RUI: Experimental and Theoretical Investigation into the Reactions of Atomic Carbon with Organic Substrates

该RUI奖授予缅因州沃特维尔科尔比学院化学系的Dasan M. Thamattoor教授，其目标是产生电弧生成的碳原子并研究它们的反应。有趣的二价碳中间体（carbenes）将通过与各种有机化学底物的反应生成。更具体地说，这些有机底物包括烯烃、炔烃、azulene、酸性氯化物、1,2-二羰基化合物和具有高度应变的单碳-碳键的分子。这些中间体的化学性质以及它们形成和消耗的途径将通过实验和现代计算技术进行研究。本课程整合了合成化学、机械化学和计算有机化学的元素，旨在为本科生提供有益的研究经验，并使他们能够对科学知识做出原创性贡献。如上所述，这项研究最重要的影响之一是指导本科生研究人员，并在一个以本科生为主的机构中将他们培养成未来的科学家。将实施一些基于已经取得成功的方法的融合研究和教育的想法。举例来说，在有机化学导论实验课程中加入了类似研究的项目和新的教学实验。该提案还寻求继续Thamattoor教授非常成功的项目，该项目在夏季为高中生提供研究机会。女性、少数民族和弱势群体的学生也将被招募参加夏季研究活动。此外，还将有新的举措与小学教师建立伙伴关系，专门加强K-3阶段的科学课程。最后，预计将阐明一些重要的基本化学反应途径。

This RUI award to Professor Dasan M. Thamattoor of the Chemistry Department at Colby College in Waterville, ME has as its goal the production of arc generated carbon atoms and the study of their reactions. Interesting divalent carbon intermediates (carbenes) will be generated by reactions with a variety of organic chemical substrates. More specifically, these organic substrates include alkenes, alkynes, azulene, acid chlorides, 1,2-dicarbonyl compounds and molecules with highly strained single carbon-carbon bonds. The chemistry of these intermediates and the pathways by which they are formed and consumed will be investigated experimentally and by modern computational techniques. The proposed work, which integrates elements of synthetic, mechanistic, and computational organic chemistry, is designed to provide undergraduates with a wholesome research experience, and enable them to make original contributions to scientific knowledge. Among the most important broader impacts of this research, as mentioned above, is the mentoring of undergraduate researchers and training them as future scientists in a predominantly undergraduate institution. A number of ideas for melding research and education, based on approaches that have already met with success, will be implemented. This is exemplified, for instance, by the incorporation of research-like projects and new pedagogical experiments in the introductory organic chemistry laboratory course. The proposal also seeks to continue Prof. Thamattoor's highly successful program that provides research opportunities to high school students over the summer months. Women, minorities, and students from disadvantaged backgrounds will also be recruited to participate in summer research activities. In addition, there will be new initiative that forges partnerships with elementary school teachers to specifically strengthen the science curriculum in the K-3 level. Finally, it is expected that a number of important fundamental chemical reaction pathways will be elucidated.