Paul E. Rider, , Sr., Ph.D. Professor Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0423 Office: 243A McCollum Science Hall Voice: (319) 273-2985 Fax: (319) 273-7127 E-mail: Paul.Rider@uni.edu Area Physical Chemistry Degrees B.A., 1962, Drake University M.S., 1964, Iowa State University Ph.D., 1969, Kansas State University Research Interests Students in my research program learn about hydrogen bonding as it occurs in solutions of donors (mostly alcohols) with bases dissolved in an inert solvent. They study thermodynamic changes involved in bond formation through measuring equilibrium constants at various temperatures and using the Van'T Hoff equation to determine enthalpies, entropies, and free energies of bond formation. These studies have included systematic approaches using series of similar alcohols and a variety of bases (ketones, esters, amides, sulfoxides, etc.). Results of these studies have been applied to a number of interests, including the relative strength of bases and the effect that steric hindrance in molecules has on the bond formation process. These studies have also resulted in the development of two semi-theoretical models that can be used to (1) predict the enthalpy of bond formation between a donor and an acceptor, and (2) predict whether or not organic solvents and solvent blends will effectively dissolve a given polymer or resin. Since hydrogen bonding, when present, is the determining factor in the solution formation process, these models have been found to be useful when related to other solution properties such as viscosity. Another research interest involves ab initio calculations of molecular properties using computers and newly available software such as Gaussian92 and Sybyl. I recently acquired computer capability (Gateway 2000) that when used in conjunction with the IBM RISC 6000 Work Station would make this a new and exciting area of research for students in our department. With my previous experience on such calculations at Argonne laboratories, using mainframe computers. I intend to develop this area extensively as an ongoing research interest. I have especially been interested in internal molecular rotational barriers, having developed an empirical model to predict their magnitudes. Selected Publications A Two-Parameter Model for Estimating Hydrogen Bond Enthalpies of Reaction, J. Appl. Polymer Sci.,1980, 25, 2975. Hydrogen Bonding Potential, HBP: A Model for Predicting Resin Solubilities in Organic Solvents, Polym. and Eng. Sci., 1983, 23, 810. Theories of Solvency and Solution, Chapter 27, 2nd Edition, Applied Polymer Science, ACS Symposium Series, 1985, 285, 643. Edit your personal information