Chemformation

The Weekly Newsletter of the MIT Chemistry Department

Volume 13, Number 18
Friday, May 16, 1997

Next issue: Friday, May 23rd. Chemformation is published by the Office of the Department Chairman. The deadline for the next issue is Tuesday, May 20. Please convey items of interest (or mailing list changes) to Linda Earle Room 18-390, Department of Chemistry, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, 617/253-1803; 617/258-7500 (fax) or e-mail to lkn@mit.edu Back issues of Chemformation can be accessed via the Chemistry Department Website.

Visit the Chemistry Department Website at http://web.mit.edu/chemistry/www/

Mario Molina Named Institute Professor!

Congratulations to Professor Mario Molina, The Lee and Geraldine Martin Professor of Environmental Sciences, who was named last week as an Institute Professor, a title reserved for MIT scholars of special distinction. To become Institute Professor is a prestigious honor which is bestowed to colleagues who have demonstrated exceptional distinction through a combination of leadership and accomplishments and service in the scholarly, educational, and general intellectual life of the Institute or the wider academic community. There are usually no more than twelve Institute Professors at one time.

Professor Molina shared the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1995 for discovering the depletion of the ozone layer. His work has led to the first definitive demonstration of a truly global environmental effect of human activities - the chlorofluorocarbon-ozone depletion theory first presented in 1974. Dr. Molina was the principal author of the paper describing this theory, and was also principal co-author on a meritorious series of papers from 1976-86 that defined and refined the relevant kinetics of the compounds that act as "temporary reservoirs" for the free radicals responsible for catalytic ozone destruction.

Professor Satoru Masamune to Receive Fujihara Award on June 16th

On June 16th Professor Satoru Masamune will receive the 1997 Fujihara Award, one of the most prestigious scientific awards in Japan. The prize consists of 10 million yen (approximately US $80,000). Mr. Ginjiro Fujihara, the founder of the Japanese paper industry, created the Foundation which established the Fujihara Award in 1960. Every year two scientists in any field of science are selected for recognition. Professor Masamune joined the Department in 1978 and has made outstanding contributions in chemistry in general and in synthetic organic chemistry in particular. His major discovery is a powerful, conceptually new synthetic strategy for controlling relative as well as absolute stereochemistry with chiral reagents, now called reagent-controlled or double asymmetric organic synthesis. Professor Masamune's long-standing attraction to molecules of theoretical interest has also led him to synthesize new and unusual aromatic and anti-aromatic systems and organometallic molecules involving ensembles of the main group elements silicon, germanium, and tin.

Senior Recognition Dinner Honors Students

The Senior Recognition Dinner was held on May 8th, 1997 at the Hyatt Regency in Cambridge. Professor John Deutch was the guest speaker and gave highlights of his tenure as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. A number of undergraduate Chemistry Majors were honored for their achievements and service:

The 1997 Undergraduate Award Recipients

Chemistry Undergraduate Teaching Award: For outstanding teaching in the field of chemistry
Federico Bernal, Hisham Eissa, and Lily Huang

The Chemistry Undergraduate Service Award: For outstanding service to the department by an undergraduate:
Raylene Sanchez

The Merck Index Award for outstanding scholarship:
Annie Lee, Doris Lin, and Srivatsan Raghavan

The Hypercube Scholar Award for outstanding contributions to the advancement of computers in teaching:
Zoltan Maliga

American Institute of Chemists Award presented in recognition of outstanding achievement, ability, leadership, and character:
Lillian Chong

Chemistry Undergraduate Research Award for outstanding research in the field of chemistry
Lillian Chong and Jennifer Sokol

The Alpha Chi Sigma Award for achievement in research, scholarship, and service:
Jennifer Sokol and Junko Tamiya

The following chemistry majors were noted for their work as educators, both at MIT and in the community elementary schools:

Teaching: Federico Bernal, Hisham Eissa, Pat Huang, Lily Huang, Sean Lavin, Zolatan Maliga, Michael Marino, Kenneth Mills, John Modzelewski, Georgiana Rivers, Timothy Shiau and Junko Tamiya

Tutoring: Songpon Deechongkit, Christina Eng, Wendy Jen, Suhail Mithani, Georgiana Rivers and Jason Wong

The Chemistry Magic Show: Joshua Bittker, John Gavenonis, Jennifer Lee and Timothy Shiau

