Dr David McMorran, Our people, Department of Chemistry

PhD, BSc(Hons) (Otago)

Tel: 03 479 7934
Location: Science II, Gc2
Email: davidm@chemistry.otago.ac.nz

Teaching Responsibilities

Coordination of CHEM191
Coordination of the CHEM111 and CHEM191 laboratory courses
Coordination of CHEM150 course
Coordination of the INTRODUCTORY CHEMISTRY course.

Research

The emerging field of metallosupramolecular chemistry focuses on the ways in which assemblies of molecules, which may have new and interesting properties, can be constructed using metal ions as a glue to hold together various molecular components. By understanding the structural and electronic predilections of the metals ions and the various components, such assemblies can be designed to perform particular functions, such as energy conversion, catalysis and specific recognition of small molecules. In this, metallosupramolecular chemistry finds inspiration in the exquisite control and subtlety found in enzymes and other biological systems.

We are currently beginning to explore how this assembly process can be enhanced by combining the 'metal ions as glue' motif with specific hydrogen bonding interactions. In this way we aim to simply prepare assemblies with novel functional and structural properties. For example, recent work has shown that chiral Ag(I)-containing tectons can be assembled using hydrogen bonding and that either helical or meso-helical polymeric structures can be obtained depending on the nature of the counterion.

We are also exploring the coordination chemistry of suitably substituted biguanide ligands which inherently contain a triple hydrogen-bonding surface proximal to the metal binding site. Such ligands, which have been shown to stabilise a range of unusual metal oxidation states, may allow the construction of interesting assemblies capable of multi-electron catalysis.

Publications

McKay, A. P., Mapley, J. I., Gordon, K. C., & McMorran, D. A. (2019). Ru(II) and Ir(III) complexes containing ADA and DAD triple hydrogen bonding motifs: Potential tectons for the assembly of functional materials. Chemistry: An Asian Journal, 14(8), 1194-1203. doi: 10.1002/asia.201801748 Journal - Research Article

Steel, P. J., & McMorran, D. A. (2019). Selective anion recognition by a dynamic quadruple helicate. Chemistry: An Asian Journal, 14, 1098-1101. doi: 10.1002/asia.201801262 Journal - Research Other

Roxburgh, M., McMorran, D. A., Garden, A. L., & Hanton, L. R. (2018). Orientation of Ag^l ions in coordination architectures through ligand conformation and anion binding: From polymeric chains to discrete squares. European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, 2018(38), 4278-4285. doi: 10.1002/ejic.201800746 Journal - Research Article

Ward, J. I., Roxburgh, M., Hanton, L. R., & McMorran, D. A. (2018). Silver(I) complexes of 2,6-bis(4-pyridylsulfenyl)pyrazine: Interplay of anion coordination and argentophilic interactions. Inorganic Chemistry Communications, 87, 44-48. doi: 10.1016/j.inoche.2017.12.005 Journal - Research Article

McKay, A. P., Shillito, G. E., Gordon, K. C., & McMorran, D. A. (2017). Cyclometallated platinum(II) and palladium(II) complexes containing 1,5-diarylbiguanides: Synthesis, characterisation and hydrogen bond-directed assembly. CrystEngComm, 19(47), 7095-7111. doi: 10.1039/C7CE01805C Journal - Research Article

2019

Journal - Research Article

Journal - Research Other

Steel, P. J., & McMorran, D. A. (2019). Selective anion recognition by a dynamic quadruple helicate. Chemistry: An Asian Journal, 14, 1098-1101. doi: 10.1002/asia.201801262

2018

Journal - Research Article

2017

Journal - Research Article

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Roxburgh, M., McMorran, D. A., & Hanton, L. R. (2017). Anion/solvent influences on Ag(I) architectures containing flexible asymmetric ligands. Proceedings of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI) Centenary Congress. (pp. 18). Retrieved from http://www.racicongress.com/

