Dr. Robert Harris

For over 30 years, the use of C2-symmetric P, P or N, N ligands has dominated the field of asymmetric catalysis. Recently, the development of C1 symmetric modular P, N ligands has introduced a new class of ligands to the field. Often times these C1 ligands have shown higher selectivity than their C2 counterpoints. The chiral nature of the C1 Using this approach, We are interested in creating a new class of nonsymmetrical norbornane-based P,N ligands for use in asymmetric catalysis including: Rh-catalyzed hydrogenations, Pd-catalyzed allylic substitutions and Cu-catalyzed cyclopropanation of olefins.

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"Photolithographic Patterning of Ring-Opening Metathesis Catalysts on Silicon" Harris, R. F.; Ricci, M. J.; Farrer, R. A. Praino, J.; Miller, S. J.; Saleh, B. E. A.; Teich, M. C.; Fourkas, J. T. Adv. Mater. 2005, 17, 29-41.

"A Polymeric and Fluorescent Gel for Combinatorial Screening of Catalysts." Harris, R. F.; Nation, A. J.; Copeland, G. T.; Miller, S. J. J. Am. Chem. Soc.2000, 122, 11270 - 11271.

"Direct Determination of trans-Octadecenoic Acid in Diet Composites Using Silver Ion High Performance Liquid Chromatography and Capillary Gas Chromatography." Phillips, K. M.; Lugogo, R.; Harris, R. F.; Stewart, K. K. J. Food Lipids, 1997, 4, 173-188.

"Simplified Gravimetric Determination of Total Fat in Mixed Food Composites After Chloroform/Methanol Extraction." Phillips, K. M.; Tarragó, M. T.; Grove, T. M.; Gruen, I.; Lugogo, R.; Harris, R. F.; Stewart, K. K. J. Amer. Oil Chem. Soc. 1997, 74, 137-142.

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"The Design and Synthesis of Non-C2 Symmetric Ligands for Metal Mediated Asymmetric Catalysis" Cook, C and  Harris, R.F. NCUR conference Salisbury MD 2008

 "Toward Novel Biomimetic Transition Catalysts Using Small Polypeptide Supporting Ligands" Armstrong, W. H.; Howard, R. J.; Black, M.; Harris, R. F., III; Mukhopadhyay, S.; Vaughn, J. W. ACS meeting 2001 Boston, MA.

"The Use of Peptides in the Synthesis of (m-oxo) bis(m-carboxylato) Diiron (III) complexes" Harris, R. F.; Vaughn, J. W.; Armstrong, W. H. Boston College Graduate Research Symposium1998.

"Direct Determination of trans-Octadecenoic Acid in Diet Composites Using Silver Ion High Performance Liquid Chromatography." Harris, R. F.; Phillips, K. M.; Lugogo,R.; Stewart, K. K American Oil Chemists Society Meeting 1996

"The Synthesis of Mixed b-Diketonate-Alkoxy Zirconium Derivatives for Applications in the Fabrication of PZT Thin Films." Harris, R. F.; Deshu, S. B.; Hanson, B. E. Southeastern Regional ACS meeting 1993.

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Member of Academic Technology Advisory Group (ATAG)
Member of Curriculum Committee
Member of the Student Affairs Committee
Member of Carnegie Academy for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (CASTL) discussion group
Massachusetts Science Fair Region I judge
Massachusetts Middle School Science Fair Region I Judge

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