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
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.
- Dr Eng Wui Tan
- Selective Radical Reactions
- Professor David Larsen
- Synthesis of Antibiotics. Carbohydrate mimetics and Glycosylation Reactions, Phosphatidylinositol Mannosides
- Dr Alan Hayman
- Peptidic hosts, Cyclodextrin Chemistry, Enzyme mimics, Surfactants
- Professor Nigel B. Perry
- Isolation of Biologically-Active Natural Products. Structure-activity Studies on Natural Products
- Associate Professor James Crowley
- Metallo - antibacterial and anticancer agents
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.
- Professor Lyall Hanton
- Biomedical Gels, Supramolecular Gels, Gel Actuators, Metal Containing Polymers
- Research Associate Professor Stephen Moratti
- Biomedical Gels, Supramolecular Polymers, Gel Actuators, Conducting Polymers
- Dr John McAdam
- Gel Actuators, Ferrocene-containing Polymers
- Associate Professor Nigel Lucas
- Synthesis and properties of carbon-rich molecular materials, Metal-containing Liquid Crystals
- Professor Keith Gordon
- Design, synthesis and characterization of multifunctional electronic materials for use in organic light emitting diodes and solar cells.
- Professor Sally Brooker
- Spin crossover (SCO) and single molecule magnet (SMM) complexes as potential molecular switches and memory devices or as sensors. Design and synthesis of polymerisation catalysts for ROP of lactide, co-polymerisation of the greenhouse gas CO2 and epoxide, or ethylene polymerisation.
- Associate Professor James Crowley
- Synthetic Molecular Machines and Motors, Molecular Actuators, Mechanically Interlocked Architectures.
Inorganic, supramolecular and co-ordination 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.
- Professor 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.
- Professor Lyall Hanton
- Metal Complexes, Supramolecular Polymers.
- Associate Professor James Crowley
- Self-Assembly of Functional Nanostructures, macrocycles, cages, rotaxanes, "click" ligands and complexes, NHC complexes, catalysis.
- Associate Professor Nigel Lucas
- Supramolecular Interactions and Self-assembly, Organometallic Catalysis, Metal-containing Liquid Crystals. Graphene Materials.
- Dr Dave McMorran
- Hydrogen-Bonded Metal Complexes.
- Professor Keith Gordon
- Metal polypyridyl complexes as electronic materials.
- Research Associate Professor Stephen Moratti
- Polymeric catenanes and supramolecular polymers.
Green hydrogen
Professor Sally Brooker is leading the development of a German-NZ green hydrogen alliance, including researchers at Otago and most other research organisations in NZ, i.e. Team NZ green hydrogen, as well as our German partners, led by Dr Paul Jerabek (Helmholz Centre Hereon, Hamburg). At Otago, this includes, amongst others:
- Professor Sally Brooker
- Design, synthesis and testing of earth abundant metal complexes as catalysts for hydrogen production (and for carbon dioxide reduction).
- Associate Professor Nigel Lucas
- Design, synthesis and testing of new materials for efficient hydrogen storage at close to ambient conditions (temperature and pressure).
- Dr Anna Garden
- Theoretical modelling of catalysts for hydrogen production and of hydrogen storage materials (and modelling catalysts for ammonia production).
- Associate Professor Michael Jack
- (Physics) Technoeconomic modelling of hydrogen in the NZ energy system, course coordinator of the Energy Science and Technology, and Energy Management, undergraduate degrees (unique energy-focussed undergraduate degree in Australasia), and co-leader of the Otago Energy Research Centre (OERC).
Analytical chemistry and geochemistry
Analytical chemists develop new methods to determine what matter is and how much of it exists. At Otago, we develop analytical approaches to address some of the world’s most pressing problems. Specialist units that support these research activities include:
- Isotrace
- Centre for Trace Element Analysis
- NIWA / University of Otago Research Centre for Oceanography
- Centre for Organic Geochemistry and Paleoclimate Studies
- Professor Russell Frew
- Trace metals in natural waters, stable isotope geochemistry, paleo-chemistry.
- Dr Christina McGraw
- The design, development and construction of chemical sensors.
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 Ennis, Garden and Gordon employ a full raft of high level techniques as a large part of their work.
- Dr Courtney Ennis
- Periodic Density Functional Theory (DFT) of Molecular Crystal and Supramolecular Polymer Vibrational Frequencies
- Professor Keith Gordon
- Electronic Structures of Chromophores for Photovoltaics.
- Dr Anna Garden
- Theoretical modelling of heterogeneous catalysis and nanoparticle structure.
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.
- Dr Courtney Ennis
- Infrared and Terahertz Frequency Spectroscopy of Thin Films, Matrix Isolation of Radicals, Solid-state Astrochemistry
- Professor Keith Gordon
- Light harvesting Complexes, Raman Spectroscopy, Solar Cells, Chemometrics.
- Dr Christina McGraw
- Optical fibre sensors for the laboratory and field.
