Research initiation award: enhancing effectiveness of triorganotin complexes through ionic modification: comprehensive study on synthesis, characterization, computational modeling

The National Science Foundation Division of Undergraduate Education awarded the University of the District of Columbia $449,482 on September 1, 2026, under the STEM Education program (CFDA 47.076) to support faculty and undergraduate research on the synthesis, characterization, and computational modeling of modified triorganotin compounds.

The award funds junior and mid-career faculty at this historically black college and university to build research capability while providing undergraduate chemistry majors with hands-on scientific investigation and professional development opportunities. Research activities include chemical synthesis, spectroscopic characterization, structural analysis, and evaluation of physicochemical properties of ionic triorganotin complexes, alongside computational modeling approaches to examine electronic structure and structure-activity relationships. Collaborative interactions with researchers from Howard University and Argonne National Laboratory expand student exposure to multidisciplinary research environments and STEM career pathways.

Performance occurs in Washington, DC through August 31, 2029.

Abstract

The historically black colleges and universities undergraduate program (HBCU-up), through research initiation awards provide support for junior and mid-career faculty at historically black colleges and universities who are building new research programs or redirecting and rebuilding existing research programs. IT is expected that the award helps to further the faculty member's research capability and effectiveness and improve research and teaching at the home institution. This award to the university of the district of columbia supports faculty and undergraduate research experiences in their efforts to develop and study modified triorganotin compounds with improved biological and chemical properties. The research activity aims to strengthen research capacity while expanding opportunities for undergraduate chemistry majors to participate in hands-on scientific investigation and professional development. Collaborative interactions with researchers from howard university and argonne national laboratory will further enhance student exposure to multidisciplinary research environments and career pathways in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields. The overall goal of this project focuses on the synthesis, characterization, and computational investigation of ionic triorganotin complexes designed to enhance biological activity, stability, and molecular interactions. This project targets experimental methods, including chemical synthesis, spectroscopic characterization, structural analysis, and evaluation of physicochemical properties of the triorganotin complexes. This project also aims to utilize computational modeling approaches to examine electronic structure, molecular behavior, and structure-activity relationships in order to guide compound design and interpretation of experimental results. Undergraduate chemistry majors will participate in all stages of the research process, including laboratory experimentation, data analysis, scientific presentations, and literature evaluation. IT is anticipated that the proposed studies will contribute to the development of improved organotin-based materials and provide new insights into the relationship between ionic modification and chemical performance while simultaneously strengthening undergraduate research training and scientific workforce preparation. The engagement of undergraduate students in this project, coupled with collaboration efforts are likely to enhance the institutional distinction of the university of the district of columbia. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.- subawards are not planned for this award.