AJ Vasiliou
Associate Professor of Chemistry/Biochemistry

- Office
- McCardell Bicentennial Hall 544
- Tel
- (802) 443-5517
- avasiliou@middlebury.edu
- Office Hours
- On leave 2024/2025
Courses Taught
CHEM 0101
World of Chemistry
Course Description
World of Chemistry
Science and technology greatly contribute to our happy and long lives. The goal of this course is to learn how chemistry impacts our daily lives in common and extraordinary ways. After learning basic concepts of elements, atoms, and molecules, we will explore topics in energy (nuclear, solar, batteries, fuel cells, fossil fuels, and metabolism), environmental issues (acid rain, global warming, and ozone depletion), health (food and drug), synthetic material, and art (color, forgery detection, and art restoration).
Terms Taught
Requirements
CHEM 0104
Upcoming
General Chemistry II
Course Description
General Chemistry II
In this course, we will cover introductory chemistry topics including chemical kinetics, chemical equilibrium, acid-base equilibria, chemical thermodynamics, and electrochemistry. Lab work includes inorganic synthesis, qualitative analysis, and quantitative analysis in kinetics, acid-base and redox chemistry. Students may only enroll in this course if they have previously taken and passed CHEM 0103. This course will be offered for the last time in Spring 2026. (CHEM 0103) 3 hrs. lect., 3 hrs. lab.
Terms Taught
Requirements
CHEM 0107
Advanced General Chemistry
Course Description
Advanced General Chemistry
This course is a one-semester alternative to one year of general chemistry (CHEM 0103 and CHEM 0104). It is open to all students who have received a 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement test in Chemistry. Students who have two or more years of high school chemistry without AP credit may enroll with permission of the instructor. Topics will be drawn from the traditional general chemistry curriculum, but discussed in greater detail with a more thorough mathematical treatment. Special emphasis will be placed on chemical bonding, coordination chemistry, and real world research in chemistry. (AP Chemistry or equivalent.) 3 hrs. lect., 3 hrs. lab, 1 hr dis. .
Terms Taught
Requirements
CHEM 0311
Instrumental Analysis
Course Description
Instrumental Analysis
In this course we will learn fundamental concepts of analytical chemistry, instrumental analysis, and scientific writing. Lecture topics include experimental design and quality control; sample collection and preparation; calibration, error, and data analysis; statistics; and the theory and operation of chemical instrumentation. Multi-week laboratory projects provide hands-on experience in qualitative and quantitative analysis using a variety of research-quality instrumentation (e.g., UV/Vis spectrophotometry, gas chromatography mass spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry). Writing workshops promote professional scientific writing skills through guided practice in writing analysis, peer review, and revision. (CHEM 0204 or CHEM 0242) 3 hr. lect., 6 hrs. lab.
Terms Taught
Requirements
CHEM 0312
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 0455
Upcoming
Quantum Chemistry/Spectroscopy
Course Description
Quantum Chemistry and Spectroscopy
In this course, we will delve into the foundations of quantum mechanics with an emphasis on atomic structure and molecular rotations, vibrations, and bonding. Approximation methods for multielectron atoms and molecules will be introduced, along with an examination of how spectroscopy provides insight into the microscopic world of molecules. Laboratory experiments, including UV-Vis absorption, infrared absorption, and visible emission spectroscopy, will deepen our understanding of molecular behavior. Additionally, basic computer coding will be introduced to facilitate quantum mechanical calculations and visualization of results. (any CHEM 200-level course; MATH 0122 or if you placed out of MATH 0122 based on high school work, any fall/spring MATH course numbered higher than 0122 or STAT course numbered 0201 or higher; PHYS 0108 or PHYS 0109) 3 hrs. Lect., 3 hrs. Lab (formerly CHEM 0351)
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
Publications
Publications 1-6 at Middlebury College
1. Vasiliou, A.K.; Kim, J.; Ormond, T.; Piech, K.; Urness, K.; Sheer, A.; Robichaud, D.L.; Mukarakate, C.; Nimlos, M.R.; Daily, J.W.; Gaun, Q.; Carstensen, H.H.; Ellison, G.B. Biomass Pyrolysis: Thermal decomposition mechanism of furfural and benzaldehyde. J. Chem. Phys. 2013, 139, 104310.
