My research interests are centred on the synthesis, structure, and applications of Lewis acidity of organoborates/organosilicates and the  syntheis of new polyborate salts. Several novel and unique isolated polyborate species have been discovered as a result of crystal engineering by cation templated self-assembly from aqueous solution. An internationally accepted method for measuring Lewis acidity by nuclear magnetic resonanance (NMR) spectroscopy has been established.

Top Cited Publications

A convenient NMR method for the measurement of Lewis acidity at boron centres: correlation of reaction rates of Lewis acid initiated epoxide polymerizations with Lewis acidity, M.A. Beckett, G.C. Strickland, J.R. Holland, and K.S. Varma, Polymer, 1996, 37, 4629-4631. [440 citations].

Lewis acidity of tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane: crystal and molecular structure of B(C6F5)3.OPEt3, M.A. Beckett, D.S. Brassington, S.J. Coles, and M.B. Hursthouse, Inorg. Chem. Commun., 2000, 3, 530-533. [209 citations].

Specific areas of recent interest:

1. Lewis Acidity.

Organoborates are being studied as potential Lewis acid catalysts and 31P NMR is being used to measure/compare  the Lewis acidity of the organoborates. This technique uses Et3PO as a probe molecule and is often referred to as the 'Gutmann-Beckett Method'.

2. Polyoxidoborates.

The synthesis and characterization of polyborate salts containing cationic transition-metal complexes and non-metal cations is being investigated.  Transition-metal coordination compounds as cations have been chosen because of their steric bulk, high charge, and their abilty to form many H-bonds donor interactions with groups in their second coordination shell.  The aim of this work is to investigate their structure directing effects and to engineer novel polyborate anions.

email: m.a.beckett@bangor.ac.uk

telephone: 01248 382378

Professor Mike Beckett is Emeritus Professor of Inorganic Chemistry within the School of Environmental and Natural Sciences and he is a specialist in the chemistry of boron. He has published more than 150 articles (h = 28) and has co-written a text book ('Periodic Table at a Glance', Wiley, 2006). His research papers on Lewis acidity measurement are internationally recognised and often cited as the 'Gutmann-Beckett method'. Mike Beckett has been an elected Titular/Associate Member/National Representative of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) since 2012, a Fellow of Royal Society of Chemistry (CChem FRSC) and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA).

Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) and Chartered Chemist (1997) CChem, FRSC.

Fellow Higher Education Academy (1998) FHEA.

Subject Specialist Reviewer (Chemistry), Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) 2003-2004.

Appointed member of Commitee for Accreditation and Validation (CAV) for RSC 2005-2011; Vice-Chair 2010-2011.

Member of Membership and Qualifications Board (MQB) for RSC 2012-2015.

Vice-Chair Local Section (North Wales) for RSC 2011-14; Chair, 2014 -2017; member 2017-2021; Secretary, 2021-2023; member 2023-.

Member of International Advisory Committee, European Conference on boron Chemistry (Euroboron), 2012-.

Member of International Advisory Committee, International meeting on boron chemistry (Imeboron) 2013-.

Task Group Chair - Nomenclature of boron hydrides and related compounds - International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), 2013-2019.

Elected Member of Division VIII, International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), Titular Member: Jan 2018 - Dec 2021;  Jan 2012 - Dec 15; Associate Member: Jan 2022 - Dec 2024; Jan 2016 - Dec 2017.