May 2026

L to R. Front: Chris, Paul, Ketaki, Antara. Middle: Theo, Mariia, Eleanor, Aniket. Back: Paresh, Charlotte, Soumalya, Toufic. Not pictured: Tom.

Shapeshifting Molecules

Chem. Sci. 2018, 9, 8631–8636; Chem. Sci. 2020, 11, 324–332; Nature Chem. 2023, 15, 615–624; Chem. Sci. 2024, 15, 14608; Chem. Sci. 2024, 15, 14618; Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2025, 64, e202514797

Aromatic Cation Materials

Nature Chem. 2023, 15, 516–525; Science 2025, 390, 1254–1258.

Luminescent Organic Materials

J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2017, 139, 17882; Chem. Sci. 2020, 11, 6990; Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2022, 61, e202202193; J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2023, 145, 19780; Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2025, 64, e202505433

Supramolecular Repair of Low-Friction Surfaces

Chem 2022, 8, 480–493

Welcome to the website of the McGonigal research group. We are based in the Chemistry Department at the University of Oxford.

Latest News

PhD Position Available. A fully funded PhD studentship is available for October 2027 entry. Follow this link for details.

State-Independent Electrolytes in Science. We have developed new organic materials that retain their conductivity across three phases of matter, from isotropic liquid, to liquid crystal, to solid. Read more.

Youtube

State-Independent Ionic Conductivity, Science2025, 390, 1254–1258.

Control of dynamic sp3-C stereochemistry. Nature Chem. 2023, 15, 615–624.

Rupturing aromaticity by periphery overcrowding. Nature Chem. 2023, 15, 516–525.

Shape changes during Cope rearrangement of a diaryl barbaralane. Chem. Sci. 2018, 9, 8631

Upcoming Events

21 October 2026. Paul will present the group’s research at the M3S Symposium in Hong Kong.

21 December 2026. Members of the group will attend the RSC Macrocyclic and Supramolecular Chemistry meeting in Sheffield.

Latest News

Youtube

Upcoming Events

Social Media and Links