Dr Mark Heron

Dr Heron joined the University of Huddersfield in August 2012 as a Principal Research Fellow.  Prior to this research focussed fellowship Dr Heron held a Senior Lectureship in Applied Organic Chemistry in the Department of Colour and Polymer Chemistry within the School of Chemistry at the University of Leeds (2000 – 2012).  Research interests encompass heterocyclic chemistry applied to functional dyes including photo-, thermo-, electro- and piezo-chromism, traditional dye and pigment chemistry and fluorescence. Industrial collaborations have resulted in recent patents concerning hybrid liquid crystalline photochromic heterocyclic materials.  In addition to my interests in heterocyclic chemistry, traditional and modern synthetic chemistry transformations, polymer chemistry and organic spectroscopy have featured prominently in my research.

Preceding Leeds Dr Heron held industrially funded Lectureships at the University of Central Lancashire (1995 – 1998) and at the University of Hull (1998 – 2000). The latter appointment provided an opportunity to develop an interest in liquid crystal technology whilst maintaining a strong interest in heterocyclic chemistry and photochromism.  Research activity from this initial phase of Dr Heron’s academic career resulted in the filing of several international patent applications for photochromic molecules that have been marketed around the globe.

Dr Heron was awarded his PhD in 1992 by the Council for National Academic Awards for investigations into the synthesis and reactivity of benzothiopyrans and fused heterocyclic derivatives with external collaboration with ICI Pharmaceuticals (Alderley Edge).  In a post-doctoral fellowship in Applied Heterocyclic Chemistry (University of Central Lancashire 1991 - 1995) initial exploration of the chemistry of novel pyrroles and azoles and benzopyrans was undertaken which sowed the seeds for a longstanding relationship with heterocyclic chemistry and optical phenomena such as photochromism.

Research interests:

• Design, synthesis and optimisation of the performance of novel responsive dye systems e.g. photo-, electro-, thermo- and piezo- chromic dyes, and their applications.
• The synthesis and spectroscopic properties of methine, cyanine, squarane, BODIPY, naphthalimide and ruthenium based colorants.
• Synthetic methodology related to the de-novo synthesis of heterocyclic ring systems e.g. pyrans, thiopyrans, pyridines, pyrroles and various azoles including pyrazoles, isoxazoles and their benzologues.
• The investigation of new and alternative synthetic strategies to useful organic molecules including application of transition metal catalysis, directed metallation strategies and novel phosphorus stabilised ylides.

2012

Blackwell, C., Gabbutt, C., Guthrie, J. and Heron, B. (2012) ‘The synthesis and properties of vinyl substituted naphthopyrans and their styrene copolymers’ Dyes and Pigments , 95 (2), pp. 408-420. ISSN 0143-7208

Crossley, D., Gabbutt, C., Heron, B., Kay, P. and Mogstad, M. (2012) ‘Synthesis and photochromic properties of spiro[naphthopyran-7?H-benzocyclohepta-5?,8?-dienes] ’ Dyes and Pigments , 95 (1), pp. 62-68. ISSN 0143-7208

Gabbutt, C., Heron, B., Kilner, C. and Kolla, S. (2012) ‘The synthesis and properties of naphthopyran– boradiazaindacene conjugates ’ Dyes and Pigments , 94 (2), pp. 175-182. ISSN 0143-7208

Azizian, F., Field, A., Heron, B. and Kilner, C. (2012) ‘Intrinsically thermochromic fluorans ’ Chemical Communications , 48 (5), pp. 750-752. ISSN 1359-7345

Gabbutt, C., Gibbons, L., Heron, B. and Kolla, S. (2012) ‘The intramolecular capture of thermally generated merocyanine dyes derived from naphthopyrans: Photochromism of 5-(diarylhydroxymethyl)-2H-naphtho[1,2-b]pyrans ’ Dyes and Pigments , 92 (3), pp. 995-1004. ISSN 0143-7208

Gabbutt, C., Heron, B., Kilner, C. and Kolla, S. (2012) ‘The synthesis and photochromism of a 2,2-diaryl-6-styryl-2H-[1]benzopyran: Unexpected palladium-mediated ring-contraction of a 6-bromo-2,2-diaryl-2H-[1]benzopyran’ Dyes and Pigments , 92 (2), pp. 825-830. ISSN 0143-7208

Yokoyama, Y., Heron, B. and Tian, H. (2012) ‘Guest editorial foreword to the special edition of Dyes & Pigments on Organic Photochromism’ Dyes and Pigments , 92 (2), p. 789. ISSN 0143-7208

