Prof. James Darkwa 

Faculty of Science
Department of Chemistry
Professor 

ORGANOMETALLIC CHEMISTRY
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY

Education

1986-1987

Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, with Professor T. B. Rauchfuss.

1984-1985

Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Calgary, with Professor T. S. Sorensen.

1980-1984

Ph.D. Chemistry, University of New Brunswick. Ph.D. advisor: Professor Frank Bottomley; Thesis: Reactions of Cyclopentadienylvanadium complexes with nitric oxide and nitrous oxide.

1974-1978

BSc (Hons) Chemistry, University of Science and Technology, Ghana.

Employment

2006-present

Professor of Chemistry, University of  Johannesburg, South Africa

1998-2005

Professor of Inorganic Chemistry, University of the Western Cape, South Africa

1995-1997

Associate Professor, University of the North, South Africa

1989-1994

Lecturer, University of Botswana

1987-1989

Lecturer, University of Zimbabwe

1979-1980

Teaching Assistant (the equivalent of a Junior Lecturer), University of Science and Technology Kumasi, Ghana

Awards and Scholarships

• Visiting Scientist University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, U.S.A, (Prof. M. Brookhart), 2004. (On sabbatical leave)
• Awarded Ernest Oppenheimer sabbatical fellowship 2003.
• Visiting Research Scientist, Portland State University, U.S.A, (Prof. R. H. Simoyi), 2002.
• Visiting Research Scientist, West Virginia University, U.S.A, (Prof. R. H. Simoyi) 1997, 1995.
• Academic Exchange Fellowship, University of the Western Cape-University of Missouri, 2000.
• Visiting DAAD Research Scientist, Universität Bayreuth, Germany, (Prof. Max Herberhold).
• Visiting British Council Research Scientist, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, England, (Prof. A. G. Sykes), 1992.
• Teaching merit Teaching Award, Department of Chemistry, University of New Brunswick, 1983-4.
• Tuition Bursary by the Graduate School, University of New Brunswick, 1980-1.

Teaching and Related Expirience (1987 to date)

1. Courses taught (undergraduate and postgraduate)

• General chemistry
• Basic and advanced main group chemistry
• Transition metal and coordination chemistry
• Basic and advanced organometallic chemistry
• Fundamentals of catalysis and industrial applications of catalysis
• Physical methods in inorganic chemistry
• Chemical applications of group theory
• Introduction to quantum chemistry
1. Past postgraduate students, degree supervised (15 MSc & 5 PhD since 1995)

 Membership of Professional Socities and Professional Activities

1. Membership of Professional Societies
• Member, American Chemical Society (1986 - present)
• Member, South African Chemical Institute (1995 - present)
• Member, Catalysis Society of South Africa (2005 - present)
2. Professional activities
• Executive Secretary, South African Chemical Institute (June 2007-May 2009)
• Chair of the Gauteng Section of the South African Chemical Institute (2006-2009)
• Member, National Research Foundation (South Africa) Postdoctoral Fellowships Committee (2000-)
• Member, National Research Foundation (South Africa) Review Committee (2000)
• Member, National Research Foundation (South Africa) Chemistry rating Committee (2000-2002)
• Member, National Research Foundation (South Africa) Unlocking the Future Chemistry Committee (2001)
• Member, University of Cape Town Chemistry department review committee, (2005)
• External Examiner (undergraduate and postgraduate): University of Namibia, University of Botswana, University of Natal, Durban, University of the North, University of Pretoria, University of Cape Town, University of Durban Westville, University of the Free State, University of Stellenbosch, University of South Africa, Rand Afrikaans University, University of the Witwatersrand, North-West University, University of KwaZulu-Natal and M. L. Sultan Technikon

 Administrative Expirience and Service

1. University of Johannesburg

• Member of Senate

University of the Western Cape

• Chairperson of Department (2001-2002)
• Member, Senate (1998-2002, 2005)
• Member, Faculty of Science Postgraduate and Research Committees (2005)
• Member, Faculty of Science Appointments Committee (1998-2002)
• Member, Faculty of Science Management Committee (2001-2002)
• Member, Faculty of Safety Committee (2001)
• Member, Faculty Adhominem Promotions Committee (1999-2000)
• Member, Faculty of Science Students' Affairs Committee (1999-2000)

University of the North

• Acting Head of Department (May 1997- August 1997)
• Associate Professor and sectional leader of Inorganic Chemistry (1995-1997)
• Associate Professor and sectional leader of Inorganic Chemistry (1995-1997)
• Member of Faculty strategic planning committee on the learning environment (1995-1996)
• Member of Dean’s committee to investigate students-staff relations in the Department of Biochemistry (1996)
• Member of Faculty Research and Publications Committee (1997)

University of Botswana

• Departmental Library Representative (1991-1994)
• Departmental Representative on Research and Publications Committee (1992-1994)
• Secretary to Departmental Board (1992-1993)

