Rhett C. Smith
Assistant Professor
Organic Materials
Clemson University
United States of America
Biography
Dr. Smith received his B.S. (2000) from University of Toledo where he did research with Prof. Robert A. Flowers, II; and his Ph.D. (2004) from Case Western Reserve University working with Prof. John D. Protasiewicz. The title of his Ph.D. dissertation is “Studies on Low-Coordinate Phosphorus Centers and Sterically Encumbered Ligands: Structure, Reactivity, Materials, and Catalysisâ€. He was a National Institute of Health Postdoctoral Fellow (2004-2006) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the laboratory of Prof. Stephen J. Lippard where he prepared fluorescent biosensors for neurochemical applications. His research focus includes the synthesis and applications of organic and inorganic materials for fluorescent sensing of biologically relevant agents such as neurotoxins, preparing small molecule models of enzyme active sites, and uncovering environmentally-friendly catalytic reactions.
Research Interest
"The Smith group’s research is in the broad area of Organic/Inorganic Materials for catalytic, biomimetic and biosensor applications. We are currently recruiting undergraduate and graduate researchers to work in three main areas: 1. Fluorescent Sensors for Pesticides, Chemical Warefare Agents, and other Neurotoxins Organophosphorus (OP) pesticides are pervasive in our environment. Structurally similar nerve agents pose a threat as instruments of chemical warfare or terrorism. Reliable methods for the detection of such agents is currently the subject of multiple initiatives from the NSF, DOD, and others. The Smith group will apply organic small molecules, light-harvesting polymers, and polyelectrolyte complexes to colorimetric and fluorescent detection of OP toxins for thin film and device applications. The Smith group is interested in applications of chromophore-derivatized metal enzyme models as neurotoxin receptors for sensor applications. We will begin our workin this area by studying known OP-binding metal sites as receptors for organophosphorus neurotoxins. 2. Biomimetic Chemistry: Enzyme Models Life depends upon the ability of an organism to carry out chemical reactions reliably, efficiently, and with specificity; such reactions are mediated by enzymes. These remarkable biochemical catalysts can accomplish an impressive range of chemical transformations under mild, physiological conditions. Metalloenzymes make use of one or more transition metal center disposed in a geometry at the active site to facilitate the binding, positioning, activation, and/or reaction of the substrate. The Smith group is interested in modeling enzyme active sites using small molecules that are readily prepared in the laboratory. Specifically, we are targeting a number of bimetallic hydrolase models to examine the dependence of activity upon M-M distance and ligand sterics/electronics. 3. Rhodium Catalysts for Green Chemistry Chemists rely upon late transition metal catalyzed reactions for functional group tolerant transformations under mild conditions. These reactions can be accomplished asymmetrically when chiral ligands comprise a functional module of the catalyst (subject of the 2001 Nobel Prize in Chemistry). Among late transition metal catalysts often employed in C-C bond-forming reactions, those employing palladium and rhodium have found particular success. Rhodium-catalyzed reactions can often be carried out in aqueous or biphasic systems, making them of particular interest for utility in green chemical applications."
Publications
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Laughlin FL, Rheingold AL, Deligonul N, Laughlin BJ, Smith RC, Higham LJ, & Protasiewicz JD (2012) Naphthoxaphospholes as examples of fluorescent phospha-acenes. Dalton Transactions 41(39):12016-12022.
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Laughlin BJ, Baker WF, Duniho TL, El Homsi SJ, Tennyson AG, & Smith RC (2012) Synthesis, photophysical and electrochemical properties of conjugated polymers incorporating 9,9-dialkyl-1,4-fluorenylene units with thiophene, carbazole and triarylamine comonomers. Polymer Chemistry 3(12):3318-3323.