Chemical Sciences

Biographical Details:

Johannes G. Vos obtained his Primary Degree and Ph.D.(with Dr. W.L. Groeneveld) in Coordination Chemistry (1978) from Leiden University, The Netherlands. He carried out post-doctoral work at the University of Dublin, Trinity College, 1978-1979 and 1980-1982, under the direction of Prof. J.M. Kelly and the University of Fribourg, Switzerland (1979-1980, with Prof. A. von Zelewsky). He was appointed Assistant Lecturer at Dublin City University in 1982, Lecturer in 1984, Senior Lecturer in 1987, and Associate Professor in 1994 and Professor of inorganic Chemistry in 1999 He has brought in a large amount of research funding from Enterprise Ireland, the EC and industry and has published over 180 refereed papers. Between September 1996 and September 1999 he was Head of the School of Chemistry at DCU and from January 1997 to February 2000 he was a member of the Executive of Dublin City University. In 1999 he was elected as a Member of the Royal Irish Academy. He is at present Chairman of the of the National Committee for Chemistry of the Royal Irish Academy (since 2000). Johannes G. Vos obtained his Primary Degree and Ph.D.(with Dr. W.L. Groeneveld) in Coordination Chemistry (1978) from Leiden University, The Netherlands. He carried out post-doctoral work at the University of Dublin, Trinity College, 1978-1979 and 1980-1982, under the direction of Prof. J.M. Kelly and the University of Fribourg, Switzerland (1979-1980, with Prof. A. von Zelewsky). He was appointed Assistant Lecturer at Dublin City University in 1982, Lecturer in 1984, Senior Lecturer in 1987, and Associate Professor in 1994 and Professor of inorganic Chemistry in 1999 He has brought in a large amount of research funding from Enterprise Ireland, the EC and industry and has published over 180 refereed papers. Between September 1996 and September 1999 he was Head of the School of Chemistry at DCU and from January 1997 to February 2000 he was a member of the Executive of Dublin City University. In 1999 he was elected as a Member of the Royal Irish Academy. He is at present Chairman of the of the National Committee for Chemistry of the Royal Irish Academy (since 2000).

Research Interests:

My first area of interest is the synthesis, characterisation and physical properties of mononuclear and oligonuclear ruthenium and osmium containing polypyridyl compounds. Of particular interest to my group are their photochemical, photophysical, and electrochemical properties. The potential of these metal complexes as energy- and electron-transfer modules in supramolecular structures is investigated, together with their application in artificial photosynthesis and in photovoltaic cells. As part of these studies new deuteriation techniques and novel synthetic methods have been developed. In an important recent development multiwalled nanotubes have been modified with ruthenium complexes. A second area of interest is the synthesis, characterisation and physical properties of polymer bound metal compounds. In these studies the electrochemical properties of electrodes modified with thin polymer layers containing covalently bound electroactive ruthenium or osmium polypyridyl complexes are investigated. These studies include both the study of the polymer electrolyte interface and its effect on the electrochemical properties of thin polymer layers as well as their potential application as electrochemical sensors for analytes such as nitrates, nitrites, free chlorine metal ions etc. He has built up a considerable number of scientific collaborations in the last number of years. A list of these is given elsewhere in this CV. He has supervised 25 PhD students, 5 MSc students and 12 Post-Doctoral Fellows. At present the group consists of three Post-docs and 6 research students

