
Overview
Background
After completing my undergraduate and postgraduate studies at the University of Newcastle, I held a Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Basel (Switzerland) from 1990-2. I returned to Australia in 1993 to take up an Australian Research Council Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Australian National University (Canberra) from 1993-4. I joined The University of Queensland in 1994.
Availability
- Professor Paul Bernhardt is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Newcastle
Research interests
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Protein Electrochemistry
This research involves incorporating redox active enzymes with electrochemical systems such that the enzyme functions natively whilst in communication with an electrode (rather than with a natural electron transfer partner). We are currently investigating a number of systems, most from the molybdenum enzyme family that catalyse oxygen transfer reactions of both organic and inorganic substrates.
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Copper Complexes as Atom Transfer Radical Catalysts
Atom transfer radical polymerisation (ATRP) is one of the most widely used 'controlled' radical polymerisation techniques and has resulted in polymers with well defined molecular weights and architectures. Our work is focused on complexes that catalyse this process by generating organic radicals from the simple reaction between a Cu(I) complex and an alkyl halide initiator. We can probe this atom transfer reaction with cyclic voltammetry and we have gained new insight to this interesting and fundamentally important reaction. This has now progressed to developing electrocatalytic synthetic methods for C-C bond formation reactions in collaboration with Prof. Craig Williams (SCMB).
Research impacts
My research interests include all aspects of coordination chemistry; particularly its relevance to the areas of electrochemistry, bioinorganic chemistry, spectroscopy and catalysis.
In recent years some of the areas in which we have been, and continue to be, actively involved include:
- Enzyme electrochemistry (collaborations with several UQ and international groups).
- Invesitigation of copper complexes that are active in atom transfer radical polymerisation catalysis
- Transition metal-mediated organic oxidation and reduction reactions
Works
Search Professor Paul Bernhardt’s works on UQ eSpace
2002
Journal Article
Crown ether appended cyclam receptors for cationic guests
Bernhardt, P. V. and Hayes, E. J. (2002). Crown ether appended cyclam receptors for cationic guests. Inorganic Chemistry, 41 (11), 2892-2902. doi: 10.1021/ic011232h
2002
Journal Article
Site-Directed Mutagenesis of Dimethyl Sulfoxide Reductase from Rhodobacter capsulatus: Characterization of a Y114 → F Mutant
Ridge, Justin P., Aguey, Kondo-Francois, Bernhardt, Paul V., Brereton, Ian M., Hanson, Graeme R. and McEwan, Alastair G. (2002). Site-Directed Mutagenesis of Dimethyl Sulfoxide Reductase from Rhodobacter capsulatus: Characterization of a Y114 → F Mutant. Biochemistry, 41 (52), 15762-15769. doi: 10.1021/bi0266582
2002
Journal Article
Substitution reactions on cyclometalated Pt(IV) complexes. Associative tuning by fluoro Ligands and fluorinated substituents
Bernhardt, P. V., Gallego, C., Martinez, M. and Parella, T. (2002). Substitution reactions on cyclometalated Pt(IV) complexes. Associative tuning by fluoro Ligands and fluorinated substituents. Inorganic Chemistry, 41 (7), 1747-1754. doi: 10.1021/ic0108179
2002
Conference Publication
Reactions of tetramethyldiaminomethane with platinum(II) and palladium(II): Hydrolysis of coordinated ligand, and an unusual insertion of the resultant formaldehyde into a C-N bond in a strained chelate ring
Appleton, T. G., Begum, S., Bernhardt, P. V., Bryant, G. K. and Hoang, H. (2002). Reactions of tetramethyldiaminomethane with platinum(II) and palladium(II): Hydrolysis of coordinated ligand, and an unusual insertion of the resultant formaldehyde into a C-N bond in a strained chelate ring. 8th International Conference on the Chemistry of the Platinum Group Metals, Southampton, U.K., July, 2002.
