This project targets the synthesis of extended one-dimensional arrays of tin/germanium atoms from hydride precursors via a bottom-up approach. The sequential oxidative addition of M-H bonds at the low-valent M termini of the growing chains will be templated to produce linear/cyclic systems. Characterization will rely heavily on crystallographic techniques (including both X-ray and neutron diffraction).

Links:
Aldridge group

For further details please contact Professor Simon Aldridge

Porphyrin-based molecular wires mediate efficient charge transport. Recently, we demonstrated that the 4– and 6– states of a 6-porphyrin nanoring are globally antiaromatic and aromatic, respectively. This project aims to characterise negatively doped molecular wires, radical anions and polyanions, by single-crystal X-ray analysis, NMR spectroscopy, EPR spectroscopy and SQUID magnetometry.

Links:
Aromaticity and antiaromaticity in porphyrin nanoring anions
Electronic delocalization in porphyrin oligomer molecular wires

For further details please contact Professor Harry Anderson

This project aims to combine the unique three-dimensional topological host cavities of mechanically interlocked structures (rotaxanes and catenanes) with the long-lived luminescence properties of lanthanides to produce highly sensitive optical probes with the capability of sensing guest species of biological, medical and environmental importance.

Links:
Rotaxanes
Lanthanide rotaxanes

For further details please contact Professor Paul Beer

Production of zero-carbon fuels from air, water and intermittent renewable energy. This project involves the development of a combination of ammonia catalysts and sorbents for improving the Haber Bosch process.

Links:
Novel ammonia decomposition catalysts
The impact of renewable energy intermittency on green ammonia
The Green Ammonia Demonstrator at Harwell


For further details please contact Professor Bill David

This project will combine the synthesis of lanthanide macrocycles and nanoparticles, including those which are lipophilic, with microbubble generation. The focus will initially be magnetic resonance and luminescence and ultrasound imaging characteristics and will involve significant use NMR, DLS and ultrasonic characterisation.

Links:
Davis group
Faulkner group
Drugdelivery.org

For further details please contact Professor Jason Davis

Platinum (II) compounds are currently used in 50% of chemotherapy treatments for cancer, but their lack of specificity for cancer cells can result in serious side-effects of treatment. This project involves the synthesis of novel platinum (IV) complexes, and investigates their controlled delivery and reduction to cytotoxic Pt(II) species using triggered release strategies (e.g. ultrasound, light) from both lipid- and polymer-based delivery vehicles.

Links:
Photoactivatable PtIV complexes
Platinum-based chemotherapy

For further details please contact Dr Nicola Farrer

Organometallic Pt(IV) and Au(III) complexes, particularly those stabilised with carbanions (e.g. -C≡C, C^N, N-heterocyclic carbene and N-confused porphyrins) can exhibit unique and tunable luminescence properties. This project explores the potential for controlling and utilising reduction of these classes of complexes to Au(I) and Pt(II) species respectively, for applications in both diagnostics and therapy (theranostics).

Links:
Luminescent cyclometalated Au(III) complexes
Luminescent Au(I) and Au(III) complexes
Anticancer complexes of Au, Pt and Pd

For further details please contact Dr Nicola Farrer

Our goal is to explore the incorporation of phosphorus-containing motifs (such as phosphines and phosphorines) into mechanically interlocked molecules (rotaxanes and catenanes). These strongly Lewis basic phosphorus sites will allow for the complexation of guests that are otherwise challenging to trap with conventional interlocked systems. We will also explore the use of such supramolecular architectures as frustrated Lewis pair components for the activation of small molecule substrates such as H₂ and CO₂.

Links:
PCO^– for phosphine synthesis
Interlocked molecules

For further details please contact Professor Jose M. Goicoechea

This project will focus on the rapid synthesis of metal-organic nanosheets with tuneable photochemical and photophysical properties, useful for non-invasive sensing applications. The structure-property relations underpinning the two-dimensional frameworks will be studied by near-field nanoFTIR, X-ray scattering, and fluorescence spectroscopy.

Links:
MONs
Defects

For further details please contact Professor Jin-Chong Tan

This project will exploit metal-directed self-assembly and supramolecular design principles to develop artificial systems able to facilitate the transport of ions across lipid bilayer membranes. The research work will combine a range of synthetic methods with quantitative self-assembly studies and a range of biophysical techniques, with the goal of developing functional transporters for application in synthetic tissues.

Links:
Langton group
Bayley group

For further details please contact Dr Matthew Langton

This project is concerned with synthesis, testing and characterization of single transition metal atoms and clusters on internal surfaces of 3-D zeolites and metal organic frameworks (MOFs). Rational synthesis using solution precursors for ion exchange, arc discharge and MOCVD techniques to tailor the structure and geometry in the internal surfaces of defined porous materials will be combined with advance material characterization including diffraction, electron microscopy and computation (to guide synthesis) for selected catalytic reactions.

Links:
Zeolites
X- ray powder diffraction

For further details please contact Professor Edman Tsang

This project is concerned with novel synthesis, testing and characterization of new transition metal carbides and nitrides on polar oxide (support) surfaces for green ammonia production from N₂ and H₂ at low temperature and pressure. Rational synthesis using various solid-state synthetic techniques including MOCVD to establish the bulk structures and surfaces for optimal catalysis, which will be combined with advance material characterization including diffraction, electron microscopy and computation (to guide the synthesis).

Links:
"Green" ammonia production
MoS₂ monolayer catalysis

For further details please contact Professor Edman Tsang

This project explores a completely new approach to metal nanocluster assembly via nucleation at an engineered site on the surface of a hydrogenase enzyme molecule. The research exploits directed flow of electrons from H₂ oxidation at the catalytic centre of a hydrogenase to reduce metal cations for growth of Pt, Pd, Au or Ag nanoparticles, enabling exquisitely controlled nanoparticle growth and applications in chemo-bio catalysis and photocatalysis.

Links:
Vincent group
Armstrong group

For further details please contact Professor Kylie Vincent

This project exploits carbon nanotube-lined columns for flow chemistry, and seeks to tailor these for specialised catalytic processes in fine chemical synthesis by doping of the nanotubes or immobilising chemo- or enzyme-catalysts. The project work will span Materials and Chemistry and will involve carbon nanomaterial synthesis and modification, catalysis, reaction optimisation and assessment of ‘green chemistry’ metrics.

Links:
Vincent group
Grobert group

For further details please contact Professor Kylie Vincent

There is an urgent need for greener, less energy intensive and less polluting processes in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. This project will use enzyme evolution and biotransformation approaches to study systematically the activity, product scope and selectivity of designer P450 enzymes for C–H bond oxy-functionalisation of feedstocks and intermediates to develop shorter, more efficient routes to end products.

Links:
C–H activation by P450 enzymes

For further details please contact Professor Luet Wong