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New synthetic strategies towards higher order fullerenes. Fullerene or C60 is a novel soccer-ball shaped molecule with many potential applications as new materials and pharmaceutical drugs. This project aims to develop novel methods for the preparation of new fullerene derivatives that will have potential future applications in materials science, medicinal/pharmaceutical chemistry and chemical synthesis.
New Cascade Routes to Biologically Important Molecules. This research involves the development of short and efficient syntheses of several different classes of biologically active molecules using cascade reactions: spectacular events in which many chemical bonds are formed. Two distinct types of cascade reactions will be investigated and naturally-occurring molecules with antineoplastic, anti-immunosuppressive, antiviral and antimalarial activities will be prepared. These new, expedient routes a ....New Cascade Routes to Biologically Important Molecules. This research involves the development of short and efficient syntheses of several different classes of biologically active molecules using cascade reactions: spectacular events in which many chemical bonds are formed. Two distinct types of cascade reactions will be investigated and naturally-occurring molecules with antineoplastic, anti-immunosuppressive, antiviral and antimalarial activities will be prepared. These new, expedient routes allow the preparation of a wide range of structurally-related analogues; an important prerequisite for the preparation of libraries of compounds for biological evaluation. Along the way, important information about the chemical reactivity patterns of a newly-prepared, fundamental class of hydrocarbon molecules will be obtained.Read moreRead less
Asymmetric Synthesis of Bioactive Alkaloids and Analogues via Chiral, Polylfunctionalized-Pyrrolidines. Alkaloids are plant products that have many useful biological and pharmaceutical properties. Many of these compounds have potential as antiviral and anticancer therapeutics. This project aims to develop novel methods of preparing bioactive alkaloids and their structural analogues. These compounds potentially have applications as new potent and less toxic pharmaceutical agents.
New Horizons in Diels-Alder Chemistry. Using a unique joint experimental-computational approach, we will develop reliable ways to predict the outcome of one of the most important chemical reactions. Practical applications of these new predictive tools will be developed involving powerful new versions of the reaction. Several different classes of biologically active natural products will be prepared including molecules with antitumor and antiretroviral activities. Libraries of structurally-relate ....New Horizons in Diels-Alder Chemistry. Using a unique joint experimental-computational approach, we will develop reliable ways to predict the outcome of one of the most important chemical reactions. Practical applications of these new predictive tools will be developed involving powerful new versions of the reaction. Several different classes of biologically active natural products will be prepared including molecules with antitumor and antiretroviral activities. Libraries of structurally-related analogues of natural compounds will be synthesised for biological evaluation.Read moreRead less
The Baylis-Hillman Reaction: Asymmetric Organocatalysis and Applications. Many drugs come in two chiral mirror images (enantiomers) where the therapeutic effect is usually associated with only one while the other has no effect or can be harmful as was the case with thalidomide. Chemical reactions that yield just the desired mirror image, or enantiomer, and not the other are therefore in great demand and heavily pursued by the pharmaceutical, fine chemical and materials industries as a frontier ....The Baylis-Hillman Reaction: Asymmetric Organocatalysis and Applications. Many drugs come in two chiral mirror images (enantiomers) where the therapeutic effect is usually associated with only one while the other has no effect or can be harmful as was the case with thalidomide. Chemical reactions that yield just the desired mirror image, or enantiomer, and not the other are therefore in great demand and heavily pursued by the pharmaceutical, fine chemical and materials industries as a frontier technology. This project will result in the development of novel catalytic reactions that allow the synthesis of chiral chemicals in a cost-efficient and green manner needed by many industries, and also training of students with highly desirable synthetic skills to lead the next wave in pharmaceuticals and biotechnology.Read moreRead less
Organic Linchpin Reagents to Construct Structural Diversity and Complexity. High-energy chemical species such as carbenes, nitrenes or free radicals are often used as reactive intermediates in organic reactions to rapidly generate new bonds, structures and structural complexities. Due to their reactive nature, traditionally only one type of high-energy chemical species can be featured at a time to avoid unwanted complicated side reactions. This project aims to develop novel synthetic substrates ....Organic Linchpin Reagents to Construct Structural Diversity and Complexity. High-energy chemical species such as carbenes, nitrenes or free radicals are often used as reactive intermediates in organic reactions to rapidly generate new bonds, structures and structural complexities. Due to their reactive nature, traditionally only one type of high-energy chemical species can be featured at a time to avoid unwanted complicated side reactions. This project aims to develop novel synthetic substrates bearing multiple carbene and nitrene precursors of different types. These high-energy intermediates can be released in a relayed fashion by controlling orthogonal stimuli and therefore acting as linchpin reagents for quick construction of bio- or photo-active compounds and unprecedented complicated structures.Read moreRead less
Supramolecular assembly in photovoltaic electrode design: Studies of ordered porphyrin/acceptor complexes on polythiophene electrodes. This research outlines an improved way to develop dye-sensitised photovoltaic solar cells for the conversion of sunlight into electricity, by increasing the molecular order of the cell components using host, guest interrelationships. As such, it addresses a problem of international concern 'How to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and stop global warming?' since s ....Supramolecular assembly in photovoltaic electrode design: Studies of ordered porphyrin/acceptor complexes on polythiophene electrodes. This research outlines an improved way to develop dye-sensitised photovoltaic solar cells for the conversion of sunlight into electricity, by increasing the molecular order of the cell components using host, guest interrelationships. As such, it addresses a problem of international concern 'How to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and stop global warming?' since solar cells do not produce carbon dioxide. To achieve our goals we draw on the skills of a team of experts from Australia (synthetic organic chemists), New Zealand (polymer and surface chemists) and Italy (photochemist and photophysicist). Such research is very appropriate for regional Australia, especially Central Queensland.Read moreRead less
Getting the reaction outcomes you want: towards solvent-controlled reactivity using ionic liquids. Ionic liquids can replace existing reaction solvents, which may be volatile, flammable and toxic. However, the effect on the reaction outcome of such a replacement is poorly understood. This project aims to identify cases where ionic liquids will benefit a reaction, resulting in the development of improved processes.
Self-Assembled Porphyrin-Fullerene Photovoltaic Electrodes: Towards Nanostructured Organic Solar Cells. Energy is arguably the single most important problem facing humanity today. The development of cheap, efficient photovoltaic technology could dramatically change this, providing humanity with renewable, environmentally acceptable energy resources. The need to replace present electrical energy generation, largely based on fossil fuel, is without argument given the detrimental effects of global ....Self-Assembled Porphyrin-Fullerene Photovoltaic Electrodes: Towards Nanostructured Organic Solar Cells. Energy is arguably the single most important problem facing humanity today. The development of cheap, efficient photovoltaic technology could dramatically change this, providing humanity with renewable, environmentally acceptable energy resources. The need to replace present electrical energy generation, largely based on fossil fuel, is without argument given the detrimental effects of global warming from increasing carbon dioxide production. The development and implementation of cheap, efficient photovoltaic technologies in Australia will not only ensure its sustainable economic growth but also contribute in a major way to the improved use of land, water, mineral and other energy resources in Australia. 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