SEMINAR CALENDAR

Jane Koretz

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

"How the Human Eye Focuses: Function Across Six Orders of Magnitute"

Monday, May 19

12:00 P.M. noon in 68-181

Macromolecular Structure/Function Series

Chris Morse Wins Goodwin Medal

Christopher Morse was one of two students awarded a 1997 Goodwin Medal, an award given annually in recognition of "conspicuously effective" teaching by a graduate student. The award consists of an engraved bronze medal, a leather-bound certificate, and $1500 in cash. Chris, a member of Alan Davison's group, has been involved in the teaching of 5.11 for over three years, as Teaching Assistant and as Chemistry Staff Member for the Experimental Study Group. In each capacity, he has won the appreciation of his students through a combination of an ability to present material in a clear and easily-understood manner, a willingness to devote many hours to helping those with problems, and a propensity for bringing home-made chocolate chip cookies to his class. Chris has also appeared on the television quiz show Jeopardy in an episode that will be telecast later this year.

Chemistry Undergraduates Honored at Awards Convocation

Two chemistry majors of the Class of 1997 were among those honored at the MIT Awards Convocation held on May 14th. Joseph Lee was one of two winners of the Frederick Gardiner Fasett, Jr. Award. This award is presented annually to members of the Interfraternity Council who have "unselfishly demonstrated the qualities of spirit, dedication, and service in furthering ideals of MIT fraternity brotherhood and sisterhood." Joseph is a member of Sigma Chi. Derek Stevens was one of four recipients of the Ronald E. McNair Scholarship Award. This scholarship, named in honor of the physicist and astronaut who died in the explosion of the Challenger, is awarded to African-American undergraduates who have had strong academic performances and have "made a considerable contribution to the minority community."

Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Department of Chemistry

Graduate Research Symposium in Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry

Thursday, May 29, 1997
2:00 PM, Room 6-120

Becky Carazza, Virgil Lab

"Efforts Toward the Total Synthesis of Paeoniflorin"

David Hays, Fu Lab

"The Development of Organotin Reagents for Organic Synthesis"

Adam Renslo, Danheiser Lab

"[4+2] Cycloadditions of Oximino Sulfonates. A Method for the Regioselective Synthesis of Substituted Pyridines"

Bain Chin, Buchwald Lab

"Resolution of (rac)-Ethylenebis(tetrahydroindenyl)Titanium and Zirconium Derivatives"

*****Refreshments*****

Jinhua Song, Masamune Lab

"Some Recent Advances in Macrolide Synthesis"

Malisa Troutman, Buchwald Lab

"Early Transition Metal-Catalyzed Asymmetric Reduction of Olefins"

Andrew Rhomberg, Biemann Lab

"Characterization of Highly Sulfated Compounds by MALDI Mass Spectrometry Aimed at a Sequence Methodology for Heparin and Related Polysaccharides"

Two Internships Available

Colgate-Palmolive in Piscataway, New Jersey, has an internship available with two choices of research topics to choose from. The first topic involves the development a clear superior antiperspirant stick. The challenge here is to understand the gelling mechanism of the currently used rheological additive, to identify a superior rheological modifier, and to overcome the product deficiencies such as tackiness, syneresis and high irritation potential. The second topic involves the development of a highly efficacious clear antiperspirant gel. The challenge is to improve the efficacy and fell of the existing antiperspirant gel. For both projects, an ideal candidate would possess a major in polymer chemistry or polymer science with a good background in organic chemistry. Please contact: Dr. Robert Bianchini at Mennen, Hanover Avenue, Morristown, NJ 07962-1928.

Foster-Miller in Waltham, MA: has an immediate opening for an intern for their project entitled, "Micron and Submicron Sized High Temperature Polymer Spheres" Most projects typically involve conducting a literature search to plan synthesis activities, performing small scale synthesis, characterizing the product and evaluating its potential for the intended applications. In addition to working on one or more projects, the intern will be exposed and will have the opportunity to contribute to numerous other chemistry related projects. Please contact Dr. K. "Jay" Jayaraj, Division Manager, Electronic Materials at (617) 684-4121 who will make arrangements for a visit to Foster-Miller. More information is available in the file in Susan Brighton's office.

Glass Blowing Services Available

Bob DiGiacomo will be coming in on Wednesdays or Thursdays to pick up any glass blowing work that you may have available. Please bring any work to room 6-031 or call Ed Udas or John Annese at 3-4505. Bob will do the work on a first-come, first-served basis.

