Research Interests

Functional molecules

Our different research strands are united by the drive to design molecules which do things. We strive to create novel molecules which control the outcome of chemical processes, cure diseases with unmet medical need and make reactions and human activity 'greener' more sustainable. For more information see our publications section.

Asymmetric organocatalysis

We are involved in the development of small metal-free molecules capable of catalysing chemical reactions with excellent enantiopurity. In this diverse biological-chemistry inspired field we have been interested in enantioselective bifunctional catalysts (molecules capable of activating a nucleophile and an electrophile simultaneously in a chiral environment), asymmetric nucleophilic catalysis, phase transfer catalysis, carbene catalysis, nanoparticle-supported catalysts and enzyme mimics. We are particularly interested in the exploitation of computational chemistry (in collaboration with Dr. Cris Trujillo) to design catalysts in silico before synthesis and evaluation, so the relevant catalyst-substrate interactions in mind at the outset of the design process.

New synthetic methodology and target-oriented synthesis

We are interested in the discovery of new reactions and processes. This often (but not always) overlaps with our asymmetric organocatalysis programme. We have developed new processes for reduction, oxidation, epoxidations, conjugate additions, cycloadditions, cyclisations and cascade reactions. Often these are demonstrated as part of natural product/target oriented synthesis.

Greener, sustainable chemistry

We are interested in the development and design of more sustainable chemistry. We have designed (with collaborators) biodegradable ionic liquids which are capable of unexpected and highly efficient modes of acid catalysis in the presence of a protic additives, despite not being acidic themselves. These catalysts not only do not persist in the environment; they were also designed (and found_ to be non-toxic to a representative sample of microorganisms. The group is also engaged in the design of novel catalysts derived from sustainable/biodegradable sources aimed at more efficient and environmentally benign chemical recycling of plastics (in particular beverage bottles and textile clothing fibers). We are also engaged in devising novel, powerful catalysts for CO2 capture at atmospheric pressure and temperature. Again our ethos and our goal is to develop these catalysts from sustainable sources.

Medicinal and biological chemistry

We are active in the design of chemotherapeutic agents for autoimmune disease and have (in collaboration with Prof. Mike Southern and Prof. Vinnie Kelly) designed 7-deazaguanine molecules which can completely reverse the course of a murine model of Multiple Sclerosis. This patented technology formed the basis of Azadyne Ltd: a TCD spin out company. The drug operates via a new pathway involving incorporation of the drug into selected tRNA, which leads to immune system reprogramming. The mode of action of these agents and their exploitation in other disease indications are being investigated. We are also interested in anti-cancer drug design and have developed highly selective azapaullone CDK-inhibitors. Other anticancer strategies are also being pursued in the group. We also collaborate with Profs Kelly and Southern in an antibacterial agent design programme which exploits a ribosome-stalling rescue mechanism to arrest bacterial translation.

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