Swarthmore College Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Robert S. Paley
Professor, Organic Chemistry
Education:
B.Sc., McGill University
Ph.D., University of Michigan
Postdoctoral Fellow, Northwestern University
Contact information:
Science Center 182
Telephone: (610) 328-8525
FAX: (610) 328-7355
Electronic mail: rpaley1@swarthmore.edu
Mailing address: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Swarthmore College,
500 College Avenue, Swarthmore, PA 19081- 1397
Students in my laboratory learn the techniques and strategies of modern synthetic organic chemistry. We prepare highly functionalized planar chiral, enantiomerically pure sulfinyl iron(0) tricarbonyl diene complexes and investigate their use in synthetic methodologies. Additionally we are interested in preparing novel atropisomeric compounds - those that possess an axis of chirality due to restricted bond rotation. We rely heavily on organometallics-based transformations and my research students learn inert atmosphere techniques, including the use of a nitrogen-atmosphere glove box.
My teaching responsibilities are largely in Organic Chemistry - Organic Chemistry I (Chemistry 22), Organic Chemistry II (Chemistry 32), and Topics in Modern Organic Chemistry (Chemistry 102, an advanced seminar). I have also been involved in General Chemistry (Chemistry 10H), and Advanced Lab (Chemistry 50).