Date of Award
Spring 2018
Document Type
Capstone
Department
Chemistry
First Advisor
Katie Peterson
Second Advisor
Season Ellison
Third Advisor
Bob Quandt
Abstract
Excess phosphorus in lakes from fertilizer runoff causes eutrophication, which in turn promotes algal blooms. These algal blooms can produce toxins that pollute drinking water for entire cities. A catch and release system for phosphate is proposed that features Gd-DETA- MAM, which is a derivative of Gd-TREN-MAM. Gd-TREN-MAM has been shown to selectively and reversibly bind phosphate in a pH dependent manner. The derivation aims to increase the binding affinity of phosphate by reducing steric hinderance around the gadolinium atom. The rational for this hypothesis is that the linear DETA backbone will have increased accessibility compared to a TREN backbone. The first three reactions in the synthesis of Gd-DETA-MAM have been successfully performed in lab, and varying reaction parameters have been tested to increase yields of each reaction step. Each reaction was monitored by TLC, and synthetic intermediates were be characterized via 1H NMR. DFT calculations have been performed to determine the lowest average structures of both Gd-DETA-MAM and Gd-TREN- MAM. The calculated energy values for the hydrated and phosphorylated complexes were used to calculate theoretical binding affinities for the complexes.
Recommended Citation
MacRae, Austin, "Synthesis of Gd-DETA-MAM for the Capture and Release of Phosphate in Water" (2018). Honors Capstones. 6.
https://pines.bemidjistate.edu/honors-cap/6
