Tunable metallophthalocyanine complexes for molecular electronics. There is growing momentum in the use of molecules, both synthetic and natural, in nanotechnological electronic devices. This research investigates technologically interesting electronic materials using new metal-containing compounds and explores their application as components of molecular electronic systems.
Because fundamental aspects of molecular electronic systems have been targeted, the knowledge gained from these investiga ....Tunable metallophthalocyanine complexes for molecular electronics. There is growing momentum in the use of molecules, both synthetic and natural, in nanotechnological electronic devices. This research investigates technologically interesting electronic materials using new metal-containing compounds and explores their application as components of molecular electronic systems.
Because fundamental aspects of molecular electronic systems have been targeted, the knowledge gained from these investigations will have significant impact on the field of nanotechnology and contribute to Australia's reputation as a source of innovative research and ideas in an area where there is growing international interest.
Read moreRead less
Dinuclear Ruthenium Complexes as Sequence- and Structure-Selective Binding Agents for DNA. Studies of the interaction of mononuclear metal complexes with DNA have greatly increased our understanding of the ways that small molecules recognise particular sites on DNA. However, in order to design drugs that target specific genes, and hence be potentially capable of controlling gene expression, it is necessary to study the binding of metal complexes that can associate with larger segments of DNA. ....Dinuclear Ruthenium Complexes as Sequence- and Structure-Selective Binding Agents for DNA. Studies of the interaction of mononuclear metal complexes with DNA have greatly increased our understanding of the ways that small molecules recognise particular sites on DNA. However, in order to design drugs that target specific genes, and hence be potentially capable of controlling gene expression, it is necessary to study the binding of metal complexes that can associate with larger segments of DNA. Using the combined expertise of the applicants, it is proposed to stereospecifically synthesise dinuclear complexes and study their DNA binding. This will greatly assist in the development of drugs that can selectively target genes and altered DNA.Read moreRead less
New Methods to Harvest Light: Towards Better Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells. Dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC) technology has emerged as a complementary energy source to silicon photovoltaic technology. The efficiency of the DSC relies heavily on sensitizing molecules to absorb solar photons and then transfer electrons to a semi-conducting particle. This project will investigate new sensitizing methods using a combination of different dyes which work cooperatively to absorb a large part of the solar ....New Methods to Harvest Light: Towards Better Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells. Dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC) technology has emerged as a complementary energy source to silicon photovoltaic technology. The efficiency of the DSC relies heavily on sensitizing molecules to absorb solar photons and then transfer electrons to a semi-conducting particle. This project will investigate new sensitizing methods using a combination of different dyes which work cooperatively to absorb a large part of the solar spectrum and efficiently inject electrons into a semi-conducting particles. The development and understanding of these new methods to sensitize the dye-sensitized solar cell should lead to new and better solar cells.Read moreRead less
Understanding biological nitrogen fixation: an investigation of multi-electron reduction catalysis at novel iron-sulfur clusters. A new class of iron-sulfur clusters held together by a central light atom will be prepared and their reactions thoroughly studied. These clusters are important because they will have the same structure as the iron-molybdenum cluster of the enzyme nitrogenase. This enzyme fixes atmospheric nitrogen as ammonia. It is the primary route of nitrogen entry into all living s ....Understanding biological nitrogen fixation: an investigation of multi-electron reduction catalysis at novel iron-sulfur clusters. A new class of iron-sulfur clusters held together by a central light atom will be prepared and their reactions thoroughly studied. These clusters are important because they will have the same structure as the iron-molybdenum cluster of the enzyme nitrogenase. This enzyme fixes atmospheric nitrogen as ammonia. It is the primary route of nitrogen entry into all living systems. Industrially ammonia is produced in an energy-demanding process on a vast scale. The studies will provide insights into how nitrogenase works and how to design new multi-electron reduction catalysts. The research may lead to new energy-efficient routes to ammonia and to other new alternative fuel sources. Such processes would transform Australian industry and how we live.Read moreRead less
New Strategies for Modelling Polyoxometalates. Polyoxometalates are a versatile class of genuine nanomaterials with remarkable chemical and physical properties and dimensions ranging from tens to tens of thousands of atoms. Designing functional materials which exploit their enormous potential is limited by practical difficulties in their structural characterization and restrictions on our ability to model their behaviour. In this project, we will develop a new strategy for computer modelling of ....New Strategies for Modelling Polyoxometalates. Polyoxometalates are a versatile class of genuine nanomaterials with remarkable chemical and physical properties and dimensions ranging from tens to tens of thousands of atoms. Designing functional materials which exploit their enormous potential is limited by practical difficulties in their structural characterization and restrictions on our ability to model their behaviour. In this project, we will develop a new strategy for computer modelling of polyoxometalates based on the classical molecular mechanics approach and high-level techniques. This novel line of attack will be exploited in the characterization of large and highly substituted derivatives which are key to developing functional materials.Read moreRead less
