UCLA

Chem 248 Organic Chemistry Student Seminar: Ryan Lai
2024-10-28 15:00 - 16:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Collaboratory Yoo Seminar & Conference Hall YH4222

Distinguished Lecture Series/Donald J. Cram Lecture - Prof. David Leigh
2024-10-24 16:00 - 17:00 | Mani L. Bhaumik Centennial Collaboratory, 607 Charles E. Young Dr., East, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States

Jeffrey I. Zink Inorganic Chemistry Seminar Series – Prof. Jack Norton
2024-10-23 16:00 - 17:30 | Collaboratory Yoo Seminar & Conference Hall YH4222
Flyer: Prof. Jack Norton Flyer
Title: Applications of Catalytic H• Transfer from H2
Abstract: Transition-metal hydride complexes with en-he bonds stronger than 56 kcal mol’ can often be generated from hydrogen, and may thus be able to catalyze the transfer of H from that gas. Hydrides with unusually weak M-H bonds, such as HV(CO),(dppe), can carry out stoichiometric cyclizations of enamines that contain a remote C=C, converting them to pyrrolidines. The reaction of a Co(Il) salen complex with an olefin in the presence of NaBH, and ‘BuOOH also appears to form a radical by H• transfer, and these radicals can be trapped by TEMPO. The photochemical oxidation of these TEMPO adducts to carbocations (Knowles, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2016, 55, 9969) allows the interception of these cations by many different nucleophiles, giving Markovnikov hydrofunctionalization products. A particularly valuable application of this reaction is in the net hydrofluorination of olefins.

Inorganic Chemistry Student Exit Talk: Shuaijing Du
2024-10-22 16:00 - 17:00 | Collaboratory Yoo Seminar & Conference Hall YH4222
Shuaijing Du of the Duan Research Group
Flyer: Shuaijing Du Student Exit Talk Flyer
Title: Introducing Chirality into Hybrid Superlattices
Abstract: I will present recent results on two different projects, with the common theme of introducing chirality into hybrid superlattices. 1: Modular assembly of a library of hybrid superlattices. Hybrid superlattices, composed of two-dimensional atomic crystals (2DACs) and self-assembled molecular layers, provide a platform for synergizing the rich physical properties of solid-state 2DACs with customizable molecular functionalities. In this project, we develop a modular electrostatic co-assembly approach for synthesizing over 50 hybrid superlattices from a diverse set of 2DACs and molecular building blocks. We demonstrate that in addition to amines, chiral amino acids and coordination complexes can also assemble with exfoliated MoS2 into hybrid superlattices, incorporating optical chirality into the hybrid superlattices. 2: Construction of chiral hybrid superlattices with monoatomic platinum layers. Compared with layered materials such as graphite and transitional metal dichalcogenides with highly anisotropic in-plane covalent bonds, freestanding metallic two-dimensional (2D) films with atomic thickness are intrinsically more difficult to achieve. This study introduces stabilized monoatomic Pt layers by forming a chiral hybrid superlattice structure with self-assembled chiral carboxylic acid ligand layers. Circular dichroism (CD) spectra of the chiral hybrid superlattices show clear CD signals distinct from the chiral carboxylic acids themselves.

UCLA SPACE Institute: Chemistry and Materials for Space Science and Technology
2024-10-18 13:00 - 19:30 | Mani L. Bhaumik Centennial Collaboratory, 607 Charles E. Young Dr., East, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States

UCLA Boehringer-Ingelheim Lecture
2024-10-17 15:00 - 17:00 | Mani L. Bhaumik Centennial Collaboratory, 607 Charles E. Young Dr., East, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States

