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Dr. John Morrison Galbraith
Associate Professor of Chemistry
Bio
In 1992 I received my BA in Chemistry from the Colorado College in Colorado Springs, CO and my PhD in Physical Chemistry in 1997 from the University of Georgia in Athens, GA. While at the University of Georgia, I worked with Professor Henry F. Schaefer III on computational studies of small molecules. From 1997 to 1999 I held a postdoctoral position at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Israel working with Sason Shaik. In Israel I began the line of research that occupies me to this day: computational studies of chemical bonding using Valence Bond theory. I held a second postdoctoral position at the University of Washington in Seattle, WA where my duties were split between teaching General Chemistry and doing Computational Chemistry research with Weston Thatcher Borden. Beginning in the Fall of 2001 I have been on the faculty at Marist College as an Assistant (2001-2007) and Associate (2007- ) professor of Chemistry. While at Marist I have taught courses in General Chemistry, Introduction to Organic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, and Research Methods all the while conducting research primarily with undergraduates. I have published 29 peer reviewed articles, 9 of which were with undergraduate authors, in Journals such as The Journal of Physical Chemistry, Molecular Physics, and Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry. In addition, I have served as a referee for The Journal of Physical Chemistry, The Journal of Chemical Theory and Computation, Molecular Physics, and the American Chemical Society Petroleum Research Fund as well as serving on the editorial board of ISRN Physical Chemistry.
Education
BA., The Colorado College
Ph.D., University of Georgia
Research Interests / Areas of Focus
Theoretical aspects of chemical bonding through computational modeling.
Selected Publications
“Valence Bond and Molecular Orbital: Two Powerful Theories that Nicely Complement One Another”, Galbraith, J. M.; Shaik, S.; Danovich, D.; Braida, B.; Wu, W.; Hiberty, P, C.; Cooper, D. L.; Karadakov, P. B.; Dunning, T. H. J. Chem. Educ., 2021, 98, 3617-3620.
“Charge-Shift Bonding: A New and Unique Form of Bonding”, Shaik, S.; Danovich, D.; Galbraith, J. M.; Braïda, B.; Wu, W.; Hiberty, P. C. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2020, 59, 984-1001. Featured on “The Academic Minute”
“Hydrogen Bonding from a Valence Bond Theory Perspective: The Role of Covalency”, Nemes, C. T., Laconsay, C. J.; Galbraith, J. M. Phys Chem. Chem. Phys, 2018, 20, 20963-20969.
"A Valence Bond Theory Treatment of Tetrel Bond Interactions" Laconsay, C. J.; Galbraith, J. M., Computational and Theoretical Chemistry, 2017, 1116, 202-206.
“Charge-Shift Corrected Electronegativities and the Effect of Bond Polarity and Substituents on Covalent–Ionic Resonance Energy.” James, A. M., Laconsay, C. J., Galbraith, J. M., J. Phys. Chem. A. 2017, 121, 5190-5195.
"A Computational Determination of the Lowest Energy Electronic and Geometric States of First Row Transition Metal Oxygen Dications", Jillian Lennartz, Eric Dumas,Lennie Ramirez, John Morrison Galbraith, J. Theor. Chem., 2013, 5, 734354/1-734354/5.
"The Effect of Orbital Type and Active Space Size on Valence Bond Structure Weights and Bond Disscociation Energies" Galbraith, J. M. Mol. Phys. 2010, 108, 2551-2558.
"Density Functional Theory for Anions", Galbraith, J. M. in Molecular Quantum Mechanics: From Methylene to DNA and Beyond, Selected Papers of Henry F. Schaefer III, Bartlett, R. J.; Crawford, T. D.; Head-Gordon, M, Sherrill, C. D., Eds., Brandon's Printing, Atlanta, 2010.
"A Valence Bond Study of Three-Center Four-Electron p Bonding: Electronegativity vs. Electroneutrality" DeBlase, A.; Licata, M.; Galbraith, J. M., J. Phys. Chem. A 2008, 112, 12806-12811.
"On the Role of d-Orbital Hybridization in the Chemistry Curriculum", Galbraith, J. M. J. Chem. Ed. 2007, 84, 783-787.
"Proposed reaction mechanisms for selenium vapor generation by UV photolysis by computational methods", Takatani, T.; Fitzgerald, N.; Galbraith, J. M., Anal. and Bioanal. Chem. 2007, 388, 859-862.
"A Valence Bond Description of Coordinate Covalent Bonding" Fiorillo, A. A.; Galbraith, J. Phys Chem. A 2004, 108, 5126.
"What Accounts for the Difference between Singlet Phenylphosphinidene and Singlet Phenylnitrene in Reactivity toward Ring Expansion?" Galbraith, J. M.; Gaspar, P. P.; Borden, W. T. J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2002, 124, 11669.
"p-Bonding in Second and Third Row Molecules: Testing the strength of Linus's Blanket." Galbraith, J. M.; Blank, E.; Shaik, S.; Hiberty, P. C. Chem. Eur. J. 2000, 6, 2425.
