Marcus W. Thomsen
Education
B.A. Luther College, 1977
Ph.D., University of Minnesota, 1981
Research Interests
My current research focuses on mechanistic organic chemistry.
One project involves the photo-acid catalyzed formation of acetals from substituted benzaldehydes (Reaction 1). The effect of groups (X) on the rate of the reaction should provide information about the reaction’s mechanism.
Another project is directed at understanding the mechanism of the photo-Cannizzaro reaction of dialdehydes using different light sources and isotopic labeling with deuterium.
Finally, linear free energy relationships associated with the electro-philic bromination of different anilides in various solvent systems should provide insight about this classic reaction’s mechanism.
Publications
1995 - Present
Student coauthor bold.
Yoder, C.H., Leber, P.A.; Thomsen, M.W. The Bridge to Organic Chemistry: Concepts and Nomenclature; John Wiley & Sons: New Jersey, 2010.
C. Yoder, O. Retterer, M. Thomsen, and K. Hess. Interactive Chemistry: Models and Applications (an interactive, CD-ROM based text for introductory chemistry), Academy Artworks, York, PA, 1999.
S.A. Van Arman and M.W. Thomsen. "HPLC for Undergraduate Introductory Laboratories," J. Chem. Ed. 1997, 74, 49.
C.H. Yoder, W.D. Smith, V.L. Katolik, K.R. Hess, M.W. Thomsen, C.S. Yoder and E.R. Bullock. “The Synthesis and Analysis of Copper(II) Carboxylates,” J. Chem. Ed., 1995, 72, 267.
C.H. Yoder, K.R. Hess, M.W. Thomsen and W.D. Smith. "An Introductory Infrared Spectroscopy Experiment," J. Chem. Ed. 1995, 72, 655.
Course Information
Dr. Marcus Thomsen teaches the following courses:
CHM 111/112 - General Chemistry I and II
CHM 211/212 - Organic Chemistry I and II
CHM 411 - Advanced Organic Chemistry