Inorganic Chemistry Student Exit Talk: Shiyun Lin, Yin Pok George Wong, and Hootan Roshandel
2024-10-16 16:00 - 18:00 | Collaboratory Yoo Seminar & Conference Hall YH4222
Flyer: Shiyun Lin, George Wong, and Hootan Roshandel Flyer
Shiyun Lin
Title: Multistate Catalysis: Ferrocene Aluminum Compound for Versatile Polymerization and Sustainable Polycarbonates
Abstract: Nature has developed an intricate mechanism through polymerase enzymes to control polymerization with monomer-level precision. However, this system is restricted to a limited range of monomers. In contrast, synthetic chemistry offers the potential to create an almost infinite variety of monomers for diverse materials, though synthetic catalysts typically lack the precise monomer selectivity seen in natural systems. In this work, we present a ferrocene aluminum compound, (salfan-H2)Al(OiPr) (salfan-H2 = 1,1’-di(2,4-bis-tert-butyl-salicylamino)ferrocene), which has four tunable redox and protonation states that demonstrate orthogonal reactivity toward different monomers. This system exhibits switchable ring-opening polymerization activity, enabling the synthesis of novel copolymers, including a ABCD tetrablock copolymers. We also explore its reactivity with CO2 in polycarbonate synthesis through biphasic reactions, achieving selective monomer incorporation and demonstrating the potential for closed-loop polycarbonate polymerization and depolymerization.
Yin Pok George Wong
Title: Accelerating Polymerization Catalyst Discovery with Data and Network Science
Abstract: In this talk, I will present the work on using various learning algorithms to predict and discover polymerization catalysts. As an example, we have applied a supervised classifier to predict palladium catalysts for producing non-alternating polyketones via the copolymerization of carbon monoxide and ethylene. Currently, reported examples are limited to using phosphine-sulfonate and diphosphazane monoxide supporting ligands. With a data-driven workflow, we were able to discover three new classes of supporting liagnds (phosphine-phenolate, bisphosphine monoxide and phosphonic diamide-phosphine) capable of achieving the palladium-catalyzed synthesis of non-alternating polyketones with a lower CO content than known catalysts. In addition, I will be introducing the concept of catalyst repurposing by showcasing ongoing work in building a bipartite network and using link prediction to create a recommender system that can rank existing catalysts for reactions which have not been tested before.
Hootan Roshandel
Title: Ferrocene Charcuterie: Ferrocene-Based Compounds for Polymerization and Quantum Applications
Abstract: This talk will contain a variety of topics ranging from the development of 3D visualization and augmented reality tools for applications in scientific communication and outreach, to the exploration of the reactivity of ferrocene-based ring opening polymerization catalysts for synthesis of biocompatible polymers, and to the role of ferrocene-based Yb(III) complexes for quantum sensing applications. Along the way, we will discuss the use of machine learning tools for the prediction of chemical activity of a series of redox-active catalysts, highlight the unexplored role of metal-ligand cooperativity in Ti and Zr amino ferrocene-based ligands, and utilization of unconventional nuclear magnetic resonance experiments for characterization of the ferrocene-based compounds for in situ structural and mechanistic studies.

Physical Chemistry Seminar 228: Prof. Jeff Sakamoto
2024-10-14 16:00 - 17:00 | Collaboratory Yoo Seminar & Conference Hall YH4222

Chem 248 Organic Chemistry Student Seminar: Cameron Scott Jones
2024-10-14 15:00 - 16:00 | Collaboratory Yoo Seminar & Conference Hall YH4222

Dickerson Biochemistry Seminar Series - David Eisenberg and Mike Lawson
2024-10-11 15:30 - 17:00 | Collaboratory Yoo Seminar & Conference Hall YH4222

UCLA Amgen Lecture
2024-10-10 16:00 - 17:00 | Mani L. Bhaumik Centennial Collaboratory, 607 Charles E. Young Dr., East, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
https://tinyurl.com/uclaamgen

Jeffrey I. Zink Inorganic Chemistry Seminar Series – Prof. Jonathan Rittle
2024-10-09 16:00 - 17:00 | Collaboratory Yoo Seminar & Conference Hall YH4222
Flyer: Prof. Jonathan Rittle Flyer
Title: Discovery of Manganese-Dependent Monooxygenases
Abstract: The aerobic oxidation of carbon–hydrogen (C–H) bonds in biology is currently known to be accomplished by a limited set of cofactors that largely include heme, nonheme iron, and copper. While manganese cofactors perform difficult oxidation reactions, including water oxidation within Photosystem II, they are generally not known to be used for C–H bond oxidation, and those that do catalyze this important reaction display highly limited intrinsic reactivity. In this seminar, I will describe a handful of homologous enzymes that either require manganese, iron, or mixtures thereof to functionalize strong, aliphatic C–H bonds (BDE = 100 kcal/mol). Structural and spectroscopic studies on these systems reveal redox-active, bimetallic active sites that represent the locus of O2 activation and substrate coordination. Our combined results dramatically expand the known reactivity of biological manganese–containing cofactors, and suggests that many uncharacterized (or mischaracterized) monooxygenases may similarly utilize manganese to perform crucial oxidative biochemical tasks.

