Ankit Yadav

Synthesis of ɑ-Aminonitriles using a Lewis and Brønsted Acid Functionalized Metal-organic Framework

Abstract

ɑ-Aminonitriles are used for reversible protease inhibition and can be applied in therapeutics and health applications. They can be synthesized through Strecker synthesis; this synthesis includes aldehydes or ketones and amines as the reactants. Although many catalysts have been used to synthesize ɑ-aminonitriles, these are based on expensive catalysts and require harsh conditions such as high temperature and pressure. In this talk, I will describe the use of a Cr(III)-based metal-organic framework functionalized with Lewis acid and Brønsted acids for the synthesis of eight ɑ-aminonitriles, five of which are reported for the first time. The catalytic reaction is conducted under solvent-free conditions at room temperature and catalyst loading of 1% by the total mass. Our study expands the existing family of ɑ-aminonitriles and provides an attractive strategy for developing catalysts that can synthesize functional ɑ-aminonitriles.1

1 Ramsperger, C. A.; Tufts, N. Q.; Yadav, A. K.; Lessard, J.; Stylianou, K. C.* Sustainable and Chemoselective Synthesis of α-aminonitriles using Lewis and Brønsted Acid Functionalized Nanoconfined Spaces ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2022, 14 (44), 49957–49964

Bio

I was born and grew up in North India. I graduated from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune, in 2021 with a BS-MS dual degree. In 3rd year of my college, I joined Advanced Porous Materials Lab under the supervision of Dr. Ramanathan Vaidyanathan, and there I learned about metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). During my MS project, I worked on the design and synthesis of organic phosphor using covalent-organic frameworks (COFs) for white light emission under UV light and bimetallic (Mn/Co) oxide nanoparticles supported over a COF for oxygen evolution reaction. In 2021, I was admitted to Oregon State University for a Ph.D. degree and joined the MaD lab led by Prof. Kyriakos Stylianou. My current project is based on the discovery of novel MOFs for advanced applications.

Yiming Sui

Reversible halide/halogen redox for low-temperature aqueous batteries

Abstract

Rechargeable batteries usually suffer poor performance at low temperatures due to the sluggish transport of ion charge carriers in electrolytes and in solid lattices of electrode materials. However, a tremendous demand exists for high-performing batteries under extremely cold conditions for applications in polar regions and outer space. Regarding the cathodes, most attention has been paid to conventional materials operating on the insertion mechanism such as LiFePO4 and Li(NixMnyCoz)O2. Our group is interested in exploring new chemistries to meet the demand for low-temperature batteries. In this presentation, I will present some new battery cathodes based on the reversible halide/halogen redox, and I will discuss their inherent obstacles and corresponding strategies.

Bio

Yiming Sui was born in Dalian, China. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the Northeastern University in China and his master’s degree from the University of Washington at Seattle, both in the major of Materials Science and Engineering. Now he is a second-year Ph.D. student in Dr. Xiulei Ji’s lab at Oregon State University with a broad research interest in rechargeable batteries, electrocatalysis, and electrochromic devices.

Anjali Verma

Understanding site occupancy vs color in inverse spinel structures

Abstract

Inverse Spinel structure has a general formula M(AM)X4, Where M cation occupies the (1/4th) of octahedral plus (1/8th) of tetrahedral holes, and A cation occupies only (1/4th) of the octahedral holes. They generally crystallize in a cubic lattice with space group Fd3̅m. This structure has the ability to show interesting colors because of the presence of tetrahedral sites. I will present about the colors in different inverse spinel structures particularly the solid solution Mg2-xCoxTiO4, Zn2-xCoxTiO4, Mg2-xCoxSnO4 and Zn2-xCoxSnO4, the reason behind working on these specific solid solutions and the role of site occupancy vs color in these inverse spinel structures.

Bio

Anjali Verma was born in Bihar, India. She received her dual degree in Bachelor of

Science and Master of Science from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Kolkata in 2021. During her masters she worked on the project “Synthesis and computational study of small donor-pi-acceptor systems” in the physical chemistry department under the supervision of Dr. Prasun Kumar Mandal. In the same year, she commenced her doctoral program at Oregon State University, where she is currently working under the supervision of Dr. Mas Subramanian. Her research focus is on the design and synthesis of novel inorganic materials with improved performance, utilizing sustainable raw materials.