Faculty Profiles


faculty photo of timothy wilkinson chemistry emeriti

Timothy Wilknson, Ph.D.

Professor of Chemistry Emeritus

On Faculty since 1980, Retired in 2017



timothy.wilkinson@wheaton.edu

After receiving his doctoral degree, Dr. Wilkinson completed post-doctoral work at Yale University in the synthesis of precursors in the biosynthetic pathway of penicillins and morphine alkaloids. He then taught at Michigan State University, and began teaching at Wheaton in 1980. Dr. Wilkinson is currently interested in the synthetic methods of alkaloids and enjoys working with students on a variety of research projects in synthetic organic chemistry.

Dr. Wilkinson is an avid Bible reader and enjoys arranging and playing hymns on the classical guitar.

Texas A&M University
Ph.D. Organic Chemistry, 1975

Western Illinois University
M.S. Organic Chemistry, 1972

Western Illinois University
B.S. Chemistry, 1968

  • Applications of Chemistry
  • General Chemistry
  • Organic Chemistry I and II
  • Synthesis and Analysis 
  • Safety and Literature
  • Special Topics
  • Independent Study—Organic Synthesis

American Chemical Society

Individual: Synthesis of 4-Alkyl-4-hydroxy-N-alkyl-2-pyrrolidinones, Synthesis of Isotopically Labeled Codeine and Morphine Alkaloids, Nucleophilic Ring Opening Reactions of Dibenzazocine Salts, Synthesis and Cyclization Reactions of 4-Aryl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids

“Synthesis of 4-Substituted and 1,4-Disubstituted-4-hydroxypyrrolidin-2-ones” Wilkinson, T. J., Kinsinger, C. R., Tatko, C.D., Whelan, C.M. Synthetic Communications, 2007, 37(11), 1845-1852.

Wilkinson, Timothy J., Stehle, Nathan W., Beaker, Peter, 2000. Enantioselective Syntheses of 2-Alkyl- and 2,6-Dialkylpiperidine Alkaloids: Preparations of the Hydrochlorides of (-)-Coniine, (-)-Solenopsin A, and (-)-Dihydropinidine. Org. Lett. 2(2): 155.