Cobalt Schiff Base Zinc Finger Inhibitors
Description
This is a literature discussion based on the paper “Spectroscopic Elucidation of the Inhibitory Mechanism of Cys2
Exploring Post-Translational Modification with DFT
Description
This activity is designed to give students a deeper understanding of what post-translational modification does in a metalloenzyme using nitrile hydratase (NHase) as a model system. The metallo-active site of NHase contains a cobalt(III) center that is bound to an unusual coodination sphere containing bis-amidate, cysteinate, sulfenate (RSO-), and sulfinate (RSO2-) ligands.
A Redox-Activated MRI Contrast Agent that Switches Between Paramagnetic and Diamagnetic States
Description
Students are asked to read an article detailing the development of a cobalt-based MRI contrast agent ("A Redox-Activated MRI Contrast Agent that Switches Between Paramagnetic and Diamagnetic States", Tsitovich, P. B.; Spernyak, J. A.; Morrow, J. R. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2013, 52, 14247-14250, DOI: 10.1002/anie.201306394). Before coming to class the students are asked to answer a series of questions designed to guide them through the first half of the article, and to be prepared to discuss their answers in class.
Having fun with your own molecular models
Description
This is a fun chemistry project where students make model compounds to learn various structural aspects of the compound. This is an individual project that is each student is assigned with one compound. They can use any item (for e.g. Styrofoam balls etc) to make their very own model compound. The model should contain all the atoms (visually distinctive), bonds, lone pairs. Student is expected to create something novel rather using molecular model kit. They can use text book and lecture material for the resources.
Cadmium Carbonic Anhydrase (CdCA): Sustaining Life Using a Toxic Metal Ion
Description
The Diatom Thalassiosira weissflogii is very resilient. It thrives in poor quality water, where high CO2 levels, chlorine and cadmium ion concentrations, and pH are observed. How is it possible for cadmium ions to be a nutrient for this diatom, when it is normally seen as a toxin in biological systems?
This LO introduces students to bioinorganic chemistry using the enzyme carbonic anhydrase to illustrate biodiversity, adaptation, HASB theory, metal ion ligand bonding as represented by the PDB using Ligand Explorer, and more.
Employing 2D NMR and NOE to assign protons in an organometallic complex
Description
The following paper will be given to the students to read at home along with the questions in the attached document. Students will be allowed to discuss their answers in small groups and refine their answers, before the corresct answer is revealed.
Origins of Enantioselectivity during Allylic Substitution Reactions Catalyzed by Metallacyclic Iridium Complexes.
J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2012, 134 (19), pp 8136–8147
DOI: 10.1021/ja212217j
The Synthesis and Characterization of a trans-Dioxorhenium(V) Complex
Description
This experiment involves the preparation of a key starting reactant in high purity and yield for an ongoing research project, specifically for the development of potential photodynamic therapy (PDT) agents. The students synthesize [ReO2(py)4]Cl.2H2O using standard inorganic synthesis techniques. The students visualize the vibrations and electronic properties (e.g. molecular orbitals) of the compound using output files generated from density functional theory (DFT).
Hard Soft Acid Base Theory - Coordination Trends in Alkali Metal Crown Ether Uranyl Halide Complexes: The Series [A(Crown)]2[UO2X4] Where A = Li, Na, K, and X = Cl, Br
Description
In this literature discussion, students are asked to read an article describing a series of uranyl halide compounds that contain an alkali counterion that interacts with one or more of the uranium's ligand atoms. This paper stands out as a great example of the binding preferences of acids and bases, and can be explained very well using simple HSAB concepts.
Learning Objects used at the 2014 VIPEr Workshop on Bioinorganic Chemistry
This collection highlights the learning objects used at the 2014 VIPEr workshop on the Bioinorganic Applications of Coordination Chemistry to introduce participants to the field of bioinorganic chemistry. They provide essential background information on how metals bind to proteins as well as the techniques used in the research papers presented at the workshop. A list of learning objects created at the workshop based on the current research of our expert speakers can be found at:
Properties of olefin complexes: Pt(II) vs Au(III)
Description
This is a literature discussion based on a paper titled “Generation and Structural Characterization of a Gold(III) Alkene Complex” (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2013, 52, 1660 - DOI 10.1002/anie.201209140) that reports the first crystallographically characterized Au(III) alkene complex, [(cod)AuMe2] [BArF]. The synthesis and characterization of [(cod)AuMe2] [BArF] are presented. The structural properties are compared to those of the isoelectronic species (cod)PtMe2, and to free cod.