Dr. Maria Carroll's Lab

Dr. Carroll’s inorganic chemistry research group synthesizes transition metal complexes containing alpha-diimine ligands. We then use a variety of techniques, including IR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry, to determine the structures of these compounds and gauge potential reactivity. We seek to use the compounds in energy related applications, such as the production of hydrogen gas and the reduction of carbon dioxide.

In 2019, the group was awarded a grant through the American Chemical Society Petroleum Research Fund to study the use of these compounds in catalyzing the conversion of carbon dioxide to simple carbon containing compounds that may be used as building blocks for the synthesis of more useful organic products. Current work focuses on assessing how changes to the alpha-diimine ligands affects reactivity.

Our Research Students

Students in the lab can range from freshman to seniors.  While conducting research, they learn techniques to handle air and moisture sensitive compounds, including use of Schlenk lines and inert atmosphere gloveboxes. In addition to gaining experience using the range of analytical instrumentation available in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Providence College, students have had the opportunity to visit Brown University and the University of Pennsylvania, where they were trained to use diffractometers to conduct single crystal X-ray crystallography experiments on crystals they had grown in the lab.

Our Recent Graduates

Johanna Bovill, ’19 (B.S. Biochemistry) is now pursuing a Ph.D. in Chemistry at Purdue University.

Julia Brown, ’19 (B.S. Biochemistry) earned her M.S. in Management at University of Notre Dame in 2020 and is now an Associate Project Manager with Capital Project Delivery at National Grid

Andrew Dillon,’19 (B.S. Biochemistry) is pursuing a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Colorado State University.

Andrew Josling,’19 (B.S. Biochemistry)