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Dr. Radu F. Semeniuc
Introduction Education & Training Publications Conference Presentations Funding & Grants Frequently Taught Courses Research & Creative Interests Update your profile

Dr. Radu F. Semeniuc

Professor - Inorganic Chemistry, Graduate Coordinator Office: 3440 - Physical Sciences
Phone: 217-581-5422
Email: rsemeniuc@eiu.edu

INTRODUCTION

Radu F. Semeniuc received his B.S. degree in 1990 from “µþ²¹²ú±ðÅŸ-µþ´Ç±ô²â²¹¾±” University (Cluj-Napoca, Romania) and his Ph. D. degree (2001) from the same University, working with Professor Ionel Haiduc. In July 2000 he started to work on his second Ph. D. under the supervision of Professor Daniel L. Reger at the University of South Carolina. After receiving his second Ph. D. in 2004, he spent two more years in the same place as a post-doctoral fellow. He was appointed Assistant Professor at Eastern Illinois University in 2007, Associate Professor in 2013 and Full Professor in 2018. He has been the graduate coordinator for the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry since Fall 2020. He published more than 50 papers in peer reviewed journals and since he joined EIU, he guided the research of more than 30 undergraduate and 15 graduate Â鶹´«Ã½. If you are interested in finding out more about his research or teaching interests, do not hesitate to stop by his office or contact him at rsemeniuc@eiu.edu. Or, if you just want to shoot the breeze, all you have to do is knock at his office…😊

Education & Training

  • B.S., “µþ²¹²ú±ðÅŸ-µþ´Ç±ô²â²¹¾±” University (Cluj-Napoca, Romania), 1990
  • Ph.D., “µþ²¹²ú±ðÅŸ-µþ´Ç±ô²â²¹¾±” University (Cluj-Napoca, Romania), 2001
  • Ph.D., University of South Carolina (Columbia, SC), 2004

At EIU since 2007

Publications

(partial list; EIU Â鶹´«Ã½ in italics)

  • “Accessing bimetallic complexes through a variable bridging ligand strategy”, Liyanage, Hansani T. L. W.; Smith, Mark D.; Wheeler, Kraig A.; Semeniuc, Radu F.  Dalton Trans., 2025, 54, 1063-1078.
  • “Bimetallic Copper Complexes of a New Amide-Based Heptadentate N6O Ligand: Design, Syntheses, and Characterization”, Hall, Ashley E.; Wheeler, Kraig A.; Semeniuc, Radu F. Inorg. Chim. Acta. 2025, 577, 122514. 
  • “The molecular and supramolecular structure of Mn(4,4’-diaminobiphenyl)2(NCS)2(EtOH)2” Semeniuc, Radu F.; Pellizzeri Smith, Tiffany M. Studia UBB Chemia, 2025, 1, 101-110.
  • "Tuning the catecholase activity of bis(pyrazolyl)methane-based copper(II) complexes by substitutions of the ligand core: Unraveling a dual O2/H2O2 oxidation mechanism” Jayaweera, Nuwanthaka; Hall, Ashley E.; Wilson, Ashton A.; Konkle, Mary E.; Wheeler, Kraig A.; Semeniuc, Radu F. Inorg. Chim. Acta 2020, 506, 119507.
  • “Benzobis(imidazolium) salts as templates for the self-assembly of starburst [2*4]pseudorotaxanes and their corresponding carbene-based classic [2*2]pseudorotaxanes” Foster, Matthew W.; Mehl, Benjamin T.; Treadwell, Edward M.; Semeniuc, Radu F.; Wheeler, Kraig A. Chem. Commun. 2019, 55, 1786-1789.
  • "An unexpected μ4-oxido-bridged tetranuclear Cu(II) inverse coordination complex of a heptadentate bis(pyrazolyl)methane-based ligand: Synthesis, structure, spectroscopic properties, and catecholase activity” Joy, Syed R. U.; Trufan, Eszter; Smith, Mark D.; Puscas, Cristina; Silaghi-Dumitrescu, Radu L.; Semeniuc, Radu F. Inorg. Chim. Acta 2019, 485, 190-199.
  •  “Multiple Coordination Modes of a New Ditopic Bis(pyrazolyl)methane Ligand” Coulton, John B.; Smith, Aramis C.; Wheeler, Kraig A.; Semeniuc, Radu F. Dalton Trans. 2018, 47, 17109-17121.
  • “Neutral interlocked assemblies from anionic pseudorotaxanes coordinated to Sn(IV) and Cu(I) metallic centers” Baum, Robert R.; Veach, Jedidiah J.; Semeniuc, Radu F.; Wheeler, Kraig A.; Pellechia, Perry J. Inorg. Chim. Acta 2017, 455, 52-60.
  •  “Metal Complexes of Multitopic, Third Generation Poly(pyrazolyl)methane Ligands: Multiple Coordination Arrangements” (invited review for EurJIC’s Cluster Issue on “The Significance of Scorpionate Ligands 50 Years on”) Semeniuc, Radu F.; Reger, Daniel L. Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 2016, 2253-2271.
  •  “8-Quinoline Based Ligands and Their Metallic Derivatives: A Structural and Statistical Investigation of Quinoline π – π stacking Interactions” Semeniuc, Radu F.; Reamer, Thomas J.; Smith, Mark D. New J. Chem. 2010, 34, 439-452.
  • “Functionalized O-Alkyldithiocarbonates: A New Class of Ligands Designed for Luminescent Heterometallic Materials” Semeniuc, Radu F.; Reamer, Thomas J.; Blitz, Jonathan P.; Wheeler, Kraig A.; Smith, Mark D. Inorg. Chem. 2010, 49, 2624-2629.

