Staff Profile

Research Interests

My research background has centred on the discovery of new technologies in areas such as asymmetric catalysis, organometallic chemistry, total synthesis and radiopharmaceuticals.

Our research group is involved in the development of novel synthetic methodology and its application to the synthesis of biologically active targets, with current areas of investigation being directed towards the design of efficient asymmetric transformations. Fluorinated compounds are of particular interest as they have been shown to possess unique activity in vivo when compared to their non-fluorinated counterparts. A major goal of our research, through the preparation of selectively fluorinated compounds, is to determine why this is so.

Student Projects

I undertake projects with students that investigate new synthetic methodology, particularly to access new biologically active structures – both artificial and natural product derived. Projects are sometimes carried out in association with research groups in the Faculty of Medical Sciences and across the University.

• Christensen PA, Bin Md Ali AH, Mashhadani ZTAW, Carroll MA, Martin PA. The Production of Ketene and C₅O₂ from CO₂, N₂ and CH₄ in a Non-thermal Plasma Catalysed by Earth-Abundant Elements: An In-Situ FTIR Study. Plasma Chemistry and Plasma Processing 2018, 38(3), 461-484.
• Christensen P, Mashhadani Z, MdAli AHB, Carroll M, Martin P. The Production of Methane, Acetone, “Cold” CO and Oxygenated Species from Isopropyl Alcohol in a Non-Thermal Plasma: An In-Situ FTIR Study. The Journal of Physical Chemistry 2018, 122(17), 4273–4284.
• Eze V, Russo Abegão FJ, Carroll M, Harvey A, Wilson K. Development of Heterogeneous Catalysts for Valorisation of CO2 and Crude Glycerol. In: Process Intensification Network 24. 2016, Newcastle, United Kingdom.
• Eze VC, Russo Abegão FJ, Harvey AP, Carroll M. Heterogeneous Catalytic Processes for Valorisation of Crude Glycerol from Biodiesel Productions. In: 2nd International Conference on Green Chemistry and Sustainable Engineering. 2016, Rome, Italy.
• Doherty S, Knight JG, Carroll MA, Clemmet AR, Ellison JR, Backhouse T, Holmes N, Bourne RA. Selective and Highly Efficient Hydrogen Peroxide-Mediated Oxidation of Sulfides in Batch and Continuous Flow using Styrene-Based Polymer Immobilised Ionic Liquid Phase Supported Peroxotungstates. RSC Advances 2016, 6, 73118-73131.
• Doherty S, Knight JG, Carroll MA, Ellison JR, Hobson SJ, Stevens S, Hardacre C, Goodrich P. Efficient and selective hydrogen peroxide-mediated oxidation of sulfides in batch and segmented and continuous flow using a peroxometalate-based polymer immobilised ionic liquid phase catalyst. Green Chemistry 2015, 17(3), 1559-1571.
• Dixon LI, Carroll MA, Ellames GJ, Gregson T. Synthesis of Alkynyliodonium Salts: Preparation of Phenyl(phenylethynyl)iodonium Trifluoroacetate. Organic Syntheses 2014, 91, 60-71.
• Saleh H, Garti H, Carroll M, Brandt K. Effect of carrot feeding to APC^Min mouse on intestinal tumours. In: Nutrition Society Annual Summer Meeting. 2013, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK: Cambridge University Press.
• Charlton M, Carroll MA. Microfluidic synthesis of 4-[¹⁸F]fluorobenzaldehyde using diaryliodonium salts. In: 20th International Symposium on Radiopharmaceutical Sciences. 2013, Jeju, Korea: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
• Dixon LI, Carroll MA, Gregson TJ, Ellames GJ, Harrington RW, Clegg W. Synthesis and Reactivity of Aryl(alkynyl)iodonium Salts. European Journal of Organic Chemistry 2013, 2013(12), 2334-2345.
• Charlton M, Carroll MA. Synthesis of 4-[F-18]fluorobenzaldehyde using diaryliodonium salt precursors in a microreactor. In: 21st International Isotope Society (UK Group) Symposium: Synthesis and Applications of Labelled Compounds. 2013, Cambridge, UK: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
• Dixon L, Carroll M, Gregson T, Ellames G, Harrington RW. Unprecedented regiochemical control in the formation of aryl[1,2-a]imidazopyridines from alkynyliodonium salts: mechanistic insights. Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry 2013, 2013(11), 5877-5884.
• Burki U, Blain A, Wilson I, Launay G, Coursindel T, Maxwell R, Carroll M, Laval S, Gait M, Straub V. Development of in vivo imaging techniques to determine the biodistribution of antisense oligonucleotides in dystrophin deficient muscular dystrophy. In: United Kingdom Neuromuscular Translational Research Conference. 2012, Newcastle upon Tyne: Elsevier Ltd.
• Molyneux D, Carroll MA, Christensen PA, McFarlane W. Electrochemical Fluorination of Ethylene and Propylene Carbonate: NMR Confirmation of the Process Selectivity. Journal of the American Chemical Society 2012. Submitted.
• Reed CD, Launay GG, Carroll MA. Evaluation of tetraethylammonium bicarbonate as a phase-transfer agent in the formation of [¹⁸F]fluoroarenes. Journal of Fluorine Chemistry 2012, 143, 231-237.
• Reed CD, Launay GG, Carroll MA. Evaluation of tetraethylammonium bicarbonate as a phase-transfer agent in the formation of [F-18]fluoroarenes. In: 21st International Isotope Society UK Group Annual Symposium. 2012, Cambridge: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
• Carroll MA, Dixon LI, Ellames G, Gregson T. Introduction of carbon isotopes into organic frameworks using alkynyliodonium salts. In: 20th International Isotope Society (UK group) Symposium: Synthesis & Applications of Labelled Compounds 2011. 2012, Cambridge, UK: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
• Christensen PA, Carroll MA, Linares-Moya D, Molyneux D, Rosamond MC, Woods D. A Novel Composite Anode: The Electrooxidation of Organic Molecules via Formation of Highly Energetic Holes. Journal of Physical Chemistry C 2011, 115(21), 10777-10783.
• Carroll MA, Launay GG, Reed CD, Hobson SJ. Evaluation of tetraethylammonium bicarbonate as a phase transfer agent in the formation of [F-18]fluoroarenes in a microreactor. In: Journal of Labelled Compounds and Radiopharmaceuticals: 19th International Symposium on Radiopharmaceutical Sciences. 2011, Amsterdam, Netherlands: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
• Christensen PA, Mashhadani ZTAW, Md Ali AHB, Manning DAC, Carroll MA, Martin PA. An in situ FTIR study of the plasma- and thermally-driven reaction of isopropyl alcohol at CeO₂: Evidence for a loose transition state involving Ce³+?. Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics 2019, 21(3), 1354-1366.