Life Sciences PhD Chemistry: Synthetic Inorganic/Organometallic Chemistry (2023)

What you get

This School-funded position covers Home tuition fees and a stipend at standard UKRI rates. Applicants with overseas fee status will need to fund the difference between Home and International tuition fees (approx £18k per year).

Type of award

Postgraduate Research

Funding type

School funded

PhD project

Conjugated Organometallic Complexes Featuring Main-Group Fragments as Model Molecular Conductors.  

Heavily conjugated, carbon-rich organometallics continue to feature prominently in efforts to achieve molecular-scale conductors (so-called ‘molecular wires’) and other electro-active molecular-scale components.  Currently gaining prominence in this field are efforts to produce ‘doped’ analogues of these, featuring discrete low-coordinate main-group atoms, an area in which we have been interested, with specific focus on phosphorus derivatives.  This project will continue and extend these studies to include other main-group fragments. 

The project builds on our recent work with the synthesis and study of conjugated organometallic complexes and ligands incorporating phosphacarbon fragments (see for example Dalton Trans. 2019, 48, 8131; Inorg. Chem. 2019, 58, 14800; J. Org. Chem. 2020, 85, 14697; Chem. Eur. J. 2021, 27, 16342). Initial studies will exploit some recently discovered reduction chemistry of [Ru(dppe)₂(CP)]⁺ as a means of generating anionic cyaphide-containing transition metal reagents, to facilitate fragment coupling reactions and the incorporation of further main-group components within the conjugated framework.  These systems will be studied for their electrochemical response, guiding subsequent targets, with complementary investigation of chemical reactivity, directed toward the development of electronically distinctive ligand frameworks.                

The project will involve substantial anaerobic synthesis of organometallics and ligands, with extensive ‘hands-on’ use of advanced multinuclear NMR spectroscopic techniques as a primary means of compound characterisation and reaction monitoring.  Electrochemical studies (CV, spectro-electrochemistry) will be undertaken (with relevant training) and there will be the opportunity (if so wished) to learn X-ray diffraction and DFT techniques. 

Eligibility

Ideal candidates will have a strong interest in synthetic inorganic and/or organometallic chemistry. Eligible applicants will hold a minimum 2:1 honours degree (or equivalent) in chemistry. Candidates for whom English is not their first language will require an IELTS score of 6.5 overall, with not less than 6.0 in any section.

Deadline

23 January 2023 23:45

How to apply

Please submit a formal application using our online system at www.sussex.ac.uk/study/phd/apply attaching a CV, degree transcripts and certificates, statement of interest (rather than a research proposal) and two academic references.

On the application system select Programme of Study – PhD Chemistry. Please ensure you state the project title under funding and include the proposed supervisor’s name where required.

Contact us

For enquiries about the application process, contact Emma Chorley: lifesci-rec@sussex.ac.uk

For enquiries about the project, contact supervisor: i.crossley@sussex.ac.uk, attaching a copy of your CV.