Professor Craig Williams
Professor

Craig Williams

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 53530

Background

Craig M. Williams was born in Adelaide, Australia. He received his B.Sc. (Hons) degree in chemistry in 1994 from Flinders University. In 1997, he was awarded his Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the same institution under the supervision of Professor Rolf H. Prager. He undertook post-doctoral studies as an Alexander von Humboldt Fellow working with Professor Armin de Meijere at the Georg-August-Universität, Göttingen, Germany, from 1997 to 1999. In early 1999, he accepted a second post-doctoral fellowship at the Australian National University with Professor Lewis N. Mander.

Professor Williams has held an academic position at the University of Queensland since 2000, and during this time has won a number of awards including a Thieme Chemistry Journals Award in 2007, an Australian Research Council Future Fellowship award in 2011, and the Award for Outstanding Contribution to Research (SCMB, UQ, 2019). The Williams research group explores numerous interests within the discipline of organic chemistry (e.g. medicinal chemistry, fundamental molecules, natural productisolation, microelectronics, drug and agrichemical development, impact sensitive molecules) enabled by organic synthesis refined through the construction of biologically active complex natural products (diterpenes, polyketides, alkaloids), and designs synthetic methodology to assist in this endeavour (synthetic transformations and reagents). Professor Williams especially enjoys teaching whole molecule retrosynthesis to undergraduate and post-graduate students.

Availability

Professor Craig Williams is:
Available for supervision

Fields of research

Medicinal and biomolecular chemistry Organic chemistry

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, Flinders University

Research impacts

He has published more than 170 scientific papers, patents, review articles and book chapters that have been cited over 2700 times. Since starting his independent career in mid 2000 CMW has attracted substantial research funding as a sole investigator through fundamental and applied research and associated industry engagement (UQ, ARC, NHMRC, DPIF, CSIRO, DAAD, BioTech). Professor Williams has supervised over 120 young researchers to date. H-Index=28.

Search Professor Craig Williams’s works on UQ eSpace

243 works between 1995 and 2025
All (243) Journal Article (228) Book Chapter (5) Conference Publication (6) Other Outputs (4)

161 - 180 of 243 works

2012

Journal Article

Enantioselective total synthesis of the mexicanolides: khayasin, proceranolide, and mexicanolide

Faber, Jonathan M., Eger, Wilhelm A. and Williams, Craig M. (2012). Enantioselective total synthesis of the mexicanolides: khayasin, proceranolide, and mexicanolide. Journal of Organic Chemistry, 77 (20), 8913-8921. doi: 10.1021/jo301182f

Enantioselective total synthesis of the mexicanolides: khayasin, proceranolide, and mexicanolide

2012

Journal Article

Enantioselective total synthesis of (-)-neovibsanin G and (-)-14-epi-neovibsanin G

Mak, Jeffrey Y.W. and Williams, Craig M. (2012). Enantioselective total synthesis of (-)-neovibsanin G and (-)-14-epi-neovibsanin G. Chemical Communications, 48 (2), 287-289. doi: 10.1039/c1cc15995j

Enantioselective total synthesis of (-)-neovibsanin G and (-)-14-epi-neovibsanin G

2012

Book Chapter

The story behind the total synthesis of Vibsanin E and 5-epi-Vibsanin E

Williams, Craig M. (2012). The story behind the total synthesis of Vibsanin E and 5-epi-Vibsanin E. Strategies and tactics in organic synthesis. (pp. 395-412) edited by M. Harmata. San Diego, CA, United States: Academic Press (Elsevier). doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-386540-3.00017-4

The story behind the total synthesis of Vibsanin E and 5-epi-Vibsanin E

2011

Journal Article

Synthesis of phenanthridine derivatives via photolysis

Linsenmeier, Anna M., Williams, Craig M. and Brase, Stefan (2011). Synthesis of phenanthridine derivatives via photolysis. Journal of Organic Chemistry, 76 (21), 9127-9132. doi: 10.1021/jo201542x

Synthesis of phenanthridine derivatives via photolysis

2011

Journal Article

Determining a synthetic approach to pierisformaside C

Chow, Sharon, Kress, Christoph, Albaek, Nanna, Jessen, Carsten and Williams, Craig M. (2011). Determining a synthetic approach to pierisformaside C. Organic Letters, 13 (19), 5286-5289. doi: 10.1021/ol202147r

Determining a synthetic approach to pierisformaside C

2011

Journal Article

The clerodane ring system: investigating the viability of a direct Diels-Alder approach

