Developing a new research collaboration with the University of Malaya

该奖项为计划访问马来西亚吉隆坡的马来亚大学提供资金支持。PI和他的马来西亚合作者Sim博士都是对计算化学感兴趣的化学家，特别是对有机金属结构的应用。此次访问将使普拉特教授能够规划烷基酸铜的合作工作，并为菲斯克大学和马来亚大学之间的持续合作奠定基础，包括未来为美国学生开设的IRES项目。最初合作的具体重点将是烷基铜，Sim博士负责实验工作，Pratt博士负责反应机制中的分子结构和过渡态的计算机模拟。这次计划访问的目的是在有机金属化学相关主题的研究和教育方面建立国际合作。铜酸锂的研究结果将促进对不饱和羰基化合物共轭加成机理的认识。由于这些材料被用作半导体、发光二极管和催化剂，它们在理论上和实践上都很有价值。PI来自一所历史悠久的黑人大学，并与马来西亚的一位女教授合作，正在建立对科学人力资源开发产生重大影响的项目。该项目将对马来西亚国家科学基金受助者的科学参与作出重大贡献。

This award provides funding to support planning visits to the University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The PI and his Malaysian collaborator, Dr. Sim, are chemists who share an interest in computational chemistry, applied particularly to organometallic structures. The trips will allow Prof. Pratt to plan collaborative work on copper alkylates and to lay the groundwork for a continuing collaboration between Fisk University and the University of Malaya, including perhaps a future IRES program for U.S. students. The specific focus of the initial collaboration will be copper alkylates with Dr. Sim undertaking experimental work and Dr. Pratt implementing computer simulations of molecular structure and transitions states in reaction mechanisms. This planning visit aims to establish an international collaboration in both research and education in topics related to organometallic chemistry. The results of the work on lithium cuprates should advance knowledge of mechanisms of conjugate addition to unsaturated carbonyl compounds. These materials are of practical as well as theoretical interest because of their use as semiconductors, light-emitting diodes, and catalysts. Coming from a Historically Black university, and working with a female professor in Malaysia, the PI is establishing programs that have a significant impact on human-resource development in science. This project will contribute significantly to the scientific engagement of NSF grantees in Malaysia.