Associate Professor Gareth Rowlands PhD, BSc(Hons)

Qualifications

• Doctor of Philosophy - University of London (1996)
• Bachelor of Science (Honours) - University of London (1993)

Prizes and Awards

• Industrial CASE Studentship Principle Investigator responsible for gaining competitive funding from GlaxoSmithKline PLC (Stevenage, UK) to cover the stipend of a Ph.D. student (‘Enantioselective nucleophilic catalysis with [2.2]paracyclophane-based heterocycles’ Andrew Hodgson, University of Sussex, 2008) and consumables of the value of GBP21,000. Resulted in one publication (Synlett, 2006, 2625). Proposals were peer reviewed by academics and researchers at GlaxoSmithKline PLC. - (2005)
• Massey University Technicians Award Competitive internal funding was obtained to employ a technician for two years. The technician provided support for a range of synthetic projects synthetic projects culminating in two publications (Nominated Output 3 and 4), with more in preparation. Funding was awarded on the basis of external references and an internal interview process. - (2007)
• EPSRC Grant EP/D50175X/1 Obtained GBP132,606 over three years through an open round of funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (UK) to fund research on Lewis basic organocatalysis (‘Chiral sulfinamides, N-oxides & beta-diketimines as Lewis base catalysts and Lewis bases in synthetic reactions; the development of new ligand systems’ Lamin Kamara, Ph.D. Thesis, University of Sussex, 2009). Resulted in two publications, NRO 3 (Chem. Commun. 2011, 47, 433) and Tetrahedron 2009, 65, 9134. Funding was awarded after peer review and ranking by a research council comprising of invited academics. - (2005)
• Industrial CASE Studentship I was awarded a CASE award from GlaxoSmithKline (Stevenage, UK) that paid for one D.Phil. (Ph.D. student) and GBP21,000 worth of consumables over three years. I was the principle investigator. GSK PLC. From: GlaxoSmithKline PLC - (2003)
• I was awarded an EPSRC grant for GBP62,765 for three years. I was the principle investigator. Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. From: EPSRC - (2002)
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• Massey University Postdoctoral Fellowship In conjunction with Dr. Vyacheslav Filichev, successfully bid for competitive funding to supported a postdoctoral fellow for two years. This permitted 'blue skies' research combining our expertise in DNA chemistry and asymmetric catalysis. Funding was awarded on the merit of external references and an internal interview process. - (2009)
• I was jointly awarded an unrestricted grant for GBP5,000 from DuPont (USA) Ltd. I was co-investigator with Dr. Martyn P. Coles (University of Sussex, UK). From: DuPont Ltd. - (2003)
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Research Interests

Dr Gareth Rowlands' research is focused on chirality and asymmetric synthesis in all its forms (substrate control, chiral auxiliaries, reagent control and catalysis). We are interested in how stereochemical information is communicated between molecules and in 'non-traditional' forms of chirality, such as planar and axial chirality. Currently, research in the Rowlands' group is concentrating on the synthesis of [2.2]paracyclophane derivatives and their use in the design of new ligands and catalysts.

The synthesis of enantiomerically pure [2.2]paracyclophane derivatives – We are interested in developing new methodology for the synthesis of enantiopure [2.2]paracyclophanes; for the most part, this work focuses on the use of sulfoxides as temporary or traceless chiral auxiliaries that permit both the resolution of planar chirality and the functionalisation of the [2.2]paracyclophane backbone. We are also interested in other traceless auxiliaries for the resolution of planar chirality and these studies are directed towards the synthesis of heterocycles. Additionally, we would like to move away from using resolving agents and have started to investigate kinetic resolution of various [2.2]paracyclophane derivatives.

[2.2]Paracyclophane-based ligands and catalysts – We have a long-standing interest in the use of planar chiral phosphines as ligands for a variety of reactions. So far we have studied heterocyclic phosphines but current projects are looking at more basic phosphines. Heterocyclic derivatives have also been employed in Lewis basic catalysis. Finally, new methodology is allowing us to explore the use of various amino[2.2]paracyclophanes and this is opening up new and exciting avenues of research.

Thematics

Health and Well-being, Future Food Systems

Area of Expertise

Field of research codes
Chemical Science (030000): Organic Chemical Synthesis (030503): Organic Chemistry (030500)

Keywords

Organic synthesis, asymmetric synthesis, [2.2]paracyclophanes, asymmetric catalysis.

Completed Projects

Courses Coordinated

• 123.104 Chemistry for Biological Systems
• 123.202 Organic and Biological Chemistry
• 123.713 Advanced Chemical Synthesis

Current Doctoral Supervision

Supervisor of:

• Shashank Tewari - Doctor of Philosophy
  C-H Activation in the synthesis of nitrogen- containing molecules and new ligands for controlling enantioselectivity
• Maulik Mungalpara - Doctor of Philosophy
  New routes to planar chiral phosphorus ligands and their use in asymmetric catalysis
• Leonie Etheridge - Doctor of Philosophy
  Planar chiral amino acids as organocatalysts

Co-supervisor of:

• Sidney Woodhouse - Doctor of Philosophy
  Design and Synthesis of New Magnetic Materials
• Catrina Olivera - Doctor of Philosophy
  Synergistic antibacterial combinations
• Tyson Dais - Doctor of Philosophy
  Development of 4f/3d heterodinuclear single molecule magnets: An experimental and computational study
• Joel Cornelio - Doctor of Philosophy
  Multicomponent Metal-Organic Frameworks
• Rebecca Severinsen - Doctor of Philosophy
  The Synthesis and Chemistry of New Ouino[7,8-h]quinoline Derivatives

Completed Doctoral Supervision

Co-supervisor of:

• 2019 - David Nixon - Doctor of Philosophy
  Catch ⁹₄ Be If You Can: Exploiting Second-Sphere Hydrogen Bonding Toward Chelation of Beryllium
• 2017 - Haidee Dykstra - Doctor of Philosophy
  At the Cutting edge: Structural analysis and chemical modification of the edges of mechanically cleaved graphene nanoribbons
• 2017 - Sebastian Blackwood - Doctor of Philosophy
  Thermolabile Protecting Groups in Metal-Organic Frameworks
• 2015 - Kelsey Mortensen - Doctor of Philosophy
  Development of a New Cathode for Aqueous Rechargeable Batteries

Other Links

• My Homepage