Professor Michael Beckett

Emeritus Professor

Contact info

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 is a Chartered Chemist and Fellow of Royal Society of Chemistry (CChem FRSC), a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) and is an elected UK representative of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC).

  1. Published

    Formation of borosilicate glasses from silicon alkoxides and metaborate esters in dry non-aqueous solvents

    Beckett, M. A., Rugen-Hankey, M. P. & Varma, K. S., 15 Aug 2006, In: Journal of Sol-Gel Science and Technology. 39, 2, p. 95-101

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  2. Published

    Synthesis, characterization, and thermal properties of benzylammonium pentaborate[C6H5CH2NH3][B5O6(OH)4]

    Beckett, M. A., Horton, P. N., Hursthouse, M. B., Timmis, J. L. & Varma, K. S., 22 Sept 2010, In: Collection of Czechoslovak Chemical Communications. 75, 9, p. 971-980

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  3. Published

    Organophosphoryl adducts of tris (pentafluorophenyl) borane; Crystal and molecular structure of B(C6F5)3Ph3PO

    Beckett, M. A., Brassington, D. S., Light, M. E. & Hursthouse, M. B., 1 Jun 2001, In: Journal of the Chemical Society Dalton Transactions. 11, p. 1768-1772

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  4. Published

    Supramolecular structures containing ‘isolated' pentaborate anions and non-metal cations: crystal structures of [Me3NCH2CH2OH][B5O6(OH)4] and [4-MepyH, 4-Mepy][B5O6(OH)4]

    Beckett, M. A., Bland, C. C., Horton, P. N., Hursthouse, M. B. & Varma, K. S., 1 Jun 2007, In: Journal of Organometallic Chemistry. 692, 13, p. 2832-2838

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  5. Published

    Bis(triphenylphosphoranylidene)ammonium iodide.

    Beckett, M. A., Horton, P. N., Hursthouse, M. B. & Timmis, J. L., 1 Feb 2010, In: Acta Crystallographica Section E: Structure Reports Online. 66, 2, p. o319-U2063

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  6. Published

    Crystallographic and spectroscopic investigation of the stereochemistry of [MBr(CO)(3)L-2] (M = Mn, Re) complexes: crystal and molecular structures of [MBr(CO)(3)L-2] {M = Mn, L = P(C6H4Cl-4)(3), 1/2dppe, 1/2dppf, M = Re, L = P(C6H4OMe-4)(3), 1/2dppf}

    Beckett, M. A., Brassington, D. S., Coles, S. J., Gelbrich, T., Light, M. E. & Hursthouse, M. B., 15 Dec 2003, In: Journal of Organometallic Chemistry. 688, 1-2, p. 174-180

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  7. Published

    Triborate and pentaborate salts of non-metal cations derived from N-substituted piperazines: synthesis, structural (XRD) and thermal properties

    Beckett, M. A., Horton, P. N., Hursthouse, M. B. & Timmis, J. L., 17 Jun 2013, In: RSC Advances. 3, p. 15185-15191

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  8. Published

    Compounds containing boron-chalcogen bonds

    Beckett, M. A., 31 Jul 2013, Handbook of Chalcogen Chemistry: New Perspectives in Sulfur: Selenium and Tellurium: volume 1. 2013 ed. Royal Society of Chemistry, p. 5-34

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

  9. Published

    Synthesis and characterization of cyclo-boratetrasiloxane, (RBO) (Me2SiO)3 (R=nBu, Ar), derivatives

    Beckett, M. A., Rugen-Hankey, M. P. & Varma, K. S., 15 Nov 2003, In: Polyhedron. 22, 25-26, p. 3333-3337

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  10. Published

    An unprecedented polyborate ester anion: X-ray diffraction studies on [1,8-C10H6(NMe2)2H][B5O6(Ome)4]

    Beckett, M. A., Bland, C. C., Horton, P. N., Hursthouse, M. B. & Varma, K. S., 1 Apr 2007, In: Inorganic Chemistry. 46, 10, p. 3801-3803

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  11. Published

    Pentaborate(1-) salts templated by substituted pyrrolidinium cations: synthesis, structural characterization, and modelling of solid-state H-bond interactions by DFT calculations

    Beckett, M. A., Coles, S., Davies, R. A., Horton, P. & Jones, C. L., 10 Mar 2015, In: Dalton Transactions. 44, p. 7032-7040

