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
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
Boryl Pincers and Beyond: Taming Borometallic Chemistry. Industrial applications of coordination complexes in catalysis reduce energy input and environmental impact but almost exclusively involve classical donors such as nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur and phosphorus. Boron, whilst prevalent and environmentally benign, is under-utilised in such applications, in part due to the high reactivity of the metal boron bond.
This research will seek to tame and then exploit the unique features of boron within p ....Boryl Pincers and Beyond: Taming Borometallic Chemistry. Industrial applications of coordination complexes in catalysis reduce energy input and environmental impact but almost exclusively involve classical donors such as nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur and phosphorus. Boron, whilst prevalent and environmentally benign, is under-utilised in such applications, in part due to the high reactivity of the metal boron bond.
This research will seek to tame and then exploit the unique features of boron within pincer ligand frameworks in metal coordination complexes, with particular attention focusing on, but not limited to catalytic alkyne metathesis.Read moreRead less
Mitochondrial targeting by a new class of gadolinium agents. This research project will lead to the development of new molecular agents containing the element gadolinium which can selectively accumulate within cell mitochondria, with a long-term application in cutting-edge therapies involving X-rays or neutrons. The lanthanoid element gadolinium offers many unique opportunities for medicinal chemistry and this project will generate new knowledge in bioinorganic chemistry and synchrotron science. ....Mitochondrial targeting by a new class of gadolinium agents. This research project will lead to the development of new molecular agents containing the element gadolinium which can selectively accumulate within cell mitochondria, with a long-term application in cutting-edge therapies involving X-rays or neutrons. The lanthanoid element gadolinium offers many unique opportunities for medicinal chemistry and this project will generate new knowledge in bioinorganic chemistry and synchrotron science. The expected outcomes of this research will address many of the unresolved questions regarding mitochondrially-targeted gadolinium complexes, the first such agents specifically designed for potential long-term application in binary therapies and imaging.Read moreRead less
Magnesium(I) complexes: Potent workhorse reagents. This project aims to install magnesium(I) compounds as powerful and selective reagents to prepare metal-metal bonded compound classes that are otherwise inaccessible. These environmentally benign species will be viable alternatives to established systems, incorporating expensive and toxic metals, which are currently used for the stoichiometric/catalytic transformation of small molecules to value added products. The project is expected to cement ....Magnesium(I) complexes: Potent workhorse reagents. This project aims to install magnesium(I) compounds as powerful and selective reagents to prepare metal-metal bonded compound classes that are otherwise inaccessible. These environmentally benign species will be viable alternatives to established systems, incorporating expensive and toxic metals, which are currently used for the stoichiometric/catalytic transformation of small molecules to value added products. The project is expected to cement Australia's internationally leading role in the emerging field of low oxidation state s-block chemistry. The development and commercialisation of magnesium(I), and related compounds as reagents for the selective synthesis of value added products will provide significant economic benefits to fine chemicals industries.Read moreRead less
Teaching Main Group Compounds to Activate Catalytically Relevant Bonds. The project aims to generate novel, earth abundant main group compounds, with the ultimate objective of developing these as sustainable replacements for toxic/expensive late transition metal complexes, that are currently central to numerous stoichiometric and catalytic synthetic transformations. The project expects to generate major fundamental and applied advances in chemistry, using innovative synthetic and computational a ....Teaching Main Group Compounds to Activate Catalytically Relevant Bonds. The project aims to generate novel, earth abundant main group compounds, with the ultimate objective of developing these as sustainable replacements for toxic/expensive late transition metal complexes, that are currently central to numerous stoichiometric and catalytic synthetic transformations. The project expects to generate major fundamental and applied advances in chemistry, using innovative synthetic and computational approaches, and a multidisciplinary collaborative team. Expected outcomes include building of academic and, later, industrial research capacity, knowledge, an international research network, and a highly trained workforce. Success should see substantial economic, environmental and societal benefits flowing to Australia.Read moreRead less
Antimicrobial and anti-Leishmanial bismuth compounds and materials. The project aims to develop the bioinorganic and medicinal chemistry of bismuth and related metals to address two global health issues: parasitic infections (principally Leishmaniasis) and antibacterial resistance. Through targeting serious microbial infections, the project will research the chemical, physical, structural and biological properties of bismuth and related metals. The project will form bio-protective materials and ....Antimicrobial and anti-Leishmanial bismuth compounds and materials. The project aims to develop the bioinorganic and medicinal chemistry of bismuth and related metals to address two global health issues: parasitic infections (principally Leishmaniasis) and antibacterial resistance. Through targeting serious microbial infections, the project will research the chemical, physical, structural and biological properties of bismuth and related metals. The project will form bio-protective materials and surfaces through incorporating bismuth and its compounds into polymer matrices. It will establish the complexes’ chemical biology and toxicology through scrutinising cellular mechanisms, particularly modern metallomic techniques. New compounds developed may address the urgent and significant health issue of antibiotic resistance and help address poorly treated parasitic infections.Read moreRead less
Synthesis, Synergy and Sustainability: Development of active-metal reagents. The design and realisation of new and important molecules requires innovative and efficient methods. This project will create a new store of active-metal molecular tools for the selective, catalytic and atom efficient construction of a diverse library of phosphorus heterocyclic scaffolds and chemical feedstocks relevant to biological, medicinal, and materials chemistry, and the fine chemical industry. Parallel studies e ....Synthesis, Synergy and Sustainability: Development of active-metal reagents. The design and realisation of new and important molecules requires innovative and efficient methods. This project will create a new store of active-metal molecular tools for the selective, catalytic and atom efficient construction of a diverse library of phosphorus heterocyclic scaffolds and chemical feedstocks relevant to biological, medicinal, and materials chemistry, and the fine chemical industry. Parallel studies employing environmentally friendly and benign deep eutectic solvents will allow for replacement of traditional hazardous volatile organic solvents, putting the newly created active-metal reagents at the forefront of the necessary shift towards a more sustainable and 'green' polar organometallic chemistry. Read moreRead less