Dr. Kristin M. Hutchins

Principal Research Interests

• Molecular Design and Recognition
• Organic and Polymer Synthesis
• Crystal Engineering
• Environmental Decontaminants

Research in the Hutchins group is inspired by the way in which nature utilizes reversible, non-covalent interactions such as hydrogen bonding and metal coordination to create large, functional structures (e.g. DNA double helix, hemoglobin). Our group focuses on designing and synthesizing new functional materials that can be used in applications ranging from water purification and environmental remediation to molecular sensors and responsive crystals.

In our work, we study supramolecular (non-covalent) interactions and aim to develop a fundamental understanding of the solid-state (crystalline) behavior of small molecules such as pharmaceutical compounds and heavy metal complexes. We utilize a variety of techniques including X-ray diffraction, NMR spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, and imaging characterization. The solid-state behavior of these small molecules inspires the development of new polymeric materials, which incorporate specific functional groups that are complementary to and can recognize the small molecule compounds in a specific, predesigned, and reversible manner. Our research in the design and synthesis of functional materials will address problems in materials science, environmental chemistry, and fields of industry and technology.

Representative Publications

• "Application of the pKa rule to synthesize salts of bezafibrate," J. D. Loya, S. J. Li, D. K. Unruh, and K. M. Hutchins Supramol. Chem. 2019, DOI: 10.1080/10610278.2019.1635695
• "Unique supramolecular complex of diclofenac: structural robustness, crystal-to-crystal solvent exchange, and mechanochemical synthesis," Q. Zheng, S. L. Rood, D. K. Unruh, and K. M. Hutchins Chem. Commun. 2019, 55, 7639-7642.
• "Cooling-rate dependent single-crystal-to-single-crystal phase transition in an organic co-crystal," A. W. Crawford, R. H. Groeneman, D. K. Unruh, and K. M. Hutchins Chem. Commun. 2019, 55, 3258-3261.
• "Co-crystallization of anti-inflammatory pharmaceutical contaminants and rare carboxylic acid-pyridine supramolecular synthon breakdown," Q. Zheng, S. L. Rood, D. K. Unruh, and K. M. Hutchins CrystEngComm 2018, 20, 6377.
• "Co-crystallization of the Anti-Cholesterol Drug Bezafibrate: Molecular Recognition of a Pharmaceutical Contaminant in the Solid State and Solution via Hydrogen Bonding," J. D. Loya, J. Qiu, D. K. Unruh, A. F. Cozzolino, and K. M. Hutchins Cryst. Growth Des. 2018, 18, 4838.
• "Functional Materials Based on Molecules with Hydrogen-Bonding Ability: Applications to Drug Co-crystals and Polymer Complexes," K. M. Hutchins R. Soc. Open Sci. 2018, 5, 180564.
• "Molecular Pedal Motion Influences Thermal Expansion Properties within Isostructural Hydrogen-Bonded Co-crystals," K. M. Hutchins, D. K. Unruh, F. Verdu, and R. H. Groeneman Cryst. Growth Des. 2018, 18, 566-570.
• "Effects of Crosslinking Density on Interfacial Polymerization and Scaffold Formation in Functionalized Polymer Beads", Hutchins, K. M.; Lee, C.-Y.; Luo, B.; Chen, Q.; Moore, J. S. Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 2017, 56, 4883. (Special Issue: Best Presentations ACS 2016 – Philadelphia)
• "Polymerization Initiated by Particle Contact: A Quiescent State Trigger for Materials Synthesis", Hutchins, K. M.; Sekerak, N. M.; Moore, J. S. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2016, 138, 12336.
• "Thermal expansion properties of three isostructural co-crystals composed of isosteric components: interplay between halogen and hydrogen bonds", Hutchins, K. M.; Kummer, K. A.; Groeneman, R. H.; Reinheimer, E. W.; Sinnwell, M. A.; Swenson, D. C.; MacGillivray L. R. CrystEngComm 2016, 18, 8354.
• "Mechanical Properties of a Series of Macro- and Nano-Dimensional Organic Cocrystals Correlate with Atomic Polarizability", Rupasinghe, T. P.; Hutchins, K. M.; Bandaranayake, B. S.; Ghorai S.; Karunatilake, C.; Bučar, D.-K.; Swenson, D. C.; Arnold, M. A.; MacGillivray, L. R.; Tivanski, A. V. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2015, 137, 12768.
• "Achieving dynamic behaviour and thermal expansion in the organic solid state via co-crystallizations", Hutchins, K. M.; Groeneman, R. H.; Reinheimer, E. W.; Swenson, D. C.; MacGillivray, L. R. Chem. Sci. 2015, 6, 4717.
• "Head-to-tail photodimerization of a thiophene in a co-crystal and a rare adipic acid dimer in the presence of a heterosynthon", Hutchins, K. M.; Sumrak, J. C.; MacGillivray, L. R. CrystEngComm2014, 16, 5762. (Special Issue: Functional Co-crystals).
• "Co-crystals of a Salicylideneaniline: Photochromism Involving Planar Dihedral Angles", Hutchins, K. M.; Dutta, S.; Loren, B. P.; MacGillivray, L. R. Chem. Mater. 2014, 26, 3042.
• "Nanocrystals of a Metal-Organic Complex Exhibit Remarkably High Conductivity that Increases in a Single-Crystal-to-Single-Crystal Transformation", Hutchins, K. M.; Rupasinghe, T. P.; Ditzler, L. R.; Swenson, D. C.; Sander, J. R. G.; Baltrusaitis, J.; Tivanski, A. V.; MacGillivray, L. R. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2014, 136, 6778.
• "Resorcinol-Templated Head-to-Head Photodimerization of a Thiophene in the Solid State and Unusual Edge-to-Face Stacking in a Discrete Hydrogen-Bonded Assembly", Hutchins, K. M.; Sumrak, J. C.; MacGillivray, L. R. Org. Lett. 2014, 16, 1052.