The emerging field of metallosupramolecular chemistry focuses on the ways in which assemblies of molecules, which may have new and interesting properties, can be constructed using metal ions as a glue to hold together various molecular components. By understanding the structural and electronic predilections of the metals ions and the various components, such assemblies can be designed to perform particular functions, such as energy conversion, catalysis and specific recognition of small molecules. In this, metallosupramolecular chemistry finds inspiration in the exquisite control and subtlety found in enzymes and other biological systems.
We are currently beginning to explore how this assembly process can be enhanced by combining the 'metal ions as glue' motif with specific hydrogen bonding interactions. In this way we aim to simply prepare assemblies with novel functional and structural properties. For example, recent work has shown that chiral Ag(I)-containing tectons can be assembled using hydrogen bonding and that either helical or meso-helical polymeric structures can be obtained depending on the nature of the counterion.
We are also exploring the coordination chemistry of suitably substituted biguanide ligands which inherently contain a triple hydrogen-bonding surface proximal to the metal binding site. Such ligands, which have been shown to stabilise a range of unusual metal oxidation states, may allow the construction of interesting assemblies capable of multi-electron catalysis.
Publications
McKay, A. P., Mapley, J. I., Gordon, K. C., & McMorran, D. A. (2019). Ru(II) and Ir(III) complexes containing ADA and DAD triple hydrogen bonding motifs: Potential tectons for the assembly of functional materials. Chemistry: An Asian Journal, 14(8), 1194-1203. doi: 10.1002/asia.201801748
Journal - Research Article
Steel, P. J., & McMorran, D. A. (2019). Selective anion recognition by a dynamic quadruple helicate. Chemistry: An Asian Journal, 14, 1098-1101. doi: 10.1002/asia.201801262
Journal - Research Other
Roxburgh, M., McMorran, D. A., Garden, A. L., & Hanton, L. R. (2018). Orientation of Agl ions in coordination architectures through ligand conformation and anion binding: From polymeric chains to discrete squares. European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, 2018(38), 4278-4285. doi: 10.1002/ejic.201800746
Journal - Research Article
Ward, J. I., Roxburgh, M., Hanton, L. R., & McMorran, D. A. (2018). Silver(I) complexes of 2,6-bis(4-pyridylsulfenyl)pyrazine: Interplay of anion coordination and argentophilic interactions. Inorganic Chemistry Communications, 87, 44-48. doi: 10.1016/j.inoche.2017.12.005
Journal - Research Article
McKay, A. P., Shillito, G. E., Gordon, K. C., & McMorran, D. A. (2017). Cyclometallated platinum(II) and palladium(II) complexes containing 1,5-diarylbiguanides:
Synthesis, characterisation and hydrogen bond-directed assembly. CrystEngComm, 19(47), 7095-7111. doi: 10.1039/C7CE01805C
Journal - Research Article
Roxburgh, M., McMorran, D. A., & Hanton, L. R. (2017). Anion/solvent influences on Ag(I) architectures containing flexible asymmetric ligands. Proceedings of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI) Centenary Congress. (pp. 18). Retrieved from http://www.racicongress.com/
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Lo, W. K. C., Castillo, C. E., Gueret, R., Fortage, J., Rebarz, M., Sliwa, M., … McAdam, C. J., … McMorran, D. A., Crowley, J. D., … Blackman, A. G. (2016). Synthesis, characterization, and photocatalytic H2-evolving activity of a family of [Co(N4Py)(X)]n+ complexes in aqueous solution. Inorganic Chemistry, 55, 4564-4581. doi: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.6b00391
Journal - Research Article
McKay, A. P., Lo, W. K. C., Preston, D., Giles, G. I., Crowley, J. D., Barnsley, J. E., Gordon, K. C., & McMorran, D. A. (2016). Palladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes of ((2-pyridyl)pyrazol-1-ylmethyl)benzoic acids: Synthesis, solid state characterisation and biological cytotoxicity. Inorganica Chimica Acta, 446, 41-53. doi: 10.1016/j.ica.2016.02.038
Journal - Research Article
McMorran, D. A., Fitzpatrick, M. G., Cunninghame, R. G., Downard, A. J., Robinson, W. T., & Hanton, L. R. (2016). X-Ray structures and dynamic solution behaviours of five-coordinate nickel(ii) complexes containing di- and tritertiary arsine ligands. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 69(5), 512-523. doi: 10.1071/CH15693
Journal - Research Article
McMorran, D. A., & McKay, A. P. (2016). Palladium(II) and platinum(II) diarylbiguanides as tectons for hydrogen bond-directed assembly. Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute of Chemistry (NZIC) Conference. Retrieved from http://www.nzic16.org/
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Roxburgh, M., McMorran, D. A., & Hanton, L. R. (2016). Anion influence on Ag(I) architectures synthesised with a flexible asymmetric ligand. Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute of Chemistry (NZIC) Conference. Retrieved from http://www.nzic16.org/
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Roxburgh, M., McMorran, D., & Hanton, L. R. (2016). Formation of networks with Ag(I) salts and the flexible unsymmetrical ligand 3,4-dipyridyl ketone. Proceedings of the 42nd International Conference on Coordination Chemistry (ICCC). (pp. 374). Retrieved from https://iccc2016.sciencesconf.org/resource/page/id/38
