Overview
Background
I completed my undergraduate studies in Chemistry, History and German at the University of Sydney graduating with a University Medal, before completing a Bachelor of Laws and PhD in Chemistry at the same institution. I made extensive contributions towards university life during that time which was recognised by the award of the Convocation Medal. During the same period, I spent time on the board of the Australian Youth Orchestra and a regional Credit Union in NSW. I then spent two years on a prestigious Marie Curie Fellowship at the University of Cambridge where I was also a Director of Studies at Emmanuel College. I returned to Australia to join The University of Queensland in 2012. I became an ARC Future Fellow in 2014. I was awarded a 2015 Queensland Young Tall Poppy Award and the 2018 Malcolm McIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the Year. I have authored more than 200 publications including 4 book chapters, which have received over 7000 citations. I have an h-index of >42.
Availability
- Professor Jack Clegg is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours), University of Sydney
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Sydney
- Bachelor of Law, University of Sydney
Research impacts
My research is in the field of metallo-supramolecular chemistry and bridges the traditional fields of organic and inorganic chemistry. I use a self-assembly approach and by combing the inherent physical and chemical properties of metals with organic (ligand) components I can design and synthesis new materials with central cavities that are capable of selectively binding smaller molecules. The resulting nanoscale structures can be either discrete or polymeric (framework) in nature. The potential applications for these compounds are diverse including drug delivery, catalysis, sequestration, separation and gas storage. Many of my compounds are characterised by X-ray diffraction methods.
Works
Search Professor Jack Clegg’s works on UQ eSpace
2026
Journal Article
New benzimidazole-based macroheterocycle as a supramolecular-driven sensor for dual recognition of Na2Cr2O7 and Cr(NO3)3 with exceptional selectivity and reusability
Ghanbari, Bahram, Ziaeifar, Fatemeh and Clegg, Jack K. (2026). New benzimidazole-based macroheterocycle as a supramolecular-driven sensor for dual recognition of Na2Cr2O7 and Cr(NO3)3 with exceptional selectivity and reusability. Inorganic Chemistry Communications, 189 116754, 116754. doi: 10.1016/j.inoche.2026.116754
2026
Journal Article
Synthesis of a C-2 functionalized l-iduronic acid derivative as a candidate pharmacological chaperone for MPS II (Hunter syndrome)
Nagendra, Vaibhavi, Mohamed, Shifaza, See, Nicholas W., Wimmer, Norbert, Neumann, Daniel, Trim, Paul J., Snel, Marten, Brock, Aidan J., Clegg, Jack K., Gandhi, Neha S., Hemsley, Kim M., Lau, Adeline A. and Ferro, Vito (2026). Synthesis of a C-2 functionalized l-iduronic acid derivative as a candidate pharmacological chaperone for MPS II (Hunter syndrome). Chemistry - An Asian Journal, 21 (11) e70823. doi: 10.1002/asia.70823
2026
Journal Article
Oligophenylene Tuning from Monomer to Trimer Enables Ultrafast Excited-State Dynamics and Ultrahigh Emission Cross Sections
Whittaker, Mia, Gale, Innes, Shukla, Atul, Johnson, Harrison, Yamamoto, Ayano, Rahane, Vijay P., Ireland, Alexander R., Clegg, Jack K., Canola, Sofia, Jain, Nidhi, Moore, Evan G., Verdi, Carla, Adachi, Chihaya, Namdas, Ebinazar B. and Lo, Shih-Chun (2026). Oligophenylene Tuning from Monomer to Trimer Enables Ultrafast Excited-State Dynamics and Ultrahigh Emission Cross Sections. Journal of the American Chemical Society jacs.6c00463. doi: 10.1021/jacs.6c00463
2026
Journal Article
Metal‐Chelated Hybrid Dimeric Acyclic Phosphazanes: Tunable and Robust Platforms for High‐Affinity Anion Binding
Hum, Gavin, Phang, Si Jia Isabel, Ong, How Chee, Li, Yongxin, León, Felix, Ng, Zheng Jie Glenn, Clegg, Jack K. and García, Felipe (2026). Metal‐Chelated Hybrid Dimeric Acyclic Phosphazanes: Tunable and Robust Platforms for High‐Affinity Anion Binding. ChemistryEurope, 4 (5) e202500480. doi: 10.1002/ceur.202500480
