Wednesday, 18 August 11:00am – 12:00pm

This seminar will be delivered via Zoom – Please email chemistry.researchsupport@sydney.edu.au for zoom link and password.

Speaker: Dr Nicholas White; Australian National University

Host: Dr Derrick Roberts

Abstract: We have developed a (relatively) predictable and modular synthesis of a family of supramolecular frameworks, which self-assemble through charge-assisted hydrogen bonds between amidinium cations and carboxylate anions. These frameworks are prepared in water, and unusually are stable to water, polar organic solvents, and heating. This talk will describe the discovery, synthesis and structure of this family of frameworks as well as collaborative work using these frameworks to encapsulate and protect enzymes, and prepare molecularly-thin 2D nanosheets. I will also describe recent work from our group preparing self-assembled organic cages and their use for anion binding applications.

Biography: Nicholas (Nick) White was born in the UK but completed high school and undergraduate studies in New Zealand. He completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Otago (2004–2007) where his honours project was completed with Prof. Sally Brooker. He then moved to the UK to complete his doctorate at the University of Oxford with Prof. Paul Beer (2009–2013), before moving to Canada for a postdoc at the University of British Columbia with Prof. Mark MacLachlan (2013–2015). He commenced his independent career at the Australian National University in late 2015, where his group’s research is mainly focused on understanding and using non-covalent interactions for self–assembly. He is a keen trail runner, occasional cyclist and fanatical boulderer.