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  12. Published

    Synthesis and X-ray structural studies of pentaborate(1−) salts containing substituted imidazolium cations

    Beckett, M. A., Horton, P. N., Hursthouse, M. B. & Timmis, J. L., 19 Apr 2014, In: Polyhedron. 77, p. 96-102

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  13. Published

    Synthesis and Structural Characterization of an Unprecedented Nonmetal Cation Polyborate Salt Containing Two Different “Isolated” Polyborate Anions: [H2en]2[B4O5(OH)4][B7O9(OH)5]·3H2O (en = H2NCH2CH2NH2)

    Beckett, M. A., Horton, P. N., Coles, S. K. & Martin, D. W., 5 Dec 2011, In: Inorganic Chemistry. 50, 23, p. 12215-12218

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  14. Published

    Structural (XRD) and thermal (DSC,TGA) and BET analysis of materials derived from non-metal cation pentaborate salts

    Beckett, M. A., Horton, P. N., Hursthouse, M. B., Knox, D. A. & Timmis, J. L., 11 Mar 2010, In: Dalton Transactions. 39, 16, p. 3944-3951

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  15. Published

    Synthesis and X-ray characterisation of organotriboroxinate salts [Me3NCH2CH2CH2OH][Ph4B3O3] and [NEt3H][Ph3B3O3(OH)], and the X-ray structure of the triaryboroxine, (4-MeOC6H4)3B3O3

    Beckett, M. A., Coles, S. J., Light, M. E., Fischer, L., Stiefvater-Thomas, B. M. & Sukuma Varma, K., 6 Mar 2006, In: Polyhedron. 25, 4, p. 1011-1016

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  16. Published

    Synthesis of aluminium borate-boron oxide and binary titanium-boron and zirconium-boron oxides from metal alkoxides and (MeO)(3)B3O3 in non-aqueous solvents

    Beckett, M. A., Rugen-Hankey, M. P., Timmis, J. L. & Varma, K. S., 1 Jan 2008, In: Dalton Transactions. 11, p. 1503-1506

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  17. Published

    Lewis acidity of tris(pentafluorophenyl) borane: crystal and molecular structure of B(C6F5)(3)center dot OPEt3

    Beckett, M. A., Brassington, D. S., Coles, S. J. & Hursthouse, M. B., 1 Oct 2000, In: Inorganic Chemistry Communications. 3, 10, p. 530-533

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  18. Published

    Tetraphenylphosphonium octahydrotriborate.

    Beckett, M. A., Horton, P. N., Hursthouse, M. B. & Pszolla, C., 1 Apr 2010, In: Acta Crystallographica Section E: Structure Reports Online. 66, 4, p. o833

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  19. Published

    Templated heptaborate and pentaborate salts of cyclo-alkylammonium cations: structural and thermal properties

    Beckett, M. A., Horton, P. N., Hursthouse, M. B., Timmis, J. L. & Varma, K. S., 17 Feb 2012, In: Dalton Transactions. 41, 15, p. 4396-4403

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  20. Published

    fac,cis-bromidotricarbonylbis(tribenzylphosphine)rhenium(I).

    Beckett, M. A., Light, M. E., Brassington, D. S. & Thornton-Pett, M., 1 Mar 2007, In: Acta Crystallographica Section E: Structure Reports Online. 63, 3, p. m785-m786

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  21. Published

    Trimethoxyboroxine as an 'oxygen-transfer' reagent: a non-aqueous 'sol-gel' route to alkali-free borosilicate glass

    Beckett, M. A., Rugen-Hankey, M. P. & Varma, K. S., 1 Jan 2000, In: Chemical Communications. 16, p. 1499-1500

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  22. Published

    Tetraphenylboroxinate(1-) salts of monoborate cations: Synthesis and single-crystal X-ray structures of [Ph2B{OCH2CH2N(Me)(CH2)n}2][Ph4B3O3] (n = 4, 5)

    Beckett, M. A., Bennett, E. L., Horton, P. N. & Hursthouse, M. B., 1 Apr 2010, In: Journal of Organometallic Chemistry. 695, 7, p. 1080-1083

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  23. Published

    Boron chemistry

    Beckett, M. A., 2 Feb 2015, In: Chemistry International. 37, 1, p. 28

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  24. Published

    Boron Hydrides and related compounds

    Beckett, M. A. & Leigh, J. (Editor), 25 Nov 2011, Principles of Chemical Nomenclature: A Guide to IUPAC Recommendations 2011 Edition. 2011 ed. Royal Society of Chemistry

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

  25. Published
  26. Published

    New developments in boroxine chemistry: metal alkoxide condensation reactions, and diisocyanate polymerization reactions

    Beckett, M. A. (Editor), Rugen-Hankey, M. P. (Editor), Varma, K. S. (Editor) & Bubnov, Y. N. (Editor), 1 Jan 2003, 2003 ed. URSS Scientific Publishers.