Azizian, F., Field, A., Griffiths, J. and Heron, B. (2012) ‘Palladium-catalysed amination of bromofluorans and an investigation of their thermochromic behaviour ’ Dyes and Pigments , 92 (1), pp. 524-530. ISSN 0143-7208

2011

Gabbutt, C., Heron, B., Kilner, C. and Kolla, S. (2011) ‘Hexatriene formation from the regiospecific alkene cross-metathesis of trans-1-(buta-1,3-dien-1-yl)-2-acryloyloxynaphthalene’ Journal of chemical research , 35 (9), pp. 531-535. ISSN 1747-5198

Chaitanya, K., Santhamma, C., Heron, B., Gabbutt, C. and Instone, A. (2011) ‘Vibrational assignment of the spectral data and thermodynamic properties of 2-chloro-4-fluorobenzophenone using DFT quantum chemical calculations’ Vibrational Spectroscopy , 57 (1), pp. 35-41. ISSN 0924-2031

Curtis, A., Gabbutt, C., Heron, B. and Kilner, C. (2011) ‘Direct formation of ?,?-unsaturated dithioacetals from diarylpropynols’ Tetrahedron Letters , 52 (6), pp. 708-710. ISSN 0040-4039

Hepworth, J. and Heron, B. (2011) ‘Six-Membered Ring Systems With O and/or S Atoms ’. In: Progress in Heterocyclic Chemistry Volume 23. : Elsevier. pp. 427-463. ISBN 9780080968056

Nabais, C., Heron, B., de Sousa, H., Gil, M. and Sobral, A. (2011) ‘Synthesis and Characterization of Co-polymers Based on Methyl Methacrylate and 2-Hexyl Acrylate Containing Naphthopyrans for a Light-Sensitive Contact Lens’ Journal of Biomaterials Science, Polymer Edition , 22 (1-3), pp. 139-152. ISSN 0920-5063

2010

Gabbutt, C., Heron, B., Kilner, C. and Kolla, S. (2010) ‘Benzopentalenonaphthalenones from the intramolecular capture of a merocyanine derived from a naphthopyran’ Chemical Communications , 46 (44), pp. 8481-8483. ISSN 1359-7345

Gabbutt, C., Heron, B., Kilner, C. and Kolla, S. (2010) ‘The influence of a 1,1-diarylvinyl moiety on the photochromism of naphthopyrans’ Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry , 8 (21), pp. 4874-4883. ISSN 1477-0520

Hepworth, J. and Heron, B. (2010) ‘Six-Membered Ring Systems: With O and/or S Atoms ’. In: Progress in Heterocyclic Chemistry Volume 22. : Elsevier. pp. 449-490. ISBN 9780080966854

2009

Aiken, S., Gabbutt, C., Heron, B., Kershaw, C., Smith, N. and Cano, J.(2009) Photochromic Dichroic Naphthopyrans and Optical Articles Containing them. WO/2009109546.

Aiken, S., Gabbutt, C., Heron, B., Kershaw, C., Smith, N. and Cano, J.(2009) Photochromic Dichroic Naphthopyrans and Optical Articles Containing them. EP/2098520.

Hepwort, J. and Heron, B. (2009) ‘Chapter 6.4: Six-Membered Ring Systems: With O and/or S Atoms’. In: Progress in Heterocyclic Chemistry Volume 21. : Elsevier. pp. 455-490. ISBN 9780080965154

Hepworth, J. and Heron, B. (2009) ‘Chapter 6.4 (2006): Six-membered ring systems: with O and/or S atoms’. In: Progress in Heterocyclic Chemistry. : Elsevier. pp. 365-398. ISBN 9780080469751

2008

Gabbutt, C., Heron, B., Kolla, S., Kilner, C., Coles, S., Horton, P. and Hursthouse, M. (2008) ‘Ring contraction during the 6?-electrocyclisation of naphthopyran valence tautomers’ Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry , 6 (17), pp. 3096-3104. ISSN 1477-0520

Gabbutt, C., Heron, B., Kolla, S. and Mcgivern, M. (2008) ‘Two Stage Colour Modulation of Triarylmethine Dyes Derived from a Photochromic Naphthopyran’ European Journal of Organic Chemistry , 2008 (12), pp. 2031-2034. ISSN 1434-193X

Aiken, S., Cano, J., Gabbutt, C. and Heron, B.(2008) 6-Biphenyl-Ester-3H-Naphtho[2,1-b]pyrans as Photochromic Dichroic Dyes and Optical Articles Containing Them. WO2008029194.

Aiken, S., Cano, J., Gabbutt, C., Heron, B., Kosa, T., Su, L., Sukhomlinova, L. and Taheri, B.(2008) 3H-Naphtho[2,1-b]pyrans as Photochromic Dichroic Dyes and Optical Articles Containing Them. WO/2008080226.

