Dan Smith

I currently have two active research projects.

Project 1

The first project being investigated in my laboratory is the sequencing of  DNA from domestic pigeons.  The goal of the research is to define genes in domestic pigeons that affect their physical appearance (phenotype), specifically their feather color.  Prior work in my laboratory has resulted in the development of protocols for isolating pigeon total DNA, total RNA, and mRNA from pigment producing cells (melanocytes).  These protocols have enabled my research group to sequence DNA coding for a variety of genes known to be associated with color in other organisms.

Photos of pigeon phenotypes

For an excellent primer on pigeon genetics visit Ron Huntley’s page on Rare Color Homing Pigeons

 Project 2

The second project being investigated in my laboratory involves the synthesis of new organometallic reagents with the view toward developing unique catalysts. Past research has shown that osmium porphyrin complexes have some unique abilities to stabilize intermediates and thus facilitate unusual catalytic reactions.  I am attempting to synthesize new osmium porphyrin complexes that contain alkyl, alkylidene and alkylidyne moieties.  These new organometallic molecules will be tested for the potential use as catalysts.

 Osmium porphyrin

CHEM 101 Chemistry & Physics of Life

Designed for non-chemistry majors. Chem 101 gives students a condensed foundation of chemistry principles.  Lectures and laboratory. (syllabus)

CHEM 111 General Chemistry

An introduction to the basic particles of matter, the modern concept of the atom,  chemical bonding and the structure of chemical compounds. The physical and chemical properties of some elements and compounds are examined. Reaction equilibrium and kinetics, acid-base theory, electrochemistry, radiochemistry and thermodynamics are included . (syllabus)

CHEM 112 General Chemistry

An introduction to the basic particles of matter, the modern concept of the atom, chemical bonding and the structure of chemical compounds. The physical and chemical properties of some elements and compounds are examined. Reaction equilibrium and kinetics, acid-base theory, electrochemistry, radiochemistry and thermodynamics are included. Lectures and laboratory. (syllabus)

CHEM 200 Analytical Chemistry

Quantitative analysis using traditional and instrumental methods.Lectures and laboratory.(syllabus)

CHEM 310 Thermodynamics Lab

A study of classical thermodynamics in the formulation of Gibbs. Thermodynamic potentials, characteristic variables, stability, homogeneous and heterogeneous systems,chemical kinetics are treated. An introduction to statistical mechanics is presented.Applications include studies of material properties and engineering systems. Lecturesand laboratories. (syllabus)

CHEM 312 Quantum Mechanics

Principles of quantum mechanics are discussed beginning with a hydrogen atom and concluding with many atom molecules. The material is examined using the physical evidences that support the theory of quantum mechanics, particularly spectroscopy. The course also discusses symmetry of molecules, theory of NMR, and X-ray diffraction. Lectures and laboratory. (syllabus, lab syllabus)

CHEM 409 Chemistry Internship

Designed to give the student practical experience in chemistry. May involve work in achemical industrial laboratory or production facility or an academic research activity. Students may also propose their own projects. 120 hours of work experience is required.

CHEM 415 Inorganic Chemistry

Emphasis on models of structure and bonding as related to chemical and physical properties. Discussions will include descriptive chemistry of the elements, coordination and organometallic compounds and solid state materials. The laboratory component emphasizes synthesis and characterization of inorganic compounds. (syllabus)

CHEM 450 Introduction to Research Problems

Historic Courses

Environmental Chemistry (CHEM 350)

Biochemistry (CHEM 430)

Kurtz, Stuart; Nguyen, Nhu-Thinh;Smith, Daniel A.; Fondon, John Indiana Academy of Science March 26 2016, ” Pigmentation Genetics of Domestic Pigeons: Pink-Eyed Dilute”.

Smith, Daniel A.; Swartley, Jacob Indiana Academy of Science March 26 2016, ” Domestic Pigeons: The Dilution Series”.

