ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
The Organic Chemistry Division at the University of Florida provides graduate students with rigorous training in modern organic chemistry, spanning synthetic, mechanistic, and physical approaches. Research in the division covers a broad range of areas including catalysis, asymmetric synthesis, drug discovery, natural products, photomediated reactions, nucleic acid chemistry, enzymology, glycobiology, structural biophysics, and synthetic biology. The program has particular strength in polymer and materials-focused synthesis, where faculty develop new molecular architectures and functional materials with applications in energy, health, and advanced manufacturing. Students work closely with faculty on interdisciplinary projects at the interface of chemistry, biology, and materials science, preparing them for successful careers in academia, industry, and government research.
Our research programs include:
- Asymmetric Catalysis
- Bioinspired Molecule Design
- Carbohydrate Chemistry and Glyco-conjugates and -lipids
- Design and Synthesis of Bioactive and Therapeutic Molecules
- Heterocyclic Chemistry
- Organic Electronic and Optical Materials
- Organic Catalysis
- Organometallics
- Supramolecular Chemistry
- Synthetic Methodology Development
Faculty in Organic Chemistry
Ronald K. Castellano
Colonel Allen R. and Margaret G. Crow Term Professor & Chair
352-392-2752Send EmailSee Bio
Tammy Davidson
Instructional Professor & Director of Undergraduate Organic Chemistry
352-392-9134Send EmailSee Bio
Lisa McElwee-White
Colonel Allen R. and Margaret G. Crow Professor of Chemistry
352-392-8768Send EmailSee Bio
Daniel Seidel
Katritzky Term Professor in Heterocyclic Chemistry & & Interim Organic Division Head
352-294-7991Send EmailSee Bio
Administrative Assistant
Sisler Hall 429
PO Box 117200
Gainesville , Florida 32611-7200
(352) 392-0552
The Butler Lab at the University of Florida, established in 1946 by Professor George Butler, has a rich history in polymer chemistry and engineering. The lab, which started as a small group of researchers, expanded in 1970 with the arrival of physical polymer chemist Thieo Hogen-Esch. Other notable contributors include Charles Reed, who researched the use of polymer membranes for reverse osmosis, and Ken Dill who later moved to the University of California, San Francisco. In 1984, Ken Wagener joined the faculty, followed by Randy Duran in 1989 and John Reynolds in 1992. The lab was formally recognized as a separate entity in 1995 and is currently located on the third floors of Leigh Hall and Sisler Hall, and is home to the Castellano, Colina, Evans, Miller, Narayanan, Savin, Sumerlin, Veige, and Wagener research groups.
In 1946 Professor George Butler joined the UF Department of Chemistry after four years with the Rohm & Haas Company. His research group was among the first to focus on polymer chemistry in the United States, and as interest in polymers grew, Professor Butler formed the Center for Macromolecular Science & Engineering in 1970 to coordinate polymer research campus wide. Today, the CMSE is led by Prof. Brent Sumerlin (Director) and Prof. Ken Wagener (Associate Director) and is comprised of 35 faculty along with over 120 students and staff operating in four departments on campus. The Center promotes collaboration among faculty in polymer science and engineering on campus and serves as a conduit between industry, government, and our university. We stress a fundamental approach in research while seeking solutions to practical problems.
M.A. Battiste Award for Creative Work in Synthetic Organic Chemistry
The M. A. Battiste Award recognizes creative work in synthetic organic chemistry by 3rd year graduate students who have completed their oral qualifying examination. The competition is not limited to students in the organic division; students working in bio-organic, organometallic, and polymer/materials areas are also eligible.
W.M. Jones Award for Originality and Creativity
The award was endowed in honor of Prof. William (Bill) M. Jones (1930–2022). Recognizing that a primary goal of any Ph.D. program is to train creative problem solvers, Bill requested the award recognize graduate students who prepare and defend the most creative independent research proposals.
Tarrant Summer Graduate Research Fellowship
The Tarrant Summer Graduate Research Fellowship is a full summer research fellowship available to post-qualifying Organic Division graduate students as well as post-qualifying graduate students of Organic Division faculty members.
Tarrant Distinguished Visiting Professorship in Organic Chemistry
University of Florida Professor Emeritus Paul Tarrant (1914–2014) created this professorship to honor the memory of his beloved wives, Viola and Marian. Paul graduated from Duke University (Ph.D.), Purdue (M.S.), and Howard College (B.S.) and started his career at UF in 1946. He is credited with the first “sponsored” research program at UF (1948) and was the first Chair of the American Chemical Society (ACS) Division of Fluorine Chemistry.
Michelin Science Scholars Program
The Michelin Science Scholars (MSS) Program provides students in chemistry, materials science, and engineering with funding and support for two semesters of faculty-mentored undergraduate research.
American Chemical Society – Organic Researchers and Chemists Association (ORCA)
ORCA aims to support graduate students by offering opportunities for professional development. We strive to foster personal growth alongside scientific development through community outreach initiatives. Visit our Events page for more information.
CHM 5224 – Basic Principles of Organic Chemistry
CHM 5235 – Organic Spectroscopy
CHM 6225 – Advanced Principles of Organic Chemistry
CHM 6226 – Advanced Synthetic Organic Chemistry
CHM 6251 – Organometallic Compounds
CHM 6271 – Organometallic Compounds
CHM 6381 – Special Topics in Organic Chemistry
CHM 6390 – Organic Chemistry Seminar Presentation
CHM 6391 – Organic Chemistry Seminar Discussion
CHM 2200 – Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry
CHM 2200L – Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry Laboratory
CHM 2210 – Organic Chemistry 1
CHM 2211 –Organic Chemistry 2
CHM 2211L –Organic Chemistry Laboratory
CHM 2212 –Organic Chemistry 1 for Majors
CHM 2213 –Organic Chemistry 2 for Majors
CHM 3217 – Organic Chemistry/Biochemistry 1
CHM 4230 – Organic Spectroscopy
