About The Author

Herman H. Odens, known by his students as Dr. H2O, is a university professor of organic chemistry. He is the author of several international and American Chemical Society journals in organic and medicinal chemistry and is the coauthor of three research patents. Dr. H2O obtained his BS in chemistry from the University of South Alabama, and his MS from West Virginia University where he pursued the synthesis of organometallic compounds using chromium and tungsten carbenes as precursors for his syntheses. At the University of Florida, he obtained his PhD and specialized in the synthesis of heterocyclic compounds. He completed post-Doctoral work at Wake Forrest University School of Medicine which involved the synthesis and screening of novel inhibitors of the thioesterase domain of human fatty acid synthase, FASN-TE, a key target in cancer treatment. His work in the pharmaceutical industry and academia has led to his research interest in the areas of cancer, anti-infective diseases, central nervous systems, cardiovascular disorders, and chemical methodologies. His dedication to teaching inspired him to launch the Organic Chemistry Academy to share his knowledge with students around the world. In the classroom, Dr. H2O challenges his students to be divergent thinkers and to be confident to exchange ideas when asked about a subject in organic chemistry. He enjoys teaching laboratories and guiding his students to reach their full potential in understanding chemistry and getting real life experiences on the subject. He comes to class with a positive attitude and tries to make the class fun, informative, and challenging at the same time. When he sees that his students respond to his class questions and are engaged in the subject being taught, he feels a great level of accomplishment. Also, he likes spending time with his students outside the classroom playing intramural sports, particularly soccer, or being a school club sponsor. He has taught organic chemistry to thousands of students pursuing pre-professional degrees. Dr. H2O truly appreciates the outdoors and loves spending time with family and friends. He also enjoys traveling abroad. He is a crafty woodworker at his home’s workshop making furniture and bird houses as his hobby. “For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul” (Proverbs 2:10). Selected Peer-reviewed Journal Articles Novel one-pot synthesis of 2-thio-substituted-3-H-phenothiazin-3-ones driven by oxidation with sodium periodate, Odens Jr., H. H.; You, J. Y.; Gallimore, A. D.; Palm, P. H.; Davis, C. W.; Bahena, J. M.; Moser, J. S.; Smith, M. E.; Odens, H. H. Beilstein Arch. 2022, 202236. doi:10.3762/bxiv.2022.36.v1 An Efficient Method for the Synthesis of 6,7-Bis(alkylthio- or alkylamino-substituted)quinoline-5,8-diones via Nucleophilic Addition/Oxidation of Alkylthio and Alkylamino Derivatives to Quinoline-5,8-dione, Odens, H. H., Silva, T. S., Olusola, C. N., Odens Jr., H. H., Howe, V. A., Wijatyk, A. I., Arkivoc, 2021, x, 54-63. doi: https://doi.org/10.24820/ark.5550190.p011.428 Inhibition of the Thioesterase Activity of Human Fatty Acid Synthase by 1,4- and 9,10-Diones, Odens, H., Lowther, T., Kridel, S., Watts, L., Filipponi, L., Schmitt, J. Chem. Pharm. Bull. 2014, 62(9), 1-4. Intramolecular Cyclization Reactions of Unsaturated Amino Fischer Chromium Carbenes forming Indoles and Quinolines, Söderberg*, B. C.; Shriver, J. A.; Cooper, S. H.; Shrout, T. L.; Helton, E. S.; Austin, L. R.; Odens, H. H.; Hearn, B. R.; Jones, P, C.; Kouadio, T. N.; Ngi, T. H.; Baswell, R.; Caprara, H. J.; Meritta, M. D.; Mai, T. T. Tetrahedron 2003, 59, 8775. Novel Syntheses of 2,3-Dihydro-1,5-benzothiazepin-4(5H)-ones and 2H-1,4-Benzothiazin-3(4H)-ones, Katritzky*, A. R.; Odens, H. H.; Zhang, S.; Rostek, C. J.; Maender, O. W. J. Org. Chem. 2001, 66, 6792. Rubber Chemicals Derived from Conjugate Addition I. Synthesis of Novel 2-Thio-5-Amino Substituted Benzoquinones, Katritzky*, A. R.; Odens, H. H.; Voronkov, M. V.; Rostek, C. J.; Maender, O. W. Rubber Chemistry and Technology 2001, 74, 915. Rubber Chemicals Derived from Conjugate Addition II. Synthesis of a Novel Class of Benzoquinone Diimines, Katritzky*, A. R.; Odens, H. H.; Voronkov, M. V.; Rostek, C. J.; Maender, O. W. Rubber Chemistry and Technology 2001, 74, 927. Masked Formylation with 2-Benzotriazolyl-1,3-dioxolane, a Novel Formyl Cation Equivalent, Katritzky*, A. R.; Odens, H. H.; Voronkov, M. V. J. Org. Chem. 2000, 65, 1886. Photolytic Reaction of alpha-Hydroxy Substituted Fischer Carbene Complexes: Synthesis of alpha-Hydroxy Esters, Söderberg*, B. C., and Odens, H. H., Organometallics 1996, 15, 5080. Novel Intramolecular Cycloaddition Reactions of Arylamino-Substituted Fischer Chromium Carbenes, Söderberg*, B. C.; Helton, E. S.; Austin, L. R.; Odens, H. H. J. Org. Chem. 1993, 58, 5589. Patent Applications US20130345270 A1 / WO2012064632A1 (Patent): Methods of Treating Cancer and Other Disorders, Kridel, Steve J. (US); Lowther, W. Todd (US); Odens, Herman, H. (US); Schmitt, Jeffrey, D. (US), 2013. US2004006162 / EP1335900 / WO0242262A2 (Patent): Alkylthio- and aryl(heteroyl)thio-substituted p-phenylenediamines, their manufacture and their use in rubber, Maender, Otto William (US); Rostek, Charles J (US); Katritzky, Alan R (US); Odens, Herman H. (US); Voronkov, Michael V. (US), 2004. US2002128499 / WO0246149 (Patent): 2-Thio-5-amino substituted benzoquinones, their manufacture and their use in rubber, Maender, Otto William (US); Rostek, Charles J (US); Katritzky, Alan R (US); Odens, Herman H. (US); Voronkov, Michael V. (US), 2002.