Arthur John Birch

The Birch Lecture was established in 1981 in honour of Arthur J. Birch, MSc (Sydney & Manchester), DPhil (Oxon), FRIC, FRACI, FAA, FRS, to pay tribute to his extensive contributions to the Research School of Chemistry since its foundation in 1967. 

The aim of the visit of the Birch Lecturer is to enable eminent chemists to deliver a series of lectures on their research and to interact with School students and staff. Birch Lecturers are chemists who are at the peak of their international career.

The award is allocated on an annual basis and the Birch Lecturer will spend about one week in the School.

Agenda

The Development of Photocatalytic Reactions of Value to Chemists and Biologists

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM 

Presented by Sir David W. C. MacMillan, James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor of Chemistry at Princeton University and Nobel Laureate. Renowned for his groundbreaking discoveries in organocatalysis and photoredox catalysis, MacMillan’s work has reshaped modern synthetic chemistry and driven more sustainable approaches to chemical innovation. His visit promises an inspiring lecture and valuable engagement with students and researchers across the School.

Reception

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM 

A reception will be held immediately after the lecture. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in discussions. Drinks and canapes will be provided.

Abstract

Sir David received the 2021 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for developing asymmetric organocatalysis, a greener method to build molecules. The 2026 Birch Lecture will discuss the application of visible light photocatalysis to the discovery or invention of transformations that will be conceptually or synthetically valuable (and sometimes, hopefully, both).  We will describe why a healthy balance of reaction discovery and mechanistic understanding has been important to the development of a field of research that is now being widely adopted in medicinal chemistry settings. In particular, we will discuss the application of photocatalysis to the development of new metallaphotoredox coupling reactions involving SH2 mechanisms, a development that we hope will have an impact on the discovery of new biologically relevant molecules. Finally, we will examine an exciting recent application of photoredox catalysis in MacMillan's group; namely, the high-resolution µ-map technology, which provides a powerful means to probe biological pathways at the subcellular level. 

Biography

Sir David W. C. MacMillan is the James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor of Chemistry at Princeton University and a Nobel Laureate in Chemistry. He is internationally recognised for pioneering asymmetric organocatalysis and for transformative contributions to photoredox catalysis, discoveries that have reshaped modern synthetic chemistry and enabled more sustainable and efficient chemical processes.

Sir David joined Princeton in 2006, where he has also served as Chair of the Department of Chemistry and as Director of the Princeton Catalysis Initiative. His work has had wide-ranging impact across pharmaceuticals, materials science, and chemical biology. In recognition of his contributions to science, he was awarded the 2021 Nobel Prize in Chemistry and was knighted in 2022 for services to chemistry.

Image

Professor David MacMillan