Aiken, S., Cano, J., Gabbutt, C. and Heron, B.(2008) 6-Biphenyl-Ester-3H-Naphtho[2,1-b]pyrans as Photochromic Dichroic Dyes and Optical Articles Containing Them. WO2008028930.

Hepworth, J. and Heron, B. (2008) ‘Thiopyrans and their Benzo Derivatives’. In: Comprehensive Heterocyclic Chemistry III. : Elsevier. pp. 727-954. ISBN 9780080449913

Gabbutt, C., Heron, B., Instone, A., Kolla, S., Mahajan, K., Coelho, P. and Carvalho, L. (2008) ‘Synthesis and photochromic properties of symmetrical aryl ether linked bi- and tri-naphthopyrans’ Dyes and Pigments , 76 (1), pp. 24-34. ISSN 0143-7208

2007

Sriprom, W., Néel, M., Gabbutt, C., Heron, B. and Perrier, S. (2007) ‘Tuning the color switching of naphthopyrans via the control of polymeric architectures’ Journal of Materials Chemistry , 17 (19), pp. 1885-1893. ISSN 0959-9428

Hepworth, J. and Heron, B. (2007) ‘Chapter 6.4 Six-Membered Ring Systems: With O and/or S Atoms’. In: Progress in Heterocyclic Chemistry . : Elsevier. pp. 376-401. ISBN 9780080450254

2006

Gabbutt, C., Hargrove, T., Heron, B., Jones, D., Poyner, C., Yildiz, E., Horton, P. and Hursthouse, M. (2006) ‘Oxidation and ring cleavage reactions of 3-benzhydrylchromones. Generation of triarylmethine cations from methylidenechroman-4-ones and benzopyrano[4,3-c]pyrazoles’ Tetrahedron , 62 (47), pp. 10945-10953. ISSN 0040-4020

Hepworth, J. and Heron, B. (2006) ‘Photochromatic naphthopyrans’. In: Functional dyes. : Elsevier. pp. 85-135. ISBN 9780444521767

Gabbutt, C., Heron, B. and Instone, A. (2006) ‘The synthesis and electronic absorption spectra of 3-phenyl-3(4-pyrrolidino-2-substituted phenyl)-3H-naphtho[2,1-b]pyrans: further exploration of the ortho substituent effect’ Tetrahedron , 62 (4), pp. 737-745. ISSN 0040-4020

2005

Coelho, P., Salvador, M., Heron, B. and Carvalho, L. (2005) ‘Spectrokinetic studies on new bi-photochromic molecules containing two naphthopyran entities’ Tetrahedron , 61 (49), pp. 11730-11743. ISSN 0040-4020

Coimbra, P., Gil, M., Duarte, C., Heron, B. and de Sousa, H. (2005) ‘Solubility of a spiroindolinonaphthoxazine photochromic dye in supercritical carbon dioxide: Experimental determination and correlation’ Fluid Phase Equilibria , 238 (1), pp. 120-128. ISSN 0378-3812

Gabbutt, C., Heron, B., Thomas, D., Partington, S., Light, M. and Hursthouse, M. (2005) ‘Photochromic Naphthopyrans Containing a Latent Carbene Unit’ Molecular Crystals and Liquid Crystals , 431 (1), pp. 357-362. ISSN 1542-1406

Clarke, D., Gabbutt, C., Hepworth, J. and Heron, B. (2005) ‘Synthesis of 3-alkenyl-2-arylchromones and 2,3-dialkenylchromones via acid-catalysed retro-Michael ring opening of 3-acylchroman-4-ones’ Tetrahedron Letters , 46 (33), pp. 5515-5519. ISSN 0040-4039

Gabbutt, C., Heron, B., Mars, C. and Partington, S. (2005) ‘Synthesis and Photochromic Properties of 2H,9H-Indeno[1,2-f]- and 3H,7H-Indeno[2,1-i]- naphtho[2,1-b]pyrans’ Molecular Crystals and Liquid Crystals , 430 (1), pp. 167-172. ISSN 1542-1406

Afrasiabi, Z., Sinn, E., Kulkarni, P., Ambike, V., Padhye, S., Deobagakar, D., Heron, B., Gabbutt, C., Anson, C. and Powell, A. (2005) ‘Synthesis and characterization of copper(II) complexes of 4-alkyl/aryl-1,2-naphthoquinones thiosemicarbazones derivatives as potent DNA cleaving agents’ Inorganica Chimica Acta , 358 (6), pp. 2023-2030. ISSN 0020-1693

