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Associate Professor Gareth Rowlands PhD, BSc(Hons), FRSC
Associate Professor in Chemistry
Doctoral Mentor Supervisor School of Natural SciencesDr. Gareth Rowlands is an Associate Professor of Chemistry at Massey University (2014). He joined Massey as a Senior Lecturer in 2006 after 7 years as a lecturer at the University of Sussex (UK). He has an interest in all aspects of organic chemistry. He can be found trying to spread his passion for organic synthesis in a number of chemistry's core papers and to a wider audience through a variety of review articles. His research focuses on chirality and stereoselective synthesis in all its forms. Much of this work has concentrated on the use of sulfoxides (his group was one of the first to report the use of sulfoxides in organocatalysis) and the chemistry of [2.2]paracyclophane but he has input into many different synthetic ventures through collaborations with his colleagues at Massey and elsewhere. One of these collaborations led him to become involved in the founding of Synthodics Ltd, a company set-up in conjunction with Massey colleagues to research new organic energy storage materials.
Gareth studied chemistry at Imperial College London, where he stayed to complete a PhD with Prof. Donald Craig. He then moved to Cambridge University as a Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 Research Fellow, where he undertook a post-doc with Prof. Steven V. Ley CBE, FRS. In 1999 he started his independent research at the University of Sussex on the south coast of England. In 2006 he moved to the other side of the world and has been at Massey University in New Zealand ever since.
Gareth is a synthetic chemist who specialises in the chemistry of [2.2]paracyclophane and asymmetric catalysis but basically enjoys making molecules. He is happy to try his hand and synthesising anything and has worked with sulfoxides, N-oxides, carbon materials, palladium complexes, and the synthesis of various nitrogen-containing (pre)ligands.
Gareth teaches into all the organic chemistry courses at Massey but is known to most students through his efforts in the first year first semester chemistry offering where he is continually trying to convince everyone that everything is organic chemistry.
Professional
Contact details
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Location: ScA4.18, Science Tower A
Campus: Manawatū
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy - University of London (1996)
- Bachelor of Science (Honours) - University of London (1993)
Fellowships and Memberships
- Member, Royal Society of Chemistry (Fellow) (2021)
Certifications and Registrations
- Licence, Mentor Supervisor, Massey University
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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
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Research Expertise
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.
Research Projects
Summary of Research Projects
| Position | Current | Completed |
|---|---|---|
| Project Leader | 0 | 11 |
Completed Projects
Project Title: The first example of a chiral 1,2,3-triazolium N-hetercyclic carbene:synthesis and uses
Date Range: 2012 - 2012
Funding Body: Massey University
Project Team:
- A/Pro Gareth Rowlands - Project Leader
Project Title: Chiral [2.2] Paracyclophane Derivatives: a platform for new catalysts, materials and fundamental studies
Date Range: 2012 - 2013
Funding Body: Massey University
Project Team:
- A/Pro Gareth Rowlands - Project Leader
Project Title: Planar chiral palladacycles
Date Range: 2010 - 2011
Funding Body: Massey University
Project Team:
- A/Pro Gareth Rowlands - Project Leader
Research Outputs
Journal
[Journal article]Authored by: Rowlands, G.
[Journal article]Authored by: Rakonjac, J., Rowlands, G.
[Journal article]Authored by: Dais, T., Plieger, P., Rowlands, G.
[Journal article]Authored by: Plieger, P., Rowlands, G.
[Journal article]Authored by: Plieger, P., Rowlands, G.
Book
[Chapter]Authored by: Rowlands, G.
Conference
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Rowlands, G.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Rowlands, G.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Rowlands, G.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Rowlands, G.
[Conference Poster]Authored by: Rowlands, G.
Other
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Rowlands, G.
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Rowlands, G.
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Rowlands, G.
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Rowlands, G.
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Rowlands, G.
Teaching and Supervision
Courses Coordinated
Summary of Doctoral Supervision
| Position | Current | Completed |
|---|---|---|
| Main Supervisor | 2 | 2 |
| Co-supervisor | 8 | 8 |
Current Doctoral Supervision
Main Supervisor of:
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Suraj Patel
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Doctor of Philosophy
Two is Better than One: Improved Catalysis through Cooperativity -
Shashank Tewari
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Doctor of Philosophy
C-H Activation in the synthesis of nitrogen- containing molecules and new ligands for controlling enantioselectivity
Co-supervisor of:
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Shivangi Chourasia
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Doctor of Philosophy
Reconfigurable Pickering emulsions -
Ludwig Petters
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Doctor of Philosophy
Multicomponent Metal-Organic Frameworks for Catalysis -
Marryllyn Donaldson
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Doctor of Philosophy
Exploration of Supramolecular Assembly with Pyrazine-Triazole based Ligands -
Jacob Scott
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Doctor of Philosophy
Detecting trace element pollutants used in orchards -
Brodie Matheson
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Doctor of Philosophy
Exploring second sphere interactions for magnetic applications. - view more...
Completed Doctoral Supervision
Main Supervisor of:
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2021
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Maulik Mungalpara
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Doctor of Philosophy
New Routes to Planar Chiral Ligands and their Use in Asymmetric Catalysis -
2020
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Leonie Etheridge
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Doctor of Philosophy
The Synthesis and Chemistry of [2.2]Paracyclophane Amino Acid Derivatives
Co-supervisor of:
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2022
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Tyson Dais
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Doctor of Philosophy
From Triangles to Rings: Colourful Clusters of Substituted Naphthalenediols -
2021
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Catrina Olivera
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Doctor of Philosophy
Synergistic triple combination antibiotic therapy for Gram-negative bacterial infections -
2021
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Rebecca Severinsen
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Doctor of Philosophy
The Synthesis and Chemistry of Quinolino[7,8-h]quinoline -
2020
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Joel Cornelio
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Doctor of Philosophy
Photophysical and Catalytic Properties of Multicomponent Metal-Organic Frameworks -
2019
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David Nixon
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Doctor of Philosophy
Catch 94 Be If You Can: Exploiting Second-Sphere Hydrogen Bonding Toward Chelation of Beryllium - view more...