This project will explore and develop the opportunities for performing chemical synthesis on neutron beam lines at the ISIS Neutron Source. Neutron diffraction offers the possibility of monitoring chemical reactions through the structural determination of the different phases that are present as reactions evolve. This, in turn, enables reaction conditions and times of reaction to be determined and optimised. The project will focus on functional inorganic materials that include renewable energy systems and novel superconductors.

Magneto-electric materials – those which simultaneously exhibit spontaneous, switchable electric and magnetic polarizations – have a wide range of applications in data storage and other spintronic devices. This project will utilize the ‘hybrid-improper’ mechanism for ferroelectric behaviour in combination with low-temperature, ‘soft’ chemical solid-state synthesis to prepare and then characterise a range of novel ferroelectric and magnetoelectric solids.

This project will combine the advantages of frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) and solid-state molecular organometallic (SMOM) catalysis by synthesizing cationic FLPs featuring a well-defined (and sterically shrouded) pocket, and examining their reactivity in the solid state. The focus will initially be on hydrogenation and dehydrogenation processes, and the project will involve significant use of solid-state NMR and X-ray crystallography.

This project will involve the synthesis of a series of multi-macrocyclic ligands that will be used to prepare heterometallic complexes containing at least two different lanthanide ions. These systems will be used to explore the ways in which it is possible to demonstrate the formation of multiple excited states within a single molecule and establish the developing profile of these excited state manifolds over time.

This project will explore a novel bottom-up approach for the synthesis of quantum-confined group III/V clusters and semiconducting nanocrystals (quantum dots) in an attempt to understand the fundamentals of how such particles aggregate. Nanoparticle characterisation (microscopic, spectroscopic, light-scattering etc.) and specific surface chemical modification will allow insight into a fascinating, yet ill-defined, area of chemical space.

This project will involve the synthesis and investigation of molecular spin valves consisting of two different paramagnetic metalloporphyrin complexes, linked in series between anchor groups, for connection across graphene nanogaps. It will involve a wide range of techniques including synthesis, electrochemistry, EPR, SQUID magnetometry, device nanofabrication and cryogenic charge transport measurements.

The project will explore the catalytic synthesis of biodegradable alternatives to polyolefins which are derived from non-renewable petrochemical feedstocks. A new generation of low valent, low toxicity heavy metal (e.g. Bi) complexes supported by new multidentate ligand sets will facilitate metal-ligand co-operativity for the synthesis of macromolecules incorporating bio-derived natural C1 feedstocks (e.g. CO₂) to support a sustainable circular economy.

In this project, we will synthesise solid supported frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs), exploiting a range of single component FLP scaffolds derived from work developed in the Aldridge group, together with the Layered Double Hydroxide (LDH) supports developed by O’Hare and co-workers using an aqueous miscible organic solvent treatment. These systems will be exploited for the functionalization of small molecules (initially focussing on H₂) in both stoichiometric and catalytic fashion.

This project will involve the synthesis of novel multi-modal Pt(IV) and Au (III/I) anti-cancer complexes which incorporate relevant organic inhibitors: complexes will be purified (HPLC, crystallisation) and analysed (multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, ESI-MS, X-ray crystallography) and their biological activity evaluated in detail. Delivery of promising compounds will be investigated through ultrasound and convection-enhanced delivery.

The activation and functionalization of ammonia is a key challenge in the production of a number of high value-added products from bulk chemical feedstocks. In this project main group metal systems (for N–H bond cleavage) will be combined with a late transition metal component (for alkene binding/activation) to deliver hetero-bimetallic compounds capable of alkene hydroamination.

The project will apply the unique inherent dynamic shuttling and circumrotary motion features of rotaxane and catenane mechanically-interlocked molecules as potential novel isoselective Ring Opening Polymerization (ROP) catalysts. This will involve cation and anion template synthesis of achiral and chiral rotaxane and catenanes that contain monomer recognition sites and an investigation of their catalytic conformational dynamism for the ROP of epoxides, cyclic carbonates and lactones using a range of NMR and polymer characterization techniques.

This project aims to explore the chemistry of heavier analogues of cyanide, namely the cyaphide (C≡P^–) and cyarside (C≡As^–) ions, for the synthesis of novel solids based on Prussian blue (Fe₄^III[Fe^II(CN)₆]₃·xH₂O). Prussian Blue analogues exhibit fascinating magnetic properties (which in selected cases are switchable using external stimuli such as temperature or light), and more recently have found applications in gas sorption and hydrocarbon separation, water oxidation catalysis, and as battery components.

This project targets next generation batteries that show improved performance, safety and lifetime by replacing liquid electrolytes with more stable and safe solid-state electrolyte; it will design new cathodes with sufficient compliance that high stresses are avoided when active particles swell or contract, so that contact is maintained. The research focuses on inorganic and polymer synthesis with success measured through model composite conductivity, material lifetime and stability testing iterations.