2. Prozument, K.; Park, B.G.; Shaver. R.G.; Vasiliou, A.K.; Oldham, J.M.; David, D.E.; Muenter, J.S.; Stanton, J.F.; Suits, A.G.; Ellison, G.B.; Field, R.W. Chirped-Pulse Millimeter-Wave Spectroscopy for Dynamics and Kinetics Studies for Pyrolysis Reactions. Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys.
2014, 16, 15739.
Selected as the cover article
3. Vasiliou, A.K.; Anderson, D.E.*; Cowell, T.W.*; Kong, J.*; Melhado, W.F.*; Phillips, M.D.*; Whitman, J.C.* Thermal Decomposition Mechanism for Ethanethiol. J. Phys. Chem. A 2017, 121, 4953-4960.
Article featured in Virtual Issue that highlights research performed at Primarily Undergraduate Institutions, published in The Journal of Physical Chemistry A/B/C/Letters, 2019, https://pubs.acs.org/page/jpchax/vi/jpc-pui
4. Vasiliou, A.K.; Hu, H.; Cowell, T.W.*; Whitman, J.C.*; Porterfield, J.; Parish, C.A. Modeling Oil Shale Pyrolysis: High-Temperature Unimolecular Decomposition Pathways for Thiophene. J. Phys. Chem. A 2017, 121, 7655-7666.
5. Middaugh, J.E.; Buras, Z.J.; Matrat, M.; Chu, TC.; Kim, Y.S.; Alecu, I.M.; Vasiliou, A.K.; Goldsmith, C.F.; Green, W.H. A Combined Photoionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry and Laser Absorption Spectrometry Flash Photolysis Apparatus for Simultaneous Determination of Reaction Rates and Product Branching. Rev. Sci. Instrum. 2018, 89, 074102.
6. Class, C.A.; Vasiliou, A.K.; Kida, Y.; Timko, M.T.; Green, W.H. Detailed Kinetic Model for Hexyl Sulfide Pyrolysis and its Desulfurization by Supercritical Water. Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 2019, 21, 10311-10324.
Selected as a 2019 PCCP HOT Article
7. Vasiliou, A.; Piech, K.; Zhang, X.; Reed, B.; Nimlos, M.R.; Ahmed, M.; Golan, A.; Kostco, O.; Osborn, D.L.; David, D.E.; Urness, K.N.; Daily, J.W.; Stanton, J.F.; Ellison, G. B. Thermal Decomposition of CH 3 CHO Studied by Matrix Infrared Spectroscopy and Photoionization Mass Spectroscopy. J. Chem. Phys. 2012, 137, 164308.
8. Vasiliou, A.; Piech, K.; Zhang, X.; Reed, B.; Nimlos, M.R.; Ahmed, M.; Golan, A.; Kostco, O.; Osborn, D.L.; Daily, J.W.; Stanton, J.F.; Ellison, G.B. The Products of Thermal Decomposition of CH3CHO. J. Chem. Phys Comm. 2011, 135,104310
9. Vasiliou, A.; Nimlos, M.R.; Daily, J.W.; Ellison, G.B. Thermal Decomposition of Furan Generates Propargyl Radicals. J. Phys. Chem. A 2009, 113, 8540.
Manuscripts in Preparation
Dutton, S.E.*; Phillips, M.D.*; Evans, H.T., Hemberger, P.*; Bodi, A.; Vasiliou, A.V. Thermal Decomposition Mechanism of Diethyl Sulfide and Dimethyl Disulfide Studied by Matrix Isolation Spectroscopy and Photoelectron Photoionization Coincidence (i2 PEPICO)
Spectroscopy. In preparation for submission to J. Phys. Chem. A (Summer 2022)
Phillips, M.D.*; Dutton, S.E. *; Hemberger, P.; Bodi, A.; Vasiliou, A.V.
Photoelectron Spectra of Methyl Perthiyl Radical (CH 3 SS) with Double Velocity Map Imaging Photoelectron Photoion Coincidence Spectroscopy. In preparation for submission to J.Phys. Chem. A. (Summer 2022)