Latest updates

We have been working with our collaborators in the Redshaw and Archibald groups to synthesise rhenium complexes with the water-soluble PTA ligand. These compounds are of relevance to nuclear medicine and you can read about their preparation and cell studies at the link below:

Water-Soluble Rhenium Phosphine Complexes Incorporating the Ph₂C(X) Motif (X = O^–, NH^–): Structural and Cytotoxicity Studies

Well done to Jenny who won first prize for her presentation on ‘The Synthesis of Fluorescent Phosphorus Ligands and their Applications in Catalysis and Medical Imaging’ at the annual EngD conference at The Baltic this month. Jenny was supported by Bob Redfern and Roy Valentine of High Force Research Ltd who have co-sponsored her throughout her postgraduate studies.

You can read more about Jenny’s work on mitochondrial imaging agents here.

Congratulations go to the 2016 LJH MChem students who all worked very hard and carried out successful research projects. Steven worked on the synthesis of interesting polynuclear lanthanide complexes, whilst both Vincent and Sophie worked on preparing novel Bodipy phosphine dyes for biological cell imaging. Enjoy your forthcoming graduation and best wishes for the future.

The LJH group would like to welcome our newest recruit, Charlotte Hepples. Charlotte graduated this summer from the School of Chemistry here at Newcastle, after spending a very successful year abroad at the University of Waterloo, as part of our Study Abroad undergraduate programme. She will research novel highly fluorescent phosphorus(III) compounds for use as imaging agents.

On Tuesday 19th May, James was awarded 1st Prize for his talk titled “Transition metal complexes of MOP-phosphonites and their applications in homogeneous asymmetric catalysis” at the Wynne-Jones Postgraduate Research Day. The event was organised by the School of Chemistry at Newcastle University; stage 3 PhD students gave oral presentations with a question and answer session, while stage 2 PhD students presented posters. We aim to publish the results presented by James in the near future.