Selected Peer Reviewed Journals

• W. R. Browne, D. Hesek J. F. Gallagher, C. M. O¿Connor, J. S. Killeen, F. Aoki, H Ishida. Y. Inoue, C. Villani.J. G. Vos. 2003. Structural and Photophysical Characterisation of Coordination and Optical Isomers of Mononuclear Ruthenium(II) Polypyridyl 1,2,4-triazole Complexes. Journal Of The Chemical Society-dalton Transactions, *,, pp2597-2602.
• W. R. Browne, F. Weldon, A. Guckian, J. G. Vos. 2003. Modulation of Internuclear Communication in Multinuclear Ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes. 68,, pp1467-1487.
• J. S. Killeen, W. R. Browne, M. Skupin, J-H Fuhrhop, J. G. Vos,. 2003. Functionalisation of Bolaamphiphiles with Mononuclear Bis(2,2�-bipyridyl) ruthenium(II) Complexes for Application in Self -assembled Monolayers. New Journal Of Chemistry, 27,, , pp1078-1083.
• T. Duff, A. Grüßung, J-L Thomas, M. Duati and J. G. Vos. 2003. Luminescent anion recognition: Probing the interaction between dihydrogenphosphate anions and Ru(II) polypyridyl complexes in organic and aqueous media. Polyhedron, 22, , pp775-780.
• S. Rau, B. Schäfer, S. Schebesta, A. Grüßing, W. Poppitz, D. Walther, M. Duati, W. R. Browne, J. G. Vos. 2003. Efficient Energy Transfer in Supramolecular Hydrogen Bonded Ruthenium-Osmium Polypyridyl Complexes. European Journal Of Inorganic Chemistry, *,, pp1503-1506.
• C. G. Coates, C. Brady, J. J. McGarvey, P. Matousek, M. Towrie, S. W. Botchway, A. W. Parker, W. R. Browne, J. G. Vos,. 2003. Isotope effect on the picosecond time resolved emission spectroscopy of tris(2,2¿-bipyridine)ruthenium (II) and tris(4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline)ruthenium(II). Journal Of The American Chemical Society, 125,, pp1706-1707.
• F. Frehill, J. G. Vos, S. Benrezzak, M. Rüther, W. J. Blau, A. I. Minett, A. Fonseca, J. B. Nagy, A. Koos L. Birro and M. in het Panhuis. 2002. Interconnecting carbon nanotubes with a redox active metal complex. Journal Of The American Chemical Society, 124,, pp13694-13695.
• S. Benrezzak, F. Frehill, M.G. Rüther, A. Fonseca, J. Nagy, AI. Minett, W.J. Blau, J.G. Vos, M. in het Panhuis. Proceedings SPIE 4876. 2002. Covalent attachment of a Ruthenium complex to multi wall carbon nanotubes. 4876,, pp770-775.
• K. Westermark, H. Rensmo, A.C. Lees, J.G. Vos, H. Siegbahn. 2002. Electron Spectroscopic Studies of Bis-(2,2'-bipyridine)-(4,4'-dicarboxy-2,2'-bipyridine)-ruthenium(II) and Bis-(2,2'-bipyridine)-(4,4'-dicarboxy-2,2'-bipyridine)-osmium(II). Adsorbed on Nanostructured TiO2 and ZnO Surfaces. Journal Of Physical Chemistry B, 106,, pp10108-10113.
• T. E. Keyes, D. Leane, R. J. Forster, C. G. Coates, J. J. McGarvey, M. N Nieuwenhuyzen and J. G. Vos. 2002. Redox and Spectroscopic Orbitals in Ru(II) and Os(II) Phenolate Complexes. Inorganic Chemistry, 41,, pp5721-5732.
• W. R. Browne, C. M. O¿Connor, H. P. Hughes, R.Hage, O.Walter, M. Doering, J. F. Gallagher, and J. G. Vos. 2002. Ruthenium(II) and Osmium(II) Polypyridyl Complexes of asymmetric pyrazinyl- and pyridinyl-1,2,4-triazole based ligands. Part 1: Connectivity and physical properties of mononuclear complexes. Journal Of The Chemical Society-dalton Transactions, *,, pp1740-1746.
• W. R. Browne, C. M. O¿Connor, J. S. Killeen, A. L. Guckian, M. Burke, P. James, M. Burke, J.G. Vos. 2002. Routes to regioselective deuteriation of heteroaromatic compounds. Inorganic Chemistry, 41,, pp4245-4251.
• C. Di Pietro, S. Serroni, S. Campagna, T. Gandolfi, R.Ballardini, S. Fanni, W. R. Browne and J. G. Vos. 2002. Proton Controlled Intramolecular Communication in Dinuclear Ruthenium(II) Polypyridine Complexes. Inorganic Chemistry, 41,, pp2871-2878.