2002
Journal Article
Synthesis and structural properties of patellamide a derivatives and their copper(II) compounds
Bernhardt, P. V., Comba, P., Fairlie, D. P., Gahan, L. R., Hanson, G. R. and Lotzbeyer, L. (2002). Synthesis and structural properties of patellamide a derivatives and their copper(II) compounds. Chemistry-a European Journal, 8 (7), 1527-1536. doi: 10.1002/1521-3765(20020402)8:73.3.CO;2-6
2001
Journal Article
Photoinduced electron transfer and electronic energy transfer in naphthyl-appended cyclams
Bernhardt, Paul V., Moore, Evan G. and Riley, Mark J. (2001). Photoinduced electron transfer and electronic energy transfer in naphthyl-appended cyclams. Inorganic Chemistry, 40 (23), 5799-5805. doi: 10.1021/ic0102586
2001
Journal Article
Completion of the isomorphous Ln(trensal) series
Bernhardt, P. V., Flanagan, B. M. and Riley, M. J. (2001). Completion of the isomorphous Ln(trensal) series. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 54 (4), 229-232. doi: 10.1071/CH01076
2001
Conference Publication
Predicting Ianthanide spectroscopy and applications to energy up-conversion
Flanagan, B., Bernhardt, P. V., Luethi, S. and Riley, M. J. (2001). Predicting Ianthanide spectroscopy and applications to energy up-conversion. Australiasian Conference on Optics, Lasers and Spectroscopy, Brisbane, 3-6 December, 2001. Brisbane: ACOLS 2001.
2001
Journal Article
Unprecedented oxidation of a biologically active aroylhydrazone chelator catalysed by iron(III): serendipitous identification of diacylhydrazine ligands with high iron chelation efficacy
Bernhardt, P. V., Chin, P. and Richardson, D. R. (2001). Unprecedented oxidation of a biologically active aroylhydrazone chelator catalysed by iron(III): serendipitous identification of diacylhydrazine ligands with high iron chelation efficacy. Journal of Biological Inorganic Chemistry, 6 (8), 801-809. doi: 10.1007/s007750100258
2001
Journal Article
Ligand-field analysis of an Er(III) complex with a heptadentate tripodal N4O3 ligand
Flanagan, B. M., Bernhardt, P. V., Krausz, E. R., Luthi, S. R. and Riley, M. J. (2001). Ligand-field analysis of an Er(III) complex with a heptadentate tripodal N4O3 ligand. Inorganic Chemistry, 40 (21), 5401-5407. doi: 10.1021/ic0103244
2001
Journal Article
Diverse solid-state and solution structures within a series of hexaamine dicopper(II) complexes
Bernhardt, P. V. (2001). Diverse solid-state and solution structures within a series of hexaamine dicopper(II) complexes. Inorganic Chemistry, 40 (6), 1086-1092. doi: 10.1021/ic000928s
2001
Journal Article
A ferrocene functionalised macrocyclic receptor for cations and anions
Beer, P. D. and Bernhardt, P. V. (2001). A ferrocene functionalised macrocyclic receptor for cations and anions. Journal Chemical Society, Dalton Transactions (9), 1428-1431. doi: 10.1039/b100439p
2000
Journal Article
Halogenated terpenoids. XXXII: Pentabromides from limonene - Two 1,2,8,9,9-pentabromo-p-menthanes
Bernhardt, Paul V., Carman, Raymond M. and Ross, Benjamin P. (2000). Halogenated terpenoids. XXXII: Pentabromides from limonene - Two 1,2,8,9,9-pentabromo-p-menthanes. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 53 (7), 611-614.
2000
Journal Article
2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde 2-methylthiosemicarbazone
Lovejoy, D. B., Richardson, D. R. and Bernhardt, P. V. (2000). 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde 2-methylthiosemicarbazone. Acta Crystallographica, Section C: Crystal Structure Communications, 56
2000
Journal Article
Discrete dinuclear cyano-bridged complexes
Bernhardt, PV, Macpherson, BP and Martinez, M (2000). Discrete dinuclear cyano-bridged complexes. Inorganic Chemistry, 39 (23), 5203-5208. doi: 10.1021/ic000379q
2000
Journal Article
Ni-II and Zn-II complexes of the hexadentate macrocyclic ligand cis-6,13-dimethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetra- decane-6,13-diamine
Bernhardt, PV (2000). Ni-II and Zn-II complexes of the hexadentate macrocyclic ligand cis-6,13-dimethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetra- decane-6,13-diamine. Acta Crystallographica Section C-crystal Structure Communications, 56 (7), 744-746. doi: 10.1107/S0108270100003930
2000
Journal Article
Structurally reinforced tetraazamacrocyclic complexes
Bernhardt, PV and Sharpe, PC (2000). Structurally reinforced tetraazamacrocyclic complexes. Inorganic Chemistry, 39 (10), 2020-2025. doi: 10.1021/ic9906353
2000
Journal Article
Halogenated terpenoids. XXXII - Pentabromides from limonene two 1,2,8,9,9-pentabromo-p-menthanes
Bernhardt, PV, Carman, RM and Ross, BP (2000). Halogenated terpenoids. XXXII - Pentabromides from limonene two 1,2,8,9,9-pentabromo-p-menthanes. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 53 (7), 611-614. doi: 10.1071/CH00022
2000
Journal Article
Synthesis and complexes of the sexidentate macrocycle 15-methyl-1,4,7,10,13-pentaazacyclohexadecan-15-amine
Bernhardt, PV, Lawrance, GA, Napitupulu, M and Wei, G (2000). Synthesis and complexes of the sexidentate macrocycle 15-methyl-1,4,7,10,13-pentaazacyclohexadecan-15-amine. Inorganica Chimica Acta, 300, 604-612. doi: 10.1016/S0020-1693(00)00022-0
