Professor Emeritus, Organometallic Chemistry, Electrochemistry, Ligand and Substituent Effects
Warren Giering retired in 2008 after 37 years at Boston University as a scientist and educator. Known for his highly engaging teaching style, Prof. Giering effortlessly conveyed complex chemical concepts to hundreds of undergraduates. During the last 20 years of his research, he had a highly successful collaboration with his now fellow emeritus, Prof. Alfred Prock, in the areas of organometallic electrochemistry and applications and development of ligand effect studies. Together they developed a linear regression model for a phosphine ligand, Quantitative Analysis of Ligand Effects (QALE: www.bu.edu/qale), in which they combine four parameters: the σ electron donor capacity; steric repulsion; Ear, and the ∏ electron acceptor capacity. The benefit of QALE is that it greatly enhances the power of correlation analysis via Linear Free Energy Relationships in organic chemistry.
Prof. Giering joined the Chemistry in 1971 as an assistant professor and was promoted to full professor in 1996. In addition to his teaching and research, Prof. Giering provided unstinting service to the Department, including being Associate Chair from 2005 until 2007.