Professor Robson has played a pioneering role in two major areas of inorganic chemistry. Both involve the design of molecular organisation to achieve unusual functional or structural outcomes. The first was the synthesis of macrocyclic ligands able to bind more than one metal ion which could then act in a concerted and catalytic manner. These systems mimic enzymic catalysis and the work has triggered many similar studies all over the world. The second development was a strategy for using these di-, tetra-, and multi-nucleating systems to build infinite network materials which are potentially the microporous catalysts of the future. This crystal engineering and design showed a way forward into fruitful new areas of solid state synthesis which has now been emulated by many others.
