The University of St. Thomas

Ippoliti, J. Thomas

Professor

Ph. D. Univ. of Wisconsin

jtippoliti@stthomas.edu
Phone: (651) 962-5582
Toll Free: (800) 328-6819, Ext. 2-5582
Fax: 2-5591

Dept. of Chemistry, Mail # OSS 402
2115 Summit Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55105

Office Location: OWS 462

Faculty Website

Other Course Information and Links

Educational Background

  • B. A. SUNY Potsdam
  • M. S. University of Wyoming
  • Ph. D. University of Wisconsin

Dr. Ippoliti's Schedule

Research (Click here for more information on specific projects)

The students of Dr. Ippoliti's research group are actively involved in five areas of research. All of these areas utilize organic synthesis to make new molecules.

The first area is in the field of diagnostic molecules. Diagnostic molecules are used to detect proteins or other biomolecules that indicate the presence of disease.  We have been synthesizing new fluorescent molecules and upconverting nanoparticles to detect the presence of enzymes that are indicative of disease.  Using Enzyme Linked ImmunoSorbent Assays (ELISA) and a start-of-the-art handheld detector, we can then utilize our new molecules to detect a variety of important bioactive molecules.

The second area is synthesis of novel heterocyclic molecules. These molecules can be used to make Zeolites or Metal Organic Frameworks (MOF).  Zeolites are inorganic frameworks that can be used for catalysts or separations.  MOF’s can be used for the storage of fuels in a solid state.  The can also be used to capture CO2, a greenhouse gas. 

The third area is the synthesis of new antibiotics, antimalarials and molecules active against tuberculosis . We have synthesized several new antibiotics recently based on a molecular topology program that predicted high antibacterial activity.  We are also synthesizing novel antimalarial compounds.

The fourth area of research is in the area of thermochromic and photochromic molecules.  These molecules change color reversibly with temperature or light, respectively.

The last area is biomedical in nature. We are synthesizing polymeric molecules that are radioopaque. These materials can be used to coat implantable medical devices such as stents so they can be seen using X-radiography.

All of these areas give the student experience in carrying out organic reactions, purifying products and structure elucidation using NMR spectroscopy.

 

Recent Publications and Patents:

Ippoliti, J. Thomas; Schewe, Scott R.; Atanasoska, Liliana L.; Warner, Robert W.  Nanoparticle precursor, nanoparticle structures and polymer-matrix composite materials.    U.S. Patent 7,470,466  (2008)

Ebner, David C.; Culhane, Jeffrey C.; Winkelman, Tyler N.; Haustein, Mitchell D.; Ditty, Jayna L.; Ippoliti, J. Thomas.  Synthesis of novel oxazolidinone antimicrobial agents.    Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry  2008,  16(5),  2651-2656

Ippoliti, J. Thomas; Leehy, Katherine A.; Olson, Katherine; Johnson, Allison J.  A new ELISA utilizing alcohol oxidase and a latent fluorophore.    Abstracts of Papers, 235th ACS National Meeting, New Orleans, LA, United States, April 6-10, 2008  (2008)

Ippoliti, J. Thomas.  Trapped photochromes and thermochromes and uses for chromogenic detection, including detection of airborne contaminants.    U.S. Pat. Appl. Publ.  (2005),     22 pp.  CODEN: USXXCO  US  2005239107

“Zwitterionic superabsorbent polymers” Ippoliti, J. Thomas; Vlaminck, Jay; Hillmyer, Marc A.   Polymer Preprints (American Chemical Society, Division of Polymer Chemistry)  2005,  46(1),  867-868

“Naphthopyran compounds, photoresponsive compositions and lenses”    Hughes, F.J., Qin, X, Ippoliti, J. T. U.S. Patent    6,863,843, 2005

 

Recent Presentations:

“Synthesis of novel oxazolidinone antimicrobials”  Augsburg College, November 12, 2008.

Ippoliti, J. Thomas; Leehy, Katherine A.; Olson, Katherine; Johnson, Allison J.  A new ELISA utilizing alcohol oxidase and a latent fluorophore. 235th ACS National Meeting, New Orleans, LA, United States, April 6-10, 2008  (2008)

“Chemical Chameleons: From Photochromes to Chemical Sensors” ExxonMobil Corporate Research in Annandale, N.J. entitled on February 7th, 2008.

"Synthesis of novel oxazolidinone antimicrobials" at Concordia College in Moorhead, MN on October 25th, 2007

“Racemic and Entioselective Syntheses Wine Lactone” at the 233st ACS National Meeting – Spring 2007, Chicago, Il March 25 – March 29th

"A New ELISA Protocol," at Research & Diagnostic Systems on January 18, 2007.

"Drug conjugate, drug delivery matrices and novel biodegradable polymers," at Boston Scientific on February 22, 2007

"Synthesis and reactions of dibenzo[b,e][1,4]dioxine-2,3,7,8-tetraamine" at the 231st ACS National Meeting, Atlanta, GA, March 26-30, 2006.

"The synthesis of novel photochromic molecules" at the 2005 Organic Symposium in honor of Professor Stephen Nelsen's 65th birthday at the University of WI in Madison, WI on June 14, 2005.

"Synthesis of a Zwitterionic Polymers" at the 229th ACS National Meeting, San Diego, CA, March 13  March 17, 2005

"Synthesis of a New Oxazolidinone Antibacterial Compound" 227th ACS National Meeting, Anaheim, CA March 28- April 1, 2004