Professor of Chemistry; Chemistry Department Chair
Chemistry / Academic
- Office:
- IDEA Center 314
- Mailbox:
- 61651
- Email:
- 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:
Crystal structure of bis(acetonitrile)4,4′-di-tert-butyl-2,2′-bipyridine platinum(II) tetrafluoridoborate packing as head to head dimers Joseph, C.; Nesterov, V. N.; Smucker, B. W. Acta Cryst. 2018, E74, 695-697. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1107/S2056989018005923]
“Redox-active TTF carboxylate as an axial bridging ligand for dirhenium metal-metal bonded complexes” Smucker, B. W.; Bacsa, J.; Bera, J. K.; and Reinheimer, E. W. Inorg. Chim. Acta, 2015, 425, 233–238, [doi:10.1016/j.ica.2014.10.002]
Student Presentations (Past 5 Years):
“Investigation of polypyridyl thiolato iron(II/III) complexes” Reyes, Richard A.; Smucker, Bradley W. 73rd Southwest Regional Meeting ACS, Lubbock, TX, 2017.
“Synthesis and characterization of a new phenothiazine-based ligand” Allen, Benjamin T.; Smucker, Bradley W. 73rd Southwest Regional Meeting ACS, Lubbock, TX, 2017.
“Bis(diimine)dithiolatoplatinum(II) compounds with uncharacteristic electrochemical behavior” Mortensen, M. L.*; Smucker, B. W. 72nd Southwest Regional Meeting ACS, Galveston, TX, 2016.
“Syntheses and characterization of bis(diimine)dithiocarbamatoplatinum(II) tetrafluoridoborate” Hu, J.*; Smucker, B. W. 72nd Southwest Regional Meeting ACS, Galveston, TX, 2016.
“Synthesis and characterization of 2-oxo-1, 3-dithiole-4,5-dithiolatobis(pyrazine)platinum(II)” Kadiyala, A*; Smucker, B. W. 70th Southwest Regional Meeting ACS, Fort Worth, TX, 2014.
“Syntheses and characterization of bis(pyrazine)platinum(II)dithiolene complexes and reactions with a bridging metalloligand” Friedman, P. T.*; Smucker, B. W. 70th Southwest Regional Meeting ACS, Fort Worth, TX, 2014.
“Exchanging labile pyrazine with bispyridyl ligands to form diimine platinum(II) dithiolene complexes” Maldonado, N. *; Smucker, B. W. 247th ACS National Meeting, Dallas, TX, 2014.
“Syntheses of 1,2-di(4-pyridyl)glycol platinum(II) dithiolene building blocks” Park, D.*; Smucker, B. W. 247th ACS National Meeting, Dallas, TX, 2014.
“Synthesis of a platinum(II) dithiolene building block with labile diimmine ligands” Smith, J. B.*; Derry, P. J.*; Smucker, B. W. 245th ACS National Meeting, New Orleans, LA, 2013.