Research in the Hightower laboratory revolves around the general area of preparative and physical inorganic and organic chemistry, and its relation with the rapidly emerging field of materials/energy chemistry. Our research group is focused on these motivating issues: (1) The development and characterization of highly oxidizing ligand-to-metal charge transfer excited states. (2) The investigation of linear, rod-like oligomeric metal complexes and their potential use as multi-electron and/ or multi-photon catalysis. (3) The development of multi-photon devices based on both trans-disposed ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT) and metal-toligand charge transfer (MLCT) states.

A combination of preparative and physical techniques are involved in all of our research projects. Group members have the opportunity to gain valuable experience in organic and inorganic synthesis; photochemical, photophysical, and electrochemical techniques; and computational methods. Collaborations with Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), University of Wyoming, the University of Massachusetts - Boston , as well as collaborations within the University of North Dakota strengthen aspects of our research.

B.S., 1999, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs; M.S., 2002, Washington State
University; Ph.D., 2007, University of Wyoming; Postdoctoral/ Pre-Fellow, 2007-2008, PacificNorthwest National Laboratory (PNNL); Postdoctoral Fellow/ Research Associate, 2007-2008,Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL).

REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS

Zhang, D.; Telo J. P.; Liao, C.; Hightower, S. E.; Clennan, E. L., "Experimental and
Computational Studies of Nuclear Substituted 1,1'-Dimethyl-2,2'-Bipyridinium
Tetrafluoroborates." J. Phys. Chem. A 2007, 111(51), 13567 – 13574.

Clennan, E. L.; Hightower, S. E. “Conformationally Induced Electrostatic Stabilization (CIES)
of Persulfoxides. A Comparison to Homologous Sulfoxides.” Heteroatom Chemistry 2007,
18(5), 591-599.

Del Negro, A. S.; Seliskar, C. J.; Heinmeman, T. L.; Hightower, S. E.; Bryan, S. A.; Sullivan, B.
P. “Highly Oxidizing States of Re and Tc Complexes.” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2006, 128(51),
16494-16495.

Clennan, E. L.; Hightower, S. E. “Natural Bond Orbital Analysis of Persulfoxide Stabilization
by Remote Functional Groups. The Conformationally Induced Electrostatic Stabilization Sulfide
Photooxygenation Mechanism.” J. Org. Chem. 2006, 71(3), 1247-1250.

Del Negro, A. S.; Wang, Z.; Seliskar, C. J.; Heinmeman, B.; Sullivan, B. P.; Hightower, S. E.;
Hubler, T. L.; Bryan, S. A. “ Luminescence from the trans-Dioxotechnetium(V) Chromophore.”
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2005, 127(43), 14978-14979.

Hightower, S. E.; Corcoran, R. C.; Sullivan, B. P. “Unusual Bifurcated Photochemistry of a
Re(I) Carbonyl Complex of Triethynylphosphine.” Inorg. Chem. 2005, 44(26), 9601-9603.

Clennan, E. L.; Hightower, S. E.; Greer, A. “Conformational Induced Electrostatic Stabilization
of Persulfoxides: A New Suggestion for Inhibition of Physical Quenching of Singlet Oxygen by
Remote Functional Groups.” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2005, 127(33), 11819-11826.

Canfield, B. K.; Kuzyk, M. G.; Hightower, S. E.; Li, A. D. Q. “Use of Quadratic
Electroabsorption for Measurements of the Hyperpolarizability β of Asymmetric Molecules.” J.
Opt. Soc. Am. B 2005, 22(4), 723-724.