Chemistry Program > Chemical Research
Chemical Research
Undergraduate research is emphasized in the chemistry curriculum at IU Southeast. This is a most rewarding and challenging experience for the beginning scientist. Chemistry majors and Chemistry-Biology Double majors are strongly encouraged (just after their sophomore year) to become involved in laboratory-based research under the close supervision of a faculty member by taking the research course, C409, which is offered in the Fall, Spring and Summer sessions. Motivated students can begin research in their sophomore year. Research is a capstone experience and brings faculty and students together in a collaborative atmosphere towards the solution of some chemical problem. Students considering research are encouraged to begin planning very early and schedule meetings with faculty to discuss research interests.
Research offers the students an atmosphere of independence, creative thinking and a learning opportunity unsurpassed in traditional classroom settings. Students have the chance to articulate ideas about chemical concepts and design how to investigate these using quite a range of modern instrumentation. The chemistry faculty are committed to giving students the "job training" that is currently emphasized in the undergraduate experience. Upon completion of the Chemical Research course, students will present their work at regional and national conferences, and students have been co-authors of research findings published in scientific journals (see co-authored publications). There is a tremendous sense of accomplishment experienced by students when their work appears in a peer-reviewed journal.
Although some of our majors do summer research at other institutions - such as the Argonne National Laboratory or graduate schools with special undergraduate summer fellowship programs - most remain local and participate in research work here. A rigorous research program, with the objective of involving students regularly, began fifteen years ago and has carried on very actively since then.
Equipment Available for Research
An adequate education of potential young scientists requires that they become familiar with modern instrumentation early in their career to prepare them for entry level industrial positions or for graduate study in any area of chemistry. A partial list of equipments within the chemistry building include:
- Varian Gemini 2000 300 Mhz NMR
- Perkin-Elmer GC Model 5890 (FID)
- Varian Saturn 2000R GC/MS
- Waters 610 HPLC
- Hoefer/PS500-XT Electrophoresis
- Varian 3300 Gas chromatograph
- Perkin-Elmer Spectrum One FTIR
- Thermo Satellite FTIR
- Dionex DX-600 Ion Chromatograph
- Beckman DU-800 UV-Vis Spectrophotometer
- Jupiter 833 Vapor Pressure Osmometer
- Jasco 810; CRT-81 IR
- Precision 300R Centrifuge
- Labconco Freezone 4.5 Lyophilizer
- Isco CombiFlash Flash Chromatograph
- Unicam 969 AA Spectrometer
- Applied Separation Supercritical Fluid Extractor
Faculty Publications
See Individual Faculty Webpages.
What Our Students Have Accomplished
(* Indicates Student Author)
Peer-reviewed publications
Thaddaeus Hannel*, Emmanuel O. Otu and Mark P. Jensen, Thermochemistry of the extraction of bismuth with organophosphorus acids. Solvent Extraction and Ion Exchange 2007 , 25, 241-256
Melanie M. Huff* and Emmanuel O. Otu, Thermodynamics of the extraction of lead, copper, cadmium, cobalt and nickel with mono-2-ethylhexyl phosphoric acid. Submitted to Solvent Extraction and Ion Exchange 2004 , 22(4) 695-712
Johna M. Arnold* and Emmanuel O. Otu, Effect of temperature on the synergistic extraction of some lanthanides by 2-ethylhexyl phenylphosphonic acid and micelles of dinonylnaphthalene sulphonic acid. Solvent Extraction and Ion Exchange 2004 , 22(3) 415-428
Erin Emery*, Matt Rutherford* and Emmanuel O. Otu, Spectroscopic evidence for micellar solubilization in the synergistic extraction of thorium(IV) and uranium(VI) by 2-ethylhexyl phenylphosphonic acid and dinonylnaphthalene sulphonic acid, Proc. Inter. Solvent Extraction Conf , Barcelona, Spain, 1999.
