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Faculty

Andreas A. Zavitsas

Andreas A. Zavitsas

Senior Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry

B.S., The City College of New York, CUNYM.A., Ph.D., Columbia University

http://myweb.liu.edu/~nmatsuna/faculty/andreas/andreas.html

Description

Andreas A. Zavitsas received a B.S. degree from The City College of New York and an M.A. and a Ph.D. from Columbia University. He worked for two years for the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission at Brookhaven National Laboratory (research with radioactive and stable isotopes) and for three years for the Monsanto Chemical Co. (research in heat resistant adhesives, some of which were used as the heat shield of the Apollo spacecraft – the moon project). At the Brooklyn Campus since 1967, Dr. Zavitsas has published 62 research articles on basic questions in chemistry. He was an invited research fellow at The Australian National University (1986, 1988, 1993) and a visiting research professor at the National Research Council of Italy (1994). His research has been cited over 1000 times in more than 90 international journals of research in chemistry, physics, biology, biochemistry and engineering. He also has received several grants for Long Island University, totaling about $2.4 million.

Specialties

Chemistry, Organic Free Radicals, Water Solutions, Phenolic Resins

Publications

  • Co-author, “Heats of Formation of Organic Compounds by a Simple Calculation,” published in the Journal of Organic Chemistry (2010)
  • Co-author, “Shortcomings of Basing Radical Stabilization Energies on Bond Dissociation Energies of Alkyl Groups to Hydrogen,” published in the Journal of Organic Chemistry (2010)
  • Co-author, “A comparison of Methods for Measuring Relative Radical Stabilities of Carbon-centered Radicals,” published in Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics (2010)
  • Author, “Response to: ‘Comments on ‘Ideal Behavior of Water Solutions of Strong Electrolytes and Non-electrolytes at High Concentrations’ by A. A. Zavitsas’ {Journal of Solution Chemistry (2010)} by A. Apelblat,” published in the Journal of Solution Chemistry (2010)
  • Author, “The Nature of Aqueous Solutions: Insights into Multiple Facets of Chemistry and Biochemistry from Freezing-Point Depressions,” published in Chemistry – A European Journal (2010)
  • Author, “Whence the Energy Term of the Rate Constant?” published in the Journal of Physical Chemistry A (2010)
  • Author, “Ideal Behavior of Water Solutions of Strong Electrolytes and Non-electrolytes at High Concentrations,” published in the Journal of Solution Chemistry (2010)
  • Co-author, “Effects of Molecule Stabilization Energies on Radical Reactions: G3 and G3(MP2) Model Chemistries Applied to Benzylic Systems,” published in the Journal of Physical Chemistry (2009)
  • Author, “A Single Universal Scale of Radical Stabilization Energies Does Not Exist: Global Bond Dissociation Energies and Radical Thermochemistries Are Described by Combining Two Universal Scales,” published in the Journal of Organic Chemistry (2008)
  • Co-author, “Enthalpies of Formation of Hydrocarbons by Hydrogen Atom Counting. Theoretical Implications,” published in the Journal of Physical Chemistry A (2008)
  • Co-author, “Remote Substituent Effects on Allylic and Benzylic Bond Dissociation Energies. Effects on Stabilization of Parent Molecules and Radicals,” published in the Journal of Organic Chemistry (2007)
  • Co-author, “Reactions of Alkyl Radicals with Substituted Toluenes and the Effect of Substituents on Dissociation Energies of Benzyl C–H Bonds,” published in Helvetica Chimica Acta (2006)
  • Author, “Comparison of the relative accuracy of the potential energy curve of hydrogen fluoride from ab initio calculations and from an empirical ‘universal’ function,” published in the Journal of Molecular Spectroscopy (2006)
  • Author, “The potential energy curve of the ground state potassium dimer, X 1 K2,” published in the Journal of Chemical Physics (2006)
  • Co-author, “Stabilization Energies of Extensively Conjugated Propargylic Radicals,” published in the Journal of Organic Chemistry (2006)
  • Author, “Aqueous Solutions of Calcium Ions: Hydration Numbers and the Effect of Temperature,” published in the Journal of Physical Chemistry B (2005)
