This area of our research is mainly focused on the highly efficient and selective C-C, C-N and C-S bond formation reactions. In particular, we are interested in cross-coupling transformations using nickel, palladium and rhodium catalysts. We are in the early stages of developing electrocatalytic methods employing nickel catalysis, for C-H activation/functionalisation.
Several challenges remain for organic synthesis today in order to make the agrochemicals, pharmaceuticals and organo-materials of the future in a sustainable manner. The group is examining novel domino reactions to prepare N-heterocycles including exploring natural product targets with synthetic efficiency in mind.
The group has prepared both anti-bacterial and anti-cancer natural products for development of new chemical entities for potential therapeutics In the last 10 years we have, with The Harry Perkins Institute, made modifications to thalidomide to improve its immunomodulatory properties and effectiveness in arresting liver cancer cell proliferation.