Prof. Sylvia Draper

Through the Centre for Chemical synthesis and Chemical Biology (CSCB) our work in bio-inorganic chemistry and catalysis continues, on methionine-baiting in the development of new palladium therapeutics (Dr. A. Nicolaus, Bradford), on thiosemicarbazones (Prof. B. McMurry, TCD), on structural studies into TRH-DE inhibitors (Dr. J. Kelly, TCD, Biochemistry) and Pd-centered pincer complexes (Prof. R. Bedford, Bristol).

In materials chemistry our work focuses on a synthetic route to a novel class of polyfunctional compounds: the Nitrogen Heterosuperbenzenes. These molecules can be thought of as fragments of N-doped graphite. They offer enormous potential as new molecular materials in opto-electronic devices (e.g. Light Emitting Diodes) because of their extended planar structures which give a degree of fluidity to the distribution of electrons. In addition they are tunable luminescent materials for sensor and photolytic applications; their intense fluorescence changes with pH and solvent type, giving traffic light variations in colour.

The synthetic processes that we have developed allow us to create a range of new systems which differ in the number and position of heteroatoms and in the extent and nature of the ring fusions. Un-fused rings twist out-of-the plane and produce novel propeller-like frameworks from which to build intricate molecular structures.

All the molecules described are interesting in their own right and extremely rare. However an added advantage is that they are designed to coordinate to a range of metal atoms. Many transition metals (e.g. ruthenium) have interesting photophysical or electrochemical properties and by attaching our ligands to these metals we can fine tune these additional characteristics and broaden the eventual applications of our compounds e.g. to light-harvesting compounds for solar cells. N-heterosuperbenzenes and their derivatives offer a technology platform for future research e.g. in the formation of self-assembled monolayers, and aspects of this work have required a whole new approach to controlling the aggregation and attachment of molecules on surfaces.

The results are a tribute to the work and commitment of the former and current members of my research team and our collaborators. They have given rise to the awarding of over 35 research grants in the last 10 years from E.U. and national sources and have allowed me to supervise 10 Ph.D. and 7 M.Sc. degree students to completion. My research group currently comprises 8 graduates and 6 postdoctoral researchers. Our work has given rise to over 50 publications in journals such as J.A.C.S., Inorg. Chem., Chem Commun. and Dalton Trans. in topical areas within inorganic chemistry. The work of the group has been highlighted in Chem Eng. News in 2002 and 2003 and was awarded the functional materials poster prize in the 36-ICCC Mexico 2004, 2nd Prize in RSC Coordination Chemistry Colloquium Belfast 2006 and Graduate Inorganic Speaker Award Dublin 2007. Our work contributes to CRANN and the HEA Advanced Materials programmes, giving it added value and enhancing its impact.

Recent Funding

Selected Research Outputs

1. ‘Thienyl directed polyaromatic C-C bond fusions: S-doped hexabenzocoronenes’ Chem. Comm. 47, 3616-3618, 2011 Martin C.J., Gil B, Draper SM [IF 5.50]
2. ’Ferrocenyl-Polyphenylenes- Toward Metallo-Organic Polyaromatics’ Organometallics 29, 6541-6547, 2010 D. J. Roberts, D. J. Gregg, C. M. Fitchett, SM. Draper [IF 4.204]
3. ‘Switching and tuning organic solid state luminescence via a supramolecular approach’ Chem. Commun., 48, 7500-7502, 2009 S. P. Anthony, S. Varughese, S.M. Draper. [IF 5.50]
4. ‘Robust Self-Assembled Monolayers of Ru(II) and Os(II) Polypyridines on Gold Surfaces: Exploring New Potentials’ Chem. Eur. J., 15, 5740-5748, 2009 F. A. Murphy, S. Suárez, E. Figgemeier, E. R. Schofield, S. M. Draper.[5, IF 5.38]