Bifunctional Metal Complexes as Artificial Nucleases. This study will develop new compounds with designed and molecularly engineered shapes which bind either one or two metal ions and act as artificial nucleases (i.e. catalyse the cleavage of DNA). It will produce and examine the properties and reactions of molecules which provide two linked or adjacent DNA interaction sites and which influence and direct biological activity through their shape, size and metal binding groups. Investigations will ....Bifunctional Metal Complexes as Artificial Nucleases. This study will develop new compounds with designed and molecularly engineered shapes which bind either one or two metal ions and act as artificial nucleases (i.e. catalyse the cleavage of DNA). It will produce and examine the properties and reactions of molecules which provide two linked or adjacent DNA interaction sites and which influence and direct biological activity through their shape, size and metal binding groups. Investigations will be pursued of the reactivity of copper, zinc and cobalt complexes of these molecules as artificial nucleases with model systems and for site-specific RNA and DNA cleavage of potential pharmaceutical interest.Read moreRead less
Anion Binding and Sensing With Self-Assembled Metallo-Supramolecular Assemblies. Anions are of particular significance in several areas relating to the day-to-day lives of Australians; for example as contaminants in waterways and nuclear waste streams, as indicators of chemical weapons, and as antagonists in biological systems. The proposed research programme will investigate a relatively unexplored approach to binding and sensing anions. This will further research in the area of supramolecular ....Anion Binding and Sensing With Self-Assembled Metallo-Supramolecular Assemblies. Anions are of particular significance in several areas relating to the day-to-day lives of Australians; for example as contaminants in waterways and nuclear waste streams, as indicators of chemical weapons, and as antagonists in biological systems. The proposed research programme will investigate a relatively unexplored approach to binding and sensing anions. This will further research in the area of supramolecular chemistry, providing additional research expertise in this rapidly progressing area of the chemical sciences. In terms of Breakthrough science the targeted assemblies will shed further light on self-assembly processes involving ligands with different domains, placing Australian research at the forefront of such investigations.Read moreRead less
Reactions of Coordinated Dinitrogen. The program will develop novel metal-based catalysts and reagents that will transform nitrogen gas into ammonia and other nitrogen-containing compounds (nitrogen fixation). This fundamental chemical transformation underpins major chemical industries and this new approach using organometallic catalysts will significantly improve the efficiency of ammonia production and reduce the energy and harsh reaction conditions currently required. This program will desi ....Reactions of Coordinated Dinitrogen. The program will develop novel metal-based catalysts and reagents that will transform nitrogen gas into ammonia and other nitrogen-containing compounds (nitrogen fixation). This fundamental chemical transformation underpins major chemical industries and this new approach using organometallic catalysts will significantly improve the efficiency of ammonia production and reduce the energy and harsh reaction conditions currently required. This program will design catalysts with multiple complementary metal centres tailored to bind and activate nitrogen gas to facilitate its reaction with hydrogen or other reagents.Read moreRead less
An Integrated Synthetic and NMR Spectroscopic Study of Photochemical Organometallic Bond Activation. Modifications of alkanes and related processes under study will occupy the heart of next generation catalysed chemical processes that may ultimately be used globally on a vast scale. A detailed knowledge of mechanism is the precursor to rational design and improvement of catalysed processes, making them more efficient and greener. This will allow better usage of Australia's natural gas and preci ....An Integrated Synthetic and NMR Spectroscopic Study of Photochemical Organometallic Bond Activation. Modifications of alkanes and related processes under study will occupy the heart of next generation catalysed chemical processes that may ultimately be used globally on a vast scale. A detailed knowledge of mechanism is the precursor to rational design and improvement of catalysed processes, making them more efficient and greener. This will allow better usage of Australia's natural gas and precious metal resources and benefit local chemical companies. Specialized new NMR technology that will greatly aid a wide range of local researchers will be developed to facilitate these studies. The researchers of the future will also be trained.Read moreRead less
A new metalloprotein-inspired methodology for energy-efficient chemical reduction. Chemical reduction, a core process in chemistry and industry, is carried out on an enormous scale using present-day technology that is extremely energy wasteful and irreversibly consumes resources. This project aims to provide a new sustainable methodology for chemical reduction using sophisticated bio-inspired metal (electro) catalysts.