Hepworth, J. and Heron, B. (2005) ‘Chapter 6.4 Six-membered ring systems: with O and/or S atoms’. In: Progress in Heterocyclic Chemistry . : Elsevier. pp. 362-388. ISBN 9780080447117

Hepworth, J. and Heron, B. (2005) ‘Chapter 2 Synthesis and photochromic properties of naphthopyrans’. In: Progress in Heterocyclic Chemistry . : Elsevier. pp. 33-62. ISBN 9780080447117

Gabbutt, C., Heron, B., Instone, A., Horton, P. and Hursthouse, M. (2005) ‘Synthesis and photochromic properties of substituted 3H-naphtho[2,1-b]pyrans’ Tetrahedron , 61 (2), pp. 463-471. ISSN 0040-4020

2004

Gabbutt, C., Heron, B., Thomas, D., Light, M. and Hursthouse, M. (2004) ‘Carbenoid induced irreversible ring opening of naphthopyrans’ Tetrahedron Letters , 45 (32), pp. 6151-6154. ISSN 0040-4039

Heron, B., Gabbutt, C., Hepworth, J., Thomas, D., Kilner, C. and Partington, S. (2004) ‘Synthesis and Photochromic Properties of Methoxy Substituted 2,2-Diaryl-2H-naphtho[1,2-b]pyrans’ Heterocycles , 63 (3), pp. 567-582. ISSN 0385-5414

Hepworth, J. and Heron, B. (2004) ‘Chapter 6.4 Six-membered ring systems: With O and/or S atoms’. In: Progress in Heterocyclic Chemistry . : Elsevier. pp. 405-430. ISBN 9780080444826

Aiken, S., Gabbutt, C., Heron, B., Instone, A., Horton, P. and Hursthouse, M. (2004) ‘Making light work in colour chemistry’ Advances in Colour Science & Technology , 7 (3), pp. 55-65. ISSN 1462-4761

2003

Aiken, S., Gabbutt, C. and Heron, B. (2003) ‘Synthesis and photochromic properties of aryl-, heteroaryl- and biphenyl- linked 3H-naphtho[2,1-b]pryans’. In: 19th International Congress on Heterocyclic Chemistry: Book of Abstracts . : Elsevier. p. 102. ISBN 9780080443041

Gabbutt, C., Heron, B., Mars, C., Light, M. and Hursthouse, M. (2003) ‘Novel phosphorus ylides from ANRORC and ring cleavage reactions of 3-(aryliminomethyl)chromones’. In: 19th International Congress on Heterocyclic Chemistry: Book of Abstracts . : Elsevier. p. 234. ISBN 9780080443041

Daia, D., Clarke, D., Gabbutt, C., Hepworth, J. and Heron, B. (2003) ‘Transformations of 3-acylchromones into alkenyl and allenyl chromones’. In: 19th International Congress on Heterocyclic Chemistry: Book of Abstracts . : Elsevier. p. 156. ISBN 9780080443041

Gabbutt, C., Heron, B. and Thomas, D. (2003) ‘Observations on the synthesis and reactivity of photochromic naphthopyrans’. In: 19th International Congress on Heterocyclic Chemistry: Book of Abstracts . : Elsevier. p. 171. ISBN 9780080443041

Gabbutt, C., Heron, B., Instone, A., Thomas, D., Partington, S., Hursthouse, M. and Gelbrich, T. (2003) ‘Observations on the Synthesis of Photochromic Naphthopyrans’ European Journal of Organic Chemistry , 2003 (7), pp. 1220-1230. ISSN 1434-193X

Heron, B., Gabbutt, C. and Instone, A. (2003) ‘Control of the Fading Properties of Photochromic 3,3-Diaryl-3H-naphtho- [2,1-b]pyrans’ Heterocycles , 60 (4), pp. 843-855. ISSN 0385-5414

Daia, D., Gabbutt, C., Heron, B., Hepworth, J., Hursthouse, M. and Malik, K. (2003) ‘Conjugate additions of lithium dialkynylcuprates [(RC?C)2CuLi] to activated chromones. Unexpected formation of the 6H-bis[1]benzopyrano[2,3-b:3?,4?-e]pyridine system’ Tetrahedron Letters , 44 (7), pp. 1461-1464. ISSN 0040-4039

Heron, B. and Thomas, D. (2003) ‘Synthesis and reactivity of some photochromic naphthopyrans’ Advances in Colour Science & Technology , 6 (3), pp. 87-90. ISSN 1462-4761

Gabbutt, C., Heron, B. and Instone, A. (2003) ‘Control of the fading properties of photochromic 3,3-diaryl-3H-naphtho[2,1-b] pryans’ Advances in Colour Science & Technology , 6 (4), pp. 116-118. ISSN 1462-4761

