Charles J. Wurrey

Curators' Distinguished Teaching Professor of Chemistry and
Interim Dean, College of Arts and Sciences

Links More Information Contact Office: 302 Scofield Hall Phone: 816-235-1325 Fax: 816-235-5191 E-mail: wurreyc@umkc.edu

Current Research Interests

Essentially, the research being conducted in our laboratory falls into the categories of molecular spectroscopy and molecular structure. In particular, we use vibrational spectroscopy which includes infrared and Raman spectra along with quantum mechanical ab initio calculations to determine the conformational preferences present in organic, inorganic and biological molecules generally containing fewer than 30 atoms. In addition, we attempt to establish and understand the forces electronic or steric which give rise to the observed conformations.

Infrared and Raman spectra can be recorded in any phase of matter, and it is thus possible to follow conformational changes in the molecules being studied from the gas phase through the liquid and into the solid phase. Furthermore, variable temperature vibrational spectra can be recorded in the liquid phase and in xenon solutions, and from this data conformational energetics may be derived.

The aforementioned techniques have been employed extensively in our laboratory in order to investigate interesting compounds such as, for example, substituted cyclopropanes and oxiranes three-membered ring compounds containing a substituent capable of rotational isomerism. In these highly strained, yet stable compounds, the unusual bonding present (as described by the Walsh-Hoffmann model) favors certain structures on the basis of electronic factors, while other structures may be destabilized by steric problems. By using infrared and Raman spectra, aided in their interpretation by the ab initio calculations, we attempt to understand the basic forces giving rise to the observed molecular structures. Other structures of interest also include other small-ring compounds, vinylic substances and aliphatic hydrocarbons with various substituent groups.

In addition to the physical-chemical determination of molecular structures, infrared spectroscopy also lends itself to important analytical applications in the environmental sector. While the sensitivity of infrared spectroscopy cannot approach that of mass spectrometry, it does, however, provide selectivity which MS techniques often cannot. For example, infrared spectroscopy alone can readily distinguish among all 22 isomers of the tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxins, while mass spectral data do not allow this discrimination. Additionally, ab initio computational approaches can simulate the infrared (and Raman) spectra of potential environmental contaminants for which no standard spectra exist. We have successfully used both experimental IR spectra and computational approaches for these environmental analytical applications.

Additional Information

Charles J. Wurrey was born in Hibbing, Minnesota on October 17, 1947. He matriculated through the Hibbing and Aitkin (Minnesota) public school systems, and graduated from Aitkin High School in 1965. From there he attended Northern Michigan University, graduating in 1969 with a B.S. degree (summa cum laude) in Chemistry and Mathematics. He then attended graduate school at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he received his Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry under the direction of Professor Richard Collins Lord.

After a year of post-doctoral study with Professor James R. Durig at the University of South Carolina, Dr. Wurrey was appointed an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) in 1974. He was promoted to Associate Professor in 1980 and Professor in 1988. In 1989 he was selected as the Chair of the Department of Chemistry, and he served in that role until 1994, when he was appointed as Faculty Fellow in the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs for the University of Missouri System. From 1996-2001, he served as the Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at UMKC, and from 2001 to 2005 he served as Executive Associate Dean.   Dr. Wurrey was named Interim Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences in 2005, where he currently serves.

Dr. Wurrey's research interests are in molecular spectroscopy, molecular structure and environmental chemistry. He has published over 61 research articles and 5 book chapters, and has made over 90 presentations of his research at local, regional, national and international scientific meetings and other institutions. He has been selected as the winner of the Amoco Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Education, and was appointed as a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Distinguished Visiting Scientist. In 2001, he received the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching.  In 2003 he was awarded the UM System Presidential Award for Outstanding Teaching.