Mo Hunsen joined Kenyon's faculty in chemistry and biochemistry in 2001 after earning a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Michigan State University. His research interests focus on green chemical and enzymatic catalysis in carbohydrate and polymer chemistry including studies on cellulose nanocrystals and their stimuli-responsive nanocomposites. He also works on the use of natural products for prevention of cancer. He has a passion for exploring how green & sustainable chemistry and technologies could serve as a platform for green businesses that transform cheap and abundant natural resources to value-added products.
He was a German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Fellow (1990-1993) and has received the Robert J. Tomsich Science Award (2005) and the Henry Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award (2007). He is currently a member of the editorial boards of Green and Sustainable Chemistry, Organic Chemistry: Current Research, International Journal of Bioorganic Chemistry & Molecular Biology, Journal of…
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Mo Hunsen joined Kenyon's faculty in chemistry and biochemistry in 2001 after earning a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Michigan State University. His research interests focus on green chemical and enzymatic catalysis in carbohydrate and polymer chemistry including studies on cellulose nanocrystals and their stimuli-responsive nanocomposites. He also works on the use of natural products for prevention of cancer. He has a passion for exploring how green & sustainable chemistry and technologies could serve as a platform for green businesses that transform cheap and abundant natural resources to value-added products.
He was a German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Fellow (1990-1993) and has received the Robert J. Tomsich Science Award (2005) and the Henry Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award (2007). He is currently a member of the editorial boards of Green and Sustainable Chemistry, Organic Chemistry: Current Research, International Journal of Bioorganic Chemistry & Molecular Biology, Journal of Sustainable Development Studies and International Journal of African Development.
He has served as chair of the Department of Chemistry (2011-2013) and as co-chair of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (2003-2006). He was a visiting professor at the department of macromolecular science and engineering at Case Western Reserve University (2013-14), at Polytechnic Institute of New York University (2005) and at the Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University (2006-2008).
Areas of Expertise
Chemical and enzymatic catalysis, green oxidation reactions, biodegradable polymers, carbohydrates and green nanocomposites.
Education
2000 — Doctor of Philosophy from Michigan State University
1994 — Master of Science from Addis Ababa Univ, Ethiopia
1989 — Bachelor of Science from Addis Ababa Univ, Ethiopia
Courses Recently Taught
CHEM 126
Introductory Chemistry Lab II
CHEM 126
This lab is an experimental course to accompany CHEM 124 or 243. One three-hour laboratory session will be held per week. Juniors and seniors may enroll with permission of department chair. Prerequisite: CHEM 123. Offered every spring semester.\n\nBiophysical and Medicinal Chemistry Lab sections\nLaboratory experiments involve the application of chemical principles and techniques to systems of biological and medicinal importance. Possible experiments include synthesis of aspirin, enzyme kinetics and chromatographic analysis.\n\nNanoscience Lab section\nLaboratory experiments involve the synthesis of functional materials, the analysis of their properties and the assembly of materials into working devices. Possible experiments include making solar cells, synthesis of nanocrystalline materials, quantum dots and an independent project.\n\nSpectroscopic Analysis sections\nLaboratory experiments involve quantitative analysis of materials using molecular spectroscopy, such as NMR, IR and UV/Vis spectroscopy. Possible experiments include identification of pharmaceutical or fragrance mixtures, polymer characterization, determination of equilibrium constants, and testing of food or drug products.
CHEM 231
Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 231
This lecture course offers a study of the chemical and physical properties of organic compounds. Theoretical principles are developed with particular emphasis on molecular structure and reaction mechanisms. The descriptive aspects of organic chemistry include strategies for synthesis and the study of compounds of biochemical interest. Prerequiste: grade of C+ or higher in CHEM 122 and completion of CHEM 123 or 126 or permission of department chair. Offered every spring semester.
CHEM 232
Organic Chemistry II
CHEM 232
This course is a continuation of CHEM 231. This lecture course offers a study of the chemical and physical properties of organic compounds. Theoretical principles are developed with particular emphasis on molecular structure and reaction mechanisms. The descriptive aspects of organic chemistry include strategies for synthesis and the study of compounds of biochemical interest. Prerequisite: CHEM 231. Offered every fall semester.
CHEM 233
Organic Chemistry Lab I
CHEM 233
This laboratory course introduces fundamental methods in organic chemistry research and complements the topics covered in the lecture course, CHEM 231. This is achieved by carrying out experiments and research projects involving topics such as isolation of a natural product, oxidation and reduction reactions and reactions of alkenes. The techniques include liquid extraction, distillation, recrystallization and thin layer and gas chromatography. Compounds are identified and assessed for purity by melting point determination, refractometry, gas chromatography and infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Appropriate record keeping on laboratory notebooks and writing laboratory reports is emphasized. Corequisite: CHEM 231. Offered every spring semester.
CHEM 234
Organic Chemistry Lab II
CHEM 234
This laboratory course will extend and apply the techniques developed in CHEM 233 to more advanced experiments in organic synthesis including open-ended experiments derived from current research projects. A particular emphasis will be placed on using chemistry databases, experimental design and planning, laboratory notebooks and record keeping, analytical and preparative chromatography, advanced NMR techniques (2-D) and writing laboratory reports. Upon successful completion of the two-course organic chemistry lab sequence (CHEM 233/234), students will have the skills needed to thrive in a synthetic organic chemistry research laboratory. Prerequisite: CHEM 233. Corequisite: CHEM 232. Offered every fall semester.
CHEM 373
Advanced Lab: Organic
CHEM 373
In this laboratory course, students will engage in multiweek, multistep projects that integrate both modern organic synthesis and advanced high-field nuclear magnetic resonance techniques. This course meets for one three-hour laboratory period per week. Prerequisite: CHEM 234. Offered every two years.
