Next Generation Synthesis

Chemical synthesis describes the controlled assembly of otherwise inaccessible and important molecules. It underpins the chemical industry, one Australias largest manufacturing sectors, contributing around $40 billion to GDP. It is a key enabler of food and agriculture, advanced manufacturing, medical technologies and pharmaceuticals, and mining. Chemical synthesis is possible because we know a little about how to bring atoms together to form molecules. The problem is that we dont know how to do this well. Chemical synthesis of virtually any stable molecule is feasible but is neither practical nor sustainable. This project aims to invent innovative new approaches to make chemical synthesis both practical and sustainable. It aims to develop groundbreaking new fundamental science to make molecules faster and cleaner. It also aims to use plant-derived and sustainably sourced building blocks in place of non-renewable precursors. The academic outputs of this work will lead t