• P. Passaniti, W. R. Browne, F. C. Lynch, D. Hughes, M. Nieuwenhuyzen, P. James, M. Maestri and J. G. Vos. 2002. Synthesis, spectroscopic and electrochemical properties of mononuclear and dinuclear bis(bipy)ruthenium(II) complexes containing dimethoxyphenyl-(pyridin-2-yl)-1,2,4-triazole ligands. Journal Of The Chemical Society-dalton Transactions, *, , pp1740-1746.
• H.M. Burke, J.F. Gallagher, M. T. Indelli, F. Scandola and J.G. Vos. 2002. Rhodium Mediated N-O Bond Formation. European Journal Of Inorganic Chemistry, *,, pp846-849.
• S. Encinas, L. Flamigni, F. Barigelletti, E.C. Constable, C.E. Housecroft, E.R. Schofield, E. Figgemeier, D. Fenske, M. Neuberger, J.G. Vos, M. Zehnder. Chem.Eur. J. 2002. Electronic Energy Transfer and Collection in Luminescent Molecular Rods Containing Ruthenium(II) and Osmium(II) 2,2¿:6¿,2¿¿-Terpyridine Complexes Linked by Thiophene-2,5-diyl Spacers. 8,, pp137-150.
• S. Fanni, F.M. Weldon, L. Hammarström, E. Mukhtar, W.R. Browne, T.E. Keyes and J.G. Vos. 2001. Photochemically Induced Isomerisation of Ruthenium Polypyridyl Complexes. European Journal Of Inorganic Chemistry, *, , pp529-*.
• A.C. Lees, C.J. Kleverlaan, C.A. Bignozzi and J.G. Vos,. 2001. Photophysical Properties of TiO2 Surfaces Modified with Dinuclear RuRu and RuOs Polypyridyl Complexes. Inorganic Chemistry, 40,, pp5343-5349.
• W. R. Browne, C. M. O¿Connor, C. Villani, J. G. Vos,. 2001. Separation and Photophysical Properties of Stereoisomers of a Dinuclear Ruthenium(II) Complex. Inorganic Chemistry, 40,, pp5461-5464.
• W.R Browne and J.G. Vos,. 2001. The Effect of Deuteriation on the Emission Lifetime of Inorganic Compounds. Coordination Chemistry Reviews, 219-221,, pp761-787.
• S. Rau, T. Buttner, C. Temme, S. Dautz, H. Gorls, M. Rudolf, D. Walther, A. Brodkorb, M. Duati, C. O¿Connor, and J.G. Vos,. 2000. Bis(R-bipyridyl)ruthenium Bibenzimidazole Complexes (R = H, Me or But) ; Supramolecular Arrangement via Hydrogen Bonds, Photo- and Electro-chemical Properties and Reactivity Towards Carbon Dioxide. Journal Of The Chemical Society-dalton Transactions, *,, pp3649-*.
• F. M. Weldon and J. G. Vos. 2000. Synthesis and characterisation of ruthenium polypyridyl complexes containing a pendent hydroquinone grouping Inorg. Chim Acta, (2000), 307, 13. Inorganica Chimica Acta, 307,, pp13-*.
• R.J. Forster, E. Figgemeier, A.C. Lees, and J.G. Vos. 2000. Conjucated vs Nonconjugated Bridges; Heterogeneous Electron Transfer Dynamics of Osmium Polypyridyl Monolayers,. Langmuir, 16,, pp7871-*.
• R.J. Forster, E. Figgemeier, A.C. Lees, and J.G. Vos,. 2000. Photostability, Electrochemistry and Monolayers of [M(bpy)2(trans-1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene)L]+ (M = Ru, Os, L = Cl, H2O). Langmuir, (2000) 16, 7867. Langmuir, 16,, pp7867-*.
• C. Malins, H.G. Glever, T.E. Keyes, J.G. Vos, W.J. Dressick and B.D. MacCraith. 2000. Sol-gel Immobilised Ruthenium(II) Polypyridyl Complexes as Chemical Transducers for Optical pH Sensing. Sens. Actuators B, (2000), 67, 89. Sensors And Actuators B-chemical, 67,, pp89-*.
• S.Fanni, T.E. Keyes, C.M. O¿Connor, H. Hughes, R. Wang and J.G. Vos. 2000. Excited State Properties of Ruthenium(II) Polypyridyl Complexes Containing Asymmetric Triazole Ligands. Coordination Chemistry Reviews, 208,, pp77-86.
• G. Knor, M. Leirer, T.E. Keyes, J.G. Vos and A. Vogler. 2000. Non-Luminescent 1,2-Diiminetricarbonylrhenium (I) Chloride Complexes- Synthesis, Electrochemical and Spectroscopic Properties of Re(DIAN)(CO)3Cl with DIAN = p-substituted Bis(arylimino)acenaphthene. European Journal Of Inorganic Chemistry, *,, pp749-*.
• S. Rau, T. Buttner, C. Temme, H. Gorls, D. Walther, M. Duati, S. Fanni and J.G. Vos. 2000. A Benzimidazole Containing Ruthenium(II) Complex acting as a Cation Driven Molecular Switch. Inorganic Chemistry, 39,, pp1621-*.
• F. Gasparrini, I. D¿Acquarica, J.G. Vos, C.M. O¿Connor and C. Villani,. 2000. Efficient Enantiorecognition of Ruthenium(II) Complexes by Silica-bound Teicoplanin, Tetrahedron Assymmetry,. Tetrahedron Asymmetry, 11,, pp3535-*.