Merritt, Andrew T., Pouwer, Rebecca H., Williams, David J., Williams, Craig M. and Ley, Steven V. (2011). The clerodane ring system: investigating the viability of a direct Diels-Alder approach. Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry, 9 (13), 4745-4747. doi: 10.1039/c1ob05422h

The clerodane ring system: investigating the viability of a direct Diels-Alder approach

2011

Journal Article

Understanding the reactivity of acyl anion equivalents: The epoxide ring opening case

Eger, Wilhelm A., Grange, Rebecca L, Schill, Heiko, Goumont, Régis, Clark, Timothy and Williams, Craig M. (2011). Understanding the reactivity of acyl anion equivalents: The epoxide ring opening case. European Journal of Organic Chemistry, 2011 (13), 2548-2553. doi: 10.1002/ejoc.201001680

Understanding the reactivity of acyl anion equivalents: The epoxide ring opening case

2011

Journal Article

Reducing the cost, smell, and toxicity of the Barton reductive decarboxylation: Chloroform as the hydrogen atom source

Ko, Eun Jung, Savage, G. Paul, Williams, Craig M. and Tsanaktsidis, John (2011). Reducing the cost, smell, and toxicity of the Barton reductive decarboxylation: Chloroform as the hydrogen atom source. Organic Letters, 13 (8), 1944-1947. doi: 10.1021/ol200290m

Reducing the cost, smell, and toxicity of the Barton reductive decarboxylation: Chloroform as the hydrogen atom source

2011

Journal Article

Isolation and confirmation of the proposed cleistanthol biogentic link from Croton insularis

Maslovskaya, LA, Savchenko, AI, Gordon, VA, Reddell, PW, Pierce, CJ, Parsons, PG and Williams, CM (2011). Isolation and confirmation of the proposed cleistanthol biogentic link from Croton insularis. Organic Letters, 13 (5), 1032-1035. doi: 10.1021/ol103083m

Isolation and confirmation of the proposed cleistanthol biogentic link from Croton insularis

2011

Journal Article

1,2,4-triazine vs. 1,3- and 1,4-oxazinones in normal- and inverse-electron-demand hetero-diels-alder reactions: Establishing a status quo by computational analysis

Rooshenas, Parham, Hof, Kira, Schreiner, Peter R. and Williams, Craig M. (2011). 1,2,4-triazine vs. 1,3- and 1,4-oxazinones in normal- and inverse-electron-demand hetero-diels-alder reactions: Establishing a status quo by computational analysis. European Journal of Organic Chemistry, 2011 (5), 983-992. doi: 10.1002/ejoc.201001365

1,2,4-triazine vs. 1,3- and 1,4-oxazinones in normal- and inverse-electron-demand hetero-diels-alder reactions: Establishing a status quo by computational analysis

2011

Journal Article

A concise total synthesis of (+/-)-cipadonoid B from synthetic azedaralide

Faber, Jonathan M. and Williams, Craig M. (2011). A concise total synthesis of (+/-)-cipadonoid B from synthetic azedaralide. Chemical Communications, 47 (8), 2258-2260. doi: 10.1039/c0cc04698a

A concise total synthesis of (+/-)-cipadonoid B from synthetic azedaralide

2011

Journal Article

Copper(I)-catalyzed cycloaddition of silver acetylides and azides: Incorporation of volatile acetylenes into the triazole core

Silvestri, Ilaria Proietti, Andemarian, Fikre, Khairallah, George N., Yap, Su Wan, Quach, Tim, Tsegay, Sammi, Williams, Craig M., O'Hair, Richard A. J., Donnelly, Paul S. and Williams, Spencer J. (2011). Copper(I)-catalyzed cycloaddition of silver acetylides and azides: Incorporation of volatile acetylenes into the triazole core. Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry, 9 (17), 6082-6088. doi: 10.1039/c1ob05360d

Copper(I)-catalyzed cycloaddition of silver acetylides and azides: Incorporation of volatile acetylenes into the triazole core

2010

Journal Article

5th Heron Island conference on reactive intermediates and unusual molecules

Wentrup, C and Williams, C (2010). 5th Heron Island conference on reactive intermediates and unusual molecules. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 63 (12), 1597-1597. doi: 10.1071/CH10389

5th Heron Island conference on reactive intermediates and unusual molecules

2010

Journal Article

A mechanistic investigation into the zinc carbenoid-mediated homologation reaction by DFT methods: Is a classical donor-acceptor cyclopropane intermediate involved?

Eger, WA, Zercher, CK and Williams, CM (2010). A mechanistic investigation into the zinc carbenoid-mediated homologation reaction by DFT methods: Is a classical donor-acceptor cyclopropane intermediate involved?. Journal of Organic Chemistry, 75 (21), 7322-7331. doi: 10.1021/jo101590t

A mechanistic investigation into the zinc carbenoid-mediated homologation reaction by DFT methods: Is a classical donor-acceptor cyclopropane intermediate involved?

