April 18, 2007
Bowling
Green, Ky. - A Western Kentucky University chemistry faculty member and student were honored recently at a national conference for their research on removing pollutants from the environment.
“Cyclophanes as a Means for Removal of PAHs from Solution,” a poster by Dr. Thandi Buthelezi and Christopher Davies of Frankfort, placed third at the NOBCChE (National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers) conference in Orlando, Fla.
Dr. Buthelezi and Davies are investigating the binding of synthesized cyclophanes -- cyclic molecules with a cavity in the center -- to neutral polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The purpose is the removal of the PAHs from the environment.
PAHs arise from the incomplete combustion of cigarettes, coal, gasoline and other organic substances and are ubiquitous pollutants in the environment. In high enough concentration PAHs constitute potential health hazards and some are carcinogenic.
“Our investigations focused on the binding of several cyclophanes to benzene and anthracene,” Dr. Buthelezi said. “PAHs are composed of two or more fused aromatic rings. Benzene -- a monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbon -- consists of a single aromatic ring whereas anthracene -- a PAH -- is made up of three fused aromatic rings. Our findings suggest that the binding of benzene is favored by cyclophanes with smaller cavities and the binding of anthracene is favored by cyclophanes with larger cavities.”
More WKU news is available at www.wku.edu. If you’d like to receive WKU news via e-mail, send a message to WKUNews@wku.edu.
For information, contact Thandi Buthelezi at (270) 745-6998.
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