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Zhang, Wei

Professor

Positions

Research Areas research areas

Research

research overview

  • In general, Dr. Zhang's research program utilizes the tools of organic synthesis and physical chemistry, through rational molecular design, to develop novel functional materials (organic or hybrid nanocomposites) with potential applications in carbon capture, molecular separation, controlled nanoparticle synthesis, catalysis, closed-loop recyclable polymers, energy storage, light harvesting, and nanomedicine.

keywords

  • organic porous materials, covalent organic frameworks, carbon capture, dynamic covalent chemistry, alkyne metathesis, olefin metathesis, imine metathesis, spiroborate exchange, dynamic nucleophilic aromatic substitution, organic nanotube, 2D shape-persistent macrocycles, 3D shape-persistent molecular cages, nanocomposites, self-healing materials, malleable thermosets, covalent adaptable networks, biomass polymers, transmembrane channel, nanomedicine, artificial photosynthesis, energy storage

Publications

selected publications

Teaching

courses taught

  • BCHM 3491 - Organic Chemistry 2 for Biochemistry Majors
    Primary Instructor - Fall 2021
    Covers amines, alkylation reactions, additions to unsaturated C-C bonds, aromaticity and aromatic reactivity, organic materials, biomolecules, nomenclature of organic compounds, reaction mechanism. Department enforced corerquisite: CHEM 3341 or CHEM 3381. Formerly CHEM 3491. Degree credit not granted for this course and CHEM 3471 and CHEM 3331.
  • CHEM 3321 - Laboratory in Organic Chemistry 1
    Primary Instructor - Spring 2018 / Spring 2020 / Spring 2021
    Instruction in experimental techniques of modern organic chemistry emphasizing chemical separations and reactions of alkanes, alkenes, and aromatic compounds. Stereochemical modeling and the identification of organic unknowns by spectroscopic and chemical methods are also introduced. Department enforced corequsite: CHEM 3311 or CHEM 3451. Degree credit not granted for this course and CHEM 3361.
  • CHEM 3331 - Organic Chemistry 2
    Primary Instructor - Fall 2019 / Fall 2020 / Spring 2022
    Lect. and rec. Intended primarily for nonmajors. Topics include structure and reactions of alkyl halides, alcohols, ethers, carboxylic acids, aldehydes, ketones, and amines; introduction to the chemistry of heterocycles, carbohydrates, and amino acids; nomenclature of organic compounds; synthesis; and reaction mechanisms. Department enforced corequsite: CHEM 3341 or CHEM 3381. Degree credit not granted for this course and CHEM 3471 or BCHM 3491.
  • CHEM 3341 - Laboratory in Organic Chemistry 2
    Primary Instructor - Spring 2018 / Spring 2020 / Spring 2021
    Lab. For biochemistry and nonchemistry majors. Instruction in experimental techniques of modern organic chemistry emphasizing reactions involving alcohols, ketones, carboxylic acids, and their derivatives. Multistep syntheses are also introduced. Department enforced corequsite: CHEM 3331 or CHEM 3471 or CHEM 3491.
  • CHEM 3361 - Laboratory in Organic Chemistry 1 for Chemistry Majors
    Primary Instructor - Spring 2018 / Spring 2020
    Required course for chemistry majors. Instruction in experimental techniques of modern organic chemistry emphasizing chemical separations and reactions of alkanes, alkenes, alcohols, ketones, and alkyl halides. Explores stereochemical modeling and the chemical identification of organic unknowns. Department enforced corequsite: CHEM 3311 or CHEM 3451. Degree credit not granted for this course and CHEM 3321.
  • CHEM 3471 - Organic Chemistry 2 for Chemistry Majors
    Primary Instructor - Fall 2021
    Covers Amines, alkylation reactions, additions to unsaturated C-C bonds, aromaticity, and aromatic reactivity, organic materials, biomolecules, nomenclature of organic compounds, reaction mechanisms. Department enforced corequsite: CHEM 3381 or CHEM 3341. Degree credit not granted for this course and CHEM 3331 or BCHM 3491.
  • CHEM 4261 - Organic Materials: Structures and Functions
    Primary Instructor - Spring 2018 / Spring 2019
    Overview of the preparation and functioning mechanism of novel organic materials that have recently been developed, including conductive polymers, 2-D macrocyclic structures, 3-D molecular cages, molecular machines/muscles/switches, fullerene derivatives and carbon nanotube composites. Emphasizes the use of organic and physical chemistry as tools to develop novel materials and probe their structure-property relationship. Same as CHEM 5261.
  • CHEM 5261 - Organic Materials: Structures and Functions
    Primary Instructor - Spring 2018 / Spring 2019
    Overview of the preparation and functioning mechanism of novel organic materials that have recently been developed, including conductive polymers, 2-D macrocyclic structures, 3-D molecular cages, molecular machines/muscles/switches, fullerene derivatives and carbon nanotube composites. Emphasizes the use of organic and physical chemistry as tools to develop novel materials and probe their structure-property relationship. Same as CHEM 4261.
  • CHEM 6901 - Research in Chemistry
    Primary Instructor - Spring 2018 / Fall 2018 / Spring 2019 / Fall 2019 / Spring 2020 / Spring 2021 / Fall 2021 / Spring 2022 / Fall 2022 / Spring 2023 / Spring 2024
    May be repeated up to 15 total credit hours.
  • CHEM 7311 - Selected Topics in Organic Materials
    Primary Instructor - Spring 2023
    Current research in the area of organic/materials chemistry. Concerns topics related to organic materials synthesis, carbon nanotube functionalization, artificial photosynthesis, gas storage and catalysis. May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours.

Background

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