Events in inorganic chemistry.

Investigating Heme Superoxo and Peroxo Mediated Pathways of Heme Enzymes Using Functional Synthetic Mimics

Abstract: Heme enzymes mediate a plethora of paramount reaction pathways in a wide variety of organisms, including humans, wherein dioxygen activating heme enzymes are prevalent.[1, 2] Interestingly, a number of pivotal geometric and electronic parameters in concert fine-tune such heme centers for their specialized reactivities, which strongly modulate the reactivity properties of their relevant reaction intermediates.

Functional Roles for Non-Canonical Electronic Structures of Iron-Sulfur Clusters

Iron-sulfur proteins are found in all kingdoms of life and carry out some of the most kinetically challenging reactions in the biosphere. In this talk, I will discuss my group’s efforts to understand how the remarkable functions of these proteins derive from the unique electronic structures of their iron-sulfur clusters. Emphasis will be placed on the use of synthetic models to understand how iron-sulfur clusters—typically comprised of mid-valent, high-spin iron centers—perform chemistry reminiscent of low-valent iron, specifically in the binding and activation of π acids such as N2 and CO.

Innovative Approaches towards Clean, Sustainable, and Affordable Catalysis: Exploring the Rational Design of Molecular Catalysts

Abstract: The development of alternative energy sources beyond fossil fuels relies on the activation of small molecules (e.g., H2, O2, CH4) through multi-electron, multi-proton reaction sequences. However, these processes face high kinetic barriers, requiring catalysts capable of mediating multi-electron reactivity.

Synthesis as a Gate to Materials Science, Physics, and Biology: The Chemistry of Tetrathiafulvalene-2,3,6,7-Tetrathiolate

Abstract: I will discuss our laboratory’s exploration of tetrathiafulvalene tetrathiolate (TTFtt) ligands in coordination complexes and molecular materials. TTFtt is a fusion of the common organic electronic TTF unit with two dithiolene motifs which are known to support unusual physical properties. The incorporation of these fragments into polymeric materials results in unusual physical properties, namely signatures of metallic conductivity without structural order.

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