    Research output: Book/ReportBook

  27. Published

    pi-Bonding in B-O ring species: Lewis acidity of Me3B3O3, synthesis of amine Me3B3O3 adducts, and the crystal and molecular structure of Me3B3O center dot(3NH2Bu)-Bu-i center dot MeB(OH)(2)

    Beckett, M., Brassington, D. S., Owen, P., Hursthouse, M., Light, M., Malik, K. & Varma, K., 1999, In: Journal of Organometallic Chemistry. 585, 1, p. 7-11 5 p.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  28. Published

    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

    Beckett, M., Holland, J. & Varma, K., 1996, In: Polymer. 37, 20, p. 4629-4631 3 p.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  29. Published

    Crystal structure of tris (riphenylsiloxy)borane center dot triphenylsilanol(1 : 1) adduct

    Beckett, M., Hibbs, D. E., Hursthouse, M. B., Abdul Malik, K. M., Owen, P. & Sukumar Varma, K., 1998, In: Journal of Chemical Crystallography. 28, 4, p. 277-281 5 p.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  30. Published

    Lewis acidity of tris(pentafluorophenyl) borane: crystal and molecular structure of B(C(6)F(5))(3)center dot OPEt(3)

    Beckett, M., Brassington, D. S., Coles, S. J. & Hursthouse, M., 2000, In: Inorganic Chemistry Communications. 3, 10, p. 530-533 4 p.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  31. Published

    Synthesis and solid state B-11-{H-1} MAS NMR investigations of some group 11 arachno-2-metallatetraboranes.

    Beckett, M. & Jones, P. W., 1997, In: Synthesis and Reactivity in Inorganic and Metal-Organic Chemistry. 27, 1, p. 41-50 10 p.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  32. Published

    Synthesis and characterization of amine adducts of tri(4-bromophenyl)boroxine, tri(3-nitrophenyl)boroxine, and tri(3-aminophenyl)boroxine; molecular strcture of 3-picoline.tri(4-bromophenyl)boroxine.

    Beckett, M., Hibbs, D., Hursthouse, M., Malik, K. M. A., Varma, K. S. & Owen, P., 1998, In: Main Group Chemistry. 2, p. 251-258 8 p.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  33. Published

    Solid-state structures of compounds containing organic cations with cyclic organoboroxinate(1-) or bicyclic spiro pentaborate anions

    Beckett, M., Bland, C. C., Stiefvater-Thomas, B. M. & Varma, K. S., 2006, In: Reports Series in Chemistry. 70, p. 23

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  34. Published

    Compounds Containing the Boron–Chalcogen B–E (E[double bond, length half m-dash]S, Se, Te) Bond

    Beckett, M., 2007, Handbook of Chalcogen Chemistry: New Perspectives in Sulfur, Selenium and Tellurium . Royal Society of Chemistry, p. 1-30

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

  35. Published

    Synthesis and Lewis acidity of triorganosilyl and triorganostannyl esters of orthoboric, metaboric and arylboronic acids

    Beckett, M., Owen, P. & Varma, K. S., 1999, In: Journal of Organometallic Chemistry. 588, 1, p. 107-112 6 p.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  36. An NMR study of the arachno [B10H12PPh2]- anion: an interesting arachno to arachno topological transition induced by deprotonation

    Beckett, M. & Kennedy, J., 1983, In: Journal of the Chemical Society, Chemical Communications. p. 575-576 2 p.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  37. Published

    Nomenclature for boranes and related species

    Beckett, M., Brellochs, B., Chizhevsky, I. T., Damhus, T., Hellwich, K.-H., Kennedy, J. D., Laitinen, R., Powell, W. H., Rabinovich, D., Vinas, C. & Yerin, A., 1 Mar 2020, In: Pure and Applied Chemistry. 92, 2, p. 355-381

