Research
There is a wide variety of leading research being done in this department. This includes work on novel drugs, environmental analysis, supramolecular chemistry, optoelectronics, spectroscopy and sensors.
Research themes in the department include:
- Organic Synthesis and Biological Chemistry
- Materials and Polymers
- Inorganic, Supramolecular and Coordination Chemistry
- Environmental Chemistry and Geochemistry
- Theory and Modelling
- Physical Chemistry and Spectroscopy
Organic Synthesis and Biological Chemistry
Organic synthesis is used in the construction of biological molecules and drugs, and this department has excellent research links with other departments such as biochemistry, physiology and pharmacy. New methodology is also being developed for the enantioselective synthesis of chiral compounds.
- Prof. Robin Smith:
- Mitochondrial Targeted Compounds and Antioxidants. Application of NMR Techniques to Biological Systems
- Dr Eng Wu Tan:
- Selective Radical Reactions
- Assoc. Prof. David Larsen:
- Synthesis of Antibiotics. Carbohydrate mimetics and Glycosylation Reactions, Phosphatidylinositol Mannosides.
- Dr Alan Hayman:
- Peptidic hosts, Cyclodextrin Chemistry, Enzyme mimics, Surfactants
- Dr Guy Jameson:
- Ion-Containing Biological Systems, Metallo-enzyme Mechanisms
- Dr Nigel B. Perry:
- Isolation of Biologically-Active Natural Products. Structure-activity Studies on Natural Products
Materials and Polymers
This department is expanding rapidly its polymer and material research, especially in the areas of medical products, gels, actuators, and supramolecular polymers. One product developed here is already in human trials with more planned.- Prof. Lyall Hanton:
- Biomedical Gels, Supramolecular Gels, Gel Actuators, Metal Containing Polymers
- Assoc. Prof. Stephen Moratti:
- Biomedical Gels, Supramolecular Polymers, Gel Actuators, Conducting Polymers
- Dr John McAdam:
- Gel Actuators, Ferrocene-containing Polymers
- Dr Nigel Lucas:
- Synthesis and properties of carbon-rich molecular materials, Metal-containing Liquid Crystals
- Prof. Brian Robinson:
- Biomedical Gels
- Prof. J. Simpson:
- Biomedical Gels, Metal-containing Polymers
- Prof. Keith Gordon:
- Design, synthesis and characterization of multifunctional electronic materials for use in organic light emitting diodes and solar cells.
- Prof. Sally Brooker:
- Spin crossover (SCO) and single molecule magnet (SMM) complexes as potential molecular switches and memory devices.
Inorganic, Supramolecular and Coordination Chemistry
The development of novel metal complexes that have many potential uses, including catalysis, as magnetic materials, in actuators, and in photovoltaics is an area of active research.
- Prof. Sally Brooker:
- Polynucleating macrocycles, Spin crossover complexes, Self assembly of polymetallic grids, Supramolecular chemistry, Mixed valent complexes, Luminescent lanthanide cages, Thiolate-complexes as models for hydrogenases, X-ray structure determinations.
- Assoc. Prof. Allan Blackman:
- Transition metal complexes, metal-containing enzyme models
- Prof. Lyall Hanton:
- Metal Complexes, Supramolecular Polymers
- Dr James Crowley:
- Synthetic Molecular Machines and Motors, Functional Nanostructures by Self-Assembly
- Dr Nigel Lucas:
- Supramolecular Interactions and Self-assembly, Organometallic Catalysis, Metal-containing Liquid Crystals. Graphene Materials.
- Dr Dave McMorran:
- H-bonded Metal Complexes
- Prof. J. Simpson:
- Carbonyl Clusters, Metal-Containing Polymers
- Prof. Keith Gordon:
- Metal polypyridyl complexes as electronic materials
- Assoc. Prof. Stephen Moratti:
- Polymeric catenanes and supramolecular polymers
Environmental Chemistry and Geochemistry
This is the leading Environmental Chemistry tertiary research group in New Zealand. Specific areas of interest include: marine and freshwater chemistry, biogeochemistry, paleo-climatology, paleo-oceanography, cosmochemistry, isotope geochemistry, and the the fate of organic contaminants. Specialist units that support these research activities include: Isotrace, the Centre for Trace Element Analysis and Centre for Chemical and Physical Oceanography.
- Prof. Keith Hunter:
- Trace metal speciation, chemical equilibria in marine and fresh waters, colloids and surfaces in marine and freshwater systems
- Prof. Philip Boyd:
- Phytoplankton processes, Biogeochemistry of trace metals in the ocean, especially iron, and their impacts on algal productivity.
- Assoc. Prof. Barrie Peake:
- Marine Photochemistry, Trace Metal Interactions in NZ Marine Species, Algal Toxin–Trace Metal Interactions.
- Assoc. Prof. Russell Frew:
- Trace metals in natural waters, stable isotope geochemistry, paleo-chemistry
- Dr Kimberly Hageman:
- Fate and impacts of organic contaminants in the environmental
- Dr Claudine Stirling:
- Dr. Sylvia Sander:
- Trace metal speciation in marine and fresh water, and hydrothermal systems; characterization of organic metal binding ligands; application and development of electroanalytical techniques;
Theory and Modelling
Modelling is important to fully understand and predict the chemistry and reactivity of molecules, and to help assign spectral features for analysis. While many researchers here use computational models occasionally, the groups of Kjaergaard and Gordon employ a full raft of high level techniques as a large part of their work.
- Prof. Keith Gordon:
- Electronic Structures of Chromophores for Photovoltaics
Physical Chemistry and Spectroscopy
Spectroscopy is used to study and help model a wide variety of areas, including atmospheric interactions, bio-adsorption and solar cells. Spectroscopic methods are also used, with chemometrics, for composition analysis in pharmaceuticals, foods and fossils.
- Prof. A. James McQuillan:
- IR Spectroscopy and Surface Absorption
- Prof. Keith Gordon:
- Light harvesting Complexes, Raman Spectroscopy, Solar Cells, Chemometrics
- Dr Guy Jameson:
- Mössbauer, EPR and Raman Spectroscopy of Biological Systems