Organic Chemistry Seminar

     My research group is involved with a wide range of fundamental and applied chemistry that extends from the development of new synthetic transformations to the creation of a novel class of organic photochromic materials.  The overarching goal of our research is to develop robust and efficient synthetic approaches to chemical reactions for applications in synthesis, as well as material science.  In this lecture we will explore "smart" materials based on a new class of photochromic material that can be controlled with light and are created from non-edible renewable biomass.  In today's increasingly globally conscientious society, environmentally benign stock-chemicals are important to sustainable development by ensuring a future supply of raw materials.  One such raw material, furfural, is produced from hemicellulose derived from agricultural waste products like bagasse, oat hulls and corncobs.