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Cubanski, J. R., Reish, M. E., Blackman, A. G., Steel, P. J., Gordon, K. C., McMorran, D. A., & Crowley, J. D. (2015). Hybrid pyrazolyl-1,2,3-triazolyl tripodal tetraamine ligands: Click synthesis and cobalt(III) complexes. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 68(7), 1160-1170. doi: 10.1071/CH14700
Journal - Research Article
Lo, W. K. C., Huff, G. S., Cubanski, J. R., Kennedy, A. D. W., McAdam, C. J., McMorran, D. A., Gordon, K. C., & Crowley, J. D. (2015). Comparison of inverse and regular 2-pyridyl-1,2,3-triazole "click" complexes: Structures, stability, electrochemical, and photophysical properties. Inorganic Chemistry, 54(4), 1572-1587. doi: 10.1021/ic502557w
Journal - Research Article
Lo, W. K. C., Huff, G. S., Preston, D., McMorran, D. A., Giles, G. I., Gordon, K. C., & Crowley, J. D. (2015). A dinuclear platinum(II) N4Py complex: An unexpected coordination mode for N4Py. Inorganic Chemistry, 54(14), 6671-6673. doi: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.5b01032
Journal - Research Article
Lo, W. K. C., McAdam, C. J., Blackman, A. G., Crowley, J. D., & McMorran, D. A. (2015). The pentadentate ligands 2PyN2Q and N4Py, and their Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes: A synthetic, spectroscopic and crystallographic structural study. Inorganica Chimica Acta, 426, 183-194. doi: 10.1016/j.ica.2014.11.036
Journal - Research Article
McMorran, D. A., McKay, A. P., & Lo, W. K. C. (2015, June-July). Hydrogen bond-directed assembly of transition metal complexes: Diverse structures from reliable motifs. Poster session presented at the 10th International Symposium on Macrocyclic and Supramolecular Chemistry (ISMSC), Strasbourg, France.
Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)
McMorran, D. A., McAdam, C. J., van der Salm, H., & Gordon, K. C. (2013). 1,5-Diarylbiguanides and their nickel(II) complexes. Dalton Transactions, 42(8), 2948-2962. doi: 10.1039/C2DT32483K
Journal - Research Article
Cubanski, J., McMorran, D., Blackman, A., & Crowley, J. (2013). Towards multimetallic architectures incorporating 1,2,3-triazole donors. Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute of Chemistry (NZIC) Conference. Christchurch, New Zealand: NZIC. [Abstract]
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
McMorran, D. A., McAdam, C. J., van der Salm, H., & Gordon, K. C. (2013). Hydrogen bond directed assembly of metallosupramolecular systems. Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute of Chemistry (NZIC) Conference. Christchurch, New Zealand: NZIC. [Abstract]
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
McMorran, D. (2013, July). It's chemistry, Jim, but not as we know it" Doing 100-level chemistry at Otago and some thoughts about why it seems to be so difficult for students. Verbal presentation at the ChemEd Conference, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
McMorran, D., & Warren, D. (2012). Taking chemistry out of the lab: Perspectives on chemistry outreach at Otago. Chemistry in New Zealand, 76(2), 56-61.
Journal - Research Article
McMorran, D. (2012, January-February). Hydrogen bond directed assembly of metallosupramolecular systems. Poster session presented at the 7th International Symposium on Macrocyclic and Supramolecular Chemistry (ISMSC), Dunedin, New Zealand.
Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)
McMorran, D., Warren, D., & Souness, R. (2009). Bringing inquiry-based learning to the first-year laboratory: Experimenting with conducting polymers. Chemistry in New Zealand, 73(2), 69-75.
Journal - Research Article
McMorran, D. A. (2008). Ag(I)-based tectons for the construction of helical and meso-helical hydrogen-bonded coordination networks. Inorganic Chemistry, 47(2), 592-601.
Journal - Research Article
Munro, N. H., Hanton, L. R., McAdam, C. J., & McMorran, D. A. (2008). 4-[(E)-2-Ferrocenylethenyl]-1,8-naphthalic anhydride. Acta Crystallographica Section E, E64, m572. doi: 10.1107/S1600536808007393
Journal - Research Article
McMorran, D. A. (2008, November-December). First Year Chemistry at the University of Otago. Verbal presentation at the New Zealand Institute of Chemistry, New Zealand Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and the New Zealand Society of Plant Biologists Combined Conference, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Warren, D., & McMorran, D. (2008, November-December). New labs for old: Encorporating NCEA practical skills into 1st year chemistry. Verbal presentation at the New Zealand Institute of Chemistry, New Zealand Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and the New Zealand Society of Plant Biologists Combined Conference, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Steel, P. J., & McMorran, D. A. (2007). Octa-substituted biphenyl-enes: Is there a favoured conformation? Acta Crystallographica Section C, C63, o382-o385. doi: 10.1107/S0108270107022779
Journal - Research Article
Larsen, D. S., Osman, H., Caygill, G. B., McFarlane, B. S., & McMorran, D. A. (2006). rac-Hatomarubigin C. Acta Crystallographica Section E, E62, o5748-o5750.
