Professor Paul Bernhardt

Primary research interest
Inorganic chemistry - coordination chemistry
About me
After completing my undergraduate and postgraduate studies at the University of Newcastle, I held a Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Basel (Switzerland) from 1990-2. I returned to Australia in 1993 to take up an Australian Research Council Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Australian National University (Canberra) from 1993-4. I joined The University of Queensland in 1994.
Research focus and collaborations
Protein electrochemistry
This research involves incorporating redox active enzymes with electrochemical systems such that the enzyme functions natively whilst in communication with an electrode (rather than with a natural electron transfer partner). We are currently investigating a number of systems, most from the molybdenum enzyme family that catalyse oxygen transfer reactions of both organic and inorganic substrates.
Copper complexes as atom transfer catalysts
Cu(I) amine complexes are known to be very effective atom transfer catalysts and can react with organic halides to release radicals for secondary reactions. Our group, in collaboration with Prof. Craig Williams, SCMB), is investigating this area with a goal of using electrochemistry to generate these reactive complexes in solution and develop new synthetic methods for making C-C bonds.
Funded projects
- Australian Research Council Discovery Project 2026-2028
Rewiring enzymes for direct electrochemistry
Total value of grant: $594,490 - Australian Research Council Discovery Project 2024-2026
Emergent organocopper complexes as robust catalysts for electrosynthesis
Total value of grant: $521,837 - Australian Research Council Discovery Project 2022-2024
Bioelectrochemical interconversion of the building blocks of life
Total value of grant: $390,000 - Australian Research Council Discovery Project 2021-2023
Pioneering stable copper carbanions for new C-C bond forming paradeigms
Total value of grant: $390,000 - Australian Research Council Discovery Project 2019-2021
Molybdenum enzyme electrochemical communication
Total value of grant: $351,142 - Australian Research Council Discovery Project 2015-2017
Enzyme Electrochemical Communication
Total value of grant: $319,812 - Australian Research Council Discovery Project 2015-2017
The fate of copper in atom transfer radical reactions
Total value of grant: $308,412 - Australian Research Council Discovery Project 2012-2014
Short circuiting redox enzymes
Total value of grant: $298,000 - Australian Research Council Discovery Project 2010-2012
Spotlighting biologically active Fe chelators within cells
Total value of grant: $330,000 - Australian Research Council Discovery Project 2008-2010
Electrochemically driven molybdoenzyme catalysis
Total value of grant: $367,000 - Australian Research Council Discovery Project 2007-2009
Chemical and Biochemical Characterisation of Novel Iron Chelators with Therapeutic Potential
Total value of grant: $615,000 - Australian Research Council Discovery Project
- Chemical and Biochemical Characterisation of Novel Iron Chelators with Therapeutic Potential
Total value of grant: $290,000 - Australian Research Council Discovery Project 2003-2005
Mechanistic Studies of Dimethylsulfide Dehydrogenase: A Novel Bacterial Molybdoenzyme
Total value of grant: $265,000 - Australian Research Council Large Grants 2000-2002
Mixed-valence transition metal assemblies
Total value of grant: $120,000
Teaching interests
Transition metal chemistry, coordination chemistry, electrochemistry, crystallography
Awards and achievements
- Associate Editor, Australian Journal of Chemistry 2008-present
- Australian Research Council College of Experts (Physics, Chemistry and Earth Sciences, 2011-2013)
- Chair RACI Inorganic Chemistry Division 2007-2010
- RACI President 2014-2016
- Burrows Award from the RACI Inorganic Chemistry Division
Featured publications
- Naher, M.; Connolly, B. J. P.; Gahan, L. R.; Bayya, V.; Harmer, J. R.; Bernhardt, P. V. Ligand-Enforced Isomeric Low-Spin and High-Spin Cobalt(II) Complexes. Inorganic Chemistry 2025, 64, 15309-15317.
- Giang, P. D.; Niks, D.; Hakopian, S.; Hille, R.; Bernhardt, P. V. Reversible enzyme-catalysed NAD+/NADH electrochemistry. Chemical Science 2025, 16, 6035-6049.
- Vo, T. T.; Naher, M.; Williams, C. M.; Bernhardt, P. V. Polychlorinated Amides and Lactones via Electrochemically Mediated Copper-Catalyzed Atom Transfer Radical Addition. Journal of Organic Chemistry 2025, 90, 12709-12716.
- Harmer, J. R.; Hakopian, S.; Niks, D.; Hille, R.; Bernhardt, P. V. Redox Characterization of the Complex Molybdenum Enzyme Formate Dehydrogenase from Cupriavidus necator. Journal of the American Chemical Society 2023, 145, 25850-25863.
- Gonzalvez, M. A.; Williams, C. M.; Martinez, M.; Bernhardt, P. V. Kinetico-Mechanistic Studies on a Reactive Organocopper(II) Complex: Cu-C Bond Homolysis versus Heterolysis. Inorganic Chemistry 2023, 62, 4662-4671.
Researcher biography
After completing my undergraduate and postgraduate studies at the University of Newcastle, I held a Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Basel (Switzerland) from 1990-2. I returned to Australia in 1993 to take up an Australian Research Council Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Australian National University (Canberra) from 1993-4. I joined The University of Queensland in 1994.