Richard Oakley

• Stable radical materials
• Molecular magnetism
• Molecular conductivity
• Photomagnetism

• Chemical, electrochemical and spectroscopic properties of open shell organic and inorganic heterocycles
• Neutral radicals, radical ions and biradicals as building blocks for functional molecular conductive and magnetic materials
• Methodology:  inorganic, organic and organometallic synthesis, NMR, EPR, UV-Vis and FTIR spectroscopy; electrochemistry; single crystal and powder X-ray crystallography; variable temperature conductivity and magnetic susceptibility measurements; high pressure effects on the structure and properties of molecular solids. Semi-empirical and density functional theory quantum calculations on molecules and molecular solids.

Recent publications include

• N. J. Yutronkie, D. Bates, P. A. Dube, S. M. Winter, C. M. Robertson, J. L. Brusso and R. T. Oakley. “Three-Dimensional Magnetic Exchange Networks in Trigonal Bisdithiazolyl Radicals.” Inorg. Chem. 58, 419-427 (2019). 

• D. Bates, C. M. Robertson, A. A. Leitch, P. A. Dube and R. T. Oakley. “Magnetic Bistability in Naphtho-1,3,2-dithiazolyl: Solid State Interconversion of a Thiazyl pi-Radical and its N-N sigma-Bonded Dimer.” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 140, 3846-3849 (2018).  

• A. Mailman, A. A. Leitch, W. Yong, E. Steven, S. M. Winter, R. C. M. Claridge, A. Assoud, J. S. Tse, S. Desgreniers, R. A. Secco and R. T. Oakley. "The Power of Packing: Metallization of an Organic Semiconductor.” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 139, 2180-2183 (2017).

• A. Mailman, J. W. L. Wong, S. M. Winter, R. C. M. Claridge, C. M. Robertson, A. Assoud, W. Yong, E. Steven, P. A. Dube, J. S. Tse, S. Desgreniers, R. A. Secco and R. T. Oakley. “Fine Tuning the Performance of Multiorbital Radical Conductors by Substituent Effects.” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 139, 1625-1635 (2017).

• K. Lekin, K. Ogata, A. Maclean, A. Mailman, S. M. Winter, A. Assoud, M. Mito, J. S. Tse, S. Desgreniers, N. Hirao, P. A. Dube and R. T. Oakley. “Pushing Tc to 27.5 K in a Heavy Atom Radical Ferromagnet.” Chem. Commun. 52, 13877-13880 (2016).

• L. Postulka, S. M. Winter, A. G. Mihailov, A. Mailman, A. Assoud, C. M. Robertson, B. Wolf, M. Lang and R. T. Oakley. “Spin Frustration in an Organic Radical Ion Salt based on a Kagome-Coupled Chain Structure.” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 138, 10738-10741 (2016).

Please see Richard Oakley's Google Scholar profile for a current list of his peer-reviewed articles.

• E.W.R Steacie Award (CSC), 2016
• Fellow, Royal Society of Canada (FRSC), 2009
• Killam Research Fellowship (Canada Council), 2006-08
• Pure or Applied Inorganic Chemistry Award (CSC), 2001
• Alcan Lecture Award (CSC), 1993
• Fellow, Chemical Institute of Canada (FCIC), 1993
• Akron Lecture Award (ACS), 1991
• NSERC University Research Fellowship,1980-87
• NSERC Post-Doctoral Fellowship,1976-78
• Honorary Ramsay Memorial Fellowship, 1976-78
• NRC/NSERC Post-Graduate Scholarship, 1969-70 and 1973-76
• B.C. Sugar Refining Co. Scholarship, 1967-68
• B.C. Government Scholarship, 1967-69

• Member, Selection Committee, CSC Pure or Applied Inorganic Chemistry Award, 2011

• Vice-Chair, Pacifichem 2005 Congress Organizing Committee, 2000-2006

• Member and Chair, Polanyi Prize Selection Committee, 2001-2003

• Chair, 34th Ontario Inorganic Discussion Weekend, 2001

• Member and Vice-Chair, Pacifichem 2000 Congress Organizing Committee, 1996-2001

• Author, CSC Hermes Project Report, 1996-1998

• Chair, 78th CSC Conference and Exhibition, 1993-1996

• Member, Organizing Committee, IRIS VII Conference, 1993-94

• Member, CSC ALCAN Award Selection Committee, 1993-95

• Co-author, NSERC Re-allocation Report on Chemistry, 1994

• Member and Chair, NSERC Grant Selection Committee 024, 1990-94

• Cooperant in Colombia, Canadian University Services Overseas (CUSO), 1970-72 

The following news stories have featured Richard Oakley's research:

• June 14, 2016:  CCUCC Chemistry Doctoral Award presented to chemistry grad Stephen Winter 

• December 14, 2015:  Professor Richard Oakley wins the 2016 E.W.R. Steacie Award

1976 Ph.D. Chemistry, University of British Columbia, BC

1970 M.Sc. Chemistry, University of British Columbia, BC

1969 B.Sc. Chemistry, University of British Columbia, BC