William H. Saunders, Jr.
Ab Initio and Valence Bond Calculations of Proton Transfer and Elimination Reactions
Professor Emeritus of Chemistry
Ph.D. 1952, Northwestern University
Professor Saunders research has been in the general area of physical organic chemistry, with emphasis on elimination
reactions and kinetic isotope effects. His current interest is the application of ab initio and valence bond calculations
to the study of proton transfers and elimination reactions.
Relevant Publications
Wu, W., Shaik, S., Saunders, W. H., Jr.
"A Comparative Study of Proton Transfer Reactions Between Simple Atoms or Groups by VB Methods,"
J. Phys. Chem. A
2002,
106,
11616.
Saunders, W. H., Jr.
"Heavy Atom Isotope Effects in Elimination Reactions. An Ab Initio Study,"
Crdatica Chimica Acta
2001,
74,
575-591.
Harris, N.; Wei, W.; Saunders, W. H., Jr.; Shaik, S.
"Nonperfect Synchronization in the Lowest Energy Path of Identity Proton Transfer Reactions Leading to Delocalized Anions. A VBSCF Study,"
J. Am. Chem. Soc.
2000,
122,
6754.
Saunders, W.H., Jr.
"Effects of the Leaving Group and of Ion Pairing on the Stereochemistry of Elimination Reactions,"
J. Org. Chem.
2000,
65,
681.
Van Verth, J. E., Saunders, W.H. Jr.
"Identity-Reaction Proton Transfers from Oxygen Acids Yielding Localized vs. Delocalized Conjugate Bases. An Ab Initio Study,"
Can. J. Chem.
1999,
77,
810.