Papers presented at Conferences
Jason Spencer* and Emmanuel O. Otu, Competitive extraction of the rare earth elements with p,p`-di(2ethylhexyl)ethylenediphosphonic. 2nd Indiana University Southeast Student Conference, April 21, 2006
Sarah R. Dyer* and Emmanuel O. Otu, Competitive extraction of the rare earth elements with p,p`-di(2ethylhexyl)methylenediphosphonic. 2nd Indiana University Southeast Student Conference, April 21, 2006
Jason Spencer* and Emmanuel O. Otu, Thermodynamics of the extraction of lanthanide by p,p`-di(2ethylhexyl)ethylenediphosphonic acids. 20th National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR), Asheville, NC April 6 - 8, 2006.
Jason Spencer* and Emmanuel O. Otu, Competitive extraction of the rare earth elements with p,p'-di(2-ethylhexyl)ethylene-diphosphonic acid. 12th Annual Indiana University Undergraduate Research Conference, Indianapolis, December 2, 2005.
Emily M. Tracy* and Emmanuel O. Otu, Effect of temperature on the extraction of lanthanum with dialkyl-substituted diphosphonic acids. 1st Indiana University Southeast Student Conference, April 22, 2005
Heather Hill* and Dan Schwert, The effects of pH and ionic strength on the formation of a Fe(III) trion complex. 1st Indiana University Southeast Student Conference, April 22, 2005.
Tara Koressel* and Elaine K. Haub, Reactions with 2,6 - dihydroxybenzoic acid. 1st Indiana University Southeast Student Conference, April 22, 2005.
Thaddaeus Hannel* and Emmanuel O. Otu, Thermodynamics of the extraction of bismuth with organophosphorus acids. 19th National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR), Lexington, WV, April 21-23, 2005.
Thaddaeus Hannel* and Emmanuel O. Otu, Effect of temperature on the extraction of bismuth with organophosphorus acids. 11 th Annual Indiana University Undergraduate Research Conference, Indianapolis, February 11, 2005.
Emily M. Tracy* and Emmanuel O. Otu, Effect of temperature on the extraction of lanthanum with dialkyl-substituted diphosphonic acids. 11 th Annual Indiana University Undergraduate Research Conference, Indianapolis, February 11, 2005.
Melanie M. Huff* and Emmanuel O. Otu, Extraction of lead, copper, cadmium, cobalt and nickel with di-2-ethylhexyl and mono-2-ethylhexyl phosphoric acid, 18th National Conference on Undergraduate Research, Indianapolis, April 15 - 17, 2004.
Melanie M. Huff* and Emmanuel O. Otu, Thermodynamics of the extraction of lead, copper, cadmium, cobalt and nickel with mono-2-ethylhexyl phosphoric acid, 9th Annual Indiana University Undergraduate Research Conference, Indianapolis, November 7, 2003.
Shannon G. Wilson* and Emmanuel O. Otu, Supercritical carbon dioxide as solvent in the extraction of copper, lead, nickel and zinc from aqueous acid solutions, Indiana University Undergraduate Research Conference, Indianapolis, November 8, 2002.
Phillip E. Mullins* and Emmanuel O. Otu, Synergistic extraction of the lanthanides by 2-ethylhexyl phenylphosphonic acid and micelles of dinonylnaphthalene sulphonic acid, Indiana University Undergraduate Research Conference, Indianapolis, November 8 , 2002.
Lori B. Milligan* and Emmanuel O. Otu, Solvent-free extraction of bismuth and lead from aqueous nitric acid solutions, 15th National Conference on Undergraduate Research, Lexington, KY; March 17, 2001.
Lori B. Milligan* and Emmanuel O. Otu, The extraction of bismuth and lead using supercritical carbon dioxide as solvent, 11th Annual Argonne Undergraduate Symposium in Science, Mathematics and Engineering, Argonne, IL; November 3 - 4 , 2000.
Lori B. Milligan* and Emmanuel O. Otu, Extraction of copper, lead and zinc from aqueous medium using supercritical carbon dioxide as the solvent, Indiana University Undergraduate Research Conference, Kokomo October 20 , 2000.
Johna M. Arnold* and Emmanuel O. Otu, Thermodynamics of the synergistic extraction of the lanthanides by 2-ethylhexyl phenyl-phosphonic acid and micelles of dinonylnaphthalene sulphonic acid, 10th Annual Argonne Undergraduate Symposium in Science, Mathematics and Enginering, Argonne, IL; November 5 - 6 , 1999.