2000
Journal Article
Self-assembly of a noncovalently bonded Dicopper(II) complex in the solid state and in solution
Bernhardt, PV and Sharpe, PC (2000). Self-assembly of a noncovalently bonded Dicopper(II) complex in the solid state and in solution. Inorganic Chemistry, 39 (22), 4994-4995. doi: 10.1021/ic000587i
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Paul Bernhardt is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Quantum Chemistry as a tool for Spectroscopic Analysis
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Developing novel copper catalysts for carbon-carbon bond forming reactions using electrosynthesis.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Craig Williams, Dr Masnun Naher
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Doctor Philosophy
New Applications for Photoactive Lanthanoid and Earth Abundant Metal Complexes
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Evan Moore
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Doctor Philosophy
Development of innovative synthetic methodologies: electrochemical Atom Transfer Radical Addition (eATRA) and strained nitrogen ring synthesis paradigms
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Craig Williams
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Doctor Philosophy
Electrochemical investigations of bacterial molybdenum enzymes
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Ulrike Kappler
Completed supervision
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Immobilisation of human molybdenum enzymes for mediated electrochemical catalysis
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Gary Schenk
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Electrocatalysis at the Atypical Cu(II)-C bond: Electrochemical and Spectroscopic Studies
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Craig Williams
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the Mechanisms of Transition Metal Catalysed Redox Reactions
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Michael Monteiro
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2011
Doctor Philosophy
Tuning the redox potential of conducting polymeric films
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Philip Sharpe
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2010
Doctor Philosophy
The molecular basis for sulfite oxidation in a bacterial sulfite dehydrogenase from Starkeya novella
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Ulrike Kappler
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2009
Doctor Philosophy
Mediated Electrochemistry of DMSO Reductase from Rhodobacter capsulatus
Principal Advisor
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2009
Doctor Philosophy
Iron chelators in the treatment of cancer
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Philip Sharpe
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2008
Doctor Philosophy
Structural and mechanistic investigations into Dimethylsulfide dehyddrogenase from Rhodovulum sulfidophilum; a moyybdoenzyme from the DMSO reductase family
Principal Advisor
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2004
Doctor Philosophy
DISCRETE CYANO-BRIDGED MIXED VALENCE SYSTEMS
Principal Advisor
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2004
Doctor Philosophy
ORALLY ACTIVE CHELATORS FOR THE TREATMENT OF IRON OVERLOAD DISEASES
Principal Advisor
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2004
Doctor Philosophy
A MACROCYCLIC SCAFFOLD FOR ELECTRONIC ENERGY TRANSFER AND PHOTOINDUCED ELECTRON TRANSFER
Principal Advisor
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2002
Doctor Philosophy
INORGANIC COMPLEXES AS CANDIDATES FOR ENERGY UPCONVERSION MATERIALS
Principal Advisor
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2002
Doctor Philosophy
MACROCYCLIC COMPLEXES AS CHEMICAL RECEPTORS
Principal Advisor
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Characterisation of Bacterial Cytochromes P450
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor James De Voss
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Modifications and a Mechanistic Study of the Ley-Griffith Oxidation, and Generation of Hydroxyl Radicals in the Gas Phase
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Craig Williams
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2008
Doctor Philosophy
Cytochrome P450cin: Chemistry and Biochemistry
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor James De Voss
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2007
Doctor Philosophy
REDOX PROPERTIES AND MEMBRANE LOCALIZATION OF HUMAN RECOMBINANT CYTOCHROME P450 SYSTEMS
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Elizabeth Gillam, Professor James De Voss
Media
Enquiries
Contact Professor Paul Bernhardt directly for media enquiries about:
- Crystallography
- Electrochemistry
- Transition metal chemistry
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