Heron, B. and Thomas, D. (2003) ‘Adventures with photochromic naphthopyrans’ Advances in Colour Science & Technology , 6, pp. 7-16. ISSN 1462-4761

Hepworth, J. and Heron, B. (2003) ‘Chapter 6.4 Six-membered ring systems: With O and/or S atoms’. In: Progress in Heterocyclic Chemistry . : Elsevier. pp. 360-384. ISBN 9780080442877

2002

Gabbutt, C., Hepworth, J., Heron, B. and Pugh, S. (2002) ‘A facile route to pyrroles, isoindoles and hetero fused analogues’ Journal of the Chemical Society, Perkin Transactions 1 (24), pp. 2799-2808. ISSN 1472-7781

Gabbutt, C., Gelbrich, T., Hepworth, J., Heron, B., Hursthouse, M. and Partington, S. (2002) ‘Synthesis and photochromic properties of some fluorine-containing naphthopyrans’ Dyes and Pigments , 54 (1), pp. 79-93. ISSN 0143-7208

Daia, G., Gabbutt, C., Hepworth, J., Heron, B., Hibbs, D. and Hursthouse, M. (2002) ‘Synthesis and cycloadditions of 9H-furo[3,4-b][1]benzo(thio)pyran-9-ones: furan ring formation by a novel hydrolytically induced cycloreversion’ Tetrahedron Letters , 43 (25), pp. 4507-4510. ISSN 0040-4039

Gabbutt, C., Heron, B., McCreary, J. and Thomas, D. (2002) ‘Unusual aminations with tetramethylguanidine’ Journal of chemical research , 2002 (2), pp. 69-71. ISSN 1747-5198

Hepworth, J. and Heron, B. (2002) ‘Chapter 6.4 Six-membered ring systems: With O and/or S atoms’. In: Progress in Heterocyclic Chemistry . : Elsevier. pp. 332-355. ISBN 9780080441900

2001

Gabbutt, C., Hepworth, J., Heron, B., Partington, S. and Thomas, D. (2001) ‘Synthesis and spectroscopic properties of some merocyanine dyes’ Dyes and Pigments , 49 (1), pp. 65-74. ISSN 0143-7208

Clarke , D., Heron, B., Gabbutt, C., Hepworth, J., Partington, S. and Corns, S.(2001) Rapid Fading Photo-Responsive Materials. WO/2001/012619.

Hepworth, J. and Heron, B. (2001) ‘Chapter 6.4 Six-membered ring systems: With O and/or S atoms’. In: Progress in Heterocyclic Chemistry . : Elsevier. pp. 317-339. ISBN 9780080440057

2000

Gabbutt, C., Hepworth, J., Heron, B. and Partington, S. (2000) ‘Photochromism of some thienobenzopyrans’ Dyes and Pigments , 47 (1-2), pp. 73-77. ISSN 0143-7208

Gabbutt, C., Hepworth, J., Heron, B., Coles, S. and Hursthouse, M. (2000) ‘Synthesis of some thiochromeno[4,3-c]- and [3,4-c]-pyrazoles’ Journal of the Chemical Society, Perkin Transactions 1 (17), pp. 2930-2938. ISSN 1470-4358

Gabbutt, C., Heron, B., Hursthouse, M. and Abdul Malik, K. (2000) ‘Conjugate addition of a phosphorus ylide to 3-cyanochromone’ Phosphorus, Sulfur, and Silicon and the Related Elements , 166 (1), pp. 99-109. ISSN 1042-6507

Clarke , D., Heron, B., Gabbutt, C., Hepworth, J., Partington, S. and Corns, S.(2000) Photochromic Substituted 2H-Naphtho[1,2-b]pyrans. WO/2000/035902 .

Clarke , D., Heron, B., Gabbutt, C., Hepworth, J., Partington, S. and Corns, S.(2000) Grey Colouring Photochromic Fused Pyrans. WO/2000/018755.

