Professor Ray Bonnett, BSc(Lond) PhD(Cantab) DSc(Lond) C.Chem FRSC

Emeritus Professor of Organic Chemistry at Queen Mary, University of London. Formerly Head of the Chemistry Department (1982 – 1986), and past Chairman of the Tetrapyrrole Discussion Group and Coordinator of an HCM network (PDT Euronet).

School of Biological & Chemical Sciences
Queen Mary, University of London
Mile End Road
London
E1 4NS
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7882 5024
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7882 7427.
email: R.Bonnett@qmul.ac.uk

Research Interests
Heterocyclic compounds of biological interest, particularly pyrroles, dipyrroles and tetrapyrroles; porphyrins, corrins, bilins, especially in relation to biological function; haem chemistry and haem catabolism: the effect of metal complexation on the reactivity of the macrocyclic (porphyrin) ligand;
Bile pigment chemistry, especially the basic chemistry (including photochemistry) of bilin systems; chemical pathways in the phototherapy of neonatal jaundice; porphyrins as photosensitisers in tumour phototherapy; isoindoles and phthalocyanines: chemistry, properties and applications; novel metallophthalocyanines: applications in molecular electronics;
Coal chemistry; porphyrins as biomarkers of coalification; metalloporphyrins in coal; humic acid chemistry;
Nitrosation in relation to the occurrence of nitrosamines in the environment.

Current Projects
1. Benzoporphyrin and phthalocyanine synthesis using a stepwise approach.
2. Photosensitisers for tumour therapy (photodynamic therapy).
3. Photosensitisers in the treatment of other diseases (e.g. fungal and viral diseases).
4. Photobactericidal surfaces.
5. Porphyrins in fossil fuels.

Selected Recent Publications

• R. Bonnett, M. A. Krysteva, I. G. Lalov and S. V. Artarsky, ‘Water disinfection using photosenstizers immobilized on chitosan’, Water Research, 2006, 40, 1269-1275.

• A. Pečkaitytė, R. Daugelvičius, A. Sadauskaitė, V. Kirvelienė, R. Bonnett and E. Bakienė, ‘Comparative analysis of the photobactericidal action of selected tetrapyrrole compounds on Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria’, Biologija, 2005, 41-46.

• R. Bonnett, M. Motevalli and J. Siu, 'Squaraines based on 2-arylpyrroles',
  Tetrahedron, 2004, 60, 8913-8918.

• R. Bonnett, ‘Metal complexes for photodynamic therapy’ . In ‘Comprehensive Coordination Chemistry II; from biology to nanotechnology’. Editors-in-Chief: J. A. McCleverty, T. J. Meyer. Vol. 9 ‘Applications of Coordination Chemistry’. Elsevier Pergamon, Oxford, 2004, pp. 945-1003 (ISBN 0080443311).

• S. A. Gerhardt, J. W. Lewis, J. Z. Zhang, R. Bonnett and K. A. McManus,
  'Photophysical behaviour of an opp-dibenzoporphyrin
  (2,12-diethyl-3,13-dimethyldibenzo[g,q]porphyrin in micelles and organic
  solvents', Photochem. Photobiol. Sci.,2003, 2, 934-938.

• S. A. Gerhardt, J. Z. Zhang, R. Bonnett and F. J. Swanson,
  'Photoisomerization of a benzopyrromethenone derivative in micelles and
  organic solvents', Chem. Phys. Lett., 2003, 371, 510-515.

• R. Bonnett, 'Progress with heterocyclic photosensitizers for the
  photodynamic therapy of tumours', J. Heterocyclic Chem., 2002, 39, 455-470.

• R. Bonnett and G. Martinez, 'Photobleaching of compounds of the
  5,10,15,20-tetrakis-(m-hydroxyphenyl)porphyrin series (m-THPP, m-THPC,
  m-THPBC)', Org. Lett., 2002, 39, 455-470.

• R. Bonnett and G. Martinez, 'Photobleaching of sensitisers used in
  photodynamic therapy', Tetrahedron, 2001, 54, 9513-9547.

• R. Bonnett, B. D Djelal and A. Nguyen, 'Physical and chemical studies
  related to the development of m-THPC (FoscanR) for photodynamic therapy
  (PDT) of tumours', J. Porphyrins Phthalocyanines, 2001, 5, 652-661.

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