Physical Chemistry Seminar 228: Prof. Connor Bischak
2024-10-07 16:00 - 17:00 | Collaboratory Yoo Seminar & Conference Hall YH4222

Dickerson Biochemistry Seminar Series - Profs Guillaume Chanfreau and Juli Feigon
2024-10-04 15:30 - 17:00 | Collaboratory Yoo Seminar & Conference Hall YH4222

Jeffrey I. Zink Inorganic Chemistry Seminar Series – Dr. David Kwabi
2024-10-02 16:00 - 17:00 | Collaboratory Yoo Seminar & Conference Hall YH4222
Flyer: Dr. David Kwabi Flyer
Title: Designing Organic Redox-Flow Batteries for Energy Storage and CO2 Capture
Abstract: Avoiding the most severe consequences of climate change can be achieved by increasing the pace at which carbon-free/renewable power is adopted to replace fossil fuels, capturing and permanently sequestering CO2 away from the atmosphere, or both. Large-scale implementation of both approaches is primarily challenged by technological barriers. Because renewable (e.g. solar and wind) power is intermittently available, its more extensive deployment on the grid requires low-cost storage technologies. CO2 capture systems must likewise be inexpensive and energy-efficient while enabling high rates of CO2 uptake from point and distributed sources. Electrochemical devices with organic active materials are promising candidates for both tasks. They can store electrical energy in the form of batteries and enable selective separation processes – in the latter case, without the Carnot efficiency limit that conventional thermal separation methods face. In this talk, I will discuss our group’s recent progress in using numerical modeling and statistical inference techniques to understand the kinetics of charge carrier conversion and decomposition in organic redox-flow batteries for grid-scale energy storage. I will also discuss how these techniques can be extended to understanding the performance limits of electrochemical CO2 capture scheme featuring reversible pH swings created by proton-coupled electron transfer in aqueous electrolytes.

Physical Chemistry Seminar 228: Prof. Joseph Francisco
2024-09-30 16:00 - 17:00 | Collaboratory Yoo Seminar & Conference Hall YH4222

Dickerson Biochemistry Seminar Series - Welcome Seminar
2024-09-27 15:30 - 17:00 | Collaboratory Yoo Seminar & Conference Hall YH4222

Houk-Jung Organic Colloquium Special Seminar - Prof. Weixin Tang
2024-09-19 16:00 - 17:00 | Collaboratory Yoo Seminar & Conference Hall YH4222

Inorganic Chemistry Student Exit Talk: Shuaijing Du and Sibo Wang
2024-09-10 10:00 - 11:00 | Collaboratory Yoo Seminar & Conference Hall YH4222
Sibo Wang and Shuaijing Du of the Duan Research Group
Flyer: Shuaijing Du and Sibo Wang Flyer
Sibo Wang Talk: Study of Pt-based Nanomaterials for Catalysis in Hydrogen Economy
Abstract: Hydrogen has been recognized as an attractive energy carrier to achieve fossil fuels phase-out and limit climate change. The realization of hydrogen economy consists of the production of hydrogen, hydrogen storage and transportation, and the utilization of hydrogen. To increase the efficiency of these processes, Pt-based nanomaterials which have high surface areas and unique chemical characteristics serve as promising catalysts. In particular, our group has studied Pt-based nanocatalysts for the electric hydrogen evolution reaction and hydrogen oxidation reaction (HER/HOR), which are critical reactions in electrolyzers and fuel cells for the conversion between the hydrogen energy and electricity to produce and use hydrogen. In this talk, I will discuss the fundamental mechanisms of HER/HOR on Pt-electrolyte interface and the reactions kinetics enhancement by surface modification on Pt-based nanomaterials. Overall, this work aims to provide a molecular understanding of reaction mechanisms on the catalyst surface and shed new insights into the design and engineering of the nanomaterials for efficient catalysis.
Shuaijing Du Talk: Introducing Chirality into Hybrid Superlattices
Abstract:
I will present recent results on two different projects, with the common theme of introducing chirality into hybrid superlattices. 1: Modular assembly of a library of hybrid superlattices. Hybrid superlattices, composed of two-dimensional atomic crystals (2DACs) and self-assembled molecular layers, provide a platform for synergizing the rich physical properties of solid-state 2DACs with customizable molecular functionalities. In this project, we develop a modular electrostatic co-assembly approach for synthesizing over 50 hybrid superlattices from a diverse set of 2DACs and molecular building blocks. We demonstrate that in addition to amines, chiral amino acids and coordination complexes can also assemble with exfoliated MoS2 into hybrid superlattices, incorporating optical chirality into the hybrid superlattices. 2: Construction of chiral hybrid superlattices with monoatomic platinum layers. Compared with layered materials such as graphite and transitional metal dichalcogenides with highly anisotropic in-plane covalent bonds, freestanding metallic two-dimensional (2D) films with atomic thickness are intrinsically more difficult to achieve. This study introduces stabilized monoatomic Pt layers by forming a chiral hybrid superlattice structure with self-assembled chiral carboxylic acid ligand layers. Circular dichroism (CD) spectra of the chiral hybrid superlattices show clear CD signals distinct from the chiral carboxylic acids themselves.

