Inorganic Chemist · Researcher · Molecular Scientist

Bukola FlorenceOgunyemi

I design molecular systems that connect reactivity, catalysis, and chemical sensing to practical scientific problems.

Ph.D. Candidate in Inorganic Chemistry at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, with research experience spanning organometallic synthesis, catalysis, molecular sensing, reaction optimization, and analytical characterization.

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Portrait of Bukola Florence Ogunyemi

Ph.D. Candidate

Inorganic Chemistry

University of Tennessee

Expected May 2027

  • Catalysis
  • Molecular Sensing
  • Organometallic Chemistry

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Years of research & laboratory experience

12% → 78%

Optimized Rh(II)-catalyzed Si–H insertion yield

0

Optimization conditions evaluated

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Substrates evaluated for reaction robustness

01 / About

Chemistry driven by curiosity,precision, and impact.

Bukola Florence Ogunyemi is a Ph.D. Candidate in Chemistry at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, specializing in inorganic and organometallic chemistry. Her research centers on designing and synthesizing molecular systems — rhodium paddlewheel complexes and copper-based probes — that address real problems in catalysis and chemical sensing.

She works across the full arc of a research question: designing the experiment, executing multistep syntheses under inert atmosphere, optimizing reactions systematically, characterizing complex compounds by NMR, mass spectrometry, and X-ray crystallography, and analyzing quantitative data to build structure–property relationships. Her results are documented rigorously and communicated clearly — in four peer-reviewed publications and at national conferences.

Backed by GMP quality-control experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing, she is equally at home working independently or collaborating across multidisciplinary teams.

Industry interests

  • Research & Development
  • Process Chemistry
  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Quality
  • Chemical Sensing
  • Materials
  • Instrumentation

Experimental design

Structured optimization and scope studies built to answer questions, not just generate data.

Rigorous characterization

Multinuclear NMR, HRMS, FTIR, UV-Vis, fluorescence, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction.

Quantitative analysis

Calibration, nonlinear regression, association constants, and detection limits.

Clear communication

Peer-reviewed publications, conference talks, and precise technical documentation.

02 / Research

Designing molecules.Understanding reactivity.Solving problems.

Catalysis

Spotlight 01

Rh(II)-Catalyzed Si–H Insertion

12% → 78%

Reaction yield

Led a structured optimization of a Rh(II)-catalyzed Si–H insertion reaction, systematically screening solvent, base, temperature, catalyst, and catalyst loading across 16 conditions.

Robustness was then established across 10 substrates, with yields quantified by ¹H NMR against internal standards — turning a marginal transformation into a reliable one.

  • Rh(II)
  • Catalysis
  • Reaction Optimization
  • ¹H NMR
  • Si–H Insertion
  • Organometallic Chemistry

Molecular Sensing

Spotlight 02

Chemical Detection Through Molecular Recognition

Developed and validated a UV-Vis method for detecting an organophosphate nerve-agent simulant — establishing limits of detection from calibration curves and testing specificity against eight interferents under competitive conditions.

Ligand association constants quantified by UV-Vis titration with nonlinear regression were reconciled with single-crystal X-ray structures, building structure–property relationships that guided ligand selection.

  • UV-Vis
  • Molecular Recognition
  • Chemical Sensing
  • SCXRD
  • Nonlinear Regression

Fluorescent Probes

Spotlight 03

Cu(II)-Dansyl Molecular Probes

Designed and synthesized Cu(II)-dansyl fluorescent probes for organophosphate nerve-agent simulant detection, pairing chromogenic and fluorogenic responses in a single molecular platform.

Detection limits were established by fluorimetry, and the work is now under review at Inorganic Chemistry.

  • Cu(II)
  • Fluorescence
  • Dansyl
  • Molecular Probe
  • Sensing

Synthesis Deep Dive

Multistep Synthesis, Engineered

Behind every catalyst and probe is a synthesis that has to work. Bukola develops multistep synthetic routes — thioetherification, oxidation, ligand exchange — executed under Schlenk and Soxhlet conditions.

53–75%

Bis-substituted product yield

  1. 1

    Problem

    Ligand-exchange steps toward bis-substituted Rh(II) paddlewheel complexes were low-yielding, with mono-substituted byproducts competing.