• S. Fanni, S. Murphy, J. S. Killeen and J.G. Vos. 2000. Site-specific Methylation of Coordinated 1,2,4-triazoles: A Novel Route to Sterically Hindered Ru(bpy)2 Complexes. Inorganic Chemistry, 39,, pp1320-*.
• A.M. Bond, F. Marken; C.T. Williams, D.A. Beattie, T.E. Keyes, R.J. Forster, and J.G. Vos. 2000. Unusually Fast Electron and Anion Transport Processes Observed in the Oxidation of "Electrochemically Open" Microcrystalline [{M(bpy)2}{M'(bpy)2}(m-L)](PF6)2 Complexes (M, M' = Ru, Os; bpy = 2,2'-bipyridyl; L=1,4-dihydroxy-2,5-bis(pyrazol-1-yl)-benzene) at a Solid Electrode-Aqueous Electrolyte Interface. Journal Of Physical Chemistry B, 104,, pp1977-*.
• M. Ruben, S. Rau, A. Skirl, K. Krause, H. Gorls, D. Walter and J.G. Vos. 2000. Synthesis and Photophysical Characterisation of Novel Ruthenium(II) Complexes Containing Oxalmidines as Ligands. Inorganica Chimica Acta, 303,, pp206-*.
• S. Fanni, C. Di Pietro, S. Serroni, S. Campagna and J.G. Vos. 2000. Ni(0) Catalysed homo-Coupling Reactions: a Novel Route Towards the Synthesis of Multinuclear Ruthenium Polypyridine Complexes Featuring Made-to-order Properties. Inorganic Chemistry Communications, *, , pp42-44.
• M. Duati, S. Fanni and J.G. Vos,. 2000. A new Luminescent Ru(terpy) Complex Incorporating a 1,2,4-Triazole Based sigma-donor ligand. Inorganic Chemistry Communications, 39, , pp68-*.
• A.C. Lees, B. Evrard, T.E. Keyes, J.G. Vos, C.J. Kleverlaan, M Alebbi and C.A. Bignozzi. 1999. Synthesis, Spectroscopy and Photophysical Properties of Ruthenium Triazole Complexes and Their Application as Dye-Molecules in Regenerative Solar Cells. European Journal Of Inorganic Chemistry, 12,, pp2309-*.
• C. Mallins, S. Fanni, H.G. Glever, J.G. Vos and B.D. MacCraith,. 1999. The Preparation of a Sol-gel Glass Oxygen Sensor Incorporating a Covalently Bound Fluorescent Dye. Analytical Communications, 36,, pp3-*.
• C.G. Coates, J.J. McGarvey, S.E.J. Bell, L. Jacquet, J.M. Kelly, T. Keyes and J.G Vos. 1999. Transient Resonance Raman Studies of Ru(II) complexes in DNA and in Homoge-neous Media. Laser Chemistry, 19,, pp237-*.
• E.C. Constable, C.E. Housecroft, E.R. Schofield, S. Encinas, N. Armaroli, F. Barigelletti, L. Flamigni, E. Figgemeier and J.G. Vos. 1999. Luminescent Molecular Wires with 2,5-thiophenediyl Spacers Linking {Ru(terpy)2} Units. Chemical Communications, *,, pp869-*.
• M. Nieuwenhuyzen, R. Kierse, B. Shaw, and J.G. Vos. 1999. A 2:1 Co-crystal of 5-(2-pyridyl)-1H-1,2,4-Triazole and 1,4-Dihydroquinone. Acta Crystallographica Section C, 55,, pp264-*.
• R.W. Wilson, L. Bailey, R. Cubitt, M. Gonsalves, A. Glidly, A.R. Hillmann, J.G. Vos, C. Hogan and J.R.P. Webster. Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 1999. A study of [Os(bipy)2(PVP)3.3(PS)6.7Cl]+ polymer film modified electrodes using neutron reflectivity. 1,, pp842-*.
• R.W. Wilson, R. Cubitt, A. Glidle, A.R. Hillman, P.M. Saville and J.G. Vos. 1999. A Neutron Reflectivity Study of [Os(bipy)2(PVP)10Cl]+ Polymer Film Modified Electrodes: The Effect of Redox State and Counter Ion. Electrochimica Acta, 44,, pp3533-*.
• S. Gaemers, J. van Slagteren, C.M. O¿Connor, J.G. Vos, R. Hage, and C.J. Elsevier. 1999. 99NMR Spectroscopy of Organometallic and Coordination Compounds. Organometallics (1999), 18, 5238. Organometallics, 18,, pp5238-*.
• T.E. Keyes, C.M. O¿Connor, U. O¿Dwyer, C.C. Coates, P. Callaghan, J.J. McGarvey and J.G. Vos. 1999. Isotope and Temperature Dependence of Dual Emission in a Mononuclear Ruthenium(II) Polypyridyl Compound. Journal Of Physical Chemistry A, 103,, pp8915-*.
• T.E. Keyes, C.O¿Connor and J.G. Vos. 1998. Evidence for the Presence of Dual Emission in a Ruthenium(II) Polypyridyl Mixed Ligand Complex. Chemical Communications, *,, pp889-*.

