The document highlights research conducted by the Dunbar group, focusing on synthetic, structural, and physical inorganic and bioinorganic chemistry, with significant contributions to molecular magnetism and metal-containing materials. It discusses various projects including the study of cyanide-bridged complexes and metals in medicinal applications aimed at photodynamic therapy. The document also mentions notable achievements and recognition of Dr. Kim R. Dunbar in the field.

1. Selected Publications
Pentanuclear Trigonal-Bipyramidal Cyanide
Complexes: A Powerful Platform for the
Systematic Assessment of the Magnetic Properties
of Cyanide-Bridged Compounds. Funck, K. E.;
Hilfiger, M. G.; Berlinguette, C. P.; Shatruk, M.;
Dunbar, K. R. Forum issue on Molecular
Magnetism, Inorg. Chem., 2009, 48, 3438-3452.
Cyanide-Bridged Complexes of Transition Metals:
A Molecular Magnetism Perspective. Shatruk, M.;
Avendaño, C.; Dunbar, K. R. Prog. Inorg. Chem.,
2009, 56, 155-334.
Schottel, B. L.; Chifotides, H. T.; Dunbar, K. R.
Anion-π Interactions: A Tutorial Review. Chem.
Soc. Rev. 2008, 37, 68–83
Hexacyanoosmate(III) chemistry: Preparation and
magnetic properties of a pentanuclear cluster and a
Prussian blue analogue with Ni(II). Hilfiger, M.;
Shatruk, M.; Prosvirin, A.; Dunbar, K. R.Chem.
Commun., 2008, 5752 – 5754.
Nazario, L.; Zhao, H.; Prosvirin, A. V.; Chouai, A.;
Shatruk, M.; Dunbar, K. R. Conversion of a Porous
Material Based on a Mn(II)-TCNQF4 Honeycomb
Net to a Molecular Magnet Upon Desolvation.
Chem. Commun. 2007, 44, 4611-4613.
Intercalation Is Not Required for DNA Light-
Switch Behavior. Lutterman, D. A.; Chouai, A.;
Liu, Y.; Sun, Y.; Stewart, C. D.; Dunbar, K. R.;
Turro, C. J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2008; 130, 1163-
1170.
Chifotides, H. T.; Dunbar, K. R. Interactions of
Metal—Metal-Bonded Antitumor Active
Complexes with DNA Fragments and DNA. Acc.
Chem. Res. 2005, 38, 146-156.
Ph.D., Purdue University
Phone: (979) 845-5235
Fax: (979) 845-7177
dunbar@mail.chem.tamu.edu
Research in the Dunbar group spans topics in synthetic, structural and
physical inorganic and bioinorganic chemistry. The use of a range of tools
including spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, magnetometry, electron
microscopy, mass spectrometry and electrochemistry reflect the breadth of
problems under investigation.
Molecular Magnets, Conducting Metal-Organic Solids and Spin-
Crossover Compounds. The study of molecule-based, metal containing
materials with conducting, optical, and/or magnetic properties is an area
that presents considerable synthetic challenges. Of particular interest are
"hybrid" solids that combine two or more properties not traditionally found
in the same material. One of our approaches is to combine paramagnetic
metal centers and conducting organic sub-lattices. In this vein, we are
designing molecules as well as, 1-D, 2-D and 3-D materials with transition
or lanthanide metal ions connected by organic radicals. Materials that
exhibit high conductivity, magnetic ordering as well as “single molecule
magnetism” have been discovered. In another project we are exploring
cyanide chemistry of 3d, 4d and 5d transition metals by a step-wise
building block approach to prepare families of molecules with predictable
geometries whose magnetic properties are modulated by deliberate changes
in the molecule. We have synthesized magnetic molecular squares, cubes,
trigonal bipyramids and other architectures that display single-molecule
magnetism, charge-transfer induced spin transitions, spin-crossover at high
temperatures, and photoinduced magnetic behavior. A remarkable finding
is that heterobimetallic clusters as small as five metal atoms mimic the
properties previously observed only for 3-D “Prussian-Blue” type magnetic
materials.
Metals in Medicine. We have developed a program to address several
issues in the area of metals in medicinal applications. The main synthetic
targets are dirhodium compounds that are known to exhibit carcinostatic
activity and ruthenium agents. Among our goals are to (1) to elucidate sites
of binding to biological molecules including DNA and characterize adducts
by NMR and X-ray techniques, (2) to develop redox-active compounds that
exhibit low cytotoxity in the dark but which cleave DNA and cause cellular
death under irradiation and (3) to design new generations of compounds
with ligands that stabilize the dinuclear core and cause a red-shift in the
electronic transition that is responsible for the photocytotoxity. The ultimate
goal of the research is to develop photodynamic therapy drugs.
Anion-pi Interactions. Anion-pi interactions are gaining significant
recognition but their pivotal role in chemical and biological processes is
only beginning to be appreciated. Research in this nascent area of
supramolecular chemistry began in our group with the synthesis and X-ray
structures of cationic metal assemblies with encapsulated anions.
Computational studies have confirmed the presence of anion-heterocyclic
ring contacts for electropositive ring systems and new experimental work
has led to a deeper understanding of the guiding principles of this exciting
new area.The Association of Former Students Distinguished Achievement Award for Graduate Mentoring, Purdue University Department
of Chemistry Distinguished Alumna Award, Elected Fellow of American Association for the Advancement of Science,
NSF Creativity Grant Extension Award, Distinguished Alumna Award, Westminster College
Dr. Kim R. Dunbar
Distinguished Professor
Inorganic Chemistry