Bernadette T. Donovan-Merkert, Ph.D.
Bernadette T. Donovan-Merkert, Ph.D.
Education:
B.S.: Duke University
Ph.D.: The University of Vermont
Post-doc: Dartmouth College; The University of Texas at Austin
National Science Foundation
Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation
Petroleum Research Foundation
Research Corporation
Field of Interest: Analytical Chemistry
Research Focus:
My research program focuses on electron-transfer reactions of organometallic complexes. By oxidizing or reducing these compounds we often generate species that undergo interesting reactions or form complexes in unusual oxidation states. In many cases redox activation of organometallic complexes accelerates known reactions of these compounds, activates otherwise inert complexes, or allows reactions to occur under milder conditions. We study the reactions and their products using electrochemical methods and other instrumental techniques including, but not limited to, NMR, IR, ESR and GC/M.S.. A major area of current investigation involves the use of electrochemistry to promote asymmetric transformations. Our work has been supported by the National Science Foundation, the Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation, the Petroleum Research Foundation and Research Corporation.