Recent Invited Lectures

• University of Botswana, Chemistry Department seminar series, September, 2008
• University of Cape Town, Chemistry Department seminar series, April, 2008
• University of the Witwatersrand, Chemistry Department seminar series, August 2007
• Department of Chemistry, Lund University, Sweden, September 2007
• Keynote lecture, SEANAC conference, Gaborone, Botswana, July 2007
• Sasol Technology, Sasolburg, May 2006
• Keynote lecture, South African Chemical Institute National conference, Durban, December, 2006
• Department of Chemistry, Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, September 2005
• Department of Chemistry, North Carolina Central University, October, 2004
• Department of Chemistry, Portland State, University, Portland, USA, May, 2004
• Department of Chemistry, University of Oklahoma, USA, January, 2003

 Some Recent Publications

 1.    Anticancer activities of bis(pyrazol-1-ylthiocarbonyl)disulfides against HeLa cells. F. K. Keter, M. J. Nell, I. A. Guzei, B. Omondi, J. Darkwa, J. Chem Res. in press.
2.    (Pyrazolylmethyl)pyridine platinum(II) and gold(III) complexes: Synthesis, structures and evaluation as anticancer agents. T. V. Segapelo, I. A. Guzei, L. C. Spencer, W. E van Zyl,  J. Darkwa, Inorg. Chim. Acta in press.
3.    Dichloro-{bis(pyrazol-1-yl)}palladium(II) complexes: Structures of a DMSO solvated dichloro-{bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)acetic acid}palladium(II) and dichloro-{bis(3,5-ditertbutylpyrazol-1-yl)methane}palladium(II). F. K. Keter, B. Omondi, J. Darkwa, J. Chem. Cryst. in press.
4.    Bis(pyrazolyl)palladium(II), platinum(II) and gold(III) complexes: Synthesis, molecular structures and reaction kinetics with L-Cysteine. F. K. Keter, S. O. Ojwach, I. A. Guzei, O. A. Oyetunji, J. Darkwa, Inorg. Chim. Acta in press.
5.    (Pyrazol-1-ylmethyl)pyridine palladium complexes: Synthesis, molecular structures, and activation of small molecules. S. O. Ojwach, I. A. Guzei, J. Darkwa, J. Organomet. Chem. 2009, 694, 1393.
6.    (Pyrazol-1-ylmethyl)pyridine Nickel Complexes: Ethylene Oligomerization and Unusual Friedel-Crafts Alkylation Catalysts. S. O. Ojwach, I. A. Guzei, L. L. Benade, S. F. Mapolie, J. Darkwa, Organometallics, 2009, 28, 2127.
7.    Di-m-chloro-dichloro{1,2-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl-1-methyl)benzene}dipalladium. B. Omondi, A. Budhai, J. Darkwa, Acta Cryst 2009, E65, m446.
8.    Tetra-chloro-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazolylmethane)gold(III) chloride: An HIV-1 reverse transcriptase and protease inhibitor. P. N. Fonteh, F. K. Keter, D. Meyer, I. A. Guzei, J. Darkwa, J. Inorg. Biochem. 2009, 103, 190.
9.    In vitro evaluation of dichloro-bis(pyrazole)palladium(II) and dichloro-bis(pyrazole)platinum(II) complexes as anticancer agents. F. K. Keter; S. Kanyanda, S. Lyantagaye, J. Darkwa, J. Rees, M. Meyer,  Cancer Chem. Pharm. 2008, 63, 127.
10.    Unconjugated diimine palladium complexes as Heck coupling catalysts. S. M. Nelana, J. Cloete, G. Lisensky, E. Nordlander, I. A. Guzei, S. F. Mapolie, J. Darkwa, J. Mol. Cat. Chem. A. 2008, 268, 72.
11.    The application of novel dendritic nickel catalysts in the oligomerization of ethylene. R. Malgas, S. F. Mapolie, S. O. Ojwach, G. S. Smith, J. Darkwa, Catalysis Communications 2008, 9, 1612.
12.    Positional disorder manifest as compositional disorder in a pseudo-C2-symmetrical Pd complex. I. A. Guzei, L. C. Spencer, S. O. Ojwach, J. Darkwa, Acta Cryst. 2008, C64, m114.
13.    Dichloro-(3,5-dimethylpyrazole)-(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl-toluoylmethanone) palladium(II). S. M. Nelana, G. J. Kruger, J. Darkwa, Acta Cryst. 2008, E64, m206.
14.    1-[3-Carboxypropanamido)ethyl]-1’,2-bis-(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene-K²-P,P’dichloroplatinum(II) dichloromethane 1.25-solvate. L.C. Spencer, H. Bjelosevic, J. Darkwa, S.K.C. Elmroth, T. Persson, Acta Cryst. 2008, E64, m164.
