Richard O'Brien, Ph. D.

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Richard O'Brien

Biographical Sketch: RICHARD A. O'BRIEN

ADDRESS AND NUMBERS
Department of Chemistry CHEM 113
University of South Alabama
Mobile, AL 36688    Phone: (251) 460-6370
Fax: (251) 460-7359
email address: robrien@jaguar1.usouthal.edu
PROFESSIONAL PREPARATION
Bachelor of Science, May 1985, South Dakota State University
Master of Science, December 1987, University of North Dakota
Doctor of Philosophy, May 1992, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Dissertation Advisor: Dr. R.D. Rieke
TEACHING EXPERIENCE

University of South Alabama: Survey of Inorganic & Organic Chemistry Laboratory (CH101, August 2010 – present), General Chemistry Laboratory (CH 131, August 2008 - present); General Chemistry II Laboratory (CH132, January 2012 – present); Organic Chemistry Laboratory (CH201, CH 202, January 2009 – May 2011); General Chemistry Lecture (CH 132, August 2008 – November 2008, part-time), Organic Chemistry II Lecture (CH202, March 2009 – April 2009, part-time).

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

University of South Alabama Research work with Dr. J.H. Davis, Jr. (February 2008 – present; Ionic Liquids: Synthesis, characterization and application)

INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE
2001-2007    Arizona Chemical Company, Senior Research Scientist
1997-2001    Hexcel Corporation, Research Scientist
1993-1997     TPL, Inc., Group Leader for Polymer Development
1992-1993    Rieke Metals, Inc., Advanced Scientist

Arizona Chemical Company
Bench top to commercialization activities for polyamide and lubricant esters.
Dimer acid, isostearic acid, ester and fatty acid technologies and manufacturing practices.
Product development and manufacturing/optimization of CENTURY® monomer fatty acid and SYLVACLEAR® polyamide gellants.
Technical and manufacturing support for the UNICLEAR®, SYLVACLEAR®, SYLVAGEL® gellants and UNIREZ® phase change ink resins.
Knowledge of structure-property relationships for SYLVACLEAR® polyamide gellants, based on molecular weight and functional groups with regard to gelation properties.
Hexcel Corporation
Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) technologies and manufacturing practices.
Carbon fibers from commercially available LLDPE fibers for LCCF applications.
Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fiber capacity improvements.
Manufacturing support for polymerization, fiber extrusion and polymer characterization.
Research scale polymerization system, dope mixers and fiber spinning equipment.
TPL, Inc.
Dielectric materials, including dielectric polymers for high voltage film capacitors.
Cross-linking for functionalized polysiloxanes with nano-scale barium titanate for thin film capacitors.
Synthesis of dielectric monomers and polymers containing silyl ester, alkene, ester, halide and carbonyl functional groups.
Research on the N-Denitration of HMX, RDX and Tetryl.

LABORATORY SKILLS

Synthesis, photochemistry, application and characterization of ionic liquids, GC, GPC, LC, DSC, TGA, FT-IR, FT-NMR and UV-Vis spectroscopy. General organic, organometallic and polymer synthetic methods.

PATENTS

Pavlin, M.S.; O’Brien, R.A. “Aqueous Suspensions Containing Polymerized Fatty Acid-Based Polyamides” U.S. Patent 6,864,349 (2005).

PUBLICATIONS

"A new building block for electroactive organic materials? Synthesis, cyclic voltammetry, single crystal X-ray structure, and DFT treatment of a unique boron-based viologen", Dorman, S.C., O'Brien, R.A., Lewis, A., Salter, E.A., Wierzbicki, A., Hixon, P.W., Sykora, R.E., Mirjafari, A., Davis, Jr., J.H. Chem. Commun. 2011, 47, 9072.

"Functionalized ionic liquids with highly polar polyhydroxylated appendages and their rapid synthesis via thiol-ene click chemistry", O'Brien, R.A., Mirjafari, A., Jajam, V., Capley, E.N., Stenson, S.A., West, K.N., Davis, Jr., J.H. Tetrahedron Lett. 2011, 52, 5173.

"Microwave-promoted one-pot conversion of alcohols to oximes using 1-methylimidazolium nitrate, [Hmim][NO3], as a green promoter and medium", Mirjafari, A., Mobarrez, N., Davis, Jr., J.H., O'Brien, R.A., Noei, J. C. R. Chimie 2011, 14(12), 1065.

