Silas C. Blackstock, Professor of Chemistry Department of Chemistry The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL 35487 blackstock@ua.edu office 205-348-0748, FAX 205-348-9104 office hrs: Training
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Research
organic chemistry, electron transfer reactions, organic radical ions, high-spin molecules, redox-gradient dendrimers, photoelectrochromics, redox-auxiliaries, organic crystal engineering via DA bonding.
Organic Redox Materials We design and synthesize organic amines that upon electron loss undergo a change in shape, color, electrical & magnetic properties, and chemical reactivity, leading to a range of compounds with customized material properties. Projects involve the development of electron shuttles, charge storage materials, single molecule charging, and molecular actuators. In other work, the goal is to trigger new types of chemical reactivity by changing the molecular electron content using redox auxiliary catalysis. Crystal Engineering by DA-Bonding We also study the nature of "attraction" between electron-rich and electron-poor organic functional groups. The donor-acceptor (DA) bonds that result can be used to guide the assembly of molecules in crystal structures and influence the conformational geometry of macromolecular structures. Teaching
I instruct undergraduate and graduate students in organic and general chemistry. Courses taught include General Chemistry (CH101), Organic Chemistry I/II (CH231/CH2332), Organic Laboratory (CH237), Physical Organic Chemistry (CH435/CH531), Organic Spectroscopy (CH437/CH637), Organic Special Topics (CH635), Organic Research Techniques (CH570/CH670), Undergraduate Research (CH397/CH397), and Dissertation Research (CH699).
Service
I co-direct with Dr. Stephen Woski the Chemistry Department GAANN (Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need) Fellowship Program funded by the US Department of Education. I also serve on the department Endowed Arduengo Seminar committee, the Undergraduate Program committee, and serve as an advisor for undergraduate chemistry majors.
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