Difference between revisions of "Rachel Sitko"

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'''Abstract:''' Lignin is the second most abundant organic polymer. The structure of lignin is composed of three monomers: p-coumaryl alcohol, coniferyl alcohol, and sinapyl alcohol, which all are found in nature. These natural compounds are not cost friendly for undergraduate research. The carboxylic acid forms of these monomers (p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, and sinapic acid) can be obtained commercially. This poster will discuss our synthetic approaches to produce the alcohol forms of lignin.
 
'''Abstract:''' Lignin is the second most abundant organic polymer. The structure of lignin is composed of three monomers: p-coumaryl alcohol, coniferyl alcohol, and sinapyl alcohol, which all are found in nature. These natural compounds are not cost friendly for undergraduate research. The carboxylic acid forms of these monomers (p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, and sinapic acid) can be obtained commercially. This poster will discuss our synthetic approaches to produce the alcohol forms of lignin.
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'''Introduction:''' Ferulates play important roles in plant growth and undergo radical coupling reactions to produce dimers and cross-linking. Significant quantities are now required by cell wall researchers increasing the the large scale production of these ferulates and other lignins similar to their make up.
  
 
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'''Synthesis:'''  
 
'''Synthesis:'''  
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*'''Ethyl Ferulate:''' 10 g of ferric acid dissolved in 100 mL ethanol and 5 mL of acetyl chloride
  
 
'''Data:'''  
 
'''Data:'''  

Revision as of 17:59, 6 February 2020

You have reached the personal account of Rachel Sitko

Personal Information

Year: Senior

Major: Chemistry

Minor: Mathematics

Hometown: Des Plaines, IL

Undergraduate Research Activities

Summer 2016: Summer Opportunity for Intellectual Activity (SOfIA) with Dr. Bradley Sturgeon & Dr. Laura Moore

Fall 2019-Spring 2020: Synthesis and Characterization of Lignin Monomers

Abstract: Lignin is the second most abundant organic polymer. The structure of lignin is composed of three monomers: p-coumaryl alcohol, coniferyl alcohol, and sinapyl alcohol, which all are found in nature. These natural compounds are not cost friendly for undergraduate research. The carboxylic acid forms of these monomers (p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, and sinapic acid) can be obtained commercially. This poster will discuss our synthetic approaches to produce the alcohol forms of lignin.

Introduction: Ferulates play important roles in plant growth and undergo radical coupling reactions to produce dimers and cross-linking. Significant quantities are now required by cell wall researchers increasing the the large scale production of these ferulates and other lignins similar to their make up.

Lignin Precursors

Synthesis Mechanism:

Synthesis:

  • Ethyl Ferulate: 10 g of ferric acid dissolved in 100 mL ethanol and 5 mL of acetyl chloride

Data:

HPLC Data.jpg

Presentations

November 2019:


August 2016: SOfIA Presentation Poster Titles:

  • The Chemistry of Baking: The Basics
  • The Chemistry of Baking: Experiments

Interests/Activities

American Chemical Society

Swimming

Pi Beta Phi

Career Plans