Session
V:
The Inner Space of Molecules
Friday,
September 26, 11:00 a.m.-noon
Alumni Hall, 7th Floor Auditorium
Julius
Rebek Jr., Ph.D.
Robert Levine Lecturer
professor
of chemistry at the Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, investigates
the self-assembly of macromolecules. His lab studies molecular capsule synthesis
through the use of noncovalent interactions. These encapsulations sequester
specific molecules from the influence of bulk solvents and other molecules
on the basis of size, shape, and chemical complementarity. The understanding
of molecular encapsulation has the potential to influence catalysis of chemical
reactions and also stabilization of reactive chemical species. Dr. Rebek,
who taught chemistry at Pitt from 1976-1989, was elected to the National
Academy of Sciences in 1994. He received the Chemical Pioneer Award from
the American Institute of Chemists in 2002.
