Bio

Jovica Badjic received his diploma in Chemistry (1994) from University of Belgrade (Serbia). He obtained Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry (2001) from Iowa State University. From 2001 to 2004 he was a postdoctoral research fellow in the group of J Fraser Stoddart at UCLA where he was awarded Chancellor's award for outstanding research accomplishments in postdoctoral work. He joined the faculty at the Ohio State University in 2004. He was promoted to associate professor in 2010 and professor in 2014.

Research Overview

Supramolecular Chemistry, Physical Organic Chemistry, Organic Synthesis,
Molecular Encapsulation, Self Assembly, Supramolecular Catalysis

The entrapment of molecules (guests) inside cavitands (concave hosts with an enforced cavity) allows for controlling the guest’s local environment and its chemical characteristics. One can use molecular encapsulation for (a) stabilizing reactive intermediates, (b) accelerating chemical reactions, (c) modulating conformational dynamics of entrapped compounds, (d) improving the solubility of useful drugs in water and (e) promoting the crystallization of molecules. Despite many advances in this important field of chemistry there are numerous challenges. The encapsulation of a substrate(s) and its conversion into product(s) have limited utility and scope. There is a small number of functional hosts that are easy to prepare in useful quantity. The encapsulation chemistry has often been promoted in organic media yet many applications are related to biologically friendly (aqueous) environment.

Our research program is focused on (a) developing the efficient syntheses and (b) examining the mechanism of action of modular cavitands – baskets with functionalized entrance and/or inner space for promoting chemical transformations in organic solvents and water (NSF support). In addition, we are interested in using baskets as working models for learning about the mitigation of nerve agents (DTRA-DoD support). Finally, our interest is also in mimicking the action of monooxygenases for promoting the oxidation of small hydrocarbons with molecular baskets containing transition metal cations.

We are interested in accepting new graduate students.

Publications

Hermann Keith, Nakhla Mina, Gallucci Judith, Dalkilic Erdin, Dastan Arif and Badjić D. Jovica, A Molecular Claw: A Dynamic Cavitand Host, Angewandte Chemie, International Edition, 2013, 52, 11313.

Shigui Chen, Yian Ruan, Brown D. Jason, Judith Gallucci, Maslak Veselin, Hadad M. Christopher and Badjić D. Jovica, The Assembly of Amphiphilic Baskets into Stimuli-Responsive Vesicles. Developing a Strategy for the Detection of Organophosphorus Chemical Nerve Agents, Journal of the American Chemical Society, 2013, 135, 14964

Yian Ruan, Wang Bao-Yu, Erb M. Jeremy, Shigui Chen, Hadad M. Christopher and Badjić D. Jovica, On the Role of Guests in Enforcing the Mechanism of Action of Gated Baskets, Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry, 2013, 11, 77667.

Yian Ruan, Hashem A. Taha, Ryan J. Yoder, Maslak Veselin, Hadad M. Christopher and Badjić D. Jovica, The Prospect of Selective Recognition of Nerve Agents with Modular Basket-like Hosts. A Structure-Activity Study of the Entrapment of a Series of Organophosphonates in Aqueous Media,  Journal of Physical Chemistry B, 2013, 117, 3240.

Hermann Keith, Sardini Stephen, Yian Ruan, Ryan J. Yoder, Mrinal Chakraborty, Shubham Vyas, Hadad M. Christopher and Badjić D. Jovica, Method for the Preparation of Derivatives of Heptiptycene: Toward Dual-Cavity Baskets,  Journal of Organic Chemistry, 2013, 78, 2984.

Wang Bao-Yu, Stojanovic Sandra, Turner A Daniel, Young Tanya, Hadad M. Christopher and Badjić D. Jovica, The Entrapment of Chiral Guests with Gated Baskets. Can a Kinetic Discrimination of Enantiomers be Governed via Gating? Chemistry A European Journal, 2013, 19, 4767.

Hermann Keith, Rieth Stephen, Taha A. Hashem, Wang Bao-Yu, Hadad M. Christopher and Badjić D. Jovica, An Acid-Catalyzed Cyclialkylation that Provides Rapid Access to a Twisted Molecular Basket. Chemistry A European Journal, 2012, 18, 8301-8305.

Stojanovic, Sandra; Turner, Daniel; Flood Amar, Hadad, Christopher M.; Badjic, Jovica D. A Stereodynamic and Redox-Switchable Encapsulation-Complex Containing a Copper Ion Held by a tris-Quinolinyl Basket. Chemical Communications, 2012, 48, 4429-4431.

Wang, Bao-Yu; Turner, Daniel; Zujovic, Teodora, Hadad, Christopher M.; Badjic, Jovica D. Design, Preparation, and Study of Catalytic Gated Baskets. The Journal of Organic Chemistry, 2012, 77, 2675-2688.

Hermann Keith, Rieth Stephen, Taha A. Hashem, Wang Bao-Yu, Hadad M. Christopher and Badjić D. Jovica, On the Mechanism of Action of Gated Molecular Baskets: The Synchronicity of the Revolving Motion of Gates and in/out Trafficking of Guests. Beilstein Journal of Organic Chemistry (Supramolacular Chemistry II) 2012, 8, 90–99.