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  38. Published

    Enantiomer Discriminating Dehydrogenation of (R,S)-(±)-1-Phenylethan-1-ol to Acetophenone Catalysed by Chiral Cobalt(II) Schiff's Base Complexes and Triphenylphosphine

    Beckett, M. & Homer, R. B., Dec 1986, In: Inorganica Chimica Acta. 122, 1, p. L5-L7

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  39. Published

    Recent advances in crystalline hydrated borates with non-metal or transition-metal complex cations

    Beckett, M., 15 Sept 2016, In: Coordination Chemistry Reviews. 323, p. 2-14

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  40. Published

    Synthesis and XRD study of an C2-linked bis(quaternary ammonium) pentaborate: [Me3NCH2CH2NMe3][B5O6(OH)4]2

    Beckett, M., Coles, S. J., Horton, P. N. & Rixon, T., 3 Oct 2019, In: Phosphorus, Sulfur and Silicon and the Related Elements. 194, 10, p. 952-955

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  41. Molecular structure of the 17-vertex conjuncto platinaheptadecaborane [(PPMe2Ph)(PtB16H18)]: a 16-vetex h6-hexadecaboranyl ligand

    Beckett, M., Crook, J., Greenwood, N., Kennedy, J. & McDonald, W., 1982, In: Journal of the Chemical Society, Chemical Communications. p. 552-553 2 p.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  42. Published

    Amine adducts of (4-ClC6H4)3B3O3, Lewis acidity of triarylboroxines, and an XRD study on the related tetraphenylboroxinate(1-) salt, [C6H11NMe3][Ph4B3O3]

    Beckett, M., Coles, S., Horton, P. N., jones, C., Marshall, E. & Perry, T., 15 Jun 2018, In: Journal of Organometallic Chemistry. 865, p. 72-79

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  43. Published

    Copper(2+) Complexes of Hydroxyoxidoborates. Synthesis and Characterization of Two Clusters Containing the Hexaborate(2-) Ligand: [Cu(NH2CH2CH2NEt2){B6O7(OH)(6)}]center dot 5H(2)O and [Cu(NH3)(2){B6O7(OH)(6)}]center dot 2H(2)O

    Beckett, M., Altahan, M., Coles, S. J. & Horton, P. N., May 2019, In: Journal of Cluster Science. 30, 3, p. 599-605

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  44. Published

    Ligand substitution reactions of metal and organometal carbonyls with group V and group VI donor ligands: Organometallic Chemistry

    Beckett, M., 1991, In: Specialist Periodical Report. 20, p. 180-204

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  45. Comparative ten-vertex metallaborane chemistry: some nido-6-metalladecaboranes of tungsten, rhenium, ruthenium, osmium, and iridium; including the crystal and molecular structures of [6,6,6,6,6-(PMe2Ph)3H2-nido-6-WB9H13] and [6,6,6-(PMe2Ph)3-nido-6-OsB9H13]

    Beckett, M., Greenwood, N., Kennedy, J. D. & Thornton-Pett, M., 1986, In: Journal of the Chemical Society Dalton Transactions. 4, p. 795-801 7 p.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  46. Published

    A computer simulation of the solvation of a solvatochromic pyridinium betaine

    Beckett, M. & Dawber, J. G., 1989, In: Journal of the Chemical Society: Faraday Transactions I. 85, p. 727-733 7 p.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  47. Published

    Synthesis, XRD studies and NLO properties of [p-H2NC6H4CH2NH3][B5O6(OH)4].1/2H2O and NLO properties of some related pentaborate(1-) salts

    Beckett, M., Coles, S. J., Horton, P. N., Jones, C. & Krueger, K., Jul 2017, In: Journal of Cluster Science. 28, 4, p. 2087-2095

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  48. Published

    Ligand substitution reactions of metal and organometal carbonyls with group 15 and 16 donor ligands: Organometallic chemistry

    Beckett, M., 1990, In: Specialist Periodical Report. 19, p. 184-207 24 p.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

  49. Published

    Structural (XRD) Characterization and an Analysis of H-Bonding Motifs in Some Tetrahydroxidohexaoxidopentaborate(1-) Salts of N-Substituted Guanidinium Cations

    Beckett, M., Coles, S. J., Horton, P. & Rixon, T., 6 Apr 2023, In: Molecules. 28, 7, 15 p., 3273.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review