University of Redlands

Research and Academic Interests

I am interested in the coordination chemistry of transition metals. My major area of research is the development of transition metal complexes. This part of my research is based on the following: (i) synthesis and the characterization of transition metal complexes (ii) reactivity as catalyst for oxidation reactions (iii) kinetics of ligand substitution (iv) interaction of metal complexes with DNA. My other area of research is in solid state chemistry with emphasis on composites derived from ruthenium terpyridine complexes and polyaniline.

Research and Professional Background

My research projects aim to provide research opportunities for undergraduate students. Students participate in the synthesis and the characterization of the ligands and the metal complexes. They learn the use of 1H-nmr, cyclic voltammetry, infrared and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy and elemental analysis in characterizing the ligands and complexes. The students also participate in the reactivity studies (kinetics, oxidation of substrates, reaction with DNA) of the complexes.

One of the major benefits that science students at the University of Redlands have is the opportunity to do research. Undergraduate research provides students with hands on experience, an important component of a student's development as a scientist. It provides the students with the opportunity to bring together and apply the various concepts that they have been taught in chemistry courses. It inculcates in the student the habit of scientific writing and oral presentation also opens the door for students to be creative.

Courses Taught at Redlands

• CHEM 131/132 General Chemistry

• CHEM 445 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry

• CHEM 432 Advanced Laboratory

• CHEM 232L/232L Organic Chemistry Laboratory

• CHEM 102 Environmental Chemistry

• CHEM 103 Chemistry of Art

Degrees Held

• Ph.D. Inorganic Chemistry, State University of New York at Buffalo

• M.Sc. Chemistry, Brock University, St. Catherines, Ontario, Canada.

• B.Sc. Honors, Chemistry, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.

Publications

James A. Moore, J. Henry Acquaye, Polyhedron, 2009, 28, 386. "Crystal structures of [Ru(terpy)(HPB)(H2O)](PF6)2 and [Ru(terpy)(HPB)(2-picoline)(PF6) and the Kinetics studies of the Aqua ligand substitution by pyridine and substituted pyridines"

Huang, J.; Moore, J. A.; Acquaye, J. H.; Kaner, R. B. Macromolecules, 2004, 38, (2), 317-321. "A Mechanochemical Route to Conducting Polymer Polyaniline"

J. Henry Acquaye, James A. Moore, Jiaxing Huang, Richard B. Kaner, "Solid State Synthesis of the Conducting Polymer Polyaniline" Polymer Preprints, 45 (1), 147, 2004

Israel Claustro, Gigi Abate, Elizabeth Sanchez, J. Henry Acquaye, Inorganica Chimica Acta. 2003, 342, 29. "Synthesis, spectroscopic and Electrochemical properties Ruthenium-2(2-hydroxyphenyl-)benzoxazole complexes Crystal Structure of [Ru(terpy)(HPB)Cl]"

Professional Affiliations

• American Chemical Society, Inorganic Division

• Council on Undergraduate Research

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