construction of the pivotal aldehyde 67 commenced from ketone 68. The acetyenic moiety was then introduced via a Felkin-Ahn addition of lithiopropyne to aldehyde...
Due to the high cost of precursor materials, complex oxides of 4d and 5d transition metals are under-studied compared to their 3d counterparts. Recent studies have shown that oxides containing heavier transition metals can exhibit exotic electronic states due to presence of strong spin-orbit coupling. The goal of this dissertation...
Understanding structural evolution in solids as composition changes is essential to materials properties prediction. Such structure-properties relationships are the theme of solid state chemistry. Materials scientists and chemists have utilized an abundance of simple crystal structures to enhance understanding of chemical and structural origins of properties in materials for decades....
Solid state inorganic oxides play an important role in next generation electronics based on their stability, versatility, and enhanced properties over other materials. However, in order to design or tune these materials for a desired functionality it is necessary to fully understand the structure behind the properties exhibited. This dissertation...
Inorganic structures play an important role in materials due to their versatility and diversity. A complete understanding of the structure of a material is vital to enhance the creation of new materials that fill voids in research. The rational design of these compounds is driven by the exploitation of structure-property...
In recent decades, there has been increased attention on human exposure to, and subsequently toxicity of, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs). PAHs are widespread organic pollutants and some have been shown to be toxic, carcinogenic and mutagenic. This research was focused on understanding the link between global PAH emissions and lung...
Part I: Racemic and asymmetric syntheses of a new substance with prospective antidepressant properties were achieved. In vitro assays with synthetic racemates (±)-25 and (±)-26 suggested that the former is a relatively selective inhibitor of serotonin transporter whereas the latter is a more balanced inhibitor of both serotonin and norepinephrine...
Thermoelectric materials are playing a larger role in the global effort to
develop diverse, efficient, and sustainable energy technologies: primarily through
power-generating thermoelectric modules. The principal components of
thermoelectric modules are solid-state thermoelectric materials – typically heavily
doped semiconductors – that convert heat directly into electricity. However, this
conversion efficiency...