  • Co-author, “G3(MP2) Enthalpies of Hydrogenation, Isomerization, and Formation of Extended Linear Polyacetylenes,” published in the Journal of Physical Chemistry A (2005)
  • Interview Subject, “Is Conjugation Stabilization Real?” published in Chemical & Engineering News (2004)
  • Co-author, “On the Lack of Conjugation Stabilization in Polyynes (Polyacetylenes),” published in the Journal of Organic Chemistry (2004)
  • Author, “Regularities in molecular properties of ground state stable diatomics,” published in the Journal of Chemical Physics (2004)
  • Co-author, “Comparison of spectroscopic potentials and an a priori analytical function. The potential energy curve of the ground state of the sodium dimer, X 1 Na2,” published in the Journal of Chemical Physics (2004)
  • Author, “The Potential Energy Curve of the Ground State of Lithium, X 1 Li2," published in the Journal of Molecular Spectroscopy (2003)
  • Co-author, “The Conjugation Stabilization of 1,3-Butadiyne Is Zero,” published in Organic Letters (2003)
  • Co-author, “Pauling's Electronegativity Equation and a New Corollary Accurately Predict Bond Dissociation Enthalpies and Enhance Current Understanding of the Nature of the Chemical Bond,” published in the Journal of Organic Chemistry (2003)
  • Author, “The Relation between Bond Lengths and Dissociation Energies of Carbon-Carbon Bonds,” published in the Journal of Physical Chemistry A (2003)
  • Author, “Comment on Identity Hydrogen Abstraction Reactions, X∙ + H X΄ → X H + X΄∙ (X = X΄ = CH3, SiH3, SnH3, PbH3): A Valence Bond Modeling,” published in the Journal of Physical Chemistry A (2002)
  • Author, “Properties of Water Solutions of Electrolytes and Nonelectrolytes,” published in the Journal of Physical Chemistry B (2001)
  • Author, “Logic vs. Misconceptions in Undergraduate Organic Textbooks. Radical Stabilities and Bond Dissociation Energies,” published in the Journal of Chemical Education (2001)
  • Author, “First Book,” a letter to the editor published in the Journal of Chemical & Engineering News (2000)
  • Author, “Energy Barriers to Chemical Reactions. Why, How and How Much? Non-Arrhenius Behavior in Hydrogen Abstractions by Radicals,” published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society (1998)
  • Author, “Hydrogen abstraction by radicals. Different approaches to understanding factors controlling reactivity,” published in the Journal of the Chemical Society (London), Perkin Transactions 2 (1998)
  • Co-author, “5-exo-trig versus 6-endo-trig Cyclization of Alk-5-enoyl Radicals. The Role of One-Carbon Ring Expansion,” published in Chemistry - A European Journal (1997)
  • Author, “Factors Controlling Reactivity in Hydrogen Abstractions by Free Radicals,” published in the Journal of the Chemical Society (London), Perkin Transactions 2 (1996)
  • Co-author, “Energies of Activation. The Paradigm of Hydrogen Abstractions by Radicals,” published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society (1995)
  • Co-author, “Accurate Calculations of Reactivities and Diasterioselectivities in Complex Molecules. An AM1 Study of 1,3-Dioxolan-4-ones and Related Oxygen Heterocycles,” published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society (1995)
  • Author, “War Story,” published in Confrontation magazine (1995)
  • Author, “The Energy-Distance Relationship in Chemical Bonding. Accurate Calculation of Potential Energy Curves,” published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society (1991)
  • Co-author, “New Potential Energy Function for Bond Extensions,” published in the Journal of Physical Chemistry (1989)
  • Author, “Quantitative Relationship between Bond Dissociation Energies, Infrared Stretching Frequencies, and Force Constants in Polyatomic Molecules,” published in the Journal of Physical Chemistry (1987)
  • Co-author, “Allylic Oxidations by Peroxyesters Catalyzed by Copper Salts. The Potential for Stereoselective Syntheses,” published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society (1986)
  • Co-author, “sec-Alkyl Radicals React with Toluenes by Addition and Abstraction,” published in the Proceedings of the Fourth International Symposium on Organic Free Radicals, Royal Society of Chemistry (1984)
  • Co-author, “Kinetics of Free Radical Brominations. Effects of Ring Substitution on the Strength of Benzyl C-H Bonds,” published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society (1983)
