Seminar Travel — Summer 2026

This July is a busy one! Matt presented research at the Gordon Research Conference on Organometallic Chemistry in Newport, RI (thanks to Josh Figueroa and Glen Alliger for organizing an awesome conference!). Then he traveled to Germany, where he is connecting with collaborators and has been invited to present research at Bonn, Göttingen, and Heidelberg (thanks to hosts Connie Lu, Sven Schneider, and Lutz Greb!). And to top it all off, Matt was able to connect with wonderful chemist Makoto Yamashita from Institute of Science Tokyo. Check out some pictures below.

Matt in Heidelberg
Matt in Gottingen

 

Matt and friends in Bonn

Gordon Research Conference attendees 2026

Congrats to 2026 Grads!

It’s hard to believe that graduation is already upon us! Congrats to all of the 2026 Carleton Chemistry grads, and special thanks and congratulations to these Whited Group researchers:

  • Dina Prohofsky – beginning Chemistry PhD program at University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
  • Claire Lee-Zacheis – beginning Chemistry PhD program at University of California Berkeley
  • Marie Schumacher – beginning Chemistry PhD program at University of Minnesota Twin Cities

It has been so wonderful working with these great folks for the last few years, and I know that they will continue doing awesome work as they move on to their next steps!

Whited Group at ACS!

The Whited lab was well represented at this year’s spring ACS national meeting in Atlanta. Dina and Marie both presented awesome research results:

  • Schumacher, M.; Whited, M. T.; Kohen, D. “Computational examination of steric and electronic effects in silicon-metal cooperative catalysis” 271st ACS National Meeting, March 2026 (Poster Presentation)
  • Prohofsky, D.; Whited, M. T. “Development of PSiP Pincer-Type Ligand Frameworks Featuring Central N-Heterocyclic Silyl and Silylene Donors” 271st ACS National Meeting, March 2026 (Poster Presentation)

Dina won a travel award from the ACS Division of Inorganic Chemistry, and Marie was awarded a Outstanding Poster Award from ACS COMP. Congrats to both for their fantastic work!

Marie wins an outstanding poster award  Marie and Dina at the ACS meeting in Atlanta

Sterically Encumbered Co Silylenes publication

It took us a while to wrap up the loose ends (this was a tricky system!), but we are happy to announce that our most recent paper has been published in Organometallics! This work, which was started by Wenlai Han ’23 and carried through with awesome experimental work by Collin, Annika, and Kiana alongside computational prowess by Claire and Aidan, shows the surprising effects of increasing steric bulk around (PSiP)Co silyl and silylene complexes–reactivity is dramatically hindered at both the cobalt and silicon centers, leading to significantly altered catalytic pathways for group transfer reactivity. Check it out!

Whited Group Goes to CRIC!

Matt presented an invited seminar at this year’s amazing Chicago Regional Inorganic Colloquium, which was hosted by University of Minnesota. Several Whited group members also presented fantastic posters (and Carleton alums were well represented, too!):

  • Marie Schumacher — “Computational examination of steric and electronic effects in silicon-metal cooperative catalysis”
  • Dina Prohofsky — “Development of PSiP Pincer-Type Ligand Frameworks Featuring Central N-Heterocyclic Silyl and Silylene Donors”
  • Kiana Giuliani — “Progress Towards More Efficient Catalysis at Co=Si Bonds”

Thanks to the organizers for putting on such a great conference! We look forward to joining you again!

CRIC 2025 Speakers and Organizers
CRIC 2025 Attendees

Whited Group at San Diego ACS

Several representatives from the Whited group will showcase recent results at the Spring 2025 ACS National Meeting in San Diego. Check out their awesome work if you are in town for the meeting!

  • Khan, A.; Lee-Zacheis, C.; Whited, M. T.; Kohen, D. “Computational investigation of silicon-metal cooperative chemistry to catalyze group transfers” INOR-439.
  • Lee-Zacheis, C.; Khan, A.; Whited, M. T.; Kohen, D. “G/16 and crest investigation of silicon-metal cooperative chemistry in catalysis” COMP-855.
  • Stewart, A.; Pearson, C.; Whited, M. T. “Effects of sterically encumbered pincer-type cobalt silylenes on silicon-metal cooperation” INOR-476

Carleton/NHS Partnership

Matt spoke at an event celebrating Carleton’s recently announced pledge of $2M to the Reimagine Northfield High School project. This amazing contribution recognizes the important symbiotic relationship between Carleton and the local public schools, and Matt was able to share insights about benefits to Carleton students who have hosted NHS AP Chemistry classes for organic chemistry experiments for many years. Thanks to all our partners for making this a wonderful event!