Dr Nicholas Evans
Senior Lecturer, Head of DepartmentResearch Interests
My supramolecular chemistry research interests encompass both host-guest recognition and self-assembly.
Host-Guest Recognition
The study of molecular recognition, as carried out by supramolecular chemists, has to date largely focused on the binding and sensing of relatively "simple" targets such as metal cations or inorganic anions. Ultimately, I am aiming to prepare molecules or assemblies capable of the recognition of more challenging chemical targets, for example, ion pairs and chiral molecules. It is anticipated that the most promising of these receptors could then be incorporated into sensory devices for the guest species which they preferentially bind.
This research combines both synthetic and analytical chemistry skills, and its impact extends beyond the primary aim of molecular recognition with potential benefits to other areas of scientific investigation, including catalysis and pharmaceutical drug development.
Self-Assembly
Catenanes and rotaxanes are examples of interlocked molecules that are typically constructed by use of templated self-assembly processes. I am fascinated by the opportunities arising from the 3D structures of these remarkable molecules to create new receptors for functional applications.
However, to maximize these opportunities, synthetic routes to these interlocked molecules need to be rapid, scalable and allow for the incorporation of functionality to bind their target guests. A significant focus of our work to date has therefore been on the rapid synthesis of catenanes and rotaxanes, with one of our methodologies being recently used to prepare a [2]catenane receptor for lithium cations. In addition, we have also synthesized mechanically chiral [2]rotaxanes and a peptide-displaying [1]rotaxane.
For further information, see: http://supramolecularevans.com.
PhD Supervision Interests
I am looking to recruit postgraduate students keen to work on synthetic supramolecular chemistry research projects. Funded studentships will be advertised on the Lancaster Chemistry webpages when they are available. Prospective students with their own funding for postgraduate research should email me directly.
Selected Publications
Pretzelanes, [1]rotaxanes and molecular figures-of-eight – crossing the bridge from fundamentals to functional applications
Spicer, R.L., Evans, N.H. 28/03/2025
Literature review
Cubane-1,3-dicarboxamides as structural isosteres for isophthalamides in hydrogen bond templated interlocked molecules
Barlow, S.R., Halcovitch, N.R., Akien, G.R., Coote, S.C., Evans, N.H. 18/10/2024 In: Chemical Communications. 60, 81, p. 11532-11535. 3 p.
Journal article
Synthesis of a [2]catenane by ring closing metathesis of a [2]rotaxane prepared by crown ether active templation
Barlow, S.R., Evans, N.H. 7/10/2024 In: Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry . 22, 37, p. 7607-7611. 5 p.
Journal article
Rapid synthesis of hydrogen bond templated handcuff rotaxanes
Barlow, S.R., Tomkinson, D., Halcovitch, N.R., Evans, N.H. 14/07/2024 In: Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry . 22, 26, p. 5393-5400. 8 p.
Journal article
A pyridine- N -oxide catenane for cation recognition
Barlow, S.R., Halcovitch, N.R., Evans, N.H. 22/03/2024 In: Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry . 22, 15, p. 3001-3008. 8 p.
Journal article
Anion Modulated Expression of Chirality in Hydrogen Bond Templated Mechanically Chiral [2]Rotaxanes
Spicer, R.L., Shearman, C.C., Evans, N.H. 13/04/2023 In: Chemistry - A European Journal. 29, 21, 8 p.
Journal article
An amide hydrogen bond templated [1]rotaxane displaying a peptide motif - demonstrating an expedient route to synthetic mimics of lasso peptides
Young, M.J., Akien, G.R., Evans, N.H. 21/07/2020 In: Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry . 18, 27, p. 5203-5209. 7 p.
Journal article
Lanthanide-Containing Rotaxanes, Catenanes and Knots
Evans, N.H. 22/04/2020
Literature review
Modulating the expression of chirality in a mechanically chiral rotaxane
Gell, C.E., McArdle-Ismaguilov, T.A., Evans, N.H. 7/02/2019 In: Chemical Communications. 55, 11, p. 1576-1579. 4 p.
Journal article
Chiral catenanes and rotaxanes: fundamentals and emerging applications
Evans, N.H. 2/03/2018
Literature review
All Publications
Functionalised Rotaxanes and Catenanes for Supramolecular Chemistry Applications : Sean Barlow
01/10/2021 → 30/09/2024
Research
Exploring Rapidly Accessible Rotaxanes as Synthetic Mimics of Lasso Peptides
01/07/2020 → 30/06/2023
Research
MSI: A novel coating technology based upon polyatomic ions from plasma
01/02/2019 → 30/08/2022
Research
KTP with Compact Instruments Ltd
01/05/2015 → 11/03/2020
Research
IUPAC Global Women's breakfast 2025
Types of Business and Community - Hosting of external, non-academic visitor
Lancaster Chemistry Academia-Industry Symposium
Symposium
External Examiner for PhD Thesis at University of Bristol
Examination
External Examiner for DPhil Thesis at University of Oxford
Examination
Chemistry (Organisational unit)
Member of Advisory Panel
Chemistry (Organisational unit)
Member of Advisory Panel
Launch event for the MChem (with Industrial Placement) degree at Lancaster University
Other
Chemistry (Organisational unit)
Member of Advisory Panel
Viewing the Mechanical Bond through the Looking Glass: Chiral Interlocked Molecules
Oral presentation
Viewing the Mechanical Bond through the Looking Glass: Chiral Interlocked Molecules
Oral presentation
External Examiner for MSc by Research Thesis at University of Lincoln
Examination
External Examiner for DPhil Thesis at University of Oxford
Examination
David Brook
Hosting an academic visitor
External Examiner for MSc by Research Thesis at University of Manchester
Examination
Viewing the Mechanical Bond through the Looking Glass: Chiral Interlocked Molecules
Public Lecture/ Debate/Seminar
Towards Interlocked Molecules for Useful Applications
Invited talk
External Examiner for PhD Thesis at University of St Andrews
Examination
Towards Interlocked Molecules for Useful Applications
Oral presentation
External Examiner for DPhil Thesis at University of Oxford
Examination
Rapid Synthesis of Interlocked Molecules
Oral presentation
External Examiner for PhD Thesis at Loughborough University
Examination
RSC Macrocyclic and Supramolecular Chemistry Interest Group Meeting 2018
Participation in conference - Academic
Interlocked Molecules as Receptors for Ionic Guests
Invited talk
Johnson Matthey visit to Lancaster University.
Types of Business and Community - Hosting of external, non-academic visitor
Hydrogen Bond Templated Catenanes and Rotaxanes: Towards Functionally Useful 3D Scaffolds
Invited talk
Synthesis of Hydrogen Bond Templated Catenanes and Rotaxanes for Rapid Access to Functionally Useful 3D Scaffolds
Oral presentation
Host Rotaxanes - Opportunities & Challenges
Oral presentation
External Examiner for PhD Thesis at University of Manchester
Examination
RSC Macrocyclic and Supramolecular Chemistry Interest Group (External organisation)
Membership of committee
From a Pseudorotaxane Switch to Catenanes and Rotaxanes
Oral presentation
Interlocked Molecules as Receptors for Ionic Guests
Invited talk
RSC Lancaster and District Local Section (External organisation)
Membership of committee
Rapid Synthesis of Interlocked Molecules
Oral presentation
Utilizing Interlocked Molecules as Receptors for Ionic Guests
Oral presentation
Triazacyclononane Lanthanide Complexes as Probes of Chiral Environments Exploiting Circularly Polarised Luminescence
Oral presentation
- Chemical Synthesis
- Inorganic Research group
- Organic Research Group