2016

Journal - Research Article

McMorran, D. A., Fitzpatrick, M. G., Cunninghame, R. G., Downard, A. J., Robinson, W. T., & Hanton, L. R. (2016). X-Ray structures and dynamic solution behaviours of five-coordinate nickel(ii) complexes containing di- and tritertiary arsine ligands. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 69(5), 512-523. doi: 10.1071/CH15693

Lo, W. K. C., Castillo, C. E., Gueret, R., Fortage, J., Rebarz, M., Sliwa, M., … McAdam, C. J., … McMorran, D. A., Crowley, J. D., … Blackman, A. G. (2016). Synthesis, characterization, and photocatalytic H₂-evolving activity of a family of [Co(N4Py)(X)]ⁿ⁺ complexes in aqueous solution. Inorganic Chemistry, 55, 4564-4581. doi: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.6b00391

McKay, A. P., Lo, W. K. C., Preston, D., Giles, G. I., Crowley, J. D., Barnsley, J. E., Gordon, K. C., & McMorran, D. A. (2016). Palladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes of ((2-pyridyl)pyrazol-1-ylmethyl)benzoic acids: Synthesis, solid state characterisation and biological cytotoxicity. Inorganica Chimica Acta, 446, 41-53. doi: 10.1016/j.ica.2016.02.038

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Roxburgh, M., McMorran, D., & Hanton, L. R. (2016). Formation of networks with Ag(I) salts and the flexible unsymmetrical ligand 3,4-dipyridyl ketone. Proceedings of the 42nd International Conference on Coordination Chemistry (ICCC). (pp. 374). Retrieved from https://iccc2016.sciencesconf.org/resource/page/id/38

Roxburgh, M., McMorran, D. A., & Hanton, L. R. (2016). Anion influence on Ag(I) architectures synthesised with a flexible asymmetric ligand. Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute of Chemistry (NZIC) Conference. Retrieved from http://www.nzic16.org/

McMorran, D. A., & McKay, A. P. (2016). Palladium(II) and platinum(II) diarylbiguanides as tectons for hydrogen bond-directed assembly. Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute of Chemistry (NZIC) Conference. Retrieved from http://www.nzic16.org/

2015

Journal - Research Article

Cubanski, J. R., Reish, M. E., Blackman, A. G., Steel, P. J., Gordon, K. C., McMorran, D. A., & Crowley, J. D. (2015). Hybrid pyrazolyl-1,2,3-triazolyl tripodal tetraamine ligands: Click synthesis and cobalt(III) complexes. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 68(7), 1160-1170. doi: 10.1071/CH14700

Lo, W. K. C., Huff, G. S., Preston, D., McMorran, D. A., Giles, G. I., Gordon, K. C., & Crowley, J. D. (2015). A dinuclear platinum(II) N4Py complex: An unexpected coordination mode for N4Py. Inorganic Chemistry, 54(14), 6671-6673. doi: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.5b01032

Lo, W. K. C., Huff, G. S., Cubanski, J. R., Kennedy, A. D. W., McAdam, C. J., McMorran, D. A., Gordon, K. C., & Crowley, J. D. (2015). Comparison of inverse and regular 2-pyridyl-1,2,3-triazole "click" complexes: Structures, stability, electrochemical, and photophysical properties. Inorganic Chemistry, 54(4), 1572-1587. doi: 10.1021/ic502557w

Lo, W. K. C., McAdam, C. J., Blackman, A. G., Crowley, J. D., & McMorran, D. A. (2015). The pentadentate ligands 2PyN2Q and N4Py, and their Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes: A synthetic, spectroscopic and crystallographic structural study. Inorganica Chimica Acta, 426, 183-194. doi: 10.1016/j.ica.2014.11.036

Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)

McMorran, D. A., McKay, A. P., & Lo, W. K. C. (2015, June-July). Hydrogen bond-directed assembly of transition metal complexes: Diverse structures from reliable motifs. Poster session presented at the 10th International Symposium on Macrocyclic and Supramolecular Chemistry (ISMSC), Strasbourg, France.

