Declan Gilheany

Professor Declan Gilheany is a Full Professor at the School of Chemistry, University College Dublin (since 2014). With academic positions spanning Queens University Belfast (1980-81), St. Patrick's College Maynooth (1983-92), and a Fulbright scholarship at MIT (1988-90), he has contributed significantly to organophosphorus chemistry and asymmetric synthesis. His research group has produced over 82 original articles and secured €7.6M in funding, with a breakthrough commercialized via Celtic Catalysts Ltd. His work on enantioselective Grignard synthesis and Wittig reaction mechanisms remains foundational.

• Education: B.Sc. (1978, First Class, Queen's University Belfast); Ph.D. (1983, Queen's Foundation Student, Queen's University Belfast)

His research focuses on chiral phosphorus compounds, asymmetric catalysis (Rh turnover >100,000), and enantioselective synthesis of complex molecules like vitamin E and antihistamines. He pioneered dynamic resolution of P-stereogenic phosphorus and challenged traditional d orbital involvement in bonding theories. His asymmetric Appel reaction and 7-membered ring synthesis methodologies have broad industrial applications.

His recent publications emphasize stereomutation mechanisms, phosphonium salt dynamics, and enantioselective ligand design. The Wesley Cocker Award (2008) and Royal Society of Chemistry Fellowship (2014) highlight his academic impact. He has supervised 36 PhDs and 10 PDRAs, with current teams of 6 PhDs and 3 PDRAs.

Professional Leadership: Served on Forfas Technology Foresight Panel (1998), Enterprise Ireland IRCC (2006-08), and EU Marie Curie ITN Program (2012-date). Chair of the Royal Society of Chemistry (2015-2018) and external examiner for PhDs across four countries.