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Curriculum Vitae Course Home Pages |
Welcome to the Riordan Laboratory Bioinorganic, Coordination, |
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Professor Charles G. Riordan 211 Lammot DuPont Laboratory |
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National
Science Foundation National Young Investigator (1994-1999)
Postdoctoral
Fellow, University of Chicago (1990-1992)
Ph.D.,
Texas A&M University (1990)
B. A.,
College of the Holy Cross (1986)
Our research program focuses on
frontier mechanistic problems in bioinorganic chemistry that may be probed through
synthesis, reactivity and kinetic studies. Research at this interface
requires the tools of chemical synthesis, spectroscopy and physical organic
chemistry. The studies are collaborative and highly interdisciplinary. Specifically, we are interested in
modeling the spectroscopic properties and catalytic reactivity of the
nickel-containing enzymes carbon monoxide dehydrogenase (COdH), acetyl coenzyme
A synthase (ACS) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). The first two enzymes are found in anaerobic microorganisms
that are capable of metabolizing small molecules, i.e. CO, CO2 and acetate.
Second, we have designed a ligand scaffold that provides a sulfur-rich
coordination sphere for metal ions with the aim of constructing biomimetic and
organometallic complexes. As one example, we are utilizing the ligands to
support zinc ions to develop functional models for zinc enzymes that catalyze
C-S bond formation, e.g. methionine synthase and farnesyl transferase. In a different vein, we are exploring
small molecule activation via low valent, late transition metal complexes, such
as Ni(I), Co(I). Reductive
dioxygen activation represents a primary current focus.
URL of this
document: http://www.udel.edu/chem/riordan/
Last Updated: August 31, 2007