  2. 2

    Experimental strategy

    Systematically interrogated the exchange chemistry, examining precursor electronics and reaction conditions under air-free technique.

  3. 3

    Optimization

    Identified a trifluoroacetate precursor that shifts selectivity toward the bis-substituted product while suppressing mono-substituted byproducts.

  4. Result

    Bis-substituted product yields raised to 53–75%, delivering reliable access to the complexes that power the sensing and catalysis work.

03 / Expertise

From synthesis benchto analytical insight.

Synthesis & Process

  • Multistep Organic Synthesis
  • Organometallic Synthesis
  • Ligand Design
  • Catalyst Design
  • Reaction Optimization
  • Scope Studies
  • Schlenk Techniques
  • Inert-Atmosphere Chemistry
  • Flash Chromatography
  • Recrystallization

Analytical Characterization

  • HPLC
  • ¹H NMR
  • ¹³C NMR
  • ³¹P NMR
  • UV-Vis Spectroscopy
  • Fluorescence Spectroscopy
  • FTIR
  • High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry
  • ESI
  • MALDI
  • DART
  • Single-Crystal X-Ray Diffraction

Data & Scientific Software

  • ChemDraw
  • R
  • GraphPad Prism
  • Tableau
  • Excel
  • PowerPoint
  • Scientific Data Analysis
  • Nonlinear Regression

Professional

  • Technical Writing
  • Scientific Communication
  • Project Leadership
  • Experimental Documentation
  • Training & Mentoring
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Laboratory Safety
  • GMP Documentation

04 / Experience

Research rigor,from academia to industry.

  1. ResearchAugust 2022 – PresentCurrent

    Graduate Research Assistant

    Department of Chemistry, University of Tennessee · Knoxville, TN, USA

    Leads multistep synthesis of functionalized ligands and Rh(II) paddlewheel complexes, optimizes catalytic reactions, and develops molecular sensing methods — handling diazo intermediates, organophosphate simulants, and air-sensitive complexes under rigorous controls.

    • Multistep synthesis
    • Rh(II) chemistry
    • Reaction optimization
    • Molecular sensing
    • Analytical characterization
    • Air-sensitive chemistry
  2. ResearchOctober 2019 – February 2020

    Undergraduate Research Assistant

    Department of Chemistry, University of Ibadan · Ibadan, Nigeria

    Synthesized Cu(II) and Ni(II) mixed-ligand complexes, confirmed composition by mass spectrometry, FTIR, and UV-Vis, and screened them for antimicrobial activity — correlating activity with metal and ligand structure.

    • Cu(II) complexes
    • Ni(II) complexes
    • Mixed-ligand systems
    • Mass spectrometry
    • FTIR
    • UV-Vis
    • Antimicrobial screening
  3. IndustryApril 2019 – June 2019

    Quality Control Intern

    MOPSON Pharmaceutical Limited · Lagos, Nigeria

    Tested tablet and capsule products against specifications, generating release data for quality and regulatory compliance, and calibrated the analytical instruments behind every measurement.

    • HPLC
    • UV assay
    • Dissolution
    • pH · Hardness · Friability
    • Loss on drying · Moisture
    • Instrument calibration
    • GMP/QC documentation
  4. IndustryFebruary 2018 – April 2018

    Quality Control Intern

    CHI Pharmaceutical Limited · Lagos, Nigeria

    Prepared and standardized reagents for finished-product testing, collected in-process and finished-product samples with full traceability, and assisted routine release testing and calibration under GMP.

    • Reagent preparation
    • Sample collection
    • Finished-product testing
    • Traceability
    • Instrument calibration
    • SOPs · GMP
    • Laboratory safety

05 / Publications

Research, published.

2026Under Review

Chromogenic and Fluorogenic Detection of Diethyl Chlorophosphate (DCP) with Dansyl Functionalized Copper(II) Complexes

B. Ogunyemi; B. Day; A. Darko

Inorganic Chemistry

2026Journal Article

Selective Sensing of Nerve Agent Simulant via Dirhodium(II,II) Paddlewheel Complexes Bearing Pendant Hemilabile Thioether Ligands

D. Moore; E. Fussell; E. Bennin; B. Ogunyemi; N. Kline; A. Darko

ACS Omega · 2026, DOI 10.1021/acsomega.5c10394

View DOI
2024Journal Article

Effect of Tethered Sulfur Ligands on the Association Constants of Dirhodium(II,II) Paddlewheel Complexes