“The Fluid-Mosiac Model, Homeoviscous Adaptation, and Ionic Liquids: Dramatic Lowering of the Melting Point by Side-Chain Unsaturation”, Murray, S.M.; O’Brien, R.A.; Mattson, K.M.; Ceccarelli, C.; Sykora, R.E.; West, K.N.; Davis, Jr., J.H. Angew Chem, Intl., 2010, 49, 2755. (Cited in Chemical & Engineering News, March 15, 2010, Volume 88, Number 11, page 11, “New Chains for Ionic Liquids”.)

Soutullo, M.D.; O’Brien, R.A.; Gaines, K.E.; Davis, J.H., Jr. “Constitutional Dynamic Systems of Ionic and Molecular Liquids” Chem. Commun. 2009, 2529-2531.

Chapman, R.D.; O’Brien, R.A.; Kondracki, P.A. “N-Denitration of Octahydro-1,3,5,7- tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX) by Hydrazine Catalyzed by Palladium” J. Energ. Mater. 1998, 16, 147.

Chapman, R.D.; O’Brien, R.A.; Kondracki, P.A. “N-Denitration of Nitramines by Dihydronicotinamides” Tetrahedron 1996, 52, 9655.

Chen, T.; O’Brien, R.A.; Rieke, R.D. “Use of Highly Reactive Zinc Leads to a New, Facile Synthesis for Polyarylenes” Macromolecules 1993, 26, 3462.

O’Brien, R.A.; Chen, T.; Rieke, R.D. “Chemical Modification of Halogenated Polystyrene Resins Utilizing Highly Reactive Calcium and the Formation of Calcium Cuprates in the Preparation of Highly Functionalized Polymers” J. Org. Chem. 1992, 57, 2667.

O’Brien, R.A.; Gupta, A.; Rieke, R.D.; Shoemaker, R.K. “Phosphorus-31 NMR Studies of Polymer-Supported, Highly Reactive Copper Reagents” Mag. Reson. Chem. 1992, 30, 398.

O’Brien, R.A.; Chen, T.; Rieke, R.D. “Functionalization of Halogenated Polystyrene Resins Utilizing Highly Reactive Calcium” Inorg. and Organomet. Polym. 1992, 2(3), 345.

O’Brien, R.A.; Worman, J.J.; Olson, E.S. “Carbon Dioxide in Organic Synthesis: Preparation and Mechanism of Formation of N-(3)-Substituted Hydantoins” Synth. Commun. 1992, 22(6), 823.

O’Brien, R.A.; Rieke, R.D. “Direct Metalation of p-Bromopolystyrene Using Highly Reactive Copper and the Preparation of Highly Reactive Copper Bound to an Insoluble Polymer” J. Org. Chem. 1990, 55, 788.

TECHNICAL DISCLOSURES (Posted on www. IP.com)

Gelled Compositions for Polymerizable Monomers (IPCOM000013107D)

Gelled Compositions for Solvent-based Coatings (IPCOM000013108D)

Gelled Compositions for Epoxy-based Systems (IPCOM000012463D)

Gelled Compositions as Waxes and Polishes (IPCOM000009045D)

Gelled Fiber Reinforced Plastics and Gel Coats (IPCOM000007401D).

RECENT POSTERS

"Preparation of Lipid-Inspired Ionic Liquids via Thiol-ene Reaction and the Study of the Sulfur Position in a C18 Alkyl Appendage on the Melting Points", R.A. O'Brien, K.M. Mattson, A. Mirjafari, S.M. Murray, K.N. West and J.H. Davis, Jr., presented at the 4th Congress of Ionic Liquids (2011).

"Thermophysical Characterization of Novel Lipid-Inspired Ionic Liquids" S.M. Murray, A. Mirjafari, R.A. O'Brien, K.N. West, J.H. Davis, Jr., presented at the 4th Congress of Ionic Liquids (2011).

"Thiol-ene Coupling Reaction of an Oleyl-based Precursor: Synthesis of Novel Lipid-inspiredIonic Liquids" A. Mirjafari, R.A. O'Brien, S.M. Murray, K.N. West and J.H. Davis, Jr., presented at the 4th Congress of Ionic Liquids (2011).

"Functionalized Ionic Liquids with Highly Polar Polyhydroxylated Appendages and their Rapid Synthesis via Thiol-ene Click Chemistry" R.A. O'Brien, K.N. West and J.H. Davis, Jr.,presented at the 4th Congress of Ionic Liquids (2011).

"Synthesis of Lipidlike Ionic Liquids with Diverse Appendages via the Thiol-ene Reaction" R.A. O'Brien, K.M. Mattson, A. Mirjafari, S.M. Murray, K.N. West and J.H. Davis, Jr., presented at the 4th Congress of Ionic Liquids (2011).

