TRUMAN STATE UNIVERSITY TRUMAN STATE UNIVERSITY Nationally Ranked, Affordable, Personal
Chemistry

Eric Patterson

Eric Patterson

Associate Professor of Chemistry
Department of Chemistry
Truman State University
Kirksville, MO 63501
(660) 785-4621
(660) 785-4045 (fax)
epatters@truman.edu

Please visit Dr. Patterson's other web pages.

Dr. Patterson is on sabbatical leave for the 2008-2009 academic year.

Education

  • B.S., Southwestern University
  • Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison

Courses Taught

  • Organic Chemistry I
  • Organic Chemistry Lab I
  • Organic Chemistry II
  • Organic Chemistry Lab II
  • Organic Chemistry (Super) Lab

Research Interests

In my research group, we are interested in understanding the fundamental properties and reactivities of a wide variety of organic molecules. We employ a method generally known as ab initio (Latin: from first principles) molecular orbital theory. This method is based upon quantum chemistry, and allows us to accurately predict molecular shapes, energies and properties. We apply these methods to study a number of interesting systems, including:

  • The neutralization and destruction of the chemical warfare agents such as VX and sarin.
  • The fate and remediation processes of chlorinated organic wastes which contaminate our drinking water.
  • The properties and reactions of highly unstable molecules known as carbenes and carbynes.
  • The properties and reactions of organometallic species (molecules which are largely organic in nature, but contain one or more metal atoms).