College of Science » Chemistry-Seminars

Analytical/Physical Chemistry Seminar at the University of Utah
with Jenny Yang, UC Irvine

TBBC 4630
In-Person Seminar

Title: Integrated CO₂ Capture and Electrocatalytic Conversion

by Jenny Yang, UC Irvine

Abstract:

The Center for Closing the Carbon Cycle (4C) aims to advance the foundational science and define integration parameters for synergistic CO₂ capture and conversion, or reactive capture of CO₂ (RCC). While there has been significant independent research in either CO₂ sorption from dilute streams or pure CO₂ conversion, what is known is not necessarily translatable for combined capture and utilization. By linking the study of CO₂ sorbent properties with catalysts for functionalization, we have worked to develop integrated CO₂ capture and conversion systems that work synergistically to achieve higher product selectivity and overall efficiencies. The Scheme below outlines the scope of research. We have focused on the development of liquid phase sorbents that include molecular compounds and ionic liquids, which are then used directly for reduction by homogeneous and heterogeneous electrocatalysts to carbon-based products. Research highlights and major conclusions from 4C will be presented.

Organic and Materials Seminar at the University of Utah
with Nobuhiro Yanai, University of Tokyo

TBBC 4630
4th floor Thatcher
In-Person Seminar

Title:Molecular Quantum Sensors Enabled by Materials Chemistry
by Nobuhiro Yanai

Abstract:

This century is witnessing a second quantum revolution, and quantum sensing represents an area in which chemists can make significant contributions. Achieving quantum sensing requires more than precise control of quantum states at the molecular level; it is also crucial to organize molecular qubits so that they function effectively in complex environments. In this seminar, I will discuss materials chemistry approaches to molecular quantum sensors, focusing on their extension from biological systems to engineered materials.
We have recently enabled intracellular quantum sensing by developing molecular quantum nanosensors (MQNs). By encapsulating atomically optimized molecular spin qubits within biocompatible nanocrystals, MQNs achieve highly uniform spin energy levels and enable room-temperature optical detection of molecular spin states inside living cells. Compared with existing quantum sensors, MQNs exhibit superior uniformity, making absolute temperature sensing within cells possible—an achievement that has been challenging to realize with conventional platforms.
I will then show how molecular quantum sensing can be extended into chemically programmable materials. By incorporating photoactive chromophores as components of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), these MOFs enable spatial organization and chemical accessibility of molecular qubits. This design allows quantum sensors whose spin coherence times respond to surrounding chemical species at room temperature. Finally, I will discuss how controlled molecular assembly leads to multilevel quantum states (qudits). Through precise chromophore arrangement, singlet fission generates spin-correlated quintet triplet pairs with submicrosecond quantum coherence, expanding molecular quantum sensing beyond two-level systems. Together, these examples illustrate how materials chemistry transforms molecular qubits from isolated spin systems into versatile sensing platforms that function across biological and materials environments.

Chemistry Seminar at the University of Utah
with Yifan Wang, University of Georgia

TBBC 4630
4th floor Thatcher
In-person seminar

Title: TBA
by Yifan Wang, University of Georgia

Abstract: TBA

Host: Andrew Roberts/Qilei Zhu

The Giddings Lectures at the University of Utah
with Pat Unwin, University of Warwick

TBBC 4630
4th floor Thatcher
In-Person Seminar

Title: The Long and Winding Road to Nanoscale Electrochemistry

by Pat Unwin, University of Warwick
 

From the earliest days, electrochemists sought to visualise processes at electrochemical interfaces, and this remains true today; there is an increasing variety of microscopy techniques that have been developed to investigate electrodes and electrified interfaces in-situ and operando. In this lecture, I will describe how and why I became interested in scanned electrochemical probe microscopes, and how my lab developed scanning electrochemical cell microscopy (SECCM) and a general platform for electrochemical imaging. I will discuss the highs and lows, some of the challenges – technological, scientific and cultural – and the path that eventually led to a versatile and robust platform and workflows that are now used in dozens of labs around the world. Key discoveries from SECCM in fundamental electrochemistry, (electro)catalysis, corrosion, and charge storage will be highlighted, and I shall outline future directions for this technique and its role in a new era of high throughput nanoscale electrochemistry.

The Giddings Lecture at the University of Utah
with Pat Unwin, University of Warwick

TBBC 4630
4th floor Thatcher
In-Person Seminar

Title: Tales of the Unexpected: The Continuing Story of Electrochemistry at Carbon Electrodes
by Pat Unwin, University of Warwick

Abstract:

A wide variety of carbon materials are used in electrochemistry, with diverse applications that include (bio)electroanalysis and sensors, batteries and fuel cells, and membranes. The family of carbon materials is broad, spanning sp² and sp³ materials, and includes 1D carbon nanotubes, 2D graphene (and non-carbon analogues) and 3D graphite and conducting diamond, along with amorphous carbon and various composites. The electronic properties of each of these materials are further influenced by local structure and defects, method of preparation, and (for 1-D and 2-D materials) the conducting support, the number of layers, and their arrangement. Ultimately, all of these factors can influence interfacial charge transfer and electrochemistry.

In this lecture, I shall discuss our work in this area, which has provided significant new insights into structure-activity across a wide range of carbon materials and electrochemical processes. We combine high resolution electrochemical imaging data with information from other microscopy and spectroscopy techniques applied to the same area of an electrode surface, in a correlative-electrochemical microscopy approach, to produce highly resolved and unambiguous pictures of electrode activity at the nanoscale. The new models of electrochemistry offer surprises, overturn longstanding dogma, unify observations across length scales, and provide a foundation for future rational applications of carbon electrodes.

Host: Long Luo

Organic Chemistry Seminar at the University of Utah
with Andrew McNally, Colorado State University

In-person seminar
4630 TBBC 
4th floor Thatcher

Title: Chemistry for Medicinal Chemistry
with Andrew McNally, Colorado State University 

Abstract: Pyridines and diazines are ubiquitous in pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals, yet there are limits in synthetic methods that can directly functionalize the C–H bonds in these structures. We will show three distinct approaches, using phosphorus, ring-opened intermediates and deconstruction-reconstruction, that enable selective functionalization of these heterocycles into a range of valuable derivatives. A range of C–C and C–Heteroatom bond formations are viable, and the chemistry functions on structures typically encountered in drug discovery programs. Our lab has also performed mechanistic and computational studies of the regioselectivity of these reactions and the phosphorus ligand-coupling processes involved.

Host: Qilei Zhu

RPT Chemistry Seminar
with Connor Bischak, University of Utah

TBBC 4630
4th floor Thatcher
In-Person Seminar

Title: TBA
by Connor Bischak, University of Utah

Abstract: TBA

Host: Aurora Clark

Physical/ Analytical Chemistry Seminar
with Martin Edwards, University of Arkansas

TBBC 4630
4th floor Thatcher
In-Person Seminar

Title: TBA
by Martin Edwards

Abstract: TBA

Host: Henry S. White

TFR Chemistry Seminar
with Ming Hammond, University of Utah

TBBC 4630
4th floor Thatcher
In-Person Seminar

Title: TBA
by Ming Hammond, University of Utah

Abstract: TBA

Host: Aurora Clark