Guernsey, M. W.;  Ritscher,L.;Miller, M. A.; Smith, D. A.; Schoneberg, T.; Shapiro, M. T, (2013) A Val85Met Mutation in Melanocortin-1 Receptor Is Associated with Reductions in Eumelanic Pigmentation and Cell Surface Expression in Domestic Rock Pigeons (Columba livia). PLoS ONE 8(8): e74475. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0074475.PLoS ONE 2013 Guernsey

Presentation to the pigeon genetics group at Louisville National Pigeon show. “Color Genetics of Homing Pigeons, MC1R. October 2007.

Hamaker, C. G.; Djukic,J.-P.; Smith, D. A.; Woo, L. K. “Mechanism of Cyclopropanation Reactions Mediated by (5,10,15,20-tetra-p-tolylporphyrinato) osmium(II) Complexes.” Organometallics, 2001, 20, 5189-5199.

Sessler, J. L.; Smith, D. A.; Miller, R.; Ross, K; Wright, M.; Hemmi, G. W.; Dow, W. C. “Texaphyrin Metal Complex Mediated Ester Hydrolysis”  US Patent 5559207, Issue date 9/24/1996.

Sessler, J. L.; Burrell, A. K.; Furuta, H.; Hemmi, G. W.; Iverson, B. L.; Král, V.; Magda,   D. J.; Mody, T. D.; Shreder, K.; Smith D.; Weghorn, S. J. “Expanded Porphyrins, Receptors for Cationic Anionic and Neutral Substrates.” Transition Metals in Supramolecular Chemistry, NATO ASI Series; Fabbrizzi, L. and Poggi, A. Eds.; 1994, series C, Vol 448, 391-408; Kluwer, Dorderecht.

 Djukic, J.-P.; Smith, D. A.; Young, V. G.; Woo, L. K. “Properties and Molecular   Structures of  Osmium (II) Porphyrin Carbene Complexes: (5,10,15,20-tetra-p-tolylporphyrinato)osmiumdi-p-tolylmethylidene and (5,10,15,20-tetra-p-tolyl porphyrinato)osmium (trimethylsilyl) methylidene.” Organometallics 1994, 13, 3020-3026.

Iverson, B. L.; Shreder, K; Král, V.; Smith, D. A.; Smith, J.; Sessler, J. L. “Interactions of Expanded Porphyrins with Nucleic Acids.” Pure Appl. Chem. 1994, 66, 845-850.

Smith, D. A.; Reynolds, D. N.; Woo, L. K. “Cyclopropanation Catalyzed by Osmium Porphyrin Complexes.” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1993, 115, 2511.

Woo, L. K.; Smith, D. A. “Synthesis of Osmiummeso-tetra-p-tolylporphyrin Carbene Complexes, (TTP)Os=CRR’ (R=H, R^’ = SiMe₃, CO₂Et; R, R’ = p-tolyl) Stereoselective, Catalytic Production of Olefins from Substituted Diazomethanes.”  Organometallics 1992, 11, 2344.

Woo, L. K.; Smith, D. A.; Young, V. G. “Synthesis, Reactivity, and Characterization of   the First Donor-Stabilized Silylene Complexes of Osmium meso-tetra-p-tolylporphyrin (TTP)Os=SiR₂-THF (R = Me, Et, iPr) and the Molecular Structure of (TTP)Os=SiR₂– THF.” Organometallics, 1991, 10, 3977.

Kastner, M. E.; Smith, D. A.; Kuzmission, J. N.; Yearick, M. “Structural trans Effects in   some Bis(ethylenediamine)cobalt(III) Complexes.”  Inorg. Chim. Acta 1989, 158, 185.

Cooper, J. N.; Smith, D. A.; Kastner, M. E. “The Space Group of cis-Bis(ethylenediamine)bisazido cobalt(III) Nitrate: Undergraduate Physical Inorganic Experiment.” J.  Chem. Educ. 1989, 66, 968.

American Chemical Society