  • Author, “Review of ‘Diradicals,’” published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society (1983)
  • Co-author, “The Meaning of 'Polar Effects' in Free Radical Reactions,” published in Radicaux Libres Organiques (1978)
  • Co-author, “Reactions of Undecyl Radicals with Substituted Toluenes,” published in the Journal of Organic Chemistry (1975)
  • Co-author, “Hydrogen Abstractions by Free Radicals. Factors Controlling Reactivity,” published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society (1975)
  • Co-author, “The Meaning of the Polar Effect in Hydrogen Abstractions by Free Radicals. Reactions of the tert-Butoxy Radical,” published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society (1972)
  • Author, “Energy Barriers to Chemical Reactions. Why, How, How Much?,” published in Chemtech (1972)
  • Co-author, “Kinetics of the Free Radical Chain Chlorination of Hydrocarbons with tert-Butyl Hypochlorite,” published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society (1972)
  • Author, “Activation Energy Requirements in Hydrogen Abstractions. Quantitative Description of the Causes in Terms of Bond Energies and Infrared Frequencies,” published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society (1972)
  • Author, “Teaching Computer Applications: Calculations of Potential Energy Surfaces,” published in the Journal of Chemical Education (1971)
  • Co-author, “The Reversible Hydration of Formaldehyde. Thermodynamic Parameters,” published in the Journal of Physical Chemistry (1970)
  • Co-author, “Base-Catalyzed Hydroxymethylation of Phenol by Aqueous Formaldehyde. Kinetics and Mechanism,” published in the Journal of Polymer Science A-1 (1968)
  • Author, “Formaldehyde Equilibria: Their Effect on the Kinetics of the Reaction with Phenol,” published in the Journal of Polymer Science A-1 (1968)
  • Author, “Acid Ionization Constants of Phenol and Some Hydroxymethylphenols Between 20° and 60°C,” published in the Journal of Chemical and Engineering Data (1967)
  • Co-author, “Effects of Formaldehyne Equilibria,” published in the Proceedings of the 2nd National Symposium on Phenolic Resins, Division of Organic Coatings and Plastics Chemistry, American Chemical Society (1967)
  • Co-author, “Correlation of Isotope Effects in Substitution Reactions with Nucleophilicities. Secondary -Deuterium Isotope Effect in the Iodine-131 Exchange of Methyl-d3 Iodide,” published in the Canadian Journal of Chemistry (1967)
  • Author, “Kinetics of Sodium Hydroxide-Catalyzed Hydroxymethylation of Phenol by Formaldehyde,” published in the Proceedings of the 1st National Symposium on Phenolic Resins, Division of Organic Coatings and Plastics Chemistry, American Chemical Society (1966)
  • Interview Subject, “Computer Simulates Methylolation Reactions,” published in Chemical and Engineering News (1966)
  • Co-author, “Energetics of Alkyl Radical Reactions. Competitive Abstraction of Halogens,” published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society (1965)
  • Co-author, “Synthesis and Isomerization of 2,6-Dimethyl-n-Butylbenzene,” published in the Journal of Organic Chemistry (1965)
  • Co-author, “The Transition State in Methyl Radical Formation. The Secondary -Deuterium Isotope Effect,” published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society (1964)
  • Author, “t-Butyl Hypochlorite Chlorination of Hydrocarbons. The Role of Chlorinated Solvents,” published in the Journal of Organic Chemistry (1964)
  • Co-author, “The Transition State in Methyl Radical Formation. The -Deuterium Effect,” published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society (1964)
  • Co-author, “The Copper Catalyzed Reaction of Peresters with Hydrocarbons,” published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society (1963)
  • Author, “Synthesis of 1,3-Dimethyl-2-n-Butylbenzene by the Use of tert-Butyl as a Blocking Group,” published in the Baskerville Chemical Journal (1959)

Honors/Awards

  • Recipient, Abraham Krasnoff Memorial Award for Scholarly Achievement (single work), Long Island University
  • Recipient, Founders Award, Westchester Graduate Campus of Long Island University
  • 75th Anniversary Honoree, Long Island University

Professional Affiliations

  • Member, American Chemical Society
  • Former Chair, School Board, Holy Cross School, Brooklyn, N.Y.