Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aqeel A. Hussein
Professor of Organic Chemistry
Department of Biology,
College of Science,
Al-Qasim Green University
Visiting Scientist at the Department of Chemistry/Universiti Malaya /Malaysia
51013 Babylon/Iraq
Tel: +96407732601191
Email: aqeelalaa@science.uoqasim.edu.iq
Dr. Aqeel A. Hussein obtained his PhD degree in 2019 in Organic and Computational Chemistry from Prof. Richard C. D. Brown and Prof. Chris-Kriton Skylaris research groups at the University of Southampton/UK. He then worked for more than two years at the University of Al-Ameed as Academic Scientist and a Lecturer of Chemical Sciences while heading Department of Continuing Education. In September 2021, he moved to Komar University of Science and Technology as a Lecturer of Organic Chemistry. In 2023 he joined the Al-Qasim Green University as a lecturer of Organic Chemistry and then promoted to associate professor in September 2023.. His research conducts organic, organometallic, and (bio)organic computational chemistry studies in collaboration with national & international scientists.
Research Interest
Our research interests are organocatalysis and organometallic reactions for the asymmetric and symmetric synthesis of highly important bioactive motifs and useful materials at the interface of experimental organic synthesis and computational chemistry. Developing organic methodologies using both synthetic and computational investigations is a substantial priority to predict and design new efficient reactions, reagents, and catalysts. Understanding and developing photochemical synthesis and processes are of high interest to us, and we are collaborating with Prof. Sami Lakhdar.
Currently Active Research Areas:
Mediated Electro-Reductive Process: We are currently engaged in a collaborative research effort with Professor Richard Brown (University of Southampton) where our focus lies in utilizing Density Functional Theory (DFT) computations to offer a comprehensive understanding and rationale behind the mechanism of his mediated electro-reductive cyclisation, along with exploring its applications in various other reactions. By employing advanced computational techniques, we aim to elucidate the intricacies of these chemical processes, shedding light on their underlying mechanisms and potential synthetic pathways. This collaborative endeavor not only enhances our understanding of fundamental chemical reactions but also holds promise for the development of innovative methodologies in organic synthesis
Metal-oxo reactions: By using computations we are investigating the Mn, Os, and Ru-mediated oxidative cyclization of 1,5-dienes to understand the role of metal-oxo intermediates in these reactions. We aim to develop new and efficient synthetic methods for the construction of complex molecules using this approach.
Gold(I)-catalyzed reactions: Our focus is provide a computational understanding of the mechanistic pathways and factors that control reactivity in these reactions. We are particularly interested in the role of ligands and counteranions in promoting reactivity, selectivity and enantioselectivity/regioselectivity/chemoselectivity.
Photoinduced synthesis: In collaboration with Prof. Sami Lakhdar we aim to develop new synthetic methods that take advantage of photochemical processes through understanding of photochemical processes in organic synthesis, including photoisomerization, photocyclization, and photooxidation/photoreduction.
Bi(III)/Bi(V)-catalyzed reactions: We are computationally developing mechanistic pathways that lead to new reactivity in organic synthesis by investigating the use of Bi(III)/Bi(V) catalysts for the synthesis of complex molecules, such as natural products and pharmaceuticals.
Pd-catalyzed reactions: Our research in this area provides a mechanistic understanding of cross-coupling reactions for the synthesis of complex molecules, including natural products, pharmaceuticals, and thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF).
N-Heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-catalyzed reactions: Our research in this area focuses on exploring the use of NHCs as ligands for various metal-catalyzed transformations to comprehensively understand the electronic and steric effects of close and remote substituents on NHCs, leading to develop more efficient and sustainable catalytic processes for organic synthesis.
Prof. Dr. Richard C. D. Brown / University of Southampton / United Kingdom
Prof. Dr. Sami Lakhdar / Université Toulouse 3 Paul Sabatier / France
Professor Dr. Azhar Ariffin / Universiti Malaya / Malaysia
Dr. Hafiz Saqib Ali / University of Oxford / United Kingdom