Research Network for Metals in Medicine

 

 

Associate Professor Robert Armstrong

BSc (Hons. I), MSc (Syd), PhD (Syd)

Affiliation: School of Chemistry, University of Sydney

Postal Address:
School of Chemistry, [Building F11]
University of Sydney, NSW, 2006
Australia

Phone: +61 (2) 9351-3104
Fax: +61 (2) 9351-3329
Email: R.Armstrong@chem.usyd.edu.au
Webpage: http://www.chem.usyd.edu.au/about/staff_armstrong.html

Research Profile

  • Electron delocalisation in dinuclear ruthenium and osmium amines
  • Spectroscopy of fullerenes, fullerides and their metal complexes
  • XAFS studies of ligand binding in hemeproteins and metalloporphyrins
  • Mapping of biological inorganic solids by FT-IR and FT-Raman microscopy
  • Single-crystal Raman spectroscopy

Fullerenes and fullerides - Our recent work (see refs. below) has shown that resonance Raman spectra of C60 and C70 in solution are rich in information on symmetry, excited-state lifetime, electronic degeneracy, and vibronic coupling. They reveal strong regio-specific interactions of aromatic molecules with the fullerene surface. We are proceeding to investigate the chemistry, spectroscopy, structure, and biochemistry of transition metal complexes and water-soluble forms of fullerenes to test for the biological activity of fullerene derivatives; and to better understand the dynamics of the interactions of such derivatives with HIV and FIV proteases, and DNA.

Hemeproteins and model complexes - Multiple-scattering analyses of X ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) data are being used to determine the structures of various adducts of the O2-binding monomeric proteins, myoglobin and leghemoglobin (in collaboration with Professor P A Lay). The Fe- ligand and related bond lengths and bond angles are more precise and accurate than those obtained previously from single-scattering analyses of XAFS data and X-ray crystallography. The ligand, NO, is of particular interest and our XAFS studies are being extended to investigate its diverse roles in biological processes.


Selected Publications

  1. Resonance Raman Scattering from Solutions of C60. Gallagher, S. H.; Armstrong, R. S.; Clucas, W. A.; Lay, P. A.; Reed, C. A. J. Phys. Chem. 1997, 101, 2960-2968.
  2. Raman Excitation Profiles of C70 in Benzene Solutions. Assignment of Electronic Spectrum in the Region of 380-510 nm. Gallagher, S. H.; Armstrong, R. S.; Bolskar, R. D.; Lay, P. A.; Reed, C. A. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1997, 119, 4263-4271.
  3. Chromium Luminescence as a Probe of Site Effects in the Alum Lattice. Armstrong, R. S.; Berry, A. J.; Cole, B. J.; Nugent, K. W. J. Chem. Soc. Dalton Trans. 1997, 363-366.
  4. Fourier Transform Raman Microscopic Mapping of the Molecular Components in a Human Tooth. Wentrup-Byrne, E.; Armstrong, C. A.; Armstrong, R. S.; Collins, B. M. J. Raman Spectrosc. 1997, 28, 151-158.