Inside Volume 73, No.3, July 2009 Articles and Features 96 Witches, Horses and Dead Turkeys Denis R. Lauren 102 Cycloaurated Gold(III) Complexes – Possible Alternatives to Cisplatin? Kelly J. Kilpin and William Henderson 106 The Quest for Extreme Water Repellency: Superhydrophobicity Made Easy Graham C. Saunders 111 Fast GC-MS and Chemometrics: Exploring Complex Mixtures Marlon M Reis, Mariza G Reis, Michael Agnew, Peter Cross, Shane Leath 116 Penicillins: Their Chemical History and Legal Disputes in New Zealand Jessica Christine Lai Other Columns 90 NZIC July News 124 Dates of Note 101 ChemScrapes 125 Conference Calendar 110 ChemNews 126 Grants and Scholarships 114 Patent Proze 128 Science Scene Advertisers Inside Cover Biolab Group 101 Chemical Education Trust 105 Pacifichem Inside Back NZ Geochemical and Mineralogical Society Back Cover Science Directions The Cover Cover photography by Matt Walters, School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury 89 Chemistry in New Zealand July 2009 New Zealand Institute of Chemistry supporting chemical sciences July News NZIC News Comment from the President One of the rewarding aspects of the role of President of and the extra $9 M for the Marsden Fund each year for the Institute is the opportunity to visit each of the Branch- the next four years, the latter being an increase of more es to meet with the members and deliver a lecture. At than 20% on current funding. This might mean one extra the time of writing I have made two visits, the second funded project in chemistry each year. Against that, it ap- of which was to the Wellington Branch which, naturally, pears that the Top Achiever Scholarships for the best of I know quite well. The first was to Manawatu where I our PhD candidates are destined to follow the Enterprise spent a very pleasant and informative day at New Zealand Scholarships into oblivion. A new scheme to fund sum- Pharmaceuticals as the guest of Dr Ghislaine Cousins, mer research students in universities is welcome as is the and at Massey University, hosted by Dr Mark Waterland. Prime Minister’s Science Prize. Overall, there is little to Both visits were very encouraging: at Massey I was able raise NZ from its modest position on the OECD ranking to discuss research and teaching with several of the new for investment in research and development and, lest we staff that have been appointed in the last few years. Is- become too pleased with our lot, Bill English left us with sues included the difficulties of balancing a heavy teach- a pessimistic outlook for budgets to come. ing load against the need to produce research outputs for the next Performance Based Research Fund assessment in On a more positive note, you will be aware that 2011 has 2012. Despite some evident problems, there was a general been designated the International Year of Chemistry by air of optimism with several research projects producing the United Nations. This will be a time to celebrate the interesting results. I was particularly interested in the de- achievements of chemistry and its contributions to the velopment of a new student-centred approach to teaching well-being of humankind. IUPAC and UNESCO envis- chemistry in the laboratory that challenges first-year stu- age that the activities associated with the year will: dents to think analytically about scientific problems. • increase the public appreciation of chemistry in meet- NZP offered quite a different, but equally encouraging ing world needs perspective on chemistry in NZ in 2009. The company • increase interest of young people in chemistry occupies a valuable niche in the international market for • speciality chemicals and has been able to invest in new generate enthusiasm for the creative future of production facilities in recent years (as reported in this chemistry Journal). One of the many positive aspects of the NZP • celebrate the 100th anniversary of the award of the No- operation is the synergy that exists between the company, bel Prize in Chemistry to Marie Curie and the 100th an- IRL and several NZ universities, to the advantage of all. niversary of the founding of the International Associa- I am looking forward to visiting the other four Branches tion of Chemical Societies, a predecessor of IUPAC. later in the year. The NZIC, in collaboration with RSNZ, will play a prom- As I write this, the Government’s 2009 Budget is fresh in inent part in the celebration at the national and regional my mind. We were well primed to expect little but, un- level. Council is discussing some of the ways we can con- der the circumstances, science and education fared better tribute, and a publication to follow New Zealand is Differ- than some. Although the main news media did not devote ent: Chemical Milestones in New Zealand History is one much space to science spending, the Treasury and other possibility that is being considered. I hope the Branches government