"Thiol-ene Coupling Reactions as a Method to Prepare Functionalized Ionic Liquids"R.A. O'Brien, K.M. Mattson, L. McDonald, A. Mirjafari, S.M. Murray, K.N. West and J.H. Davis, Jr., presented at the 4th Congress of Ionic Liquids (2011).

"Thiol-yne Coupling Reactions as a Tool to Prepare Structurally Diverse Ionic Liquids" A. Mirjafari, R.A. O'Brien, S.M. Murray, K.N. West and J.H. Davis, Jr., presented at the 4th Congress of Ionic Liquids (2011).

"Transformation of DOTMA and DOTAP Liposomes into Lipid-based Ionic Liquids", Mirjafari, A., O'Brien, R.A., West, K.N., Davis, Jr., J.H, presented at the 4th Congress of Ionic Liquids (2011).

"Functionalized Ionic Liquids with Highly Polar Polyhydroxylated Appendages and their Rapid Synthesis via Thiol-ene Click Chemistry" R.A. O'Brien, K.N. West and J.H. Davis, Jr., presented at the 18th Annual University of South Alabama Research Forum (2011).

"Synthesis and Characterization of Lipid-Inspired Ionic Liquids", S.M. Murray, K.M. Mattson, R.A. O'Brien, K.N. West and J.H. Davis, Jr., presented at the 18th Annual University of South Alabama Research Forum (2011).

“New Bronstead Acidic TSILs. From Computation-guided Design to Synthesis and Properties” J.H. Davis, Jr., R.A. O’Brien, K.M. Mattson and K. Gaines, presented at the 236th
ACS National Meeting (2008).

“New Amine Functionalized Ionic Liquids for Multimode Gas Capture” J.H. Davis, Jr., R.A. O’Brien, K. Gaines and K.M. Mattson, presented at the 236th ACS National Meeting (2008).

“Designed to Decompose: Task-specific Ionic Liquids Incorporating N-Acylium and N-Sulfonylium Cations” K. Gaines, J.H. Davis, Jr., R.A. O’Brien, and K.M. Mattson, presented
at the 236th ACS National Meeting (2008).

"Task-specific Ionic Liquids (TSILs) Based on Heterocyclic Cations with Directly Ring-attached Aldehyde and Benzoyl Groups: Hydrate and Acetal Formation” K.M. Mattson, J.H.
Davis, Jr., R.A. O’Brien, and K. Gaines, presented at the 236th ACS National Meeting (2008).

PRESENTATIONS

"The Influence of Structural Variation on the Thermophysical Properties of Lipid-Inspired Ionic Liquids", K.N. West, S.M. Murray, K.M. Mattson, R.A. O'Brien, A. Mirjafari, J.H. Davis, Jr., presented at the 11th Annual AIChE Meeting (2011).

"Lipid Inspired Ionic Liquids: Significant Progress in the Systematic Control of Structure Property Relationships in ILs with Long Alkyl Appendages" J.H. Davis, Jr., R.A. O'Brien, A. Mirjafari, S.M. Murray, K.M. Mattson, E.A. Salter, K. N. West, and A. Wierzbicki, presented at the 4th Congress on Ionic Liquids (2011).

“Understanding Clear Technologies for Candles: What are They? What’s New? and What You Need to Know to Create Safe and Innovative Products” R.A. O’Brien*, presented at the National Candle Association Meeting (2003).

”Polyethylene and Polypropylene as Low Cost Carbon Fiber (LCCF) Precursors”, C.A. Leon y Leon*, R.A. O’Brien, J.J. McHugh, H. Dasarathy, and W. Schimpf, presented at the 33rd International SAMPE Technical Conference (2001) and 34th International SAMPE Technical Conference (2002).

”Development of Low Cost Carbon Fiber (LCCF) for Automotive and Non-Aerospace Applications”, C. Leon y Leon*, R. O’Brien, H. Dasarathy, J. McHugh, and W. Schimpf, SAMPE-ACC-DOE-SPE Midwest Advanced Materials and Process Conference (2000).

“Chemical Modification of Halogenated Polystyrene Resins Utilizing Highly Reactive Calcium’, R.A. O’Brien*; T. Chen; R.D. Rieke, presented at the 26th ACS Midwest Regional Meeting (1991).

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

American Chemical Society, 1990 - present

http://www.southalabama.edu

University of South Alabama - Mobile, AL, 36688-0002, (251) 460-6181
Date Last Changed: February 24, 2012
dforbes@jaguar1.usouthal.edu
http://www.southalabama.edu/chemistry/obrien/cv.html

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