Directory

Profile

Dr. Vladimir Benin, originally from Bulgaria, joined the graduate program in chemistry at Vanderbilt University in 1990 and completed his studies in 1995 under the leadership of Professor J.C. Martin. Subsequently, he spent several years in postdoctoral research at Cornell University (1995-97, Professor B. K. Carpenter) and Vanderbilt University (1997-2001, Professor Piotr Kaszynski). Dr. Benin joined the Department of Chemistry at UD in 2001.

Dr. Benin's research is in the areas of Synthetic Organic and Physical Organic Chemistry. His recent research efforts have been focused on the design, preparation and studies of new materials as potential reactive flame retardants. Dr. Benin is the co-founder and co-director of the UD Center for Flame Retardant Material Science. He has also introduced in the department the routine use of modern computational methods, both in upper level chemistry courses and his research.

Faculty perspective

"My goal is to provide UD students with a combination of high-standard classroom education and significant on-hands research exposure in order to provide them with a flexible approach to their post-graduate career choices, graduate school, professional education, industry."

Courses taught

• CHM 313 and 314: Organic Chemistry
• CHM 412 and 512: Intermediate Organic Chemistry
• CHM 426 and 536: Biosynthetic Organic Chemistry
• CHM 124: General Chemistry
• CHM 234: Energy Resources

Research interests

• Design, preparation and studies of new reactive flame retardants
• Preparation and studies of novel heterocyclic structures for advanced material applications
• Computational chemistry and molecular modeling

Selected publications, presentations and sponsored research

Selected Publications

Morgan, A. B.; Benin, V.; Klosterman, D. A.; Bin Sulayman, A.; Mukhtar, M.; Galaska, M. "Organophosphorus-hydrazides as potential reactive flame retardants for epoxy" J. Fire. Sci. 2020, 38(1), 28-52

Byard, B.; Wang, K.; Morgan, A.; Benin, V. "New polyether diols as flame retardants for polyurethane: Derivatives of epoxy‐functionalized phosphonates and phosphates" Fire and Materials 2018, 42, 3-17

Wang, K.; Morgan, A.B.; Benin, V. "Preparation and Studies of New Phosphorus‐containing Diols as Potential Flame Retardants" Fire and Materials 2017, 41(8), 973-983

Benin, V.; Cui, X.; Morgan, A. B.; Seiwert, K. "Synthesis and Flammability Testing of Epoxy Functionalized Phosphorous-based Flame Retardants" J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132 (30), DOI: 10.1002/APP.42296

Benin, V.; Gardelle, B.; Morgan, A. B. "Heat Release of Polyurethanes Containing Potential Flame Retardants Based on Boron and Phosphorus Chemistries" Polym. Degr. Stab. 2014, 106, 108-121

Kuttler, A.; Durganala, S.; Fratini, A.; Morgan, A. B.; Benin, V. "Structure, Theoretical Studies, and Coupling Reactions of Some New Cyclic Boronic Esters" Heteroatom Chem. 2013, 24(5), 361-371

Knachel, H. C.; Benin, V.; Moddeman, W. E.; Birkbeck, J. C.; Kestner, T. A.; Young, T. L. "Characterization by NMR of Reactants and Products of Hydrofluoroether Isomers, CF3(CF2)3OCH3 and (CF3)2C(F)CF2OCH3, Reacting with Isopropyl Alcohol" Magn. Reson. Chem. 2013, 51, 407–413

Ivan, N.; Benin, V.; Morgan, A. "Preparation of Phosphonoterephthalic Acids via Palladium-Catalyzed Coupling of Aromatic Iodoesters" Synth. Commun. 2013, 43, 1831, 1836

Knachel, H. C.; Benin, V.; Barklay, C. D.; Birkbeck, J. C.; Faubion, B. D.; Moddeman, W. E. "Reactions of Methyl Perfluoroalkyl Ethers with Isopropyl Alcohol: Experimental and Theoretical Studies" Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 2012, 51, 10525-10534

Benin, V.; Durganala, S.; Morgan, A. B. "Synthesis and Flame Retardant Testing of New Boronated and Phosphonated Aromatic Compounds" J. Mater. Chem. 2012, 22, 1180-119021 

Recent Conference Presentations (National and International)

Morgan, A. B.; Benin, V.; Klosterman, D. A.; Mukhtar, M.; Bin Sulayman, A.; Galaska, M. "Organophosphorus-hydrazides as potential reactive flame retardants for epoxy" European Meeting on Fire Retardant Polymeric Materials, Turku, Finland, June 26-28, 2019.

Morgan, A. B.; Benin, V.; Klosterman, D. A.; Mukhtar, M.; Bin Sulayman, A.; Galaska, M. "Organophosphorus-hydrazides as potential reactive flame retardants for epoxy" 30th Annual Conference on Recent Advances in Flame Retardancy of Polymeric Materials (2019 BCC Flame Meeting), San Antonio, TX, May 19-22, 2019.

Benin, V., Wang, K.; Morgan, A. B. "Preparation and Studies of New Phosphorus-containing Diols as Potential Flame Retardants" 252nd ACS National Meeting, Philadelphia, Aug. 21-25, 2016.

Benin, V., Morgan, A. B. "New Phosphate Epoxy Flame Retardants for Polyurethanes" 14th International Fire and Materials Conference, San Francisco, CA, Feb. 4, 2015.

Recent Grants and Sponsored Research

Erb, J. (PI), Benin, V. (co-PI), Krane, C. M. (co-PI), Biffinger, J., Masthay, M. B., Swavey, S. M., "Major Research Acquisition (MRI) Request for new 400 MHz NMR", National Science Foundation (NSF), $443,788.00, 2020.

Benin, V. (PI), Morgan, A. B. (Co-PI) "New Non-Halogenated Flame Retardant Chemistries" Israeli Chemical Ltd. (ICL), $65,000.00, May 01, 2014-June 30, 2015.