Molecule

Preston Group

The Preston group works on supramolecular systems in solution. We develop architectures from metal ions and organic ligands, and then explore their behaviour.

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About

We are interested in conformational control: creating structures that fold or arrange themselves into persistent structures in solution. We use organic chemistry to create aromatic-rich molecules that can then be combined with metal ions to self-assemble into sequences that possess the information to adopt these conformations. These include foldamers and interlocked architectures. We use strategies to control the way ligands come together at metal ions and maintain fidelity of connectivity.

Visit the group website for more information: https://prestonchemistry.com/

Projects

We aim to develop these as molecular machines, switching between forms to turn on or off their capacity to interact, sense, and/or catalytically transform target molecules.

Theme

Supramolecular Chemistry

Student intake

Open for Honours, Master, PhD, Summer scholar students

Status

Potential

We have projects in developing systems from them towards the following goals: 1. Photophysical applications: arranging photophysically active groups close in space for FRET, donor-acceptor, or upconversion events 2. Binding and transport of anions and more...

Theme

Supramolecular Chemistry

Student intake

Open for Honours, Master, PhD, Summer scholar students

Status

Potential

This project will involve the synthesis of two simple ligands containing a squaramide, and the formation of their [MnL2n]2n+ cages (M = PdII and PtII, n = 2 or 3). The ability of these architectures to recognize relevant anions will then be explored.

Theme

Inorganic Chemistry and Organometallic Chemistry

Student intake

Open for Honours, Master, PhD, Summer scholar students

Status

Potential

This project will synthesize foldamers decorated with emissive groups such as pyrene.

Theme

Analytical Chemistry and Sensors

Student intake

Open for Honours, Master, PhD, Summer scholar students

Status

Potential

Members

Leader

ARC DECRA Fellow

Student

No photo provided

PhD Candidate

No photo provided

PhD Candidate