Gabbutt, C., Hepworth, J., Heron, B. and Partington, S. (2000) ‘Protolysis of Spironaphtho(aza)pyranoindoles’ Molecular Crystals and Liquid Crystals Science and Technology. Section A. Molecular Crystals and Liquid Crystals , 345 (1), pp. 323-328. ISSN 1058-725X

Hepworth, J. and Heron, B. (2000) ‘Chapter 6.4 Six-Membered ring systems: With O and/or S atoms’. In: Progress in Heterocyclic Chemistry . : Elsevier. pp. 317-338. ISBN 9780080438825

Gabbutt, C., Hepworth, J., Heron, B. and Partington, S. (2000) ‘Photochromism of Some Heterobenzopyrans’ Molecular Crystals and Liquid Crystals Science and Technology. Section A. Molecular Crystals and Liquid Crystals , 344 (1), pp. 229-234. ISSN 1058-725X

1999

Gabbutt, C., Hepworth, J., Heron, B., Rahman, M., Coles, S. and Hursthouse, M. (1999) ‘Synthesis and reactivity of some 3,4-dibromo-2H-[1]benzopyrans: The generation and reactions of 3,4-didehydro-2H-[1]benzopyran’ Tetrahedron , 55 (34), pp. 10467-10480. ISSN 0040-4020

Gabbutt, C., Hepworth, J., Heron, B. and Thomas, J. (1999) ‘A novel acylative ring cleavage of benzothieno[3,2-b]pyran-4-ols: application to the synthesis of dibenzothiophenes and fused-ring derivatives’ Chemical Communications (6), pp. 541-542. ISSN 1359-7345

Clarke , D., Heron, B., Gabbutt, C., Hepworth, J., Partington, S. and Corns, S.(1999) Naphthopyran Photochromic Dyes Sensitive to pH. WO/1999/031081 .

Gabbutt, C., Hepworth, J. and Heron, B. (1999) ‘An NMR investigation of the merocyanine dyes generated by protolysis of some novel spironaphthopyranoindoles’ Dyes and Pigments , 42 (1), pp. 35-43. ISSN 0143-7208

Clarke , D., Heron, B., Gabbutt, C., Hepworth, J., Partington, S. and Corns, S.(1999) Photochromic Compounds. WO/1999/020630 .

Gabbutt, C., Hepworth, J., Heron, B., Elsegood, M. and Clegg, W. (1999) ‘An unusual ring expansion from the Zav’yalov pyrrole synthesis: formation of oxacino[2,3-c]pyrroles’ Chemical Communications (3), pp. 289-290. ISSN 1359-7345

Hepworth, J. and Heron, B. (1999) ‘Chapter 6.4 Six-Membered Ring Systems: With O and/or S Atoms’. In: Progress in Heterocyclic Chemistry . : Elsevier. pp. 299-318. ISBN 9780080434070

Hepworth, J., Gabbutt, C. and Heron, B. (1999) ‘Photochromism of naphthopyrans’. In: Dye & pigment chemistry (Colour science '98 : Proceedings of the international conference & exhibition. : University of Leeds . pp. 161-173. ISBN 9780853161967

1998

Gabbutt, C., Hepworth, J., Heron, B., Jones, A., Raper, E. and Clegg, W. (1998) ‘Structural studies of a novel heterocyclic phosphorane’ Phosphorus, Sulfur, and Silicon and the Related Elements , 143 (1), pp. 221-230. ISSN 1042-6507

Clarke , D., Heron, B., Gabbutt, C., Hepworth, J., Partington, S. and Corns, S.(1998) Red Colouring Hyperchromic 3H-Naphtho[2,1-b]pyrans. WO/1998/045281.

Clarke , D., Heron, B., Gabbutt, C., Hepworth, J., Partington, S. and Corns, S.(1998) Neutral Colouring Photochromic 2H-Naphtho[1,2-b]pyrans and Heterocyclic Pyrans and Their Use. WO/1998/042693.

Clarke , D., Heron, B., Gabbutt, C., Hepworth, J., Partington, S. and Corns, S.(1998) Intense Colouring Photochromic 2H-Naphtho[1,2-b]pyrans and Heterocyclic Pyrans . WO/1998/042695 .

Daia, G., Gabbutt, C., Hepworth, J., Heron, B., Hibbs, D. and Hursthouse, M. (1998) ‘The directed lithiation of some 3-acylchromone acetals’ Tetrahedron Letters , 39 (10), pp. 1215-1218. ISSN 0040-4039

Gabbutt, C., Hepworth, J., Heron, B. and Thomas, J. (1998) ‘The oxidative ring expansion of spiro-annulated chroman-4-ones: Syntheses of the rotenoid core and related benzoxanthones’ Tetrahedron Letters , 39 (8), pp. 881-884. ISSN 0040-4039

Hepworth, J. and Heron, B. (1998) ‘Chapter 6.4 Six-membered ring systems With O and/or S atoms ’. In: Progress in Heterocyclic Chemistry . : Elsevier. pp. 292-319. ISBN 9780080434025

1997

Gabbutt, C., Hepworth, J. and Heron, B. (1997) ‘A facile synthesis of some benzothiopyrano [4,3-b] pyrroles’ Journal of Chemical Research , pp. 102-103. ISSN 0308-2342

