Alex Bredar
she/her
Assistant Professor of Chemistry
- Office
- McCardell Bicen Hall 547
- Tel
- (802) 443-3284
- abredar@middlebury.edu
- Office Hours
- Spring 2025: M 12:30 PM-2:30 PM, R 9:00-11:00 AM, or by appointment
Alex is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry, and started at Middlebury in the Fall of 2024. Before Middlebury, she graduated in May 2016 with a BS in chemistry from Centre College in Danville, KY, and completed her graduate work in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Auburn University in May of 2021. Following completion of her Ph.D. she was an Arnold O. Beckman Postdoctoral Fellow at UNC-Chapel Hill in the Department of Chemistry.
She specializes in inorganic chemistry, and is particularly interested in the synthesis of metal oxide materials and exploring their (photo)electrochemical properties towards applications in (photo)electrochemical reactions.
Courses Taught
CHEM 0103
Current
General Chemistry I
Course Description
General Chemistry I
Major topics will include atomic theory and atomic structure; chemical bonding; stoichiometry; introduction to chemical thermodynamics. States of matter; solutions and nuclear chemistry. Laboratory work deals with testing of theories by various quantitative methods. Students with strong secondary school preparation are encouraged to consult the department chair for permission to elect CHEM 0104 or CHEM 0107 in place of this course. CHEM 0103 is also an appropriate course for a student with little or no prior preparation in chemistry who would like to learn about basic chemical principles while fulfilling the SCI or DED distribution requirement. Students with AP Chemistry scores of 4 or 5 OR Chemistry Placement scores of 21 or higher are NOT allowed to enroll in CHEM 103. Students MUST have taken the Chemistry placement exam and earned a score of 20 or less. 3 hrs. lect., 3 hrs. lab, 1 hr. disc.
Terms Taught
Requirements
CHEM 0105
Upcoming
General Chemistry
Course Description
General Chemistry
In this course we will introduce students to the fundamental theories and concepts in chemistry. We will consider matter at the electronic level and build up to various bonding theories, apply thermodynamics to explore physical and chemical processes, and study fundamental concepts of equilibrium and kinetics. Class time will include short lectures and group-based problem-solving sessions. Lab work includes qualitative and quantitative analysis, kinetics, and acid-base chemistry. (CHEM 0102 or equivalent as demonstrated by AP/IB exam or placement exam scores go/chemplacement) 3 hrs. lect., 3 hrs. lab. (formerly CHEM 0104)
Terms Taught
Requirements
CHEM 0231
Upcoming
Foundations of Inorg. Chem
Course Description
Foundations of Inorganic Chemistry
This course will expand on general chemistry topics (atomic structure, periodic trends, and bonding theory) to survey inorganic chemistry. This course introduces students to new topics such as solid-state materials chemistry and coordination chemistry and applies these topics in areas such as acid-base and redox chemistry. The relevance of this content to energy technologies, medicine, environmental chemistry, and industrial processes will be discussed. Students will develop an understanding of chemical reactivity across the periodic table, while learning science communication skills through project-based learning. The laboratory component of the course introduces students to the synthesis of inorganic molecules and materials and physical characterization methods 3 hr. lect., 3 hr. Lab. (CHEM 0104 or 0105 or 0107). (formerly CHEM 230 and 240)
Terms Taught
Requirements
CHEM 0240
Chemistry of EnergyConversion
Course Description
Chemistry of Energy Conversion
With global energy use on the rise, it is essential to understand the different energy systems that are currently in place and how they can, or in many cases, cannot meet the world’s future energy demands in a sustainable manner. In this course we will begin with a brief overview on the energy sources themselves: potential energy (hydro), kinetic energy (wind, tidal), thermal energy (geothermal, ocean thermal), radiant energy (solar), chemical energy (oil, coal, gas, biomass), and nuclear energy (uranium, thorium). Once we understand the energy sources, we will apply the tools of inorganic chemistry (simple bonding, symmetry, transition metal chemistry, ligand field theory, and thermodynamics) to explore the larger topic of energy conversion. We will examine how chemistry provides an incredible opportunity when it comes to understanding energy conversion by approaching the problem from the atomic level all the way up to the empirical macroscopic world. Although the path to sustainable energy will be examined primarily through the lens of chemistry, our learning will be placed in the context of political, social economic and environmental goals, which strongly influence future energy production. (CHEM 104 or CHEM 107)
