AJ Vasiliou
Associate Professor of Chemistry/Biochemistry

- Office
- McCardell Bicentennial Hall 544
- Tel
- (802) 443-5517
- avasiliou@middlebury.edu
- Office Hours
- Spring 2023: Monday's 10:30am -12:00pm (in-person) and 7:30pm - 9:00pm (zoom)
- Additional Programs
- Academic Affairs Chemistry and Biochemistry
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Courses Taught
CHEM 0101
World of Chemistry
Course Description
World of Chemistry
The goal of this course is to investigate how chemistry impacts our daily lives in both common and extraordinary ways. After learning basic concepts of elements, atoms, and molecules, we will explore topics in energy (petroleum, nuclear, batteries, and solar), environment (global warming and the ozone hole), health (food and drug), and art (color, conservation, and forgery detection). We will perform occasional hands-on activities.
Terms Taught
Requirements
CHEM 0104
General Chemistry II
Course Description
General Chemistry II
Major topics include chemical kinetics, chemical equilibrium, acid-base equilibria, chemical thermodynamics, electrochemistry, descriptive inorganic chemistry, and coordination chemistry. Lab work includes inorganic synthesis, qualitative analysis, and quantitative analysis in kinetics, acid-base and redox chemistry. (CHEM 0103 or equivalent) 3 hrs. lect., 3 hrs. lab, 1 hr. disc.
Terms Taught
Requirements
CHEM 0107
Upcoming
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. The fall 2020 lab modality is a “Remote-Flexible” format, which is composed of approximately 75% asynchronous sessions with the remaining 25% of lab time dedicated to synchronous remote sessions or optional in-lab/in-person foundational laboratory skills training (scheduled with instructor and limited to 5-6 students at a time in the lab). Recordings of the in-person trainings will be provided for those students studying remotely. (AP Chemistry or equivalent.) 3 hrs. lect., 3 hrs. lab, 1 hr dis. .
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 0311
Upcoming
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 0351
Quantum Chemistry/Spectroscopy
Course Description
Quantum Chemistry and Spectroscopy
Quantum theory is developed and applied to atomic structure and molecular bonding. Spectroscopy is examined as an application of quantum theory. (CHEM 0204 or CHEM 0241, MATH 0122 and PHYS 0110, or by waiver) 3 hrs. lect.
Terms Taught
CHEM 0355
Thermodynamics and Kinetics
Course Description
Thermodynamics and Kinetics for Chemical and Biological Sciences
In this course students will learn the central ideas that frame thermodynamics and kinetics. The application of these ideas to chemical, biological, and the environmental processes will be covered using examples such as refrigerators, heat pumps, fuel cells, bioenergetics, lipid membranes, and catalysts (including enzymes). (PHYS 0109 or PHYS 0110 and MATH 0122 and CHEM 0204) 3 hrs lect., 1 hr disc.
Terms Taught
CHEM 0500
Upcoming
Independent Study
Course Description
Independent Study Project
Individual study for qualified students. (Approval required)
Terms Taught
CHEM 0700
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
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)