The aim of our work is to investigate making new molecules and probing their applications. Our target molecules are not minor variants on previously discovered species but are novel and exciting systems in their own right. We draw our inspiration from a range of sources, some targeted (such as exploring the binding of gold cations to organic substrates) and some more esoteric (such as pushing the phosphorus/carbon analogy). We also seek to explore the all-important appications of our systems as ligands, as new materials and in catalysis.

Dr Russell is a supervisor in the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Chemical Synthesis