Professor of Chemistry
Chemistry / Academic
- Office:
- IDEA Center 314
- Mailbox:
- 61651
- Phone:
- 903.813.2217
Education:
B.S., Wheaton College
Ph.D., Texas A&M University
Faculty Bio:
I grew up in Okemos, MI under the shadow of Michigan State University. While in college, I really enjoyed helping out in chemistry laboratories. It was so rewarding that I gave serious thought to teaching at a liberal arts college. My journey towards teaching soon led to graduate school in the lone star state. It was here that I met my wife and where a passion for research was ignited. After marriage and graduation, I wanted to find the perfect job. I was looking for an institute where I could teach smart and motivated students in chemistry and conduct cutting-edge research with students. I found that place here at Austin College. At AC, the students love to learn and continuously surprise me with their creativity, insight and service. Since 2004 I have been engaging passionate students through teaching and by directing students in research. What a great place to be!
Recent Courses:
- Chem 111 –General Chemistry I
- Chem 112 – General Chemistry II
- Chem 211 – Inorganic Chemistry
- Chem 412 –Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
- Jan Term: Mythbusting
Research Interests:
With the uncertain future of oil and other non-renewable forms of energy, alternative forms of energy become more viable. My area of research investigates the syntheses and properties of new light-harvesting inorganic compounds. My research students and I are synthesizing compounds which could converge (self-assemble) into light-harvesting supramolecular compounds for photovolatic applications, catalytic chemical reactions, or even anti-cancer drugs. At Austin College, research collaborations are excellent and often lead to innovative directions for students.
Links:
Publications:
Past 5 years Journal Articles:
(* indicates Austin College student)
“trans-Dichloridotetrakis(4-methoxypyridine-κN)ruthenium(II)” Reinheimer, E. W.; *Tobias, R. A.; *Bassel, E. R.; *Cantu, N. A.; and Smucker, B. W. IUCrData, 2023, 8, x230155. https://doi.org/10.1107/S2414314623001554
“1,1′-Methylenebis(4,4′-bipyridin-1-ium) dibromide” *Schuster, S. A.; Nesterov, V. V.; Smucker, B. W. IUCrData, 2022, 7, x220526. https://doi.org/10.1107/S2414314622005260
“1,1′-Methylenebis{4-[(E)-2-(pyridin-4-yl)ethenyl]pyridinium} dibromide dihydrate” *Neal, H. C.; Nesterov, V. V.; Smucker, B. W. IUCrData, 2022. 7, x220525. https://doi.org/10.1107/S2414314622005259
“1-(2-Methylphenyl)-4,400-bipyridin-1-ium tetrafluoridoborate” *Welton, C.E.; Nesterov, V.N.; Smucker, B.W. IUCrData, 2022, 7, x220248. https://doi.org/10.1107/S2414314622002486
“trans-Bis(4-aminopyridine-κN)bis(quinoxaline-2,3-dithiolato-κ2S,S’)platinum(IV) dimethyl sulfoxide monosolvate” *Hu, J.; Nesterov, V.V.; Smucker, B.W. IUCrData, 2022, 7, x220101. https://doi.org/10.1107/S2414314622001018
“Poly[[[μ-trans-1,2-bis(pyridin-4-yl)ethene- κ2N:N’]-μ-iodido-copper(I)]–trans-1,2-bis(pyridin-4-yl)-ethene (1/0.25)]” *Hoffman, J.L.; *Akhigbe, J.E.; Reinheimer, E.W.; Smucker, B.W. IUCrData, 2020, 5, x200998. https://doi.org/10.1107/S2414314620009980
“trans-Diamminebis(1,2-dicyanoethene-1,2-dithiolato)platinum(IV)” *Siddiqui, M.J.; Nesterov, V.V.; *Steidle, M.T.; Smucker, B.W. IUCrData, 2020, 5, x200980. https://doi.org/10.1107/S2414314620009803
“Luminescent, Redox-Active Dithiolatobis(imine)platinum(II) Divergent Complexes with Exchangeable Imine Ligands: An Experimental/Computational Study Versus Their Diiminedithiolatoplatinum(II) Convergent Congeners” *Smith, J. B.; Otten, B. M.; *Derry, P. J.; Browning, C.; Bodenstedt, K. W.; *Sandridge, J. H.; Satumtira, N. T.; *Zilaie, M.; *Payne, J.; *Nuti, R.; Omary, M. A.; Smucker, B. W. Comm. Inorg. Chem. 2019, 39, 188-215. https://doi.org/10.1080/02603594.2019.1594205
“(2,2’-Bipyridine)(1,2-dicyanoethene-1,2-dithiolato)platinum(II)” Nesterov, V.N.; *Hu, J.; Reinheimer, E.W.; Smucker, B.W. IUCrData, 2019, 4, x190158. [doi.org/10.1107/S2414314619001585]
“Redetermination of poly[di-μ3-iodido-[μ-1,2-trans-(pyridin-4-yl)ethene-κ2N:N′]dicopper(I)]” *Neal, H. C.; *Tamtam, H.; Smucker, B. W.; Nesterov, V. V. IUCrData, 2019, 4, x190122. [doi.org/10.1107/S2414314619001226]
Student Presentations (Past 5 Years):
“Synthesis of carboxylic Acid mono-urea ligands and coordination to +2 transition metals” *Tobias, R.; Carr, A. J.; Smucker, B. W. 77th Southwest Regional Meeting ACS, Austin, TX, 2021.
“Investigation of Anion Influence on 1,1’-methylenebis-4,4’-bipyridinium and its Coordination to (maleonitrile-2,3-dithiolato)platinum(II)” *Schuster, S.; Smucker, B.W. 77th Southwest Regional Meeting ACS, Austin, TX, 2021.
“Investigation of the Role of Anions in the Coordination of Bipyridinium Ligands with Platinum(II) Dithiolene Complexes” *Neal, H. C.; Smucker, B. W. 77th Southwest Regional Meeting ACS, Austin, TX, 2021.
“Synthesis and characterization of 1,2-dicyanoethene-1,2-dithiolato(dithiooxamide)platinum(II)” *Boring, J.; Smucker, B. W. 54th Midwest Regional Meeting ACS, Wichita, KS, 2019.
“Synthesis of dithioisonicotinate and Coordination with 2+ Metals” *Neal, H. C.; Smucker, B. W. 54th Midwest Regional Meeting ACS, Wichita, KS, 2019.
“Toward a Cyclic Supramolecular Square Using [Pt(4,4’bpy)2(mnt)] Building Blocks” *Welton, C. E.; Smucker, B. W. 54th Midwest Regional Meeting ACS, Wichita, KS, 2019.
“Characterizing the DNA-Binding and Anti-Proliferative Effects of Modified Planar Platinum(II) Compounds” *Kuncham M.; *Ramesh J.; *Shah D.S.; Smucker B.W.; Barton L.F., Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science Conference, San Antonio, TX, 2018.