Robert LaDuca

Rob Laduca

Robert LaDuca , Ph.D.

Professor
He/Him
LB Course Subject Area: Chemistry

Holmes Hall, E-194
919 E. Shaw Lane
East Lansing, MI 48825
United States

laduca@msu.edu

LBC Courses Taught

LB 171: Principles of Chemistry
LB 171L: Introductory Chemistry Laboratory I
LB 172: Principles of Chemistry II
LB 172L: Reactivity Laboratory
LB 492: Senior Seminar

Biography

Robert LaDuca teaches general chemistry, organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, and scientific communication seminars. He and his undergraduate-only research group investigate synthetic metal-organic hybrid crystals as detectors for environmental contaminants, and as catalysts for the safe degradation of toxic dyestuffs.

Education

1995, Postdoctoral Fellow, Syracuse University

Ph.D. 1995 Cornell University

M.S. 1991 Cornell University

B.S. 1989 Yale University

Honors and Awards

  • 2016 Guest Editor for Undergraduate Research Special Issue, Polyhedron
  • 2014 Michigan State University College of Natural Sciences Undergraduate Teaching Award
  • 2012 American Chemical Society Division of Inorganic Chemistry Undergraduate Research Preceptor Award. One prize awarded nationally per year.
  • 2011 State of Michigan Distinguished Professor of the Year, awarded by President’s Council of the State Universities of Michigan.
  • 2010 Mid-Michigan Alumni Club of MSU Quality in Undergraduate Teaching Award. “In recognition of outstanding undergraduate teaching”; top teaching prize at Michigan State University

Research

  • National Science Foundation Major Research Instrumentation: Acquisition of a Duo Source Single Crystal X-ray Diffractometer for the Center for X-ray Crystallographic Research at Michigan State University, $277,765, August 2019–July 2020.
  • National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) site at Michigan State University: Cross-disciplinary Training in Sustainable Chemistry and Chemical Processes, $280,000, August 2019–July 2022.
  • National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) site at Michigan State University: Cross-disciplinary Training in Sustainable Chemistry and Chemical Processes, $270,000, August 2014–July 2017

Publications

  • Celeste R. Czarnecki, R. L. LaDuca, “Structural diversity and dye degradation capability of copper 1,2-phenylenediacetate coordination polymers with flexible dipyridylamide ligands”, Polyhedron, 2019, 161, 161–168.
  • Zaria I. Contejean, R. L. LaDuca, “Nitroaromatic-detecting zinc and cadmium coordination polymers with methyl-substituted aliphatic dicarboxylate and 4,4′-dipyridylamine ligands and diverse topologies”, Journal of Solid State Chemistry, 2018, 266, 44–53.
  • Jack J. Przybyla, R. L. LaDuca, “Control of Chirality and Catenation in Cobalt and Cadmium Camphorate Coordination Complexes”, CrystEngComm, 2018, 20, 280–293. FEATURED FRONT COVER ARTICLE.
  • Jamelah Z. Travis, Brianna L. Martinez, R. L. LaDuca, “Structurally Diverse Divalent Metal Adamantanedicarboxylate Coordination Polymers with Hydrogen-bonding Capable Dipyridyl Pillaring Ligands”, Zeitschrift fur Anorganische und Allgemeine Chemie, 2018, 644, 33–42. FEATURED FRONT COVER ARTICLE.
  • Charmaine L. White, R. L. LaDuca, “Nickel Adipate Coordination Polymers with Isomeric Dipyridylamide Ligands: Topological Disorder and Divergent Magnetic Properties”, CrystEngComm, 2016, 18, 6789–6797. FEATURED FRONT COVER ARTICLE.
  • Megan J. Wudkewych, R. L. LaDuca, “Metal-Dependent Ribbon and Self-Penetrated Topologies in Nitroaromatic-sensing Zinc and Cadmium Coordination Polymers with Terephthalate and Dipyridylamide Ligands”, Polyhedron, 2016, 114, 72–79.  INVITED PAPER for UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH SPECIAL ISSUE.
  • Margaret E. Robinson, Jessica E. Mizzi, R. J. Staples, R. L. LaDuca, “Structural Chemistry and Properties of Metal Oxalates Containing a Long-Spanning Dipyridyl Ligand: Chain, Interpenetrated Diamondoid, Threaded-Loop Layer, and Self-Penetrated Topologies”, Crystal Growth & Design, 2015, 15, 2260–2271.
  • Lucas E. Weingartz, Joseph H. Nettleman, Gregory A. Farnum, Richard J. Staples, R. L. LaDuca, “Divalent Metal Diphenate Dipyridylamine Coordination Polymers: Supramolecular Polytypism and a Rare 5-connected Topology Based on Arc-like Hexanuclear Clusters”, Polyhedron, 2015, 89, 168-181. FEATURED COVER ARTICLE
  • Jacob W. Uebler, Amy L. Pochodylo, R. J. Staples, R. L. LaDuca, “Control of Self-Penetration and Dimensionality in Luminescent Cadmium Succinate Coordination Polymers via Isomeric Dipyridylamide Ligands”, Crystal Growth & Design, 2013, 13, 2220–2232.
  • Curtis Y. Wang, Zachary M. Wilseck, R. L. LaDuca, “1D + 1D → 1D Polyrotaxane, 2D + 2D → 3D Interpenetrated, and 3D Self-Penetrated Divalent Metal Terephthalate Bis(pyridylformyl)piperazine Coordination Polymers”, Inorganic Chemistry, 2011, 50, 8997–9003.