15.    Bis(pyrazole)- and bis(pyrazolyl)- palladium complexes as phenylacetylene polymerization catalysts. K. Li, M. S. Mohlala, T. V. Segapelo, P. M. Shumbula, I. A. Guzei, J. Darkwa, Polyhedron 2008, 27, 1017.
16.    Synthesis, characterization and bromination of bis(phosphinoferrocenyl) gold(I) compounds. T. V. Segapelo, I. A. Guzei, J. Darkwa, J. Organomet. Chem. 2008, 693, 701.
17.    Palladium complexes of multidentate pyrazolylmethyl pyridine ligands: Synthesis, structures and phenylacetylene polymerization. S. O. Ojwach, I. A. Guzei, J. Darkwa, S. F. Mapolie, Polyhedron, 2007, 26, 851.
18.    Poly(pyrazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene palladium complexes: Synthesis, characterization and evaluation as Heck coupling catalysts. N. M. Motsoane, I. A. Guzei, J. Darkwa, Z. Naturforsch., 2007, 62b, 323.
19.    Catalytic hydroxylation of phenol using immobilized late transition metal salicylaldimine complexes. S. Ray, S. F. Mapolie, J. Darkwa, J. Mol. Cat. A Chem. 2007, 267, 143.
20.    3,5-Dimethyl-1-(triphenylmethyl)-1H-pyrazole. I. A. Guzei, F. K. Keter, L. C. Spencer, J. Darkwa, Acta Cryst. 2007, E63, o2997.
21.    Constructor graph description of hydrogen bonding in a supramolecular assembly of (3,5 –Dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-4-ylmethyl)-isopropyl-ammonium chloride monohydrate. I. A. Guzei, F. K. Keter, L. C. Spencer, J. Darkwa, Acta Cryst. 2007, C63, o481.
22.    Substituted (pyridinyl)benzoazole palladium complexes: Synthesis and application as Heck coupling catalysts. S. O. Ojwach, G. Westman, J. Darkwa, Polyhedron, 2007, 26, 5544.
23.    Bis(pyrazolyl)pyridine vanadium(III) complexes as ethylene polymerization catalysts. H. S. Abbo, S. F. Mapolie, J. Darkwa, S. J. J. Titinchi, J. Organomet. Chem., 2007, 692, 5327.
24.    Mesogenic behaviour of (4-alkoxybenzylideneamino)bromobenzene, (4-alkoxybenzylideneamino)benzenethiols and thiolatonickel complexes of the thiols. R. M. Moutloali, E. Marfo-Owusu, J. Darkwa, Liq. Cryst. 2006, 33, 321.
25.    Trans-bis[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazole-kN²]dichloropalladium(II) monohydrate. L. C. Spencer, I. A. Guzei, S. O. Ojwach, J. Darkwa, Acta Cryst. 2006, C62, m412.
26.    Dichlorobis[2-(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl-1-carbonyl)furan]palladium(II) bis[aquatris(pentafluorophenyl)boron] dehydrate dicholoromethane disolvate. I. A. Guzei, S. O. Ojwach, J. Darkwa, Acta Cryst. 2005, E61, m1492.
27.    Confirmational studies of 1-4-bis(3,5-di-tertbutylpyrazolyl-1-carbonyl)benzene. I. A. Guzei, K. Li, J. Darkwa, J. Chem. Cryst., 2005, 35, 197.
28.    Furoyl and thiophene carbonyl linker pyrazolyl palladium(II) complexes- synthesis, characterization, and evaluation as ethylene oligomerization catalysts. S. O. Ojwach, M. G. Tshivhase, I. A, Guzei, J. Darkwa, S. F. Mapolie, Can. J. Chem. 2005, 83, 843.
29.    Pyridine linker pyrazolyl palladium complexes: synthesis, characterization and ethylene polymerization activity. M. S. Mohlala, I. A. Guzei, J. Darkwa, S. F. Mapolie, J. Mol. Cat. Chem. A, 2005, 241, 93.
30.    Mass spectral behaviour of some homoleptic and mixed aryldichalcogenide bis(diphenyphosphino)ferrocenenickel(II), palladium(II) and platinum(II), and  bis(diisopropylphosphino)ferrocenepalladium complexes. E. Y. Osei-Twum, L. A. Litorja, J. Darkwa, L. L. Maisela, A Lesimple, O. Mamer, J. Am. Soc. Mass Spectrom., 2005, 16, 94.

Postal Address

Department of Chemistry 
University of Johannesburg
PO Box 524
Auckland Park 2006
South Africa 

Physical Address

Room: C2LAB 326
Department of Chemistry
University of Johannesburg
Ditton Avenue
Auckland Park 
South Africa 

Contact Details

Tel: +27 (0)11 559 2363 (Secretary)
AucklandPark Kingsway Campus: 326 C2Lab
Email