2013

Journal - Research Article

McMorran, D. A., McAdam, C. J., van der Salm, H., & Gordon, K. C. (2013). 1,5-Diarylbiguanides and their nickel(II) complexes. Dalton Transactions, 42(8), 2948-2962. doi: 10.1039/C2DT32483K

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

McMorran, D. A., McAdam, C. J., van der Salm, H., & Gordon, K. C. (2013). Hydrogen bond directed assembly of metallosupramolecular systems. Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute of Chemistry (NZIC) Conference. Christchurch, New Zealand: NZIC. [Abstract]

Cubanski, J., McMorran, D., Blackman, A., & Crowley, J. (2013). Towards multimetallic architectures incorporating 1,2,3-triazole donors. Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute of Chemistry (NZIC) Conference. Christchurch, New Zealand: NZIC. [Abstract]

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

McMorran, D. (2013, July). It's chemistry, Jim, but not as we know it" Doing 100-level chemistry at Otago and some thoughts about why it seems to be so difficult for students. Verbal presentation at the ChemEd Conference, Dunedin, New Zealand.

2012

Chapter in Book - Research

Crowley, J. D., & McMorran, D. A. (2012). "Click triazole" Coordination chemistry: Exploiting 1,4-disubstituted-1,2,3-triazoles as ligands. In J. Košmrlj (Ed.), Click triazoles: Topics in heterocyclic chemistry (Vol. 28). (pp. 31-83). Berlin, Germany: Springer. doi: 10.1007/7081_2011_67

Journal - Research Article

McMorran, D., & Warren, D. (2012). Taking chemistry out of the lab: Perspectives on chemistry outreach at Otago. Chemistry in New Zealand, 76(2), 56-61.

Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)

McMorran, D. (2012, January-February). Hydrogen bond directed assembly of metallosupramolecular systems. Poster session presented at the 7th International Symposium on Macrocyclic and Supramolecular Chemistry (ISMSC), Dunedin, New Zealand.

2009

Journal - Research Article

McMorran, D., Warren, D., & Souness, R. (2009). Bringing inquiry-based learning to the first-year laboratory: Experimenting with conducting polymers. Chemistry in New Zealand, 73(2), 69-75.

2008

Journal - Research Article

Munro, N. H., Hanton, L. R., McAdam, C. J., & McMorran, D. A. (2008). 4-[(E)-2-Ferrocenylethenyl]-1,8-naphthalic anhydride. Acta Crystallographica Section E, E64, m572. doi: 10.1107/S1600536808007393

McMorran, D. A. (2008). Ag(I)-based tectons for the construction of helical and meso-helical hydrogen-bonded coordination networks. Inorganic Chemistry, 47(2), 592-601.

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

McMorran, D. A. (2008, November-December). First Year Chemistry at the University of Otago. Verbal presentation at the New Zealand Institute of Chemistry, New Zealand Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and the New Zealand Society of Plant Biologists Combined Conference, Dunedin, New Zealand.

Warren, D., & McMorran, D. (2008, November-December). New labs for old: Encorporating NCEA practical skills into 1^st year chemistry. Verbal presentation at the New Zealand Institute of Chemistry, New Zealand Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and the New Zealand Society of Plant Biologists Combined Conference, Dunedin, New Zealand.

2007

Journal - Research Article

Steel, P. J., & McMorran, D. A. (2007). Octa-substituted biphenyl-enes: Is there a favoured conformation? Acta Crystallographica Section C, C63, o382-o385. doi: 10.1107/S0108270107022779

2006

Journal - Research Article

Larsen, D. S., Osman, H., Caygill, G. B., McFarlane, B. S., & McMorran, D. A. (2006). rac-Hatomarubigin C. Acta Crystallographica Section E, E62, o5748-o5750.

2004

Journal - Research Article

McMorran, D. A., Hartshorn, C. M., & Steel, P. J. (2004). Copper(II) complexes of bis- and tetrakis-(2-pyridylsulfanylmethyl)benzenes. Polyhedron, 23, 1055-1061.

2003

Journal - Research Article

McMorran, D., & Steel, P. (2003). Syntheses and X-ray crystal structures of poly(pyridylsulfanylmethyl)arenes: New multi-armed molecules. Tetrahedron, 59, 3701-3707.