Journal - Research Article
McMorran, D. A., Hartshorn, C. M., & Steel, P. J. (2004). Copper(II) complexes of bis- and tetrakis-(2-pyridylsulfanylmethyl)benzenes. Polyhedron, 23, 1055-1061.
Journal - Research Article
McMorran, D., & Steel, P. (2003). New multinuclear zinc complexes with N4O2 coordination spheres. Inorganic Chemistry Communications, 6, 43-47.
Journal - Research Article
McMorran, D., & Steel, P. (2003). Syntheses and X-ray crystal structures of poly(pyridylsulfanylmethyl)arenes: New multi-armed molecules. Tetrahedron, 59, 3701-3707.
Journal - Research Article
McMorran, D., & Steel, P. J. (2002). A self-complementary molecular cleft. Chemical Communications, (18), 2120-2121. doi: 10.1039/b205831f
Journal - Research Article
McMorran, D., & Steel, P. J. (2002). Metallosupramolecular assemblies: Synthesis and coordination chemistry of 2,6-bis(4-(3-pyridyloxy)phenoxy)pyrazine. Supramolecular Chemistry, 14(1), 79-85.
Journal - Research Article
McMorran, D., & Steel, P. J. (2002). New U- and Y-shaped components for metallosupramolecular assemblies: Synthesis and coordination chemistry of 2,6-bis(4-(3-pyridyloxy)pyrazine. Journal of the Chemical Society, Dalton Transactions, 3321-3326.
Journal - Research Article
McMorran, D., Pfadenhauer, S., & Steel, P. J. (2002). Chelating and bridging modes of coordination by 1,3-Bis(pyrazol-1-yl)propane; coexistance of discrete and infinite metallosupramolecular isomers within the same crystal. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 55(8), 519-523.
Journal - Research Article
McMorran, D., Pfadenhauer, S., & Steel, P. J. (2002). Tetrakis(pyrazol-1-ylmenthyl)methane and its hypodentate binuclear complex with silver(I) nitrate. Inorganic Chemistry Communications, 5(6), 449-451.
Journal - Research Article
McMorran, D., & Steel, P. J. (2001, December). Synthesis and coordination chemistry of new polydentate ligands: Approaches towards polyhelicate arrays. Verbal presentation at the New Zealand Institute of Chemistry (NZIC) National Conference, Napier, New Zealand.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
McMorran, D., & Steel, P. (1999). A new bridging heterocyclic ligand with an Anthracene core and its Silver(I) metallopolymer. Inorganic Chemistry Communications, 2(8), 368-370.
Journal - Research Article
McMorran, D., & Steel, P. (1999, January). Quadruple helicates as selective hosts for anions [Invited]. Verbal presentation at the RACI/NZIC Joint Inorganic Meeting, Wellington, New Zealand.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
McMorran, D., & Steel, P. (1999, January). Quadruple helicates as selective hosts for anions. Verbal presentation at the Conference of the Organometallic Chemistry in the South Pacific, Auckland, New Zealand.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Fitzpatrick, M. G., Hanton, L. R., Henderson, W., Kneebone, P. E., Levy, E. G., McCaffrey, L. J., & McMorran, D. A. (1998). Application of electrospray mass spectrometry to the characterisation of tertiary arsine ligands. Inorganica Chimica Acta, 281, 101-110.
Journal - Research Article
Barnhart, R. W., McMorran, D., & Bosnich, B. (1997). Asymmetric catalytic intramolecular hydroacylation of 4-substituted Pent-4-enals to beta-substituted cyclopentanones. Chemical Communications, 6, 589-590.
Journal - Research Article
Barnhart, R. W., McMorran, D., & Bosnich, B. (1997). Enantioselective catalytic intramolecular hydroacylation. Inorganica Chimica Acta, 263(1-2), 1-7.
Journal - Research Article
Buckingham, D. A., Clark, C. R., Hanton, L. R., & McMorran, D. A. (1997). Mechanism of formation of heteroleptic nickel(II)-arsine complexes from homoleptic precursors. Journal of the Chemical Society, Dalton Transactions, (7), 1165-1167.
Journal - Research Article
Downard, A. J., Bond, A. M., Clayton, A., Hanton, L. R., & McMorran, D. A. (1996). Cyclic voltammetry of palladium(II) complexes with tridentate arsine ligands, separation of the two single-electron transfer steps of the Pd(II)-Pd(0) interconversion based on thermodynamics and kinetic discrimination. Inorganic Chemistry, 35(26), 7684-7690.
Journal - Research Article
PhD, BSc(Hons) (Otago)