Inorganic Seminar - Drasko Vidovic

The Inorganic Seminar Series presents: Drasko Vidovic

Monash University

Host: Mike Rose

Title: Embracing serendipity: beyond the intended research goals

Location: WEL 4.132b (Old Library)

Some of the most important scientific discoveries (e.g. the use of penicillin and cis-platin) were realized serendipitously. During our work on the use of well-defined aluminum-based Lewis acid complexes as catalysts for Diels-Alder cyclizations, we also observed polymerization of cyclopentenone which could be considered as a functionalized olefin. Furthermore, as we investigated reduction of various organic compounds using borane reagents, we recognized that hydroboration could be used for the preparation of mono- and bis(amino)boranes as well as boron-nitrogen containing conjugate polymers. Lastly, serendipity in our research was also manifested via encounters with the researcher(s) outside our usual workplace. One of these fortunate meetings resulted in our research interests expanding in the field of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) as site-selectively deuterated PUFAs showed exceptional efficiency in mitigating the negative effects of numerous neurological diseases including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.