Hepworth, J. and Heron, B. (1997) ‘Chapter 6.4 Six-membered ring systems: With O and/or S atoms’. In: Progress in Heterocyclic Chemistry Volume 9. : Elsevier. pp. 289-317. ISBN 9780080428017

1996

Hepworth, J., Gabbutt, C. and Heron, B. (1996) ‘Pyrans and their Benzo Derivatives - Structure’. In: Comprehensive Heterocyclic Chemistry II. : Pergamon. pp. 301-350. ISBN 9780080420721

Hepworth, J., Gabbutt, C. and Heron, B. (1996) ‘Pyrans and their Benzo Derivatives - Synthesis’. In: Comprehensive Heterocyclic Chemistry II. : Pergamon. pp. 351-468. ISBN 9780080420721

Gabbutt, C., Heron, B., Hepworth, J. and Rahman, M. (1996) ‘The generation and reactions of 3,4-didehydro-2H-[1]benzopyran, a highly strained heterocycle’ Tetrahedron Letters , 37 (8), pp. 1313-1316. ISSN 0040-4039

Hepworth, J. and Heron, B. (1996) ‘Chapter 6.4 Six-membered ring systems: With O and/or S atoms’. In: Progress in Heterocyclic Chemistry Volume 8. : Elsevier. pp. 277-297. ISBN 9780080427959

1995

Gabbutt, C., Hepworth, J. and Heron, B. (1995) ‘Reactions of some 2H-Chromenes and 2H-Thiochromenes with triazolinediones’ Tetrahedron , 51 (48), pp. 13277-13290. ISSN 0040-4020

Heron, B (1995) ‘Heterocycles from Intramolecular Wittig, Horner and Wadsworth-Emmons Reactions’ Heterocycles , 41 (10), pp. 2357-2386. ISSN 0385-5414

Gabbutt, C., Hepworth, J. and Heron, B. (1995) ‘The reaction of methylenetriphenylphosphorane with aromatic heterocyclic 1,2-diketones’ Journal of Chemical Research (miniprint) , p. M0805-M0819. ISSN 0308-2350

Gabbutt, C., Hepworth, J. and Heron, B. (1995) ‘The reaction of methylenetriphenylphosphorane with aromatic and heterocyclic 1,2-diketones’ Journal of Chemical Research , pp. 118-119. ISSN 0308-2342

Hepworth, J. and Heron, B. (1995) ‘Chapter 6.4 Six-membered ring systems: With O and/or S atoms’. In: Progress in Heterocyclic Chemistry Volume 7. : Elsevier. pp. 268-293. ISBN 9780080420905

1994

Gabbutt, C., Hepworth, J. and Heron, B. (1994) ‘Synthesis and reactivity of some thiochroman-3,4-diones.’ Tetrahedron , 50 (26), pp. 7865-7878. ISSN 0040-4020

Gabbutt, C., D. Hepworth, J. and Heron, B. (1994) ‘A new reaction of ?-chloro-?-chlorosulfenyl ketones: facile syntheses of 3,3-dichloro- and 3-chloro-chroman-4-ones and thiochroman-4-ones’ Tetrahedron , 50 (17), pp. 5245-5254. ISSN 0040-4020

Gabbutt, C., Hartley, D., Hepworth, J., Heron, B., Kanjia, M. and Rahman, M. (1994) ‘Synthesis and reactivity of some 4-bromo- 2H-chromenes and 2H-thiochromenes’ Tetrahedron , 50 (8), pp. 2507-2522. ISSN 0040-4020

Gabbutt, C., Hepworth, J. and Heron, B. (1994) ‘Expedient syntheses of the rotenoid and thiorotenoid systems’ Journal of the Chemical Society, Perkin Transactions 1 (6), pp. 653-657. ISSN 0300-922X

Gabbutt, C., Hepworth, J., Heron, B. and Rahman, M. (1994) ‘Allenes from 3-bromo-2H-1-benzopyrans’ Journal of the Chemical Society, Perkin Transactions 1 (13), pp. 1733-1737. ISSN 0300-922X

Hepworth, J. and Heron, B. (1994) ‘Chapter 6.4 Six-membered ring systems: With O and/or S atoms’. In: Progress in Heterocyclic Chemistry Volume 6. : Elsevier. pp. 271-300.

