Bob Hargrove

Because Bob Hargrove is both an organic and environmental health chemist,
his undergraduate research interests span the spectrum from simple organic
synthesis to measurement of residues in natural matrices.

a. It would be interesting to synthesize some simple allenes to measure
their spectra and other chemical & physical properties. The proposed method
would start from ketones with two substituents on each alpha carbon, then
make the vinyl triflate using triflic anhydride. Elimination of triflic acid
with pyridine should yield an allene. It would be interesting to make
allenes which have rings on either end; and also allenes which are part of
medium to large rings themselves. Kausik Patel, a junior chemistry major,
has started to work on this project.

b. I am interested in investigations into the chlorinated hydrocarbon
residues found in organisms occupying the Ocmulgee River watershed.
Extraction of these residues from fish, mussels, or plant material should
prove interesting and contribute the body of data in the on-going Ocmulgee
River Initiative headed by Brian Rood.

c. Because of a love of eating shrimp, I am interested in examining the
residues of toxic substances, such as PCBs, in shrimp caught off the Georgia
Coast. Patrick Willis, a senior chemistry major & a resident from Brunwick,
Ga, is currently investigating the concentration of PCBs in shrimp from two
locations in the Turtle Creek and from St. Simon's sound off the coast of
Georgia.

d. I have had a contituing interest in an area of chemical epidemiology
which attempts to link enposure to DDT to the incidence of breast cancer.
There is evidence in the literature that rats exposed to DDT have suppressed
lactation. There is also epidemiological evidence that women who have
suppressed lactation tend to have a greater incidence of breast cancer. It
would be interesting to analyze the breast adipose tissue of women who have
or who have not had breast cancer to see if there is any significant
concentration difference. Several students in past years have developed
methods of analysis of DDT by GC/ECD.