Russell G. Baughman

Professor of Chemistry
Department of Chemistry
Truman State University
Kirksville, MO 63501
(660) 785-4627
(660) 785-4045 (fax)
baughman@truman.edu

Education

• A.B., William Jewell College
• Ph.D., Iowa State University

Courses Taught

• Chemistry for Contemporary Living
• Chemical Principles I
• Chemical Principles II
• Freshman Chemistry Seminar
• Physical Chemistry I
• Physical Chemistry II
• Advanced Physical Chemistry
• Senior Chemistry Seminar

Research Interests

My students and I determine the 3-D structures of molecules using X-ray Crystallographic (lab & computer work) and Quantum Mechanical (theoretical/computational) methods. Our objective is to gain better insight into how a molecule's structure affects its ability to react. To do this we investigate the molecule's geometry/shape at a high level of precision (usually 4 significant figures for bond distances and angles) and thereby gain an understanding about the manner in which the molecule's bonding occurs.

The main lab tool used is an X-ray diffractometer (shown here) with which we analyze crystalline materials. Specifically, we can often take a "small" crystal (0.3-0.5 mm on an edge!) and obtain the precision that is necessary to gain the insight mentioned above. My students & I have worked on and published articles in professional journals on the structure-activity relationships of small biologically active molecules (pesticides, drugs, etc.) and "charge-transfer" complexes which conduct electricity in one direction and insulate in the other two directions. In addition, we collaborate with a number of the Truman State chemistry faculty to resolve their questions (and we end up learning a lot of other interesting chemistry!). Below are examples of some of the compounds we have investigated in the past. Click on an image for a larger picture and more information.