Research Research groups 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. label Research theme Research themes Inorganic Chemistry and Organometallic Chemistry Supramolecular Chemistry domain Division Synthesis contact_support Contact Dan PrestonDaniel.Preston@anu.edu.au 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 Search Squaramide cages 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 Read more Student intake Open for Honours, Master, PhD, Summer scholar students Status Potential Read more Stimuli-responsive foldameric molecules as sensors This project will synthesize foldamers decorated with emissive groups such as pyrene. Theme Analytical Chemistry and Sensors Read more Student intake Open for Honours, Master, PhD, Summer scholar students Status Potential Read more Metallo-foldamers 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 Read more Student intake Open for Honours, Master, PhD, Summer scholar students Status Potential Read more Metallo-catenanes 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 Read more Student intake Open for Honours, Master, PhD, Summer scholar students Status Potential Read more Members Leader Dr Daniel Preston ARC DECRA Fellow Student Jessica Algar PhD Candidate Zack Avery PhD Candidate toc