websites carry the essential detail. A good will also be considering appropriate ways to mark the deal of the positive funding news is really just a redeploy- Year of Chemistry in their regions. Please write to me if ment of monies and the budget disguises real losses in you wish to suggest a way the NZIC can celebrate IYC. funding, notably the scheme to allow R&D tax credits. However, there is some welcome news in the increase John Spencer in Capability Funding for the Crown Research Institutes President Farewell This is the last issue of Chemistry in New Zealand for The Editorial Board and Council of the Institute wish her joint Managing Editor Fiona Summerfield. After four well and thank her for her tremendous efforts in making years sourcing advertising, overseeing the production and the Journal the vibrant and interesting read it is today. distribution, as well as being a regular contributor, Fiona The next issue welcomes Anthea Lees as she steps into is moving on to new business ventures. this position. 90 Chemistry in New Zealand July 2009 NEWS Thermal Chemistry Ltd, Waikato: David Richard Ad- dison Congratulations to Dr Penny Brothers (Auckland Univer- sity) who was appointed Professor as we went to Press. Student Members: QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY HONOURS Auckland University: Sumit Lal Council congratulates Emeritus Professor George Clark on his appointment as an Officer of the New Canterbury: Zealand Order of Merit (OMZM). Physicist and ma- University: terials scientist Jeff Tallon (IRL and VUW) was ap- Sandra Atkinson, Robert Currie, Rachel Hanover- pointed a Commander of the Order. O’Connor, Lauren Pinfold, Captain M J Rushworth, and Mark Russell NZIC MEMBERSHIP MATTERS CPIT: We welcome to the Institute the following new members: David Ashton, Leonard Hettige Don, Chandan Pal, and Anthony Strachan MNZIC Auckland University: Massey University: Dr Jonathan Sperry Janice Moody Otago University: Otago University: Dr Stephen Moratti Matthew Smart and Emily Lei Wang IRL Wellington: Victoria University: Drs Owen Catchpole, Alistair Ian Longshaw, David Peter Clark, Ashna Khan, Ben McCartney, Peter Moore, Clarke and Benjamin Compton and Melanie Nelson BRANCH NEWS the prestigious 39th St. Gallen Sym- CIT, Pasadena) gave a seminar on the posium in Switzerland, in May. Zoe’s The Future of Nanosensing. AUCKLAND winning essay, Can a researcher be an island?, highlighted the importance of The Department had funding successes Auckland University - Chemistry collaboration between scientists. in the form of a FRST TRST Materi- als Accelerator programme ($NZ 2.4 Chemistry HoD Prof Jim Metson Prof Graham Bowmaker’s retirement M p.a. for 4 years) from a bid led by spent six weeks during April-May was marked with a function at Old Prof Ralph Cooney with participation in Norway on research leave. He at- Government House in early April, of several staff. Prof Margaret Brim- st tended the 1 Iranian International Al- which was attended by a number of ble was awarded $US 750,000 for 3 uminium Conference in Tehran, and former staff members. Graham will years from the US Human Frontiers then spent time at the Hydro Research continue to be a valuable presence Science Grant on Antifreeze Proteins Centre in the Herøya Industry Park, within the Department alongside some in Fish jointly with A/Prof Clive Ev- containing a major fertilizer plant, a well deserved retirement activities. Dr ans (Biological Sciences) and Ameri- Si facility for solar cell fabrication, Vitorrio Caprio left the Department in can collaborators. and the old site of the Hydro Magne- April to take up a post back in Wales. sium Plant. OSH regulations required Jim to wear a hard hat and carry a gas Recent Departmental seminars have CANTERBURY mask simply to move between build- included Dr Ali Hosseini (Standford The April and May events have been ings – not yet required on the Auck- University, and a former Auckland dominated by researchers associated land campus! PhD student) on Interdigitated array with the University of Cambridge, microelectrodes; Prof Digby Mac- either as current or as previous mem- The May Science graduation included Donald (Penn State University and bers of staff. In April, Professor Alison a morning tea in the Department where an Auckland graduate) on the Limits Smith (Plant Science) delivered an acting HOD A/Prof Penny Brothers of Passivity and Our Metals-Based excellent talk on Vitamins-R-Us. What announced that Tanya Grkovic was Civilization; Prof Michael Fryzuk are Vitamins and Who Needs Them? to the winner of the L.H. Briggs Medal (University of British Columbia) on a large and enthusiastic audience. On for the best 2008 Departmental PhD Activation and Functionalization of May 27th the Branch was privileged thesis. Tanya is expected to graduate Molecular Nitrogen by Transition to have not one, but two fascinating at an October ceremony.