Gabbutt, C., Hepworth, J., Heron, B. and Kanjia, M. (1994) ‘Ring contraction of sulfenamides derived from thiochroman-4-ones’ Tetrahedron , 50 (3), pp. 827-834. ISSN 0040-4020

Bethune, R., Gabbutt, C., Guinot, S., Hepworth, J. and Heron, B. (1994) ‘Directed lithiation of some chroman-4-ols’ Journal of the Chemical Society, Perkin Transactions 1 (14), pp. 1925-1933. ISSN 0300-922X

1993

Clayton, S., Gabbutt, C., Hepworth, J. and Heron, B. (1993) ‘Direct aromatic tert-butylation during the synthesis of thiochroman-4-ones’ Tetrahedron , 49 (4), pp. 939-946. ISSN 0040-4020

Hepworth, J. and Heron, B. (1993) ‘Chapter 6.4 Six-membered ring systems: With O and/or S atoms’. In: Progress in Heterocyclic Chemistry Volume 5. : Elsevier. pp. 264-289.

1992

Gabbutt, C., Hepworth, J. and Heron, B. (1992) ‘Synthesis of the 5-thiorotenoid system from thiochroman-3-one’ Journal of the Chemical Society, Perkin Transactions 1 (22), pp. 3015-3018. ISSN 0300-922X

Gabbutt, C., Hepworth, J. and Heron, B. (1992) ‘Enamino ketones as precursors of functionalised 2H-thiopyrans and thiopyrano[2,3-c]- and [3,2-b]-benzothiopyrans’ Journal of the Chemical Society, Perkin Transactions 1 (20), pp. 2603-2608. ISSN 0300-922X

Selected items:

• Editorship of Dyes & Pigments (Elsevier) from January 2008 onwards. The leading international journal dedicated to the publication of research papers and topical reviews in the area of dye and pigment chemistry.
• Sole UK representative on the International Scientific Organising Committee for the International Symposia on Organic Photochromes (ISOP) 2002 – present.
• Session chairman at ISOP2010 (Yokohama) and ISOP2007 (Vancouver) and ISOP2004 (Arcachon).
• Guest co-editor of a Special Issue of Dyes & Pigments dedicated to the Yokohama ISOP 2010 symposium.
• Research Committee Advisor for Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Vila Real for the Portuguese Funding Council (FCT) (2011).
• Annual invitation from the International Society of Heterocyclic Chemistry to co-author the chapter on Six-Membered Heterocyclic Rings with O and / or S atoms [volumes 5 (1993) to 23 (2011) inclusive].
• Invited contributor to the encyclopaedic reference work Comprehensive Heterocyclic Chemistry III. Chapter entitled ‘Thiopyrans and their Benzo Derivatives’ Eds. A. R. Katritzky, C. A. Ramsden, E. F. V. Scriven and R. J. K. Taylor, vol. 7, pp. 727 – 954, (Elsevier, Amsterdam), 2008.
• Involvement in major awards to teams for the development and commercialisation of organic photochromic compounds (i) Chemical Industries Association Innovation Award (James Robinson Ltd., Huddersfield, 2005); (ii) Queen’s Award for Enterprise (James Robinson Ltd., 2006); (iii) Royal Society of Chemistry Teamwork and Innovation Award (highly commended runner-up, 2006 James Robinson Ltd., Huddersfield).
• Served as an expert witness in a patent litigation case (Chancery Court, London, 2012).
• Delivered Continuing Professional Development lecture to A-level educators on behalf of The Princes’ Teaching Institute in the Crypt at St Martin in the Fields (London 2010)
• Faculty Teaching Star award (Faculty of Maths and Physcial Sciences, University of Leeds).
• Delivered numerous colourful scientific demonstration lectures for school pupils aged 6 – 17, for NAGTY events, the Oil and Colour Chemists Association, Salter’s Festivals and Summer Camps (former Salter’s camp organiser).
• External examiner undergraduate programmes University of Teesside 2000 - 2004.

Former research projects have been predominantly sponsored by UK and international industry and also by research councils, charitable foundations and university scholarships.  Current interests include projects along the following broad themes:

(i) Development of novel functional heterocyclic systems:

Projects in this area build upon my expertise working with functional dye systems and include the exploration of new photo-, thermo-, piezo- and electro-chromic materials. A combination computational design and modern synthetic chemistry will be employed to devise novel ring systems and substitution patterns to induce and tailor stimuli responsive properties.  Extension of this theme to new dyes and ligands for both solar energy capture and tailored emissive materials is in progress.

(ii) Investigation of new strategies to access heterocyclic ring systems:

Heterocyclic compounds feature prominently in materials and medicinal chemistry and also as fundamental units in many natural products. The search for new synthetic routes to access ring systems and to introduce new substitution patterns in pyrans, thiopyrans, pyridines, pyrroles, azoles and their benzologues embracing new chemistry and catalysts are key to my interests in this area. 

The majority of my research has involved close collaboration with UK and International industry and during which time much new intellectual property has been protected as either EU or International patents.