Conference Presentations

(partial list; EIU Â鶹´«Ã½ in italics)

  • “Variable bridging ligands for bimetallic complexes” Authors: Semeniuc, Radu F.; Rath, Cayleigh S.; Smith, Mark D.; Wheeler, Kraig A.; Presenting author: Radu F. Semeniuc; ACS National Meeting, March 17-21, 2024, New Orleans, LA.
  • “Bimetallic complexes through a variable bridging ligand strategy” Authors: Semeniuc, Radu F.; Liyanage, Hansani; Smith, Mark D.; Wheeler, Kraig A.; Presenting author: Radu F. Semeniuc; ACS National Meeting, March 20-24, 2022, San Diego, CA.
  • “Dinuclear copper(II) bioinspired complexes: Investigations of their catecholase activity” Authors: Semeniuc, Radu F.; Jayaweera, Nuwanthaka P.; Hall, Ashley E.; Wheeler, Kraig A.; Konkle, Mary E.; Presenting author: Radu F. Semeniuc; µþ²¹²ú±ðÅŸ-µþ´Ç±ô²â²¹¾± University Conference celebrating 100 years since the establishment of the first Romanian Chemistry School in Cluj, October 10-12, 2019, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
  • “Dinuclear copper(II) bioinspired complexes: Investigations of their catecholase activity” Authors: Semeniuc, Radu F.; Jayaweera, Nuwanthaka P.; Hall, Ashley E.; Wheeler, Kraig A.; Konkle, Mary E.; Presenting author: Radu F. Semeniuc; ACS National Meeting, March 31-April 4, 2019, Orlando, FL.
  • "Dinuclear copper(II) complexes based on bis(pyrazolyl)methane ligands and their catecholase activities” Authors: Jayaweera, Nuwanthaka P.; Semeniuc, Radu F.; Hall, Ashley E.; Wheeler, Kraig A.; Konkle, Mary E.; Presenting author: Jayaweera, Nuwanthaka P.; ACS National Meeting, March 31-April 4, 2019, Orlando, FL.
  • “Molecular Machines and Devices: Dream or Reality?” Authors: Semeniuc, Radu F.; Foster, Mathew W.; Mehl, Benjamin T.; Treadwell, Edward M.; Wheeler, Kraig A.; Presenting author: Radu F. Semeniuc; µþ²¹²ú±ðÅŸ-µþ´Ç±ô²â²¹¾± University Symposium, October 18-19, 2018, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
  • “Metal complexes of a new ditopic, bis(pyrazolyl)methane-based heteroscorpionate ligand” (Invited talk) Authors: Coulton, John B.; Smith, Aramis C.; Wheeler, Kraig A.; Semeniuc Radu F.; Presenting author: Radu F. Semeniuc; Southeastern Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society, October 23-26, 2016, Columbia, SC.

Funding & Grants

  • ACS – Petroleum Research Fund: “A Variable Bridging Ligand Strategy for Bimetallic Complexes”
    • $70,000; July 2021 - August 2025.
  • ACS – Petroleum Research Fund: “Neutral dinuclear iron complexes supported by Namido-Metal bonds”
    • $70,000; July 2016 - August 2019.
  • ACS – Petroleum Research Fund: “Novel Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Cage Architectures Incorporating Azacrown Ethers and 1,3,5-Triazine Scaffolds”
    • $50,000; May 2008 - August 2010.
  • EIU – PFRCA: “Metal-Based Compounds for Environmentally Friendly Transformations”
    • $17,500; July 2015 - June 2016.
  • EIU – PFRCA: “The Design, Synthesis, and Characterization of Novel Rotaxane Systems”
    • $18,500; July 2013 - June 2014.
  • EIU – PIF: “Building Smart Catalysts Based on New Metal-Carbene Complexes”
    • $7,500; January 2011 - June 2011.
  • EIU – PIF: “Precursors for Nanomaterials: Anionic Components for Molecular Machines”
    • $6,900; January 2008 - June 2008.
  • EIU – CFR: “Fighting Global Warming - New Materials for Hydrogen Storage”
    • $3,200; January 2008 - June 2008.

Frequently Taught Courses

  • CHM 1310, 1410 - General Chemistry I and II
  • CHM 1315, 1415 - General Chemistry Laboratory I and II
  • CHM 2310 - Inorganic Chemistry I
  • CHM 4900 - Inorganic Chemistry II
  • CHM 4915 - Advanced Laboratory
  • CHM 5350 - Organometallic Chemistry
  • CHM 5360 - Supramolecular Chemistry

Research & Creative Interests

Supramolecular chemistry: synthesis and characterization of self-assembled architectures and mechanically interlocked molecules.

 

Bioinorganic chemistry: synthesis and characterization of bio-inspired metal complexes as models for the active sites of various enzymes.