Overview
Topic status: In progress
Mechanically interlocked structures such as catenanes and rotaxanes have been a source of great interest due to their potential to act as molecular switches, relays, diodes, logic devices and other electronic components. This project will look at using reversible bond forming reactions, such as disulfide exchange, as a novel way of synthesising such compounds with much greater ease than the traditional kinetically controlled reaction schemes. Developing ways of not only forming macrocycles, or capsules, but also being able to easily break them apart by using reversible bonds, could have huge potential in the area of drug delivery.
This project will also explore whether such reversible chemistry can be used to assemble catenanes and rotaxanes on solid supports.
Research activities
Students will gain experience in organic synthesis, purification techniques and various analytical techniques such as NMR, UV-Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy.
Duration of project
The project will last for 8 weeks commencing at the beginning of December and going into February (with time taken off for Christmas) however exact dates can be negotiated with the supervisor.
- Study level
- Vacation research experience scholarship
- Supervisors
- QUT
- Organisational unit
Science and Engineering Faculty
- Research area
- Contact
- Please contact the supervisor for enquiries.
Dr Kathleen Mullen