Special Organic Seminar: Professor Toshiaki Sunazuka
2024-08-15 16:00 - 17:00 | Mani L. Bhaumik Centennial Collaboratory, 607 Charles E. Young Dr., East, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, United States
Kitasato University Satoshi Omura Memorial Institute Bioorganic Chemistry Laboratory

Chemistry and Biochemistry Ice Cream Social
2024-08-09 14:30 - 16:00 | Court of Sciences
The Chair’s Office invites you to come and hang out with fellow department members over some delicious ice cream!
Please RSVP by Thursday, August 1st | 5:00 pm
Icecream Truck Social Flyer

Special Chemistry Seminar: Professor Alex Clark
2024-08-09 13:30 - 14:30 | Young Hall 2033

Special Chemistry Seminar: Professor Arun Venkatnathan
2024-08-07 16:00 - 17:00 | Collaboratory Yoo Seminar & Conference Hall YH4222

Special Chemistry and California Nanosystems Institute Seminar - Dr. Sushanta Mitra
2024-07-23 16:00 - 17:00 | Collaboratory Yoo Seminar & Conference Hall YH4222

Chem 247: Houk-Jung Organic Colloquium Special Seminar - Dr. Xin Hong
2024-07-18 16:00 - 17:00 | via Zoom

2024 Organic Graduate Symposium
2024-06-14 09:30 - 16:30 | Collaboratory Yoo Seminar & Conference Hall YH4222

Dickerson Biochemistry Seminar Series – Christine Minor and Aldo Munoz Midstream Presentation
2024-06-07 15:30 - 16:30 | Collaboratory Yoo Seminar & Conference Hall YH4222
Christine Minor (Clubb Group)
Aldo Munoz (Rodriguez Group)

Chapman Lecture: Prof. Debbie Crans
2024-06-06 16:00 - 17:00 | Collaboratory Yoo Seminar & Conference Hall YH4222

Chem 218 Student Exit Seminar: Jun Shen
2024-06-06 12:00 - 13:00 | Collaboratory Yoo Seminar & Conference Hall YH4222

Jeffrey I. Zink Inorganic Chemistry Seminar Series – Prof. Chenjie Zeng
2024-06-05 16:00 - 17:30 | Collaboratory Yoo Seminar & Conference Hall YH4222
Flyer: Prof. Chenjie Zeng Flyer
Title: Precision Synthesis of Semiconductor Nanoclusters: Combining Coordination, Cluster, and Colloidal Chemistry at the Nanoscale
Abstract: Advancing precision synthesis from the molecular scale to the nanoscale is crucial for atomic-level engineering of nanocrystals for their applications in energy, information, and biomedical nanotechnologies. However, precision nanosynthesis has been a significant challenge due to the structural complexity of nanomaterials. A colloidal nanocrystal contains ~10s to ~10,000s of atoms in the core, metal-ligand coordination complexes at the interfaces, and organic molecules on the surfaces. Correspondingly, nanocrystal synthesis involves numerous collisions, exchanges, and reorganizations at hierarchical levels, leading to entangled kinetics and energy landscape from ~1 kJ/mol (intermolecular interactions) to ~1000 kJ/mol (covalent bonds). Here, I will demonstrate our recent progress in combining coordination, cluster, and colloidal chemistry to achieve precision synthesis of atomically defined semiconductor nanoclusters. The development of precise nanoscale reactions has enabled us to answer some important questions in semiconductor nanochemistry, including (i) how the surface of nanocrystals is collaboratively passivated by different types of ligands, (ii) the origin of chirality and polarity in semiconductor nanostructures, (iii) the precise correlation between the excitonic transitions and electronic structures, and (iv) the atomic level insights into the intricate reaction mechanisms at the nanoscale. We expect that precision nanosynthesis will provide a designable approach to access a library of atomically precise semiconductor nanocrystals with tailored properties, thus enhancing their existing applications or enabling emergent ones.
