David L. Powell

David L. Powell, Professor of Chemistry Emeritus, grew up in Mansfield, Ohio. He received his A.B. from Oberlin College in 1958 and his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin in 1962. He came to Wooster in 1964 after a two-year postdoctoral appointment at the University of Minnesota. His primary teaching responsibilities included introductory and physical chemistry. Dave's major research interest is the conformational behavior of small molecules using infrared and Raman spectroscopy utilizing variations of both temperature and pressure to give information on the compounds. On six different occasions he has spent a year's research leave at the University of Oslo where he became a dedicated cross-country skier. He was a founding member of the Council of Undergraduate Research in 1972 and served as a councilor until 1991.

Recent publications:

P. Klaeboe, C. J. Richard, C. J. Nielsen, D. L. Powell, V. Aleksa, A. Gruodis, and G. A. Guirgis; Infrared and Raman spectra, ab initio calculations and conformational equilibria of chloromethyl methyl dichlorosilane; Journal of Molecular Structure, 597, 137-155 (2001).

G. A. Guirgis, Y. E. Nashed, J. Tao, D.L. Powell, A. Gruodis, V. Aleksa, C. J. Nielsen, P. Klaeboe P, and J. R. Durig; Spectra and structure of silicon containing compounds. XXXI. Raman and infrared spectra, conformational stability, ab initio calculations, and vibrational assignment of ethyl bromosilane and ethyl bromosilane-Si-d(2); Journal of Molecular Structure, 641, 125-146 (2002).

V. Aleksa, D. L. Powell,, A. Gruodis, K .Hassler, R .Hummeltenberg, K. Herzog, R. Salzer, P. Klaeboe, and C. J. Nielsen; Infrared and Raman spectra, ab initio calculations and conformational studies of ethyl iodosilane; Journal of Molecular Structure, 644, 105-118 (2003).

A. Nilsen, D. L. Powell. P. Kæboe, A. Gruodis, and C. J. Nielsen; Vibrational Spectra and Structure of cis- and trans-1,3-dimethylcyclobutane; Asian Chemistry Letters, 4, 75-90 (2000). Published in a special issue of Asian Chemistry Letters commemorating teh 70th brithday of Daniel H. Christensen.

D. L. Powell. P. Kæboe, A. Gruodis, C. J. Nielsen, G. A. Guirgis, J. R. During and V. Aleksa; Infrared and Raman Spectra, Conformations and ab initio Calculations of Ethyl Bromosilane and Ethyl Dibromosilane; J. Mol. Struct., 482-483, 391-396 (1998).

A. Gruodis, D. L. Powell. P. Kæboe, C. J. Nielsen, G. A. Guirgis, J. R. During and V. Aleksa; Infrared and Raman Spectra, Conformations and ab initio Calculations of 1,1,1-Trifluoropropyltrifluoro Silane; J. Mol. Struct., 482-483, 627-632 (1999).

G. Myhre, C. J. Nielsen, D. L. Powell. and F. Stordal; Infrared Absorption Cross Section, Radiation Forcing and GWP of Four Hydrofluoro(poly)ethers; Atmospheric Environment., 33, 4447-4458 (1999).

A Horn, K.-M. Marstokk, H. Møllendal, C. J. Nielsen and D. L. Powell; Conformational Properties of bis(Difluoromethyl) Ether as Studied by Microwave, Infrared, Raman Spectroscopy and ab initio Computations; J. Mol. Struct., 509, 221-236 (1999).

D. L. Powell, K. Zaki*, P. Klæboe, and A. Gatial; The Shape of the Ring in trans-1,3-Dibromocyclobutane; J. Mol. Struct., 408/409, 455-458 (1997).

A. Nilsen, P. Klæboe, C. J. Nielsen, and D. L. Powell; The Vibrational Spectra and ab initio Calculations of trans- and cis-1,3-Dibromo-1,3-dimethylcyclobutane; J. Mol. Struct., 410-411, 471-475 (1997).

B. Braude, D. L. Powell, A. Gatial, P. Klæboe, C. J. Nielsen and A. J. Kondow*; Vibrational Spectra and Conformations of 1-Chloro-2,2,3,3-tetrafluorocyclobutane and 1-Cyano-2,2,3,3-tetrafluorocyclobutane; Acta Chemica Scandinavica, 48, 471484 (1994).

* Wooster undergraduate.

Invited Lectures and Papers/Posters Presented at Professional Meetings:

D. L. Powell; What is Nature Trying to Tell Us? - From Horse Liver Esterase to trans-1,3-Dibromocyclobutane; in the symposium held at Oberlin College honoring Norman C. Craig, June 2000.

D. L. Powell; Reflections on the scientific career of Norman C. Craig; Oberlin College, remarks after the symposium banquet, June 2000.

T. R. Williams and D. L. Powell; Untold Tales of Their Interactions with Students, Women in Science Forum, The College of Wooster, February 2000.

David. L. Powell; En molekyl som ikke kan bestemme seg ("A molecule that can not make up its mind"); Physical Chemistry Seminar, University of Oslo, March 1998

A. Gruodis, David. L. Powell, P. Klæboe, C. J. Nielsen, G. A. Guirgis, J. R. Durig, and V. Aleksa; Infrared and Raman Spectra, Conformations and ab initio Calculations of 1,1,1-Trifluoropropyltrifluoro Silane; EUCMOS, Prague, Czech Republic, August 1998.

D. L. Powell. P. Kæboe, A. Gruodis, C. J. Nielsen, G. A. Guirgis, J. R. During and V. Aleksa; Infrared and Raman Spectra, Conformations and ab initio Calculations of Ethyl Bromosilane and Ethyl Dibromosilane; EUCMOS, Prague, Czech Republic, August 1998.

D. L. Powell; Two in Norway: Molecules That Can't Decide; Women in Science Forum, The College of Wooster, November 1998.

D. L. Powell; Colleagues, Cold Cupboards, and Cyclobutanes; Chemistry Club, The College of Wooster, March 1998.

R. H. Bromund, D. L. Powell, and T. R. Williams; Scientific Disasters in Which We Have Participated; Women in Science Forum, The College of Wooster, March 1999.

D. L. Powell, K. Zaki*, P. Klæboe, and A. Gatial; The Shape of the Ring in trans-1,3-Dibromocyclobutane and trans-1,3-Bromochlorocyclobutane; EUCMOS, Lake Balaton, Hungary, August 1995.

A. Nilsen, P. Klæboe, C. J. Nielsen, and D. L. Powell; The Vibrational Spectra and ab initio Calculations of trans- and cis-1,3-Dibromo-1,3-dimethylcyclobutane; EUCMOS, Lake Balaton, Hungary, August 1995.

* Wooster undergraduate.

Recent Grant Support

"Universal Application of a GC-MS in Science Education: Integrating Courses and Programs for Pre-College, Non-Science, and Science Students Using Instrumental Teaching Assistants," NSF-CCLI, $48,989, by P. L. Edmiston, D. L. Powell, and T. R. Williams.