2010

Journal Article

[4+2] Cycloaddition reactions between 1,8-disubstituted cyclooctatetraenes and diazo dienophiles: Stereoelectronic effects, anticancer properties and application to the synthesis of 7,8-substituted bicyclo [4.2.0] octa-2,4-dienes

Grange, RL, Gallen, MJ, Schill, H, Johns, JP, Dong, L, Parsons, PG, Reddell, PW, Gordon, VA, Bernhardt, PV and Williams, CM (2010). [4+2] Cycloaddition reactions between 1,8-disubstituted cyclooctatetraenes and diazo dienophiles: Stereoelectronic effects, anticancer properties and application to the synthesis of 7,8-substituted bicyclo [4.2.0] octa-2,4-dienes. Chemistry - A European Journal, 16 (29), 8894-8903. doi: 10.1002/chem.200903454

[4+2] Cycloaddition reactions between 1,8-disubstituted cyclooctatetraenes and diazo dienophiles: Stereoelectronic effects, anticancer properties and application to the synthesis of 7,8-substituted bicyclo [4.2.0] octa-2,4-dienes

2010

Journal Article

Synthetic neovibsanes and their ability to induce neuronal differentiation in PC12 cells

Chen, Apj, Muller, CC, Cooper, HM and Williams, CM (2010). Synthetic neovibsanes and their ability to induce neuronal differentiation in PC12 cells. Tetrahedron, 66 (34), 6842-6850. doi: 10.1016/j.tet.2010.06.056

Synthetic neovibsanes and their ability to induce neuronal differentiation in PC12 cells

2010

Journal Article

Neighboring group stabilization by sigma-holes

O'Hair, Richard A. J., Williams, Craig M. and Clark, Timothy (2010). Neighboring group stabilization by sigma-holes. Journal of Molecular Modeling, 16 (3), 559-565. doi: 10.1007/s00894-009-0567-1

Neighboring group stabilization by sigma-holes

2010

Journal Article

A convenient new route to enantiopure 3-hydroxy-5-oxo esters and 5,6-dihydropyran-2-ones: intricacies of the trithioorthoester protecting group

Grange, Rebecca L. and Williams, Craig M. (2010). A convenient new route to enantiopure 3-hydroxy-5-oxo esters and 5,6-dihydropyran-2-ones: intricacies of the trithioorthoester protecting group. Tetrahedron Letters, 51 (8), 1158-1160. doi: 10.1016/j.tetlet.2009.12.058

A convenient new route to enantiopure 3-hydroxy-5-oxo esters and 5,6-dihydropyran-2-ones: intricacies of the trithioorthoester protecting group

2010

Journal Article

Cubane: A new NMR Internal Standard

Chalmers, Benjamin A., Chen, Annette P.-J., Savage, G. Paul and Williams, Craig M. (2010). Cubane: A new NMR Internal Standard. Australian Journal Of Chemistry, 63 (7), 1108-1110. doi: 10.1071/CH10107

Cubane: A new NMR Internal Standard

2010

Book Chapter

Silver alkyls, alkenyls, aryls, and alkynyls in organic synthesis

Pouwer, Rebecca H. and Williams, Craig M. (2010). Silver alkyls, alkenyls, aryls, and alkynyls in organic synthesis. Silver in organic chemistry. (pp. 1-41) edited by Michael Harmata. Hoboken, NJ, United States: John Wiley & Sons. doi: 10.1002/9780470597521.ch1

