MacLean Research Group (Currently no positions available for graduate students or post-docs)

Research Lab PS3050 Funding generously provided by:

Group, summer 2009 Dan Walker (B.Sc. Honors, 2009) Synthesis of polymerizable 2,2'-biimidazole based compounds; synthesis of biimidazole-based metallopolymers Ryan Mason (B.Sc. Honors candidate, expected 2010) Novel Schiff base ligands for dinuclear complexes Travis Ryan (B.Sc. Advanced Major, expected, 2010) Diruthenium complexes linked with protic, conjugated bridges Dr. Priya Srinivasan (post-doctoral researcher) Synthesis of novel phenanthroline-based polydentate molecules for fully conjugated polynuclear complexes and DNA-probes Jiaqi Cheng (B.Sc Honors, expected 2010) Modification of GC electrodes with ruthenium electrocatalysts Previous group members: Rod MacNeil (B.Sc. Honours, 2008): currently in Medical School, Dalhousie University Jon Moulins (B.Sc. Hons candidate, expected 2008): currently in Ph.D. (chemistry), Dalhousie University Ross Mason (B.Sc. Honours, 2007): now enrolled in Dalhousie University Medical School Deanne Miles (B.Sc. Adv. Major, 2007): now enrolled in B.Ed., Memorial University Adrian Murray (B.Sc. Honours, joint with M. Aquino, 2007): now enrolled in M.Sc. (chemistry) University of Alberta Heather Turner (B.Sc. Honours, 2007): now enrolled in M.Sc. (chemistry) University of Waterloo Group Publications/Conference Proceedings: Singh-Bindra, G.; Schulz, M.; Paul, A.; Soman, S.; Groarke, R.; Inglis, J.; Pryce, M.T.; Browne, W.R.; Rau, S.; MacLean, B.J.; Vos, J.G. Dalton Trans., 2011, 40, 10812-10814. Srinivasan, P.; Mason, R.H.; MacNeil, J.R.G.; MacLean, B.J. “Metal-metal communication in diruthenium complexes of the bridging ligand bis(imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline” Inorg. Chim. Acta, 2011, 366, 116–121. Pauric, A.D.; MacLean, B.J.; Easton, E.B. “Fe-N/C oxygen reduction catalysis prepared by covalent attachment of 1,10-phenanthroline to a carbon surface,” J. Electrochem. Soc., 2011, 158, B331-B336. Pauric, A.D.; Easton, E.B.; Maclean, B.J. “Fe-N/C oxygen reduction catalysts prepared by surface functionalization of carbon black with 5,6-diamino,1-10-phenanthroline,” ECS Trans., 2010, 28, 55-62. Walker, D.T.; Douglas, C.D.; MacLean, B.J. "Synthesis, characterization, and surface studies of conjugated polymers possessing 2,2'-biimidazole moieties," Can. J. Chem., 2009, 87, 729-737. Murray, A.H.; Yue, Z.; Wallbank, A.L.; Cameron, T.S.; Vadavi, R.; MacLean,  B.J.; Aquino, M.A.S. “Synthesis, Structure and Electrochemistry of Mononuclear and Dinuclear Ruthenium-Thiophenecarboxylate Derivatives,” Polyhedron, 2008, 27, 1270. Mason, R.J.; MacLean, B.J. “Electronic and Optical Effects of N-Functionalization in Polythiazole Systems,” CF/DRDC International Defense Applications of Materials Meeting, Halifax, NS, 2007, 301-306. The Lab: situated on the third floor of the Physical Sciences Building, our lab is well-equipped for synthesis and electrochemical studies.  Currently, the lab houses four students.  Most of the synthetic work we do is conducted under inert atmosphere conditions.  Electrochemical characterizations are carried out with cyclic voltammetry, rotating disk voltammetry, and spectroelectrochemical measurements.  Access to departmental facilities (200, 400 MHz NMR, UV-Vis spectroscopy, FTIR) and external access to complimentary techniques permits full structural characterization.  We also possess an MBraun distillation-free solvent purification system and a JASCO J-810 circular dichroism spectrometer (through a recent Canada Foundation for Innovation Leaders Opportunity Fund award).        Group members obtain an excellent undergraduate training in organic and inorganic synthesis and purification techniques (adsorption, ion-exchange and chiral chromatography, gel-filtration columns, crystallization) and instrumental methods.