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Brian Williams, Ph.D.

Brian Williams, Ph.D.
Professor of Chemistry
Chemistry & Physics Department

Biography

Brian Williams, Ph.D., has been a member of the Chemistry and Physics Department at King’s College since the fall of 1997. Originally from the Midwest, he earned his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse and his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Montana State University in Bozeman. After completing his doctoral studies, Dr. Williams was a two-year Camille and Henry Dreyfus Research and Teaching Fellow, which he completed at Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania.
At King’s College, Dr. Williams’s research centers on the synthesis of novel bridged bicyclic and tricyclic organic compounds. In addition to his passion for chemistry, he enjoys spending time with his wife and three children, outdoor activities such as fishing, kayaking, hiking, and producing maple syrup. Dr. Williams is also a sports enthusiast and regularly plays tennis and pickleball with his colleagues at King’s College.

Education

  • B.S., Chemistry, University of Wisconsin, LaCrosse, WI
  • Ph.D., Organic Chemistry, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT
  • Camille and Henry Dreyfus Fellow, Juniata College, Huntingdon, PA

Publications and Presentations

  • B. Williams, P.W. Jennings / “Chemoselectivity in Cycloalkene-Cycloalkene transformations via platina(IV)cyclobutane derivatives” / Inorganic Chimica Acta 265 (1997) 23-33.
  • I. David Reingold, Guido Beckmann, Brian D. Williams, Amanda M. Grannas / “[3.3.1]-Propellane-2,8-Dione: Synthesis and Structure” / Organic Preparations and Procedures International (OPPI) 30 (1998) 235-238.
  • Brian D. Williams*, Birute Williams, Louise Rodino “Synthesis of the Sweetener Dulcin from the Analgesic Acetaminophen”. Journal of Chemical Education Vol. 77, Pg. 357-359, 3/2000.
  • Brian D. Williams, Francis Bernardoni “The Synthesis of 4-aza-polyfunctionalized [3.3.1] Bicycles via the [3+3] Carbocyclization of 1,3-bis-electrophiles with Enamines” NCUR 2000 14th National Conference on Undergraduate Research, April 27-29, 2000, Missoula, Montana.
  • Brian D. Williams, Francis X. Smith and Edward C. Evans (student) “A New Source of Methylene Meldrum’s Acid: Reaction with Enamines”, Synthetic Communications, 2001, volume 32 of issue number 13.
  • Brian D. Williams, Francis Bernardoni (student) “The Formation of Novel 4-aza-polyfunctionalized [3.3.1] bicycles” NCUR 2001 Conference Proceedings, 15th National Conference on Undergraduate Research, March 15-17, 2001, Lexington, Kentucky.
  • Brian D. Williams, Birute Williams and Francis Bernardoni (student) “Synthesis of 3-aza-Bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-6,9-diones”, Heterocycles, Vol. 55, No. 11, 2001.
  • Eric Gelsleicter and Dr. Brian Williams “Reduction Of 3-Acyl Derivatives Of Oxindoles, Benzo[b]furan-2-ones, And Benzo[b]thiophen-2-ones To The Corresponding Alkyl Derivatives By Sodium Borohydride-Acetic Acid.” 2005 NCUR proceedings.
  • David Arnold and Dr. Brian Williams “Synthesis and Stereochemical Considerations of Functionalized 3-aza-[3.3.1]bicycles by Reaction of Aza-Cyclic Enamines with Crotonyl Chloride.” 2005 NCUR proceedings.
  • Dr. Francis Smith and Dr. Brian Williams “Reduction Of 3-Acyl Derivatives of Oxindoles, Benzo[b]furan-2-ones, And Benzo[b]thiophen-2-ones To the Corresponding Alkyl Derivatives By Sodium Borohydride-Acetic Acid.” Synthetic Communications 2006 36(6), 765–769.

Awards and Designations

  • Father Frank J. O’Hara Distinguished Service Professorship Award