Silver alkyls, alkenyls, aryls, and alkynyls in organic synthesis

Current funding

  • 2025 - 2029
    Evolving the nitrogen-nitrogen three electron bond as a technology enabler
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2027
    Emergent organocopper complexes as robust catalysts for electrosynthesis
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2025
    Cryo-EM inspired drug discovery to treat human fungal pathogenic infections
    NHMRC IDEAS Grants
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2021 - 2024
    Pioneering stable copper carbanions for new C-C bond forming paradigms
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2024
    Modulation of the Gastrointestinal Microbiome with probiotics and subsequent Methane production as a novel approach to treat constipation: A Proof of Principle Study (TRI Sport Grant led by PAH)
    Metro South Hospital and Health Service
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2022
    Herbicide discovery for Australian WONS based on developments in the bioisostere concept - Phase 2
    Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment
    Open grant
  • 2019
    A Gas Chromatography-High Resolution Accurate Mass Spectrometry Facility
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2019
    A versatile accurate mass, high resolution QTOF mass spectrometer for chemistry and proteomic applications
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2022
    Novel Drugs to Reduce the Human Scabies Burden (NHMRC Project Grant led by The Council of the Queensland Institute of Medical Research)
    Queensland Institute of Medical Research
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2021
    Chemical Building Block Size Principles for Discovery Chemists
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2019
    Gas chromatography: Separating inseparables, identifying unidentifiables (ARC LIEF grant administered by Monash University)
    Monash University
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2020
    Feeding behaviour of Soldier fly (Inopus rubriceps (Diptera: Stratiomyidae)) larvae and the effects on sugar cane
    Sugar Research Australia Limited
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2020
    Herbicide Discovery for Australian WONS Based on Developments in the Bioisostere Concept
    Commonwealth Department of Social Services
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2017
    A nuclear magnetic resonance facility for modern molecular analysis
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2016
    Integrative blood coagulation research core facility
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2016
    Novel Pain therapeutics discovery: Probing molecular mechanisms
    NHMRC Equipment Grant
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2018
    Pioneering new oxidation catalysis paradigms for organic synthesis
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2019
    Structure elucidation and spectroscopic analysis
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2017
    Structure elucidation and spectroscopic analysis - B
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2017
    Advanced applications of bromine based chemistry
    Bromine Compounds Limited
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2018
    Acetohydroxyacid synthase: A new drug target for human fungal pathogens
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2015
    Novel analgesics for improved relief of cancer induced bone pain
    UQ Collaboration and Industry Engagement Fund - Seed Research Grant
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2014
    Novel analgesics for improved treatment of chronic cancer pain
    Queensland Emory Development Alliance
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2015
    Chemically Re-Engineering Bioactive Natural Products using Fragment Based Drug Design
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2016
    Developing a paradigm shift in new pharmaceutical and agrochemical design
    ARC Future Fellowships
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2014
    Linking Chemical Synthesis with Protein Discovery to Reveal Key Biological Pathways
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2009
    Analytical and preparative enantioselective chromatography
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2008
    An X-Ray Diffraction Facility for Molecular Structure Determination
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2008
    Neurotrophic Active Natural Products: Total Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Neovibsanins A and B, and Analogues
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2006
    ESEG_Australian Microbial Biodiscovery: Exploration of Bioactive Chemical Space
    UQ External Support Enabling Grant
    Open grant
  • 2004
    Synthesis And Pharmacological Evaluation Of Strong Opioid Analgesics With Improved Side-Effect Profiles
    University of Queensland Research Development Grants Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2004
    Targeted Synthesis of Bioactive Molecules- General Principles for Developing 'Designer' Biocides
    University of Queensland Research Development Grants Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2004
    The Insect-Plant Chemical Ecology Network (IPCEN)
    ARC Seed Funding for Research Networks
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2004
    Management of postharvest diseases of subtropical and tropical fruit using their natural resistance mechanisms
    Queensland Department Primary Industries
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2004
    Characterisation of Antifungal Compounds in Australian Mango Cultivars
    UQ FirstLink Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2003
    Unprecedented Alkaloid Hybrids that Selectively Modulate Various Cancers and the Central Nervous System
    University of Queensland Research Development Grants Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2005
    Virtual Screening In Structure-Based Drug Design For Malaria
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2002
    Bicyclononanolides - A biological activityplothora in Queensland's backyard
    UQ Early Career Researcher
    Open grant
  • 2001
    The synthesis of stroke injury blockers
    UQ New Staff Research Start-Up Fund
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Craig Williams is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Discovery of New Herbicides

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Luke Guddat

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Developing hyperstable alkenes as liquid organic hydrogen carriers

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The synthesis of strained chemical building blocks as technology enablers

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Development of innovative synthetic methodologies: electrochemical Atom Transfer Radical Addition (eATRA) and strained nitrogen ring synthesis paradigms

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Paul Bernhardt

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Microbial manufacturing of plant saponin-inspired vaccine adjuvants

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor James De Voss

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Synthesis and applications of glycosaminoglycan mimetics

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Vito Ferro

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Cryo-EM inspired antifungal drug discovery

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Gary Schenk, Professor Luke Guddat

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Developing next generation green herbicides

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Luke Guddat

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Developing novel copper catalysts for carbon-carbon bond forming reactions using electrosynthesis.

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Masnun Naher, Professor Paul Bernhardt

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Synthesis of potential pharmacological chaperones and substrate reduction inhibitors for the treatment of Mucopolysaccharidosis disorders

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Vito Ferro

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Synthesis of inhibitors and probes for heparan sulfate degrading enzymes

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Vito Ferro

Completed supervision

Enquiries

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