ABOUT OUR RESEARCH
Boron is Earth-abundant, and present in its mineral form in everyday objects, e.g. glass and detergents. Boron is also found in organic form in nature, including in plant enzymes, and is an essential element in the diets of numerous living species, including ourselves.
Inclusion of boron in synthetic organic compounds, often in place of just one carbon atom, can impart tremendous changes in the properties of a molecule. When these ‘borylated’ molecules are correctly ‘tuned’ by having the boron in the ‘right place’ together with other elements such as nitrogen and oxygen – their new properties can be harnessed to provide compounds with diverse applications.
These range from ‘smart’ materials (e.g., in thin-film displays) through to safe, ‘green’ and economically advantageous reagents in the production of agrochemicals and pharmaceuticals, and, in another very recently emerging application, in the drug molecules themselves.
Boron: Beyond the Reagent brings together a world class team of experts in an inter-disciplinary setting to truly make progress in these areas. The three research areas that will be tackled sit upon an underpinning research platform Understanding and Predicting the Chemistry of Borylated Molecules.
UNDERPINNING RESEARCH PLATFORM
Understanding and predicting the chemistry of borylated molecules.
RESEARCH AREAS
Three divergent and cross-fertilising research areas will be tackled.These research areas directly contribute to the EPSRC themes of: Healthcare Technologies, Manufacturing the Future and The Productive and Resilient Nation.
Boron Medicines
Creating boron-based medicines that can be controlled to release the active drug in the right place and at the right time.
Chemical manufacturing
Creating borylated reagents that can be easily stored and transported, but switch to their reactive form when needed.
Smart materials
Creating boron-based materials for devices like OLEDs that are highly stable, efficient, and durable.
PUBLICATIONS