CHEM 375
Chemical Research
CHEM 375
Section 01 (.25 unit): Students engage in independent research under the direction of a faculty mentor. The time requirement is at least three hours in lab per week. Students will learn to search literature and give professional presentations. This course also provides an introduction to scientific writing. More details can be obtained from the department chair. Permission of instructor required. Offered every semester.\n\nSection 02 (.5 unit): This section is a prerequisite to CHEM 497 and 498. The time commitment is six to eight hours per week in lab. Students will learn to search literature and give professional presentations as well as to write scientifically. More details can be obtained from the department chair. Permission of instructor required. Offered every semester.
CHEM 401
Chemistry and Biochemistry Seminar
CHEM 401
Selected topics in advanced chemistry and biochemistry are explored with an emphasis on reading and discussing current scientific research and literature. Sections will include the following: Biophysical Chemistry, Advanced Organic Chemistry, Art and Chemistry, Chemical Biology, Hydrogen Energy Systems, Enzyme Mechanism, Emerging Techniques in Biological Chemistry and Advanced Biochemistry. Offered every semester, sections will change. Please see the schedule of courses each semester for the section being taught.
Academic & Scholarly Achievements
2017
Elvis Cudjoe, Mo Hunsen, Zhaojun Xue, Amanda E. Way, Elizabeth Barrios, Rebecca A. Olson, Michael J.A. Hore, Stuart J. Rowana. “Miscanthus Giganteus: A commercially viable sustainable source of cellulose nanocrystals,” Carbohydrate Polymers, 2017, 155, 230–241.
2014
Hunsen, Mo. “Greener oxidation of alcohols, glycosides and sulfides,” in "Green Technologies for the Environment," ACS Symposium Series, 6, 1117-128.
2008
Hunsen, Mo; Azim, Abul; Xie, Wenchun; and Gross, Richard A. “Humicola insolens cutinase-catalyzed lactone ring-opening polymerizations: kinetics and mechanistic studies,” Biomacromolecules, 9, 518- 522.
2008
Hunsen, Mo. “1,2,3-Oxadiazines and 1,2,3-Thiadiazines.” In Comprehensive Heterocyclic Chemistry III, AR Katritzky, CA Ramsden, EFV Scriven and RJK Taylor, Eds.; Elsevier: Oxford; Vol. 9, pp 291-300.
2008
Hunsen, Mo; Azim, Abul; Mang, Harald; Wallner, Sabine R.; Ronkvist, Asa; Xie, Wenchun; and Gross, Richard A. “Cutinase: a powerful biocatalyst for polyester synthesis by polycondensation of diols and diacids and ROP of lactones,” ACS Symposium Series, Ch17, pp 263-274.
2007
Hunsen, Mo. “Functional polyesters and copolymers by a one-pot acetylation/oxidation of Cellulose,” Chapter 18, in Materials, Chemicals and Energy from Forest Biomass, ACS Symposium Series, Ch 16, pp 247-259.
2007
Hunsen, Mo*; Mitchell, Josh M.; Packer, Kyle T. “Hexafluoro-2-hydroxyisobutyric acid,” in Encyclopedia of Reagents in Organic Synthesis, DOI: 10.1002/047084289X.m00733.
2007
Hunsen, Mo*; Packer, Kyle T.; Mitchell, Josh M. “Methyl 2,2-diFluoro-2-Iodoacetate,” in Encyclopedia of Reagents in Organic Synthesis, DOI: 10.1002/047084289X.m00734.
2007
Hunsen, Mo; Azim, Abul; Mang, Harald; Wallner, Sabine R.; Ronkvist, Asa; Xie, Wenchun; and Gross, Richard A. “A Cutinase with polyester synthesis activity,” Macromolecules, 40, 148.
2006
Hunsen, Mo. “Monosaccharide cycles: a method to determine the general stereochemical relationships of both D- and L-monosaccharides,” The Chemical Education Journal, 9, No. 1.
2006
Hunsen, Mo; Azim, Abul; Mang, Harald; Wallner, Sabine R.; Ronkvist, Asa; Xie, Wenchun; and Gross, Richard A. “Lactone ring-opening polymerization catalyzed by a cutinase biocatalyst,” ACS Polymer Preprint, 47 (2), 253.
2006
Azim, Abul; Hunsen, Mo; Mang, Harald; Wallner, Sabine R.; Ronkvist, Asa; Xie, Wenchun; and Gross, Richard A. “Cutinase: a new biocatalyst for polyester synthesis via polycondensation reactions,” ACS Polymer Preprint, 47 (2), 226.
2005
Hunsen, Mo. “Pyridinium chlorochromate catalyzed oxidation of alcohols to aldehydes and ketones,” Tetrahedron Letters, 46, 1651-1653 (highlighted on CHEMINFORM; “Best Synthetic Methods: Oxidation” on www.organic-chemistry.org;“Top 25 most downloaded Tetrahedron Letters article in 2005”).
2005
Hunsen, Mo. “Carboxylic acids from primary alcohols and aldehydes by a Pyridinium chlorochromate catalyzed oxidation,” Synthesis, 2487-2490 (highlighted on CHEMINFORM; featured on www.organic-chemistry.org).
2005
Hunsen, Mo*; Long, David A.; D’Ardenne, Christopher R.; and Smith, Amanda L. “Mild one-pot preparation of glycosyl bromides,” Carbohydr. Res., 340, 2670-2674.
(“Top 25 most downloaded Carbohydrate Research article”).
2005
Hunsen, Mo. “Pyridinium fluorochromate catalyzed oxidation of alcohols and aldehydes,” J. Fluor. Chem., 126, 1356-1360 (highlighted on CHEMINFORM).