2026
Journal Article
Photofracking-Assisted Enhancement of Solid-State Photochemical Reactivity: α-Azido-5-phenyl-2,4-dienoate Derivatives
Banerjee, Upasana, Kavikarage, Janaka P. K., Wasson, Fiona J., Mendis, W. Dinindu, Mohottige, Wandana K. S. Henarath, Merugu, Rajkumar, Das, Anushree, Mack, Alexis, Kitil, Nawame, Hayes-Bogle, Savanna, Patrick, Gabriel D., Clegg, Jack K., Karothu, Durga Prasad, Naumov, Pance, Krause, Jeanette A. and Gudmundsdottir, Anna D. (2026). Photofracking-Assisted Enhancement of Solid-State Photochemical Reactivity: α-Azido-5-phenyl-2,4-dienoate Derivatives. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 148 (17) jacs.5c22335, 17696-17706. doi: 10.1021/jacs.5c22335
2026
Journal Article
Ligand Side-Chains Control the Formation of an M <sub>8</sub> L <sub>4</sub> Molecular Barrel: Unveiling Selective Encapsulation and Sequential Separation Properties
Bajer, Agnieszka, Mangili, Venkateswarulu, Rahman, Atiqur, Clegg, Jack K. and Stefankiewicz, Artur R. (2026). Ligand Side-Chains Control the Formation of an M 8 L 4 Molecular Barrel: Unveiling Selective Encapsulation and Sequential Separation Properties. Inorganic Chemistry, 65 (12) acs.inorgchem.6c00394, 6913-6922. doi: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.6c00394
2026
Journal Article
A novel dinaphthodiaza-crown macrocycle-based luminescent chemosensor for selective and sensitive dual detection of CHCl3 and CCl4 in water
Ghanbari, Bahram, Moeinian, Maryam, Safarkoopayeh, Barzin and Clegg, Jack K. (2026). A novel dinaphthodiaza-crown macrocycle-based luminescent chemosensor for selective and sensitive dual detection of CHCl3 and CCl4 in water. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A: Chemistry, 472 116731, 116731. doi: 10.1016/j.jphotochem.2025.116731
2026
Journal Article
Controlling the arrangement of [Fe4L6]8+ cages in the solid state
Pandullo, Marco, Micallef, Aaron S., Brock, Aidan J., Pfrunder, Michael C., Clegg, Jack K., McMurtrie, John C. and Mullen, Kathleen M. (2026). Controlling the arrangement of [Fe4L6]8+ cages in the solid state. Chempluschem, 91 (2) e202500730, 1-8. doi: 10.1002/cplu.202500730
2026
Journal Article
Visualizing the Reaction Products of Sodium Rhodizonate with Lead(II) or Barium(II) Salts: New Insights into Forensic Gunshot Residue Detection
Hopkins, Scarlet L., Harrington, Jodie L., Matheson, Carney, Cresswell, Sarah L., Clegg, Jack K. and Gee, William J. (2026). Visualizing the Reaction Products of Sodium Rhodizonate with Lead(II) or Barium(II) Salts: New Insights into Forensic Gunshot Residue Detection. Crystal Growth & Design, 26 (2) acs.cgd.5c01502, 917-933. doi: 10.1021/acs.cgd.5c01502
2026
Journal Article
From statistical mixtures to structural insights: characterisation of heterometallic [M <sub>4</sub> L <sub>6</sub> ] <sup>8+</sup> coordination cages using high resolution ion mobility mass spectrometry
Hong, Fangxing, Pfrunder, Michael C., Marshall, David L., Fulloon, Therese M., Poad, Berwyck L. J., Blanksby, Stephen J., Clegg, Jack. K., McMurtrie, John C. and Mullen, Kathleen M. (2026). From statistical mixtures to structural insights: characterisation of heterometallic [M 4 L 6 ] 8+ coordination cages using high resolution ion mobility mass spectrometry. Chemical Communications, 62 (36), 9262-9266. doi: 10.1039/d6cc01216g
2026
Journal Article
Structural insights into the sodium rhodizonate test for lead detection
Hopkins, Scarlet L., Harrington, Jodie L., Clegg, Jack K., Cresswell, Sarah L. and Gee, William J. (2026). Structural insights into the sodium rhodizonate test for lead detection. Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences, 58 (sup1), S91-S94. doi: 10.1080/00450618.2026.2617311
2026
Journal Article
Large Sheet-Like Elastic Crystals for Flexible Organic Light-Emitting Diode
