Heterocyclic synthesis; Pyrrole and porphyrin chemistry; Organic sulfur chemistry (tetrathiafulvalene); Synthesis of macrocycles and interlocked molecules; Ultra-high pressure synthesis. For a recent summary of synthetic work in our laboratory see Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2015, 11, 1112–1122.

The aim of the project is to design,  synthesise and study interlocked molecular systems, where it is possible to control the motion of one component relative to another. Suitable systems include rotaxanes, pseudorotaxanes and catenanes.

For example, the electron-accepting macrocyclic ring cyclobis(paraquat-p-phenylene) (CBPQT⁴⁺) can bind to electron donating stations based on tetrathiafulvalene (TTF), hydroquinone (HQ) or dioxynaphthalene (DNP).  The favored binding site of a system containing multiple stations can be adjusted using, e.g. redox chemistry.

The systems will be studied with techniques including absorption spectroscopy, voltammetry and NMR spectroscopy.

                     

The aim of the project is to design, synthesise and study tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) based calix[4]pyrroles which can selectively detect nitroaromatic explosives such as TNB and TNT. The binding between the calix[4]pyrrole and the explosive is accompanied by a color change.

A shortcoming of current systems is that chloride anions are also able to be bound by calix[4]pyrroles, locking them in a conformation preventing them from working effectively as explosive sensors. Enhanced binding to the target nitroaromatics is also desirable.

The systems will be studied with techniques including absorption spectroscopy, voltammetry and NMR spectroscopy.
See e.g. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2004, 126, 16296–16297, Chem. Soc. Rev. 2018, 47, 5614–5645, Org. Biomol. Chem. 2019, 17, 2594–2613

 

The aim of this project is to design, synthesise and study functional molecules which can be integrated  into nanoscale electronic devices. The simplest example is a molecular wire, which can be used to bridge two electrodes and allow a current to flow between them.

One goal of the project is to develop materials incorporating tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) derivatives in order to exploit TTF's well-known redox properties.

The systems will be studied with techniques including voltammetry and NMR spectroscopy.The materials will also be studied in collaboration with other groups using techniques such as the Scanning Tunnelling Microscopy Break Junction (STM-BJ) or Mechanically Controlled Break Junction (MCBJ) methods.
See e.g. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2012, 134, 16817–16826, Chem. Sci., 2017, 8, 6123–6130