Brennan

Author: Brennan Graves | Major: Biochemistry | Semester: Spring 2024

During the spring 2024 semester, I conducted research in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry with my advisor, Dr. Susanne Striegler. The research aimed at synthesizing mono ester citric acid, which is a necessary chemical for studying critical binding sites on Fe(III) citrate complexes.

The focus of my research was the synthesis of mono ester citric acid. So, what I did was heat a mixture of citric acid and ethanol to promote the required ester formation after. Rotary evaporation was then done on the mixture to remove solvents and concentrate the product. This beginning stage laid the basis for more intricate analyses and handling steps that followed.

At later stages of research, various chemicals were used to refine and purify the product. This involved ranging pH levels up or down and techniques like drying with sodium sulfate and typical extracting with ethyl acetate were used. Steps had to be monitored and adjusted to improve yield and purity of our mono ester citric acid substance. Finally, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used for analyzing the product so that it meets all requisite criteria about its composition.

I faced different issues thought the project, particularly in ensuring the purity and yield of the synthesized compound. There was also one noticeable mixing problem. At first, I got impure products making me must adjust repeatedly the synthesis protocol. By altering reaction conditions and optimizing purification techniques, I slowly improved the quality of the final product, trying to achieve pure monoester. These challenges were addressed using HPLC methods for characterizing synthesized compounds. There was also the mixing issue. Sometimes it becomes quite hard to mix because some of the solutions become too viscous during certain mixing steps. And so, after a few days of slow mixing then asked Dr. Striegler which she simply told me to add water, expending the mixing step and showing the similes simple knowledge but essential knowledge of a mentor.

Dr. Striegler’s guidance was invaluable throughout my research process where her expertise on organic chemistry aided in troubleshooting problems arising from experimental work and enlightening me on its wider implications.

I did not travel during the Spring 2024 semester in my research, but there might be opportunities for future presentations at conferences or other locations. These would allow me to share what I have found with more in the field and become familiar with other aspects in this area of study.

I plan to focus on synthesizing monoester compounds fully and assisting in determining their catalytic properties in Fe(III) citrate complexes. That is something that makes me feel very lucky.

This journey has been interesting as Honors College Research Grant project regarding synthesis of a mono ester citric acid. It provided me with the option to explore areas of synthesis with little to no quality literature.  My interest in organic synthesis was discovered through this Honors College Research Grant project. My technical lab skills were enhanced by completing this task. I plan to do a concentration on synthesizing novel ester compounds and investigating their catalytic properties into Fe(III) citrate complexes since, I also hope to contribute towards wider implications of this specific project in the development of chemical and biochemical research fields.