Dwight Sweigart
Professor:
Chemistry
Phone: 401 863 2767
dwight_sweigart@brown.edu
The Sweigart group does research in organometallic chemistry. Current work is focused in three major areas: electrochemistry, self-assembly, and catalysis.
Biography
Professional Preparation:
Institution Major/Area Degree/Year
Franklin & Marshall College Chemistry B.A. 1967
Northwestern University Chemistry Ph.D. 1971
Oxford University Physical Chemistry 1970-71
Oxford University Bioinorganic Chemistry 1971-72
Appointments:
1999-02: Vice Chairman, Department of Chemistry, Brown University
1997-date: Associate Editor, "Organometallics"
1987-date: Professor, Brown University
1882-87: Associate Professor, Brown University
1980-82: Assistant Professor, Brown University
1979: DuPont Experimental Station, Wilmington, DE
1976-79: Associate Professor, Swarthmore College
1972-76: Assistant Professor, Swarthmore College
Interests
Electrochemistry
We utilize electrochemical techniques to study the role of electron-transfer on the structure and reactivity of organometallic complexes containing pi-bonded hydrocarbon ligands. In addition to a host of applications in synthesis and catalysis, such work provides insights into the fundamental chemical and physical processes occurring when an electron is transferred to or from a conducting surface. A recent 2005 study demonstrated that naphthalene molecules drastically change their mode of bonding to a metal upon electron-transfer, and that this process is a prelude to the formation of catalytically active species.
Self-Assembly
It has been discovered that organometallic complexes containing quinonoid ligands undergo reversible electron- and proton-transfer reactions to generate species that self-assemble with metal ions into supramolecular metal-organometallic coordination networks (MOMNs). The resulting materials are formed in a modular manner with a resulting dimensionality and architecture can be rationally controlled for applications in guest-host chemistry, sensing, and catalysis. Recent work (2004) suggests that our new polymers may have several particularly important applications: (1) coordination-driven self-assembly of metallic nanoparticles into superlattices (being investigated with Professor Shouheng Sun), (2) remediation of environmental problems based on PCB contamination, and (3) fossil fuel desulfurization.
Catalysis
Organomometallic rhodium quinonoid complexes have been found (2005) to function as unprecedented multifunctional catalysts for enormously important carbon-carbon coupling reactions. Joint work with Professor William Trenkle of Brown University and Professor Seung Uk Son of Sungkyunkwan University suggests that these reactions constitute an conceptual advance in the field of organometallic catalysis. In a related manner, the rhodium quinones have been found (2005) to join with lithium compounds to generate a new class of promising organolithium reagents for use in synthesis. Additionally, through charge-assisted hydrogen bonding the rhodium quinones form porous solid state materials with channels suitable for hydrogen storage (2006).
Awards
National Science Foundation, Special Creativity Extension, 1992-94.
National Institues of Health Research Career Development Award, 1983-88.
National Science Foundation Science Faculty Professional Development Award, DuPont Experimental Station, Wilmington, 1979.
Emmet Reid Award, American Chemical Society, 1979.
Camille and Henry Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award, 1977-80.
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Postdoctoral Fellowship, University of Wales, 1975-76.
Honorary U. S. Ramsay Fellowship, Oxford University, 1971-72.
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Postdoctoral Fellowship, Oxford University, 1971-72.
AFOSR-NRC Postdoctoral Fellowship, Oxford University, 1970-71.
National Science Foundation Predoctoral Fellowship, Northwestern University, 1967-70.
Phi Beta Kappa
Affiliations
American Chemical Society
Associate Editor of the American Chemical Society
Petroleum Research Fund Advisory Board
Funded Research
National Science Foundation: "Supramolecular and Electrochemical Studies of Organometallics"; $448,000; 7/15/03 - 6/30/07
American Chemical Society - Petroleum Research Fund: "Self-Assembly of Metallic Nanoparticles Mediated by Metal-Organic and Metal-Organometallic Coordination Networks"; $80,000; 6/1/06 - 8/31/08
U.S. Department of Education: "Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need"; $126,672; 9/18/06 - 8/31/07
