Joseph M Keane
Education
- Ph.D., University of Virginia
- B.S. and B.A., Lycoming College
Teaching Interests
Many of my favorite courses share a common theme of exploring the relationship between structure and function. In chemistry, we develop models, or ways of thinking about, the structures of atoms, molecules, and materials. We use these models to understand and explain the properties and behaviors of the substances we interact with every day. Muhlenberg students regularly take the structural understanding they develop in chemistry courses and apply it to such diverse fields as clinical medicine, pharmaceutical development and alternative-energy research.
Research and Scholarship
My research group is engaged in an ambitious effort to develop new reactions that might be useful for the synthesis of pharmaceuticals and other small molecules of interest. We study compounds in which an organic component wraps around a heavy metal, such as molybdenum or tungsten, to give a molecule that has a well-defined and interesting shape. Precedent suggests that the shapes we are observing can be used to control other reactions facilitated by the metal, in a manner similar to the way enzymes work.
- Chemistry Independent Study/Research: Molybdenum Pi-Bases
- Chemistry Independent Study/Research: Synthesis and Characteri
- Chemistry Independent Study/Research: Synthetic Chemistry
- CUE: Chemistry Capstone Seminar
- Dana Scholars Directed Studies:Novel Molybdenum p-Bases
- General Chemistry I
Bennov, R. B.; Berko, D. A.; Burgess, S. A.; DiMeglio, J. L.; Kalman, S. E.; Ludlum, J. M.; Nash, B. W.; Palomaki, P. K. B.; Perlow, D. B.; Rubin, J. A.; Saunders, J. E.; Scarselletta, S. V.; Kastner, M. E.; Pike, R. D.; Sabat, M.; Keane, J. M. “Molybdenum Complexes of Chiral C2-Symmetric Picchxn-Type Ligands: Synthesis, Characterization, and Structural Studies” Inorganica Chimica Acta 2015, 438, 64-75.
Liebov, B. K.; Weigle, C. E.; Keinath, K. V.; Leap, J. E.; Pike, R. D.; Keane, J. M. “Topological Variations of the PDP Ligand and Its Prospects in Molybdenum(0) Dearomatization Agents” Inorganic Chemistry 2011, 50, 4677-4679.
Muhlenberg College has supported my group's work through numerous faculty and student summer research grants.
Berko, D. Keane, J. “Characterization of Molybdenum Complexes with Chiral C2- Symmetric Picchxn-Type Ligands and Analysis of Their Reactions” American Chemical Society Lehigh Valley Section Undergraduate Research Poster Session, Desales University, Center Valley, PA, April 14, 2016.
Berko, D.; Keane, J. “Molybdenum Complexes of Chiral C2-Symmetric Tetraamine Ligands” Muhlenberg College Celebration of Student Research Poster Session, Muhlenberg College, Allentown, PA, October 24, 2015.
Hauptfeld, J.; Fromel, M.; Keane, J. “Synthesis and Characterization of Molybdenum Complexes and a Chiral C2-Symmetric Ligand for Dearomatization Chemistry” Muhlenberg College Celebration of Student Research Poster Session, Muhlenberg College, Allentown, PA, October 24, 2015.
Hauptfeld, J.; Keane, J. “Synthesis and Characterization of an Imidazole-Based Tetraamine Ligand and Molybdenum Complex for Dearomatization Chemistry” 79th Annual Intercollegiate Student Chemists Convention, Muhlenberg College, Allentown, PA, April 11, 2015.
Keane, J. M. “Investigating Chiral C2-Symmetric Metal Fragments for Enantioselective Dearomatization” Invited talk at Lebanon Valley College, Annville, PA, April 7, 2015.
Kaplan, J.*; Reed, H.*; Keane, J. “Investigating Bispyrrolidine-Based Chiral C2- Symmetric Tetradentate Ligands” Abstracts of Papers, 249th American Chemical Society National Meeting, Denver, CO, March 22-26, 2015.
Reed, H.; Keane, J. “Investigating a Tetraamine Ligand for Use in Chiral Sulfoxidation” 78th Annual Intercollegiate Student Chemists Convention, Albright College, Reading, PA, April 26, 2014.
Bocchese, M.; Kaplan, J.; Keane, J. “Synthesis and Characterization of a Chiral C2- Symmetric Tetraamine Ligand and Tungsten Complexes Intended for Dearomatization” American Chemical Society Lehigh Valley Section Undergraduate Research Poster Session, Desales University, Center Valley, PA, April 24, 2014.
Tolaymat, B.; Bocchese, M.; Fitzsimons, M.; Keane, J. “Chiral C2-Symmetric Tetraamine Ligands for Dearomatization” Abstracts of Papers, 247th American Chemical Society National Meeting, Dallas, TX, March 16-20, 2014.
Custer, J.; Keane, J. “Enantioselective Dearomatization of Aromatic Compounds Using Chiral C2 Symmetric Ligands Bound to Metals” American Chemical Society Lehigh Valley Section Undergraduate Research Poster Session, Cedar Crest College, Allentown, PA, April 16, 2013.
Tolaymat, B.; Keane, J. “Synthesis and Characterization of a Chirally Resolved Molybdenum Complex” American Chemical Society Lehigh Valley Section Undergraduate Research Poster Session, Cedar Crest College, Allentown, PA, April 16, 2013.
Fitzsimons, M.; Keane, J. “Synthesis of a Nonracemic Molybdenum Metal Fragment with a C2-Symmetric Tetradentate Ligand” 77th Annual Intercollegiate Student Chemists Convention, Lebanon Valley College, Annville, PA, April 13, 2013.
Chemistry
Contact: josephkeane@muhlenberg.edu