Dr. Chivers wrote a book about sulphur-nitrogen compounds called A
Guide to Chalcogen-Nitrogen Chemistry, which he considers one of the
areas in which he and his team made a major contribution. He talks
about combining sulphur, which is an insulator, and nitrogen, which is
a gas, into one molecule. They produce a conducting polymer.
“That
was a remarkable observation,” he says. “Our studies played a pivotal
role in explaining why the combination of the two non-metallic elements
leads to a compound with metallic properties.”
Discoveries such as
this motivate Dr. Chivers to continue his research. He also values the
stimulation that comes from the interaction he has with his many
students.
“I like the excitement of sharing discoveries with these
extremely bright young people,” he says. “I liken it to getting to the
top of a mountain and seeing a view you didn’t expect and sharing that
new perspective with them.”
Dr. Chivers recently co-authored his
second book, which is intended for senior undergraduate and graduate
students. It’s called Inorganic Rings and Polymers of the p-Block
Elements: From Fundamentals to Applications. The book is based on Dr.
Chivers’ 40 years of research experience in the chemistry of inorganic
ring systems of which elemental sulphur is the prime example.