The Walczak research group is interested in the development of tools and strategies for constructing molecular complexity at the level of small molecules and biologics. We plan to explore innovative approaches to address unsolved chemical and biological questions in which the control of chemical reactivity and efficiency are the central challenges. Our problems are identified based on their mechanistic/structural features and potential impact outside chemical sciences. Studies on new catalytic transformations that focus on controlling the absolute and relative stereochemistry are particularly attractive to us, and it is our goal to establish a general framework for reaction discovery and optimization based on mechanistic and structural insights. Additionally, total synthesis of natural products displaying intriguing chemical characteristics and promising biological activities will be a significant component of the research portfolio.
keywords
chemical biology, synthesis, organic chemistry, neurodegeneration, proteins, peptides, glycoscience
BCHM 3491 - Organic Chemistry 2 for Biochemistry Majors
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2019 / Fall 2020
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
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Spring 2019 / Spring 2024
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
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Spring 2018 / Spring 2020 / Spring 2021 / Spring 2023
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
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Spring 2019 / Spring 2024
Lab. Instruction in experimental techniques of modern organic chemistry emphasizing reactions involving alcohols, ketones, carboxylic acids, and their derivatives. Department enforced corequsite: CHEM 3331 or CHEM 3471 or BCHM 3491.
CHEM 3361 - Laboratory in Organic Chemistry 1 for Chemistry Majors
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2019
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
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Fall 2018 / Fall 2019 / Fall 2020
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 3341. Degree credit not granted for this course and CHEM 3331 or BCHM 3491.
CHEM 3491 - Organic Chemistry 2 for Biochemistry Majors
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2018
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 5311 - Advanced Synthetic Organic Chemistry
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2021 / Fall 2022 / Fall 2023 / Fall 2024
Lect. Surveys synthetic transformations emphasizing important functional group transformations and carbon-carbon, bond-forming reactions. Required of all organic chemistry graduate students. Department enforced prerequisite: one year of organic chemistry or graduate standing.
CHEM 6301 - Seminar in Organic Chemistry
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2018 / Spring 2019 / Fall 2019 / Fall 2021 / Spring 2022 / Fall 2022 / Spring 2023 / Fall 2023 / Spring 2024 / Fall 2024
Discussions principally concerned with recent literature in organic chemistry. Required of all organic chemistry graduate students.
CHEM 6901 - Research in Chemistry
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2018 / Spring 2019 / Fall 2019 / Spring 2020 / Fall 2020 / Spring 2021 / Summer 2021 / Fall 2021 / Spring 2022 / Fall 2022 / Spring 2023 / Fall 2023 / Spring 2024 / Fall 2024
May be repeated up to 15 total credit hours.