"A Valence Bond Study of the Bergman Cyclization: Geometric Features, Resonance Energy, and Nucleus-Independent Chemical Shift (NICS) Values." Galbraith, J. M.; Schreiner, P. R.; Harris, N.; Wei, W.; Wittkopp, A.; Shaik, S. Chem. Eur. J. 2000, 6, 1446.
"A Valence Bond Study of the Bonding in First Row Transition Metal Hydride Cations: What Energetic Role Does Covalency Play?" Galbraith, J. M.; Shurki, A.; Shaik, S. J. Phys. Chem. 2000, 104, 1262.
"Some new structures of C28" Portmann, S.; Galbraith, J. M.; Schaefer, H. F.; Scuseria, G. E.; Luthi, H. -P. Chem. Phys. Lett.1999, 301, 98.
"Isomerization Pathway of the Aluminum Monocarbonyl/Isocarbonyl Pair, AlCO/AlOC: Evidence of a Cyclic Minimum," Wesolowski, S. S.; Galbraith, J. M.; Schaefer, H. F. J. Chem. Phys. 1998, 108, 9398.
"Hydrogen Bridging in Molecules Containing Atoms beyond the First Row," Galbraith, J. M.; Schaefer, H. F. J. Mol. Struct. (THEOCHEM). 1998, 424, 7. Lionel Salem edition.
"NMR Chemical Shielding Surface of N-Acetyl-N'-Methylaninamide: A Density Functional Study," Sulzbach, H. M.; Vacek, G.; Schreiner, P. R.; Galbraith, J. M.; Schleyer, P. v. R.; Schaefer, H. F. J. Comp. Chem. 1997, 18, 126.
"The Elementary Reaction of Quartet Methylidyne (CH) with Methane," Kellogg, C. B.; Valeev, E.; Galbraith, J. M.; Fowler, J. F.; Schaefer, H. F. Molecular Physics 1996, 89, 1695.
"The Monochlorine Fluorides (ClFn) and their Anions (ClFn-), n=1-7: Structures and Energetics," Van Huis, T. J.; Galbraith, J. M.; Schaefer, H. F. Molecular Physics 1996, 89, 607.
"Concerning the Applicability of Density Functional Methods to Atomic and Molecular Negative Ions," Galbraith, J. M.; Schaefer, H. F. J. Chem. Phys. 1996, 105, 862.
"The Nitrosyl Azide (N4O) Potential Energy Hypersurface: A High Energy-Density Boom or Bust?," Galbraith, J. M.; Schaefer, H. F. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1996, 118, 4860.
"Negative Ion Thermochemistry: the Sulfur Fluorides SFn/SFn- (n=1-7)," King, R. A.; Galbraith, J. M.; Schaefer, H. F. J. Phys. Chem. 1996, 100, 6061.
"Substituted Oxirenes (X2C2O, X = BH2, CH3, NH2, OH, F): Can They Be Made?," Fowler, J. E.; Galbraith, J. M.; Vacek, G.; Schaefer, H. F. J. Am. Chem. Soc.1994, 116, 9311.
"Oxirene: To Be or Not To Be?," Vacek, G.; Galbraith, J. M.; Yamaguchi, Y; Schaefer, H. F.; Nobes, R. H.; Scott, A. P.; Radom, L. J. Phys. Chem. 1994, 98, 8660.
"Equilibrium Geometry of Isocyanomethylene (HCNC) and Comparison to the Troublesome Isomer Cyanomethylene (HCCN)," Kellogg, C. B.; Galbraith, J. M.; Fowler, J. E.; Schaefer, H. F. J. Chem. Phys., 1994, 101, 430.
"The Vibrational Frequencies of Borane (BH3): a Comparison of High Level Theoretical Results," Galbraith, J. M.; Vacek, G.; Scheafer, H. F. J. Mol. Struct. (THEOCHEM) 1993, 300, 281.
"ClF2: Structure and Infrared Spectra of a Weakly Bound Triatomic Molecule," Galbraith, J. M.; Vacek, G.; Scheafer, H. F. J. Chem. Phys. 1993, 98, 8051.
"Elemental Concentrations of Chinese Rock Standards GSD 1-6: A Comparison with the Certificate Values," Bower, N. W.; Lewis, C. M.; Galbraith, J. M.; Luedemann, G. Geostandards Newsletter 1993, 17, 117.
Selected Presentations
“MO and VB: Two Great Tastes That Taste Great Together”, World Association of Theoretical and Computational Chemists: WATOC 2020, Vancouver, Canada, July 2-7 2022. (invited lecture).
“MO and VB: Two Great Tastes that Taste Great Together.” Spring meeting of the American Chemical Society, San Diego, CA. March 18, 2022, oral presentation. (conference attended virtually).
“Hydrogen Bonding from a Valence Bond Theory Perspective: The Role of Covalency”, Nemes, C. T., Laconsay, C. J.; Galbraith, J. M.* Chemical Bonds at the 21st Century -2017, Aachen, Germany, Sept 2-4 2017 (oral presentation)
"The Effect of Orbital Type and Active Space Size on Valence Bond Structure Weights and Bond Dissociation Energies", John Morrison Galbraith* Andrew James, Coleen Nemes, poster presentation, 7th Molecular Quantum Mechanics Conference, Lugano, Switzerland June 2-7 2013.