Selected Books

• R.J. Forster, T.E. Keyes and J.G. Vos. Interfacial Supramolecular Assemblies, ,, Wiley & Sons, ,, 2003.
• M.R. Smyth and J.G. Vos Eds. Comprehensive Analytical Chemistry, Vol XXVII Analytical Voltammetry, ,, Elsevier,, 1992.
• M.R. Smyth and J.G. Vos Eds. Electrons, Sensors and Analysis, Proceedings of the International Conference "Electroanalysis na h'Eireann, Dublin, June, 1986, Elsevier, 1986.

Selected Chapters

• A.R. Hillman, H.L. Bandey, P.M. Saville, R.W. Wilson, S Bruckenstein, J.G. Vos. 1999. Modification of Electrode Surfaces with Electroactive Polymers. Polymer Surfaces and Interfaces III, Eds R.W. Richards and S.K. Peace, Wiley, 1999, p 165, pp165-190.
• D. Kelly and J.G. Vos. 1998. Osmium and Ruthenium Poly(pyridyl) Redox Polymers as Electrode Coatings. . Electroactive Polymer Electrochemistry: Fundamentals and Applications, Editor M.E.G. Lyons, Plenum Press,, pp173-232.
• D.M. Kelly, A.P. Clarke, J.G. Vos and A.R. Hillman. 1998. Investigation of Polymer-Solvent Interfaces. Polymer-Solid Interfaces: From Model to Real Systems, Eds J.J. Pireaux, J. Delhalle and P. Rudolf, Presses Universitaires de Namur,, pp183-191.
• J.F. Cassidy, A.P. Doherty and J.G. Vos. 1998. Amperometric Methods of Detection. Principles of Chemical and Biological Sensors,, pp73-132.
• R. J. Forster and J. G. Vos. 1992. Theory and Applications of Modified Electrodes. Comprehensive Analytical Chemistry, Vol XXVII Analytical Voltammetry, pp465-530.
• J.F. Cassidy, A.G. Ross, and J.G. Vos. 1986. An Electrochemical Study of the Oxidation of [Fe(CN)6]4- Mediated by Electrodes Modified with Ruthenium-Containing Polymers. Electrons, Sensors and Analysis,, pp269-284.
• S.M. Geraty, D.M. Arrigan, and J.G. Vos. 1986. The Use of Electrodes Coated with Ruthenium containing Polymers as Sensors for Iron(II). Electrons, Sensors and Analysis,, pp303-308.