Wei, Chuanxin, Shang, Vivian G., Jia, Ruofei, Wang, Lizhi, Lu, Qingqing, Li, Shuang, Zhang, Yong, Xu, Ying, Orué, Analia I. Chamorro, Du, Xinyu, Lin, Jinyi, Zhao, Qiang, Bai, Lubing, Xie, Linghai, Clegg, Jack K., Jie, Jiansheng, Xu, Man, Ding, Xuehua, Zhang, Xiujuan, Zhang, Jianming and Huang, Wei (2026). Large Sheet-Like Elastic Crystals for Flexible Organic Light-Emitting Diode. Advanced Materials, 38 (20) e23494. doi: 10.1002/adma.202523494
2026
Journal Article
Chasing nature’s anion binders
Li, Junhong, Stroet, Martin, Shang, Vivian G., Lyu, Wenrui, Clegg, Jack K., Deplazes, Evelyne and Wu, Xin (2026). Chasing nature’s anion binders. Chem 103036, 103036. doi: 10.1016/j.chempr.2026.103036
2025
Journal Article
Redox-engineered copper(II) methylthio-imidazole Schiff base complex for electrochemical detection of creatinine as a kidney disease biomarker
Wijitsak, Jinnapat, Boonprab, Theerapoom, Harding, Phimphaka, Harding, David J., Clegg, Jack K., Kaewket, Keerakit, Jakkrawhad, Chanida, Nijpanich, Supinya, Wannapaiboon, Suttipong, Kaewraung, Wongsathorn, Suthirakun, Suwit and Ngamchuea, Kamonwad (2025). Redox-engineered copper(II) methylthio-imidazole Schiff base complex for electrochemical detection of creatinine as a kidney disease biomarker. Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, 445 138590, 138590. doi: 10.1016/j.snb.2025.138590
2025
Journal Article
Reductive transfer hydrogenation of furfural to 2-methylfuran over a Re-assisted Cu catalyst
Banerjee, Debarun, Sahu, Aloka Kumar, Rajan, Ajin, Singh, Agrim, Varghese, Jithin John, Clegg, Jack Kay and Upadhyayula, Sreedevi (2025). Reductive transfer hydrogenation of furfural to 2-methylfuran over a Re-assisted Cu catalyst. Chemical Engineering Journal, 525 169866, 1-21. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2025.169866
2025
Journal Article
Identifying and characterising flexible crystals
Rahman, Atiqur, McMurtrie, John C., Thomas, Sajesh P. and Clegg, Jack Kay (2025). Identifying and characterising flexible crystals. CrystEngComm, 27 (44), 7110-7120. doi: 10.1039/d5ce00892a
2025
Journal Article
Supramol25: a meeting of the (relatively) new Royal Australian Chemical Institute supramolecular chemistry division
Clegg, Jack K., Jolliffe, Katrina A., Preston, Dan, Tuck, Kellie L. and White, Nicholas G. (2025). Supramol25: a meeting of the (relatively) new Royal Australian Chemical Institute supramolecular chemistry division. Supramolecular Chemistry, 36 (5-6), 105-109. doi: 10.1080/10610278.2025.2497863
2025
Journal Article
Lichen substances from Teloschistes flavicans (Sw.) Norman: Isolation, crystal structure, and evaluation of their antibacterial activities
Ismed, Friardi, Arifa, Nurwahidatul, Nissa, Mentari Q., Putra, Deddi P., Orue, Analia IC., Clegg, Jack K., Rouaud, Isabelle and Dévéhat, Françoise L. (2025). Lichen substances from Teloschistes flavicans (Sw.) Norman: Isolation, crystal structure, and evaluation of their antibacterial activities. Narra J, 5 (2) e1463, 1-11. doi: 10.52225/narra.v5i2.1463
2025
Journal Article
Origins of elasticity in molecular materials
Thompson, Amy J., Chong, Bowie S. K., Kenny, Elise P., Evans, Jack D., Powell, Joshua A., Spackman, Mark A., McMurtrie, John C., Powell, Benjamin J. and Clegg, Jack K. (2025). Origins of elasticity in molecular materials. Nature Materials, 24 (3) e2118161119, 356-360. doi: 10.1038/s41563-025-02133-w
2025
Journal Article
One-pot synthesis of azepine spiro[4.6]-γ-lactams by a Hantzsch-type reaction
Hopkins, Scarlet L., Clarke, Kristen T., Clegg, Jack K. and Gee, William J. (2025). One-pot synthesis of azepine spiro[4.6]-γ-lactams by a Hantzsch-type reaction. Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry, 23 (3), 614-618. doi: 10.1039/d4ob01719f
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Jack Clegg is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the photoexcited states within molecular crystals
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Evan Moore
-
Doctor Philosophy
Tuning the flexibility of crystals through intermolecular interactions