"Valence Bond Theory Don't Call it a Comeback: Some Current and Future Research" The University of Georgia, Athens, GA, May 2011. (invited lecture)
"Valence Bond Theory Don't Call it a Comeback: Some Current and Future Research" The Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, May 2011. (invited lecture)
"Valence Bond Theory Don't Call it a Comeback: Some Current and Future Research" Yale University, New Haven, CT, March 2011. (invited lecture)
"The Effect of Orbital Type and Active Space Size on Valence Bond Structure Weights and Bond Disscociation Energies, Molecular Quantum Mechanics: Methylene to DNA and Beyond, Berkeley, CA, May 2010. (session chair, poster)
"What I Did on my Summer Vacation: Chemical Bonding Theory and Large Molecule VB", Marist College, Poughkeepsit, NY, November 2008.
"The Effect of Orbital Type and Active Space Size on Valence Bond Structure Weights and Bond Disscociation Energies", The Symposium of the Lise Meitner-Minerva Center, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel, November 2008. (session chair, poster)
"A Valence Bond Description of Coordinate Covalent Bonding", Molecular Quantum Mechanics: The No Nonsense Path to Progress, Cambridge University, July 2004 (poster)
"The Nature of the Chemical Bond: The Legacy of Linus Pauling in the Age of Computational Chemistry" Mid Hudson section of the American Chemical Society, Chemistry Seminar: Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY, February 26, 2004.
"Chemistry Without Chemicals: Using Computers to do my Lab Work" Chemistry Seminar: SUNY Purchase, Purchase, NY, April 2003.
"The Mathematics of Chemistry II Gas Phase Reaction Dynamics: You Can't See the Molecules So I Will Show You the Math" Marist College Mathematics Seminar, Marist College, Poughkeepsie NY, November 2002
"Don't Tell My Mother I do VB, She Thinks I'm a Theorist" Colorado College Chemistry Seminar, The Colorado College, Colorado Springs CO, October 2002.
"Don't Tell My Mother I do VB, She Thinks I'm a Theorist" Marist College Chemistry Seminar, Marist College, Poughkeepsie, NY, October 2002.
"The Mathematics of Chemistry: Using Computers to do my Dirty Work" Marist College Mathematics Seminar, Marist College, Poughkeepsie NY, November 2001
"p-Bonding in Second and Third Row Molecules: Testing the strength of Linus's Blanket" Fifth World Association of Theoretically Oriented Chemists. Imperial College, London, England, August 1-6 1999.
"Counterintuitive Valance Bond Configuration mixing in Transition Metal Hydride Cations." International Confrence on Reactive Intermediates and Reaction Mechanisms. Ascona, Switzerland, July 1998.
"A Valence Bond Description of Transition Metal Hydride Cations." Binational Italian-Israeli Confrence on Physical Organic Chemistry, Kibbutz Maale Hachmisha, Israel, June 1998.
"Hydrogen Bridging in Molecules Containing Atoms beyond the First Row." 9th International Congress of Quantum Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta Georgia, USA, June 1997.
"Cl3: The Potential Energy Hypersurface of a Weakly Bound Triatomic Molecule." Structural and Mechanistic Organic Chemistry: An International Confrence in Honor of Professor Norman L. Allinger, The University of Georgia, Athens Georgia, USA, June 1997.
"Cl3: The Potential Energy Hypersurface of a Weakly Bound Triatomic Molecule." Twenty-Sixth Southeastern Theoretical Chemistry Association Confrence, University of Alabama, Birmingham Alabama, USA, May 1997.
"Concerning the Applicability of Density Functional Methods to Atomic and Molecular Negative Ions," Twenty-Fifth Southeastern Theoretical Chemistry Association Confrence, Flordia State University, Tallahassee Flordia, USA, May 1996.
"Minor Programs that make a Major Difference: Developements and Applications," Second Computational Chemistry Workshop, Hilton Head South Carolina, USA, May 1996.
"The Nitrosyl Azide (N4O) Potential Energy Hypersurface: A High Energy-Density Boom or Bust?," Molecular Quantum Mechanics: Methods and Applications, St. Cathrines College, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, England, September 1995.
"Hyrdogen Bridging in ABH2 (A, B =, Al, Si, Ga, Ge): An MO Approach," First Computational Chemistry Workshop, Hilton Head South Carolina, USA, May 1995.
"Nitrosyl Azide (N4O): Exploring the Isomers on a Difficult Potential Energy Hypersurface," From Methylene to Protiens and Beyond - A Quarter Century of Scientific Computation, Atlanta Georgia, USA, June 1994.
"Nitrosyl Azide (N4O): Exploring the Isomers on a Difficult Potential Energy Hypersurface," Twenty-Third Southeastern Theoretical Chemistry Association Confrence, Vanderbilt University, Nashville Tennessee, USA, May 1994.
Awards and Honors
Cottrell College Science Award (2006)
Faculty Recognition Award for Scholarly work (2013)