Johna Arnold* and Emmanuel O. Otu, The synergistic extraction of the lanthanides by 2-ethylhexyl phenyl-phosphonic acid and micelles of dinonylnaphthalene sulphonic acid, Indiana University Undergraduate Res. Conf. Indianapolis, October 28 , 1999 .
Erin Emery*, Matt Rutherford* and Emmanuel O. Otu, Spectroscopic evidence for micellar solubilization in the synergistic extraction of thorium(IV) and uranium(VI) by 2-ethylhexyl phenylphosphonic acid and dinonylnaphthalene sulphonic acid, ISEC99 , July 12-16, 1999.
Sean Masterson* and Bahman Nassim, Synthesis of Methyl 3-alpha-Carboethoxy-6-ene-12-alpha-acetoxycholanoate. 5th Indiana University Undergraduate Research Conference , Indianapolis, IN, October, 1999.
Jeremy Keeton* and Elaine K. Haub, What to Do With an Oil: Synthesis of New Benzoic Acid-Derived Ligands. 5th Indiana University Undergraduate Research Conference , Indianapolis, IN, October, 1999.
Melissa Shelton and Elaine K. Haub, Investigations of the synthesis of carboxylate ligands for use in metalloenzyme active site models.. 4th Indiana University Undergraduate Research Conference , Indianapolis, IN, November, 1998.
Matt Rutherford* and Emmanuel O. Otu, The synergistic extraction of bismuth, lead and copper by 2-ethylhexyl phenyl-phosphonic acid and micelles of dinonylnaphthalene sulphonic acid, Indiana University Undergraduate Res. Conf. Indianapolis, November 6 , 1998.
Bahman Nassim and Kristy Munchhof*, Study of the light induced free radical halogenation of alkanes vs. Halogenation of alkanes, using GC-MS: An experiment for undergraduate organic lab. Abstracts; 214th ACS National Meeting , Las Vegas, September, 1997.
Amy Munchoff* and Bahman Nassim, Studies towards the Synthesis of Bile Acids.. 3rd Indiana University Undergraduate Research Conference , Indianapolis, IN, October, 1997.
Jeff R. Hitchcock* and Elaine K. Haub, Synthesis of benzoic acid-derived compounds for use in metal ion coordination.. 2nd Indiana University Undergraduate Research Conference , Indianapolis, IN, October, 1996.
Thomas Miller* and Bahman Nassim, Synthesis of 3n, 7n -Dihydroxy-6-oxo-5B-chol7-en-24- oic Acid.. 108th Indiana Academy of Science Meeting , Muncie, IN, November, 1992.
William J. Moore* and Bahman Nassim, Dimerization of Lithocholic Acid Derivatives, A Pilot Study for the Polymerization of Lithocholic Acid. Abstracts;. 105th Indiana Academy of Science Meeting , New Albany, IN, November, 1989.
Mike Munchhof* and Bahman Nassim, Total Synthesis of A 6-Methyl- A seco-A, 19-dinorsteroid. Abstracts;. 103rd Indiana Academy of Science Meeting , Terre Haute, IN, November, 1987.
Deke T. Gundersen* and Bahman Nassim, Pilot Studies Directed toward the synthesis of Cucurbitanes -I ; Generation of a Diosphenol System in the A-Ring of Hecogenine.. 101st Indiana Academy of Sci. Meeting , Bloomington, IN, November, 1985.
Jeffery S. Duffy* and Bahman Nassim, Pilot Studies Directed Toward Synthesis of Cucurbitanes-II; Conversion of Hecogenine to 9,11 Dehydro -12 deoxyhecogenine. Abstracts;. 101st Indiana Academy of Science Meeting , Bloomington, IN, 1985.
John McCune*, Bahman Nassim and J.R. Dias*, Isomerization of 5-and 14-positions of ) 7 6-oxo steroids. . Abstracts;. 99th Indiana Academy of Sci. Meeting , Fort Wayne, IN, October, 1983.