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
New flexible piezoelectric crystals
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Rational Design of Carboxylate Supramolecular Complexes for Pyrolysis Bio-oil Valorization
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
New Metallo-supramolecular Architectures
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Evan Moore
-
Doctor Philosophy
High-resolution crystallographic studies on mechanically fl exible crystals
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
The role of spin-orbit coupling in spin crossover materials
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Ben Powell
-
Doctor Philosophy
Fluorocarbon activation using organometallic chemistry
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Rowan Young
-
Doctor Philosophy
Fluorocarbon activation using organometallic chemistry
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Rowan Young
-
Doctor Philosophy
Harvesting Fluorine from Fluorocarbons: Developing Transfer Fluorination
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Rowan Young
Completed supervision
-
2025
Doctor Philosophy
Investigating pore functionalisation of metal organic frameworks
Principal Advisor
-
2025
Doctor Philosophy
Anion-induced transformations in metallosupramolecular cages incorporating 3,3 ' -bipyridine-cored ligands
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Evan Moore
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Stimuli-responsive behaviour in metallo-supramolecular materials
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Evan Moore
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
1,001 Crystal Structures: Understanding the Mechanisms of Deformation in Elastically Flexible Crystals Using Automated Analysis
Principal Advisor
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
The Design and Self-assembly of Allosterically Regulated Metal-organic Cages
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Evan Moore
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Design and Synthesis of acetylene-tagged and "clicked" chiral discrete and polymeric metallosupramolecular architectures
Principal Advisor
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
Metallo-Supramolecular Materials for Chiral Discrimination and Enantiomeric Separation
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Evan Moore
-
2017
Doctor Philosophy
Synthesis of new metal-organic frameworks via a hierarchical self-assembly approach
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Lisbeth Grondahl
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Earth Abundant Photocatalysis and Supramolecular Assemblies
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Evan Moore
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Investigating Energy Transfer in Homo- and Heterometallic Lanthanide Helicates
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Evan Moore
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Incorporation of Ir(III) cyclometalated motifs into heterometallic supramolecular assemblies
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Evan Moore
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Re-examining catalytic chain transfer for the synthesis of specialty polymers
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Kristofer Thurecht, Associate Professor Idriss Blakey, Professor Andrew Whittaker
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
Exploring the LnIII-to-LnIII Energy Transfer Properties of Lanthanoid Dimer Complexes
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Evan Moore
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
Sensitised Luminescence of Heterometallic d-f Lanthanide Complexes
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Evan Moore
Media
Enquiries
Contact Professor Jack Clegg directly for media enquiries about:
- Chemistry
- Crystals
- Physical Sciences
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