Terms Taught
Requirements
CHEM 0312
Current
Inorganic & Physical Chemistry
Course Description
Inorganic and Physical Chemistry Laboratory
In this course students will carry out experiments in the field of inorganic and physical chemistry and write journal-style reports based on their results. In the first half of the semester students will conduct a multi-step synthesis and characterization of a Mo-Mo complex with a quadruple bond. Students will learn inert atmosphere synthetic techniques and how to use a glove box. The synthesized Mo-Mo complex will be characterized by UV-Vis, IR, 1H and 31P NMR spectroscopies, and cyclic voltammetry. In the second half of the semester students will conduct two physical chemistry experiments. First students will carry out a kinetic study of the isomerization of the Mo-Mo (alpha to beta or beta to alpha) complex by UV-Vis spectroscopy. Finally, students will obtain the high-resolution IR spectra of acetylene and deuterated acetylene and analyze the rotation-vibration spectra using statistical and quantum mechanics to obtain structural data and interpret the peak intensities. In addition to the laboratory activities, there will be lectures on metal quadruple bonds, principles of UV-Vis , IR, 1H and 31P NMR spectroscopies, cyclic voltammetry, and statistical mechanics. (CHEM 0311, CHEM 0351, and CHEM 0355. CHEM 0355 can be taken concurrently.) 3 hrs. lect. 3 hrs. lab
Terms Taught
CHEM 0500
Current
Upcoming
Independent Study
Course Description
Independent Study Project
Individual study for qualified students. (Approval required)
Terms Taught
CHEM 0700
Current
Upcoming
Senior Research
Course Description
Senior Research
In this course students complete individual projects involving laboratory research on a topic chosen by the student and a faculty advisor. Prior to registering for CHEM 0700, a student must have discussed and agreed upon a project topic with a faculty member in the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department. Attendance at all Chemistry and Biochemistry Department seminars is expected. (Approval required; open only to seniors)
Terms Taught
CHEM 0701
Current
Upcoming
Senior Thesis
Course Description
Senior Thesis
Students who have initiated research projects in CHEM 0400 and who plan to complete a senior thesis should register for CHEM 0701. Students are required to write a thesis, give a public presentation, and defend their thesis before a committee of at least three faculty members. The final grade will be determined by the department. Attendance at all Chemistry and Biochemistry Department seminars is expected. (CHEM 0400; approval required)
Terms Taught
Areas of Interest
Nanocrystal Synthesis
Electrocatalysis
(Photo)electrochemsitry
Academic Degrees
Auburn University, Ph.D. in Chemistry, May 2021
Centre College, B.S. in Chemistry, May 2016
Publications
Selected Publications
Bredar, A.R.C.; Blanchet, M.D.; Comes, R.B. Farnum, B.H.* “Evidence and Influence of Copper Vacancies in p-Type CuGaO2 Mesoporous Films” ACS Appl. Energy Mater. 2019, 2, 19-28. Special Issue: New Strategies to Advance the Quest for Solar Fuels
Bredar, A.R.C.a; Chown, A.L.a; Burton, A.R.a; Farnum, B.H.* “Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy of Metal Oxide Electrodes for Energy Applications” ACS Appl. Energy Mater. 2020, 3, 66-98.” (aEqual Contribution) Special Issue: Young Investigator Forum
Gibson, N. J.a; Bredar, A. R. C.a; Chakraborty, N.; Farnum, B. H. Group 13 Lewis Acid Catalyzed Synthesis of Metal Oxide Nanocrystals via Hydroxide Transmetallation. Nanoscale 2021, 13 (26), 11505–11517. (aEqual Contribution)
Bredar, A. R. C.a; Blanchet, M. D.a; Burton, A. R.; Matthews, B. E.; Spurgeon, S. R.; Comes, R. B.; Farnum, B. H. Oxygen Reduction Electrocatalysis with Epitaxially Grown Spinel MnFe2O4 and Fe3O4. ACS Catal. 2022, 12 (6), 3577–3588. (aEqual Contribution)
Otte, K. S.; Niklas, J. E.; Studvick, C. M.; Montgomery, C. L.; Bredar, A. R. C.; Popov, I. A.; La Pierre, H. S. Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer at the Pu5+/4+ Couple. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2024.