Paul E. Kruger

Biography

Paul undertook his BSc (Hons) and PhD degrees at Monash University (Melbourne, Australia) under the direction of Prof Keith S Murray, where his research was centred on the synthesis of multi-nuclear metal complexes in the quest to develop species of bio-mimetic relevance and as novel magnetic materials. He then spent two years as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Queen’s University of Belfast investigating the structural and functional aspects of metallo-macrocyclic complexes with Prof Vickie McKee. Paul was then appointed to a lectureship at the University of Dublin, Trinity College before moving to the University of Canterbury where he is now Professor of Chemistry.   

Research Interest

Paul’s research interests touch upon all aspects of Supramolecular Chemistry and ranges from organic synthesis and coordination chemistry, through materials and structural chemistry, to host-guest and sensor chemistry. This work is underpinned by structural analysis by single-crystal X-ray diffraction which is complimented by a range of spectroscopic techniques. In a series of endeavours the Kruger group are addressing the following research themes: Spin-switching materials that possess externally addressable spin-switching Fe(II) centres. Potential applications for these materials is as the active components in temperature, pressure or guest induced magnetic switches or molecular or ion detection. Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) that are permanently porous show promising applications in catalysis, separation, strategic gas storage and molecular recognition. Anion sensing through the development of molecules capable of acting as ‘naked-eye’ or fluorescent anion sensors for use in medical devices and environmental monitoring. Host-guest chemistry of metal-organic cages that possess geometrically and electronically predefined internal voids capable of binding guest molecules. These materials may find potential application as drug delivery vectors, sensor materials and as para-magnetic chemical exchange saturation transfer (PARACEST) magnetic-resonance contrast agents.