Our research group is interested in developing synthetic routes to complex molecular and supramolecular architectures self-assembly and self-replication processes. In this way, we hope to create functional nanoscale architectures which are capable of self-synthesis when supplied with the appropriate molecular building blocks. In order to achieve this goal, our research involves the interplay of experimental and computational methods for the design and construction of nanoscale systems.

Our research effort focuses on the synthesis of self-replicating and reciprocal replicating systems. We study the kinetic and thermodynamic properties of these systems using experimental and computational methods and examine how these properties can be exploited to achieve selectivity in their synthesis.

SELECTED RECENT PUBLICATIONS

1. A structurally-simple minimal self-replicating system. J.M. Quayle, A.M.Z. Slawin, D. Philp Tetrahedron Lett. 2002, 43, 7729-7733.
2. A completely selective and strongly accelerated Diels-Alder reaction mediated by hydrogen bonding R.J. Pearson, E. Kassiandis, D. Philp Tetrahedron Lett. 2004, 45, 7729-7733.
3. Self-replication vs. reactive binary complexes – Manipulating recognition-mediated cycloadditions by simple structural modifications. R.J. Pearson, E. Kassiandis, A.M.Z. Slawin, D. Philp Org. Biomol. Chem. 2004, 2, 3434-3441.
4. A completely selective and strongly accelerated Diels-Alder reaction mediated by hydrogen bonding R.J. Pearson, K.M. Evans, A.M.Z. Slawin, D. Philp, N.J. Westwood J. Org. Chem. 2005, 70, 5055-5061.
5. Specific Autocatalysis in Diastereoisomeric Replicators. E. Kassiandis, R.J. Pearson, D. Philp Org. Lett. 2005, 7, 3833-3836.