Rate My Professor Brad Neal

Neal's research specializes in inorganic and organometallic chemistry, particularly the synthesis, redox behavior, complexation, and self-assembly of azulene-based π-linkers with mercapto and isocyano anchoring groups on Au(111) surfaces, as well as ancillary nitrile substituents for spectroscopic monitoring. His key publications include 'Linear 6,6′-biazulenyl framework featuring isocyanide termini: synthesis, structure, redox behavior, complexation, and self-assembly on Au(111)' in the Journal of the American Chemical Society (2010); 'First π-linker featuring mercapto and isocyano anchoring groups within the same molecule: synthesis, heterobimetallic complexation and self-assembly on Au(111)' in Chemical Science (2016); 'Renaissance of Isocyanoarenes as Ligands in Low-Valent Organometallics' and contributions to the book Isocyanide Chemistry (both 2012); and 'Ancillary nitrile substituents as convenient IR spectroscopic reporters for self-assembly of mercapto- and isocyanoazulenes on Au(111)' in Chemical Communications (2011). He has presented on reconfiguring general chemistry laboratories, improving lab skills for undergraduates, and low-valent organometallics incorporating the 2,2′-biazulenyl motif at American Chemical Society meetings. Neal supports teaching through a YouTube channel dedicated to general chemistry courses like Chem 150 and has reviewed open educational resources such as Chemistry 2e. His work has garnered citations in surface and coordination chemistry fields.