McMorran, D., & Steel, P. (2003). New multinuclear zinc complexes with N₄O₂ coordination spheres. Inorganic Chemistry Communications, 6, 43-47.

2002

Journal - Research Article

McMorran, D., Pfadenhauer, S., & Steel, P. J. (2002). Tetrakis(pyrazol-1-ylmenthyl)methane and its hypodentate binuclear complex with silver(I) nitrate. Inorganic Chemistry Communications, 5(6), 449-451.

McMorran, D., Pfadenhauer, S., & Steel, P. J. (2002). Chelating and bridging modes of coordination by 1,3-Bis(pyrazol-1-yl)propane; coexistance of discrete and infinite metallosupramolecular isomers within the same crystal. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 55(8), 519-523.

McMorran, D., & Steel, P. J. (2002). A self-complementary molecular cleft. Chemical Communications, (18), 2120-2121. doi: 10.1039/b205831f

McMorran, D., & Steel, P. J. (2002). New U- and Y-shaped components for metallosupramolecular assemblies: Synthesis and coordination chemistry of 2,6-bis(4-(3-pyridyloxy)pyrazine. Journal of the Chemical Society, Dalton Transactions, 3321-3326.

McMorran, D., & Steel, P. J. (2002). Metallosupramolecular assemblies: Synthesis and coordination chemistry of 2,6-bis(4-(3-pyridyloxy)phenoxy)pyrazine. Supramolecular Chemistry, 14(1), 79-85.

2001

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

McMorran, D., & Steel, P. J. (2001, December). Synthesis and coordination chemistry of new polydentate ligands: Approaches towards polyhelicate arrays. Verbal presentation at the New Zealand Institute of Chemistry (NZIC) National Conference, Napier, New Zealand.

1999

Journal - Research Article

McMorran, D., & Steel, P. (1999). A new bridging heterocyclic ligand with an Anthracene core and its Silver(I) metallopolymer. Inorganic Chemistry Communications, 2(8), 368-370.

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

McMorran, D., & Steel, P. (1999, January). Quadruple helicates as selective hosts for anions [Invited]. Verbal presentation at the RACI/NZIC Joint Inorganic Meeting, Wellington, New Zealand.

McMorran, D., & Steel, P. (1999, January). Quadruple helicates as selective hosts for anions. Verbal presentation at the Conference of the Organometallic Chemistry in the South Pacific, Auckland, New Zealand.

1998

Journal - Research Article

Fitzpatrick, M. G., Hanton, L. R., Henderson, W., Kneebone, P. E., Levy, E. G., McCaffrey, L. J., & McMorran, D. A. (1998). Application of electrospray mass spectrometry to the characterisation of tertiary arsine ligands. Inorganica Chimica Acta, 281, 101-110.

1997

Journal - Research Article

Barnhart, R. W., McMorran, D., & Bosnich, B. (1997). Asymmetric catalytic intramolecular hydroacylation of 4-substituted Pent-4-enals to beta-substituted cyclopentanones. Chemical Communications, 6, 589-590.

Barnhart, R. W., McMorran, D., & Bosnich, B. (1997). Enantioselective catalytic intramolecular hydroacylation. Inorganica Chimica Acta, 263(1-2), 1-7.

Buckingham, D. A., Clark, C. R., Hanton, L. R., & McMorran, D. A. (1997). Mechanism of formation of heteroleptic nickel(II)-arsine complexes from homoleptic precursors. Journal of the Chemical Society, Dalton Transactions, (7), 1165-1167.

1996

Journal - Research Article

Downard, A. J., Bond, A. M., Clayton, A., Hanton, L. R., & McMorran, D. A. (1996). Cyclic voltammetry of palladium(II) complexes with tridentate arsine ligands, separation of the two single-electron transfer steps of the Pd(II)-Pd(0) interconversion based on thermodynamics and kinetic discrimination. Inorganic Chemistry, 35(26), 7684-7690.