Positions

• Trinity College, Hartford, CT: A one-year leave replacement position is available for a laboratory coordinator for General and Organic Chemistry laboratories beginning on August 26, 1997. A Ph.D. or M.S. in chemistry is required. These laboratory classes utilize computer-interfaced probes, UV-Vis, GC-MS, HPLC, GC, FT-IR, and FT-NMR. Consideration of applications will begin on May 19, 1997 and will continue until the position is filled. A detailed CV, a brief description of teaching interests, transcripts and three letters of recommendation should be forwarded to: Dr. Richard V. Prigodich, Chairman, Department of Chemistry, Trinity College, Hartford, CT 06106
  
  
• California State University at Long Beach: Part-time Lectureships and lecturers are available in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry for the 1997-98 academic year. The part-time lecturers are needed for conducting problem sessions in general chemistry and supervising laboratories in introductory chemistry, biochemistry, and quantitative analysis. Opportunities may also be available for lecturing in general chemistry, biochemistry or a brief course in organic chemistry. Openings for lecturing in other more advanced courses may occur as a result of presently unanticipated staffing needs. Minimum requirements in chemistry or biochemistry; some teaching experience preferred. Must be able to communicate effectively with an ethnically and culturally diverse campus community. Interested persons should supply the following by June 1, 1997: letter of application, resume, transcript for highest degree, and have three letters of recommendation sent by references sent to: Dr. Nail M. Senozan, Chairman, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California State University, Long Beach, 1250 Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90840-390, Telephone is (562) 985-4842 or fax: (562) 985-8557.
  
  

Postdoctoral Positions

• Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH: has a postdoctoral position available in the laboratory of Professor Thomas A. Spencer, beginning as soon as possible. The research will be part of the project on "Oxysterol Regulation of Cholesterol Metabolism" supported by the NIH. The research involves the analysis of biological samples for their oxysterol content and structural identification and synthesis of new oxysterols and related compounds. The exact experimental emphasis in the position would depend on the background and interests of the person taking the position. At least some expertise in which is used for both analysis and preparation of these novel steroids is highly desirable. A general introduction of his work may be found in "Accounts of Chemical Research," 1994, 27, 83-90. Applications are encouraged from individuals with strong backgrounds in instrumental analysis and/or organic synthesis and an interest in bioorganic research. The Research Associate appointment would be initially for one year, preferably renewable for a second year by mutual agreement, and would carry a stipend of approximately $22,500 for a person without previous postdoctoral experience. Please contact: Professor Spencer at (603) 646-2805 or e-mail at: taspen@dartmouth.edu or telefax at (603) 6460-3946.
  
  
• University of Connecticut at Storrs, Ct: A postdoctoral exists for an opening in the laboratory of Dominic V. McGrath involving organic and polymer synthesis of an interdisciplinary nature, funded by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (ADOSR). Opportunities exist for research on organic dendrimer chemistry and asymmetric catalysis. Someone with experience in organic synthetic chemistry, including familiarity with air-sensitive techniques, who is interested in expanding their background to polymer chemistry and surface science would be an excellent candidate. Please send a resume, and at least two letters of recommendation, as well as the names and phone numbers of your references to: Dominic V. McGrath, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, University of Connecticut at Storrs, 215 Glenbrook Road, U-60, Room 151, Storrs, CT. 06269-4060. Telephone is (860) 486-3673, Fax is (860) 486-2820 or email : Dmcgrath@nucleus.chem.uconn.edu
  
  
• The University of Houston, Houston, Texas: Seeks to fill a postdoctoral/research associate position at the University of Houston. The position will be affiliated with the newly-formed NSF Materials Research Science and Engineering Center. The focus of the center is the understanding of the structure, surface reactivity, and ionic transport of metal oxides as they related to fuel cell applications. The center will also be the beneficiary of a new Surface Science Laboratory, housing, state-of-the-are monochromatic XPS, SIMS, X-ray diffraction, and high resolution TEM. They seek a scientist to oversee the operation of the XPS and SIMS systems, in addition to working as an integral part of the research team studying the surface structure, composition and reactivity of oxide-based systems. As a result, prior experience with XPS and SIMS is preferred. Please call or e-mail for further information. at J. Wayne Rabalais, Cullen Professor of Chemistry, RABALAIS@UH.edu or call at (713) 743-3282.
  
  

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