Dr Chris Fitchett
Position
Senior Lecturer
Qualifications
BSc(Hons), PhD(Cant)
Field of Study
Organic Chemistry
Supramolecular Chemistry
Materials Chemistry
X-Ray Crystallography
Room
642
Contact Details
Telephone: +64 3 364 2460
Fax: +64 3 364 2110
Email: chris.fitchett@canterbury.ac.nz
Background
I completed BSc(Hons) and PhD degrees at the University of Canterbury working with Professor Peter Steel investigating the metallosurpamolecular chemistry of several flexible and chiral ligands. I was then awarded a Government of Ireland Postdoctoral Fellowship in Science, Engineering and Technology to work with Professor Sylvia Draper at Trinity College Dublin, where my interest in colossal heteocyclic molecules began. I completed a year as a lecturer in the same department, returning to New Zealand to complete short lectureships at the University of Canterbury and the University of Otago before completing 9 months as a James Cook University postdoctoral fellow working of the synthesis of supramolecular intervalence sensors.
Research Interests
I am broadly interested in the synthesis of new and interesting organic molecules, particularly focusing on colossal aromatic molecules . Such compounds are intrinsicaly interesting as materials, but are also being investgated for their ability to form novel coordination and organometallic assemblies. The preparation of such systems requires the use of modern organic synthetic techniques, including developing new reactions. The formation of new and interesting materials is the ultimate goal. These are subsequently examined for their chemical, physical and properties.
I am currently working on the following projects
- Synthesis of nitrogen containing colossal molecules and investigation of their intermolecular interactions.
- Organometallic complexes of colossal aromatic molecules with platinum and other metals.
- The synthesis of new molecular systems using coordination complexes and supramolecular species as precursors in organic reactions.
- The development of X-ray charge density analysis at the University of Canterbury
Undergraduate Courses
CHEM114, CHEM 322/CHEM362, CHEM242/BCHM206