Group 13 Mixed Halide-Hydride and Rare Earth Complexes - New Selective Chiral Hydridic or Low Valent Reducing Agents. This project will make a landmark contribution to two areas of metallohydride chemistry. Both studies will utilise and develop metals that have traditionally been mined and exported from these shores while concurrently imported as value added products at vastly inflated cost. This research will identify knock-on applications in order to stem this financial bias. The new paths to ....Group 13 Mixed Halide-Hydride and Rare Earth Complexes - New Selective Chiral Hydridic or Low Valent Reducing Agents. This project will make a landmark contribution to two areas of metallohydride chemistry. Both studies will utilise and develop metals that have traditionally been mined and exported from these shores while concurrently imported as value added products at vastly inflated cost. This research will identify knock-on applications in order to stem this financial bias. The new paths to rare earth (= Ln) hydrides will have broad industrial appeal, particularly for new materials, where, like similar group 13 materials, they may be used in the deposition of Ln films or even as precursors to superconducting solids. It is anticipated industrial collaboration will ensue. Australia will be promoted as a developer and innovator of frontier technologies.Read moreRead less
The systematic development of fundamentally important group 15 compounds: their applications to innovative industrial and environmental processes. The strong coordinating ability of organo-phosphorus/arsonic acids will be harnessed to support a series of metallic clusters that will be exploited for their use as magnetic materials in gas storage and as catalysts. The novel acids will be investigated for use as water soluble purification agents for, for example, mercury, uranium and lead.
Quantum-chemical design of stereoregular polyphosphines for nanowires. In this project we will be designing and producing stereoregular polyphosphines that can self-assemble gold and silver complexes that mimic the molecular architectures of DNA and certain proteins. The longer gold complexes will behave as insulated nanowires, and are an exciting prospect for the development of nanotechnological devices. The shorter silver and gold complexes are expected to have significant antitumour propertie ....Quantum-chemical design of stereoregular polyphosphines for nanowires. In this project we will be designing and producing stereoregular polyphosphines that can self-assemble gold and silver complexes that mimic the molecular architectures of DNA and certain proteins. The longer gold complexes will behave as insulated nanowires, and are an exciting prospect for the development of nanotechnological devices. The shorter silver and gold complexes are expected to have significant antitumour properties. This project, which will use a unique theoretical-experimental approach to design the stereoregular polyphosphines, will enhance Australia's international scientific reputation, and will contribute to technological advancement in the national priority areas of nanotechnology and biotechnology.Read moreRead less
Challenging targets in rare earth metal-organic chemistry. This project aims to prepare highly reactive rare earth organometallic and metal-organic compounds, especially from the free metals, and to determine their structures and reactivity. Abundant rare earth resources position Australia to be a major supplier of these strategic elements. The challenging target systems include coordination stabilised novel ligands, pseudo-Grignard reagents LnR(X) including the rare fluorides, complexes primed ....Challenging targets in rare earth metal-organic chemistry. This project aims to prepare highly reactive rare earth organometallic and metal-organic compounds, especially from the free metals, and to determine their structures and reactivity. Abundant rare earth resources position Australia to be a major supplier of these strategic elements. The challenging target systems include coordination stabilised novel ligands, pseudo-Grignard reagents LnR(X) including the rare fluorides, complexes primed for carbon-fluorine activation, and intermediates from use of lanthanoid reagents in organic synthesis. The project will provide a knowledge base and expertise for the utilisation of Australia's abundant rare earths and will transform the current behaviour of the elements. It builds the expertise and knowledge needed to underpin Australian rare earth processing and develops the breakthrough science needed for new applications in fine chemical manufacturing, catalysis and recycling.Read moreRead less
Earth Abundant Metal Complexes for Nitrogen Activation. This project aims to develop a range of complexes based around earth abundant metals that are capable of activating nitrogen (N2) at ambient pressure and temperature. The project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of organometallic chemistry, specifically with regards to molecular metal-metal bonding and subsequent reactivity towards the activation of nitrogen. The activation of atmospheric nitrogen is performed on a multi-millio ....Earth Abundant Metal Complexes for Nitrogen Activation. This project aims to develop a range of complexes based around earth abundant metals that are capable of activating nitrogen (N2) at ambient pressure and temperature. The project expects to generate new knowledge in the area of organometallic chemistry, specifically with regards to molecular metal-metal bonding and subsequent reactivity towards the activation of nitrogen. The activation of atmospheric nitrogen is performed on a multi-million tonne scale each year and is key to a number of industrial processes. As such, investigations into new and improved catalysts for this process would potentially bring huge financial benefits to industry, as well as benefiting the environment by reducing energy demand and associated climate change.Read moreRead less
Borametallacycles: confluence of metallacycle and boracycle chemistries. Metallacycles are cyclic structures constructed from a transition metal and the first row elements, such as carbon, nitrogen and oxygen. They underpin numerous technological applications in catalysis and materials chemistry. Borametallacycles which include the missing element boron will be explored with a view to developing new materials with novel properties.
New Boron and Gadolinium Agents for Neutron Capture Therapy. The development of new drugs and treatments for cancer is highly important for improved health outcomes and the well-being of the community. This research has the potential to result in the development of new anticancer pharmaceuticals that will dramatically expand the clinical efficacy of a promising treatment for highly aggressive tumours. The innovative nature of this research will also contribute to Australia's science knowledge ....New Boron and Gadolinium Agents for Neutron Capture Therapy. The development of new drugs and treatments for cancer is highly important for improved health outcomes and the well-being of the community. This research has the potential to result in the development of new anticancer pharmaceuticals that will dramatically expand the clinical efficacy of a promising treatment for highly aggressive tumours. The innovative nature of this research will also contribute to Australia's science knowledge base, a key element in its future economic prosperity, and it will provide excellent training of young researchers for employment in the rapidly expanding field of drug design and development.Read moreRead less
Modern Low Oxidation State/Low Coordination Main Group Chemistry: A New Domain for Australian Science. The proposed research will benefit Australia by creating a knowledge base in an internationally important area of chemistry. This will be aided by the return to Australia of an international leader in the field. Through an integrated and interdisciplinary approach, the exploitation of technologies arising from the research program will be explored. In addition to the academic community, these ....Modern Low Oxidation State/Low Coordination Main Group Chemistry: A New Domain for Australian Science. The proposed research will benefit Australia by creating a knowledge base in an internationally important area of chemistry. This will be aided by the return to Australia of an international leader in the field. Through an integrated and interdisciplinary approach, the exploitation of technologies arising from the research program will be explored. In addition to the academic community, these technologies will benefit hi-tech industries including pharmaceutical and fine chemicals concerns which will gain from the use of the proposed group 13 heterocycles in organic synthesis. Moreover, industries reliant on polymer supports in catalytic process or opto-electronic polymers will profit from the various polymers derived from phosphaalkynes.Read moreRead less
Advancing the chemistry of topical rare earth metals. Abundant rare earth resources positions Australia to be a major supplier of these strategic elements and overcome the shortage created by the Chinese monopoly and export restrictions. This project will build the expertise and knowledge needed to underpin Australian rare earth processing and develop the breakthrough science needed for new applications.
Combating Antimicrobial Resistance with Bismuth, Gallium and Indium. This research project focuses on the design, development, and application of new bismuth, gallium and indium compounds as antimicrobial agents. These metals act as iron mimics in vivo and can exert antimicrobial activity while displaying low systemic toxicity in humans. The project aims to exploit this, and the inability of microbes to easily develop resistance towards metals, to combat bacteria for which modern drugs are rapid ....Combating Antimicrobial Resistance with Bismuth, Gallium and Indium. This research project focuses on the design, development, and application of new bismuth, gallium and indium compounds as antimicrobial agents. These metals act as iron mimics in vivo and can exert antimicrobial activity while displaying low systemic toxicity in humans. The project aims to exploit this, and the inability of microbes to easily develop resistance towards metals, to combat bacteria for which modern drugs are rapidly becoming ineffective, as highlighted in the WHO and US Centre for Disease Control list of critical and priority pathogens. The intended outcome is that efficacy will be driven through advances in synthetic and structural chemistry, discovering the mode of action, and creating anti-infective coatings and hydrogels.Read moreRead less