D. Moore; B. Ogunyemi; P. Nalaoh; A. Darko

European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry · 2024, 27, e202300600

2023Journal Article

Rh(II)-Catalyzed Si–H Insertion with Nosyl-Hydrazone-Protected Aryl Donor Diazo Compounds

A. Abshire; B. Ogunyemi; A. Darko

ACS Omega · 2023, 8 (41), 38005–38012

Scientific Presentations

2026

NOBCChE National Conference

Oral Presentation

2025

Southeastern Regional Meeting of the ACS (SERMACS)

Oral Presentation

2024

NOBCChE National Conference

Poster

2023

Catalysis Innovation Consortium

Poster

06 / Education

A foundation builton rigorous training.

Ph.D. in Inorganic Chemistry

University of Tennessee, Knoxville

August 2022 – May 2027 (expected)

GPA4.0 / 4.0

Dissertation

Ligand Effects on Metal Complex Reactivity and Molecular Recognition in Rhodium and Copper Systems for Applications in Catalysis and Sensing

B.Sc. Pure and Applied Chemistry

University of Ibadan

February 2016 – February 2020

GPA6.3 / 7.0

Recognition

Dean's Roll of Honor, 2017 and 2018

07 / Teaching

Science is strongerwhen it can be taught.

August 2022 – Present

Graduate Teaching Assistant

Department of Chemistry, University of Tennessee · Knoxville, TN, USA

  • Coordinated and instructed the Foundation of Organic Chemistry Laboratory — supervising synthesis, purification, and characterization of organic compounds tied to lecture material.
  • Coordinated and supervised the General Chemistry Laboratory, emphasizing data analysis from chemical reactions, safe technique, and accurate record-keeping.

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Organic Chemistry Laboratory students

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General Chemistry Laboratory students

July 2021 – June 2022

Graduate Teaching Assistant

Department of Industrial Safety & Environmental Technology, Petroleum Training Institute · Effurun, Nigeria

  • Contributed to semester syllabi and curricula in industrial safety and environmental technology, aligned with program learning objectives.
  • Delivered undergraduate tutorial sessions reinforcing lecture material on industrial safety and environmental practice, and proctored and graded examinations with full assessment integrity.

08 / Leadership

Beyond the laboratory.

Volunteer Mentor

EduFurther (Non-Profit Organization)

2024 – Present

Mentors undergraduates from diverse backgrounds on securing fully funded graduate scholarships — guiding application strategy, CV development, and compelling personal statements.

Top Five Mentor

Vice President

NOBCChE Chapter, University of Tennessee

2025 – 2026

Lead executive officer for a 50+ member chapter. Secured travel funding, co-organized a Spallation Neutron Source tour at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and represented the chapter at national conferences.

Secretary

Association of Chemistry Graduate Students, University of Tennessee

2025 – 2026

Manages communications and records, coordinates student–department head meetings, and initiated cross-departmental workshops.

Graduate Student Senate Representative

University of Tennessee

2024 – 2025

Advocated for graduate resources and policy.

Science Fair Judge & Event Proctor

Regional & University Science Events

2022 – 2026

Judged four regional and university science fairs (BSEF, EUReCA, SASEF, Ohio Virtual Science Day) and proctored the UTK Chemistry Research Open House and Tennessee State Science Olympiad.

Awards & Grants

  1. 2026

    Graduate Fellowship for Achievement in Inorganic Chemistry

    Department of Chemistry, University of Tennessee

  2. 2025 & 2026

    Advancing Science Conference Grant

    NOBCChE

  3. 2024 & 2025

    Graduate Student Senate Academic Support Award

    University of Tennessee

  4. 2024

    Outstanding Ph.D. Candidate Award

    Department of Chemistry, University of Tennessee

Professional Affiliations

American Chemical Society (ACS)2023 – Present
NOBCChE2023 – Present
Association of Chemistry Graduate Students, UTK2022 – Present

09 / Contact

Let's turn good chemistryinto useful innovation.

Interested in discussing research, collaboration, scientific innovation, or opportunities across chemical and pharmaceutical R&D?

Email[email protected]inLinkedInConnect professionallyCurriculum VitaeDownload full CV (PDF)

Opens your email client addressed to [email protected].