Coinage metal nanoclusters: synthesis, structure and reactivity. Metal catalysts play important roles in the multi-billion dollar production of many industrial and fine chemicals used in wide-ranging applications including pharmaceuticals, insecticides and polymers. Despite the importance of metal catalysed reactions, the molecular details of such processes remain poorly understood. Breakthrough studies highlight that reactions previously thought to be catalysed by discrete metal catalysts are i ....Coinage metal nanoclusters: synthesis, structure and reactivity. Metal catalysts play important roles in the multi-billion dollar production of many industrial and fine chemicals used in wide-ranging applications including pharmaceuticals, insecticides and polymers. Despite the importance of metal catalysed reactions, the molecular details of such processes remain poorly understood. Breakthrough studies highlight that reactions previously thought to be catalysed by discrete metal catalysts are in fact catalysed by metal nanoclusters. This project involves the application of advanced mass spectrometric and computational methods to explore the formation and reactivity of copper, silver and gold nanoclusters. Identification of key reactive intermediates will inform the design of next generation catalysts.Read moreRead less
A new molecular platform for catalytic synthesis of heterocycles. This project aims to address the lack of efficient methods to prepare cyclic molecules of biological relevance by utilising novel molecular platforms developed in our laboratories. This project expects to generate new cyclic molecules using these innovative molecular platforms by employing catalysts to reduce raw material and energy cost. The expected outcomes of this project include enhanced chemical technology to prepare cyclic ....A new molecular platform for catalytic synthesis of heterocycles. This project aims to address the lack of efficient methods to prepare cyclic molecules of biological relevance by utilising novel molecular platforms developed in our laboratories. This project expects to generate new cyclic molecules using these innovative molecular platforms by employing catalysts to reduce raw material and energy cost. The expected outcomes of this project include enhanced chemical technology to prepare cyclic molecules of pharmaceutical importance and the training of highly skilled PhD students. This should provide significant benefits, such as increased capacity for the development of new pharmaceuticals and advanced materials.Read moreRead less
New vistas in porphyrin chemistry via metal-catalyzed couplings with hydrazine derivatives. This project will address basic scientific questions and develop new substances for use in molecular electronics and cancer therapy. We will make and study entirely new molecules derived from porphyrins, which in Nature have vital roles in photosynthesis, oxygen transport and enzyme catalysis. This breakthrough research will reveal knowledge vital to the advancement of fundamental chemical science and als ....New vistas in porphyrin chemistry via metal-catalyzed couplings with hydrazine derivatives. This project will address basic scientific questions and develop new substances for use in molecular electronics and cancer therapy. We will make and study entirely new molecules derived from porphyrins, which in Nature have vital roles in photosynthesis, oxygen transport and enzyme catalysis. This breakthrough research will reveal knowledge vital to the advancement of fundamental chemical science and also offer excellent training in cutting edge research for young Australian scientists. In addition, porphyrin-like substances are used in cancer diagnosis and treatment and have properties essential for the next generation of nanoelectronic devices, and this project is aimed at these eventual outcomes.Read moreRead less
Supercharging antioxidant capacity. This project aims to deliver improved, tailor-made antioxidants that can better protect key biomolecules and other materials against collateral damage from oxidants within cells. Through fundamental chemistry research, this project aims to understand the relationship between antioxidant capacity and molecular structure, and, through computational chemistry, develop a predictive tool. This, in turn, will provide the means to design molecules that better protect ....Supercharging antioxidant capacity. This project aims to deliver improved, tailor-made antioxidants that can better protect key biomolecules and other materials against collateral damage from oxidants within cells. Through fundamental chemistry research, this project aims to understand the relationship between antioxidant capacity and molecular structure, and, through computational chemistry, develop a predictive tool. This, in turn, will provide the means to design molecules that better protect against oxidative processes. The expected